The Giver Gets the Glory

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11–12)

It is very good news that God designs his glory to be magnified through the exercise of his grace. 

To be sure, God is glorified through the power of his wrath (Romans 9:22), but repeatedly the New Testament (and the Old Testament, for example, Isaiah 30:18) says that we should experience God’s grace so that God gets glory. 

Ponder how this works in the prayer of 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12.

Paul prays that God would fulfill our good resolves. 

How? He prays that they would be done “by [God’s] power.” That is, that they would be “[works] of faith.” 

Why? So that Jesus would be glorified in us. 

That means the giver gets the glory. God gave the power. God gets the glory. We have faith; he gives power. We get the help; he gets the glory. That’s the deal that keeps us humble and happy, and keeps him supreme and glorious.

Then Paul says that this glorification of Christ is “according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus.”

God’s answer to Paul’s prayer that we rely on God’s power to do good works is grace. God’s power to enable you to do what you resolve to do is grace. 

That’s the way it works in the New Testament over and over. Trust God for gracious enabling, and he gets the glory when the help comes. 

We get the help. He gets the glory. 

That’s why Christian living, not just Christian conversion, is good news.

ESCHEW EVIL DESIRE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY JANUARY 26, 2024.

SUBJECT: ESCHEW EVIL DESIRE!

Memory verse: "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (First Timothy 6 vs 9.)

READ: Matthew 5 vs 27 - 30:

5:27: You have heard that it was said by those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

5:28: But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

5:29: If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, and cast it from you; for it is profitable for you that one of thy members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

5:30: And if thy right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

INTIMATION:

A desire is a craving or longing for something. Some desires are evil or sinful and is frequently translated as “lust.” Some desires are good. For instance, the apostle Paul had the good desire to be with Christ; “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1 vs 23). Just as the Lord’s desire concerning the last Passover with the apostles; “Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22 vs 15.)

For evil desires, or inordinate affections, the apostle Paul says, such should not be tolerated by believers because, “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires.” (Galatians 5 vs 24.) When we accept Christ as our Savior, we need to turn from our sinful ways and willingly nail our sinful nature to the cross. This doesn’t mean, however, that we will never see traces of its evil desires again. As Christians we still have the capacity to sin and sometimes sin, but we have been set free from sin’s power over us and no longer have to give in to it. We must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God’s control, daily crucify them, and moment by moment draw on the Spirit’s power to overcome them. 

“Lust” is a devilish desire. Jesus said “lust” is as good as the “deed” itself. For instance, the Old Testament law says that it is wrong for a person to have sex with someone other than his or her spouse (Exodus 20 vs 14). But Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your spouse is mental adultery and thus sin. Jesus was emphasizing here that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention. In the passage we read today, Jesus is condemning the deliberate and repeated filling of one’s mind with fantasies that would be evil if acted upon. Therefore, desires that will lead you to wrongdoing should not be accommodated. 

Some people may desire to be rich, which in itself, is not wrong or evil, but the desire to be rich at all costs will definitely build up ideas in their minds that will expose them to temptations, snares, and many foolish things that are harmful and destructive. For instance, somebody might desire to make wealth by all means, and will be harboring stealing, money rituals, or obtaining by false pretenses, and if such desires are acted upon, the person may be committing murder, and other heinous crimes that are evil in themselves. Sinful actions are more dangerous than sinful desires, hence desires should not be acted out. Nevertheless, sinful desires are just as damaging to obedience as the actions proper. Left unchecked, wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God.

Jesus was speaking figuratively when He said we should get rid of your hand or your eye, He didn’t mean literally to gouge our your eye, because even a blind person can lust. But if that were the only choice, it would be better to go into heaven with one eye or hand than to go to hell with the two. It takes the help of the Holy Spirit to resist any actions on our evil desires. The world is full of enticements. Daily we are confronted with subtle cultural pressures and overt propaganda. The only way to escape these destructive influences is to ask God to help crucify our interest in them.

Evil acts begin with evil desires. It isn’t enough to ask God to keep you away from temptation, make you stronger, or change your circumstances. You must ask Him to change you on the inside—at level of your desires.

The Scripture says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4 vs 23.) We should keep our hearts with all diligence, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires: Don’t go after everything you see. And don’t get sidetracked on detours that lead to temptation.

“Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things that are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things that pure, whatever things that lovely, whatever things that are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4 vs 8.)

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to put boundaries on my desires, to concentrate on those desires that will keep me on the right path of righteousness and obedience to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen. 

PRAISE  THE LORD!

Delayed Deliverances

Immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. (Acts 16:26)

In this age, God rescues his people from some harm. Not all harm. That’s comforting to know, because otherwise we might conclude from our harm that he has forgotten us or rejected us.

So be encouraged by the simple reminder that in Acts 16:19–24, Paul and Silas were not delivered, but in verses 25–26, they were.

First, no deliverance:

“They seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace.” (verse 19)“The magistrates tore the garments off them.” (verse 22)They “inflicted many blows upon them.” (verse 23)The jailer “fastened their feet in the stocks.” (verse 24) 

But then, deliverance: 

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God . . . and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. (verses 25–26) 

God could have stepped in sooner. He didn’t. He has his reasons. He loves Paul and Silas.

Question for you: If you plot your life along this continuum of Paul’s initial suffering and later deliverance, where are you? Are you in the stripped-and-beaten stage, or the unshackled, door-flung-open stage? 

Both are God’s stages of care for you. He has not left you or forsaken you (Hebrews 13:5).

If you are in the fettered stage, don’t despair. Sing. Freedom is on the way. It is only a matter of time. Even if it comes through death. “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

DISARMING SATAN!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JANUARY 25, 2024.

SUBJECT : DISARMING SATAN!

Memory verse: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12 vs 11.)

READ: Matthew 4 vs 1 - 11:

4:1: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

4:2: And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was an hungry.

4:3: Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.

4:4: But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

4:5: Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,

4:6: and he said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

4:7: Jesus said to him, It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

4:8: Again, the devil took Him up on an exceeding high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.

4:9: And said to him, “All these things I will give You, if You wilt fall down and worship me.”

4:10: Then Jesus said to him, “Away with You Satan! For it is written, “You shalt worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”

4:11: Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

INTIMATION:

Our testimony of the reality of the Word is greatly feared by Satan, and he is totally disarmed and made ineffective by that. That was the weapon of Jesus against Satan's temptations in the wilderness. When the tempter, Satan, came with his temptations, Jesus simply reminded him of what the Word says, "It is written," and the tempter has no reply to it. The devil and his cohorts know the Scriptures and tremble at the mention of God, but refuse to obey Him.

Jesus was able to resist all of the devil’s temptations because He not only knew Scriptures, but He also obeyed it. Ephesians 6 vs 17 says that God’s Word is a sword to use in spiritual combat. Knowing Bible verses is an important step in helping us resist the devil’s attacks, but we must also obey the Bible. Note that Satan had memorized Scriptures, but he failed to obey it. Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us follow God’s desires rather than the devil’s.

The devil used Scriptures to try to convince Jesus to sin! Sometimes friends or associates will present attractive and convincing reasons why you should try something you know is wrong. They may even find Bible verses that seem to support their viewpoint. Study the Bible carefully, especially the broader contexts of specific verses, so that you understand God’s principles for living and what He wants in your life. Only if you really understand what the whole Bible says will you be able to recognize errors of interpretation when people take verses out of context and twist them to say what they want them to say.

The devil offered the whole world to Jesus if Jesus would only kneel down and worship him. Today the devil offers us the world by trying to entice us with materialism and power. We can resist temptations the same way Jesus did. If you find yourself craving something that the world offers, quote Jesus’ words to the devil: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Satan is a fallen angel. He is real, not symbolic, and is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God. Satan’s temptations are real, and he is always trying to get us to live his way or our way rather than God’s way. 

The excellent knowledge of the Word of God makes for a profitable and triumphant living. Your life is staunched on your believe in the Word. Believing builds up your faith, and faith comes from hearing the Word of God. To believe in the Word is accepting its existence, recognizing its value or advantage, and to have faith in its ability. The Word is the same as God (John 1 vs 1), therefore, believe in the Word is believe in God. All God's attributes are also associated with His Word. God assures us that all who honestly seek Him—who act in faith on the knowledge of God (the Word) that they possess (putting into practice or action the Word they believe) will be rewarded (Hebrews 11 vs 6).

Obedience to the engagement of the Word as well as observance of the declaration, is doing the Will of God, that is obeying the Word of God. Consequently obeying God; living the life of obedience and observance, guarantee a partnership with God in living your life and ensure an ever profitable and classic living.

Prayer: Abba Father, forever, Your Word is settled in heaven. Endue me with Your excellent spirit in the knowledge and faith in Your Word that I may speak Your Word in season and out of season, to the glory and honor of Your name and for my profiting, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Served in Serving Others

 Jesus said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?” (Mark 8:17)

After Jesus had fed both the 5,000 and the 4,000 with only a few loaves and fish, the disciples got in a boat without enough bread for themselves.

When they began to discuss their plight, Jesus said, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand?” (Mark 8:17). What didn’t they understand?

They did not understand the meaning of the leftovers, namely, that Jesus will take care of them when they take care of others. Jesus says,

“When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8:19–21)

Understand what? The leftovers.

The leftovers were for the servers. In fact, the first time there were twelve servers and twelve basketfuls left over (Mark 6:43) — one whole basket for each server. The second time there were seven basketfuls left over — seven, the number of abundant completeness.

What didn’t they understand? That Jesus would take care of them. You can’t out-give Jesus. When you spend your life for others, your needs will be met. “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

THE STEWARDSHIP IN GIVING!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24, 2024.

SUBJECT: THE STEWARDSHIP IN GIVING! 

Memory verse: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20 vs 35.)

READ: Luke 6 vs 38; Second Corinthians 9 vs 8 - 11:

6:38: Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

Second Corinthians 9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work

9:9: As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

9:10: Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

9:11: while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

INTIMATION:

Giving is a service to God, especially when it is done for God’s work, and within the household of faith. In God's economy, you move closer toward your goals by giving out than you do by clinging to everything you have. God is the source of all you have; “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3 vs 27.) Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1 vs 17), He alone gives us power to make wealth (Deuteronomy 8 vs 18). Consequently, He blesses us so that we can be a blessing (Genesis 12 vs 3). 

God is the source of all we have, regardless of how much effort we put into earning a living. Yes, money or possessions may be difficult to come by, and you may have worked hard to acquire them, and giving some of them away would only seem to put you further away from the goal of having all your needs met. All of that would be true if God wasn't your source. 

For instance, the people of our generation live at a level of relative prosperity that most people throughout history couldn't have dreamed of, yet we didn't do anything to be born at this time. We didn't cause ourselves to be born into such opportunity and freedom. It is quite obvious that the ability to prosper is a gift from God, and we can't boast of the opportunities we have been given.

The apostle Paul used those splendid words in First Corinthians 4 vs 7 to emphasize the fact that all you have you have received; "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" 

The apostle Paul, In Galatians 6 vs 9  - 10 says; “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” The apostle Paul challenges us to continue in the act of doing good, like giving to the needy, especially among believers, whether it is acknowledged or not. 

Although, it is discouraging to continue doing right and receiving no word of thanks or see any tangible results, but we should trust God for the results if we faint not. In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessing, and a crown of glory in eternity with Christ. Your stewardship in giving is to God, and not to the receiver. And the Master will reward at His own time, whether here on earth or in eternity or both.

God gives us resources to use and invest for Him. The resources He gives us are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured, or thrown away. Instead, they should be cultivated in order to produce more resources; “Blessed to be a blessing.” When we invest what God has given us in His work, and according to His will, He will provide us with even more to give in His service. 

Consequently, there is no lack in giving according to God’s will; He will make you sufficient in all things, that you may have an abundance for every good work. He owns all things, and shows His compassion to whom He chooses (Romans 9 vs 15). Your giving is also counted for you as righteousness, and He ensures you prosper in the things you do, and is enriched in everything for all generosity.

Your selfishness with possessions is ungodly. God has only entrusted all you have to your care, and stewardship to Him. It is not yours, God owns all resources (Psalm 50 vs 12). And proper use of the resources entrusted in our care by the Owner is demonstrated in how we use it to earn eternal benefit. And that is why no takes anything away at the point of death. Another person will be entrusted with those things you possessed while you lived. 

Unselfish use of the possessions is an act of obedience to God’s Will. It's one thing to say you believe God is your source, but it's another thing to prove it. The way you prove to yourself, not God, is to give a portion of what you make back to Him. And that is done when you use your money to help those in need or to help others find Christ, therefore, our earthly investment will bring eternal benefit. 

Prayer: Abba Father, all I have I have received from You! Endue me with the spirit of giving, to serve You and others with what You gave entrusted in my care, that I may be approved as a worthy steward, and earn myself true riches in Christ, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Go Directly to God

 “In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” (John 16:26–27)

Don’t make God’s Son more of a Mediator than he is. 

Jesus says, “I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf.” In other words, I’m not going to insert myself between you and the Father, as though you can’t go to him directly. Why? “The Father himself loves you.”

This is astonishing. Jesus is warning us not to think of God Almighty as unwilling to receive us directly into his presence. By “directly” I mean what Jesus meant when he said, “I am not going to take your requests to God for you. You may take them directly. He loves you. He wants you to come. He is not angry at you.”

It is absolutely true that no sinful human being has any access to the Father except through Jesus’s blood (Hebrews 10:19–20). He intercedes for us now (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). He is our advocate with the Father now (1 John 2:1). He is our High Priest before the throne of God now (Hebrews 4:15–16). He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Yes. But Jesus is protecting us from taking his intercession too far. “I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you.” Jesus is there. He is providing an ever-present, ever-living witness to the removal of the Father’s wrath from us.

But he is not there to talk for us, or to keep us at a distance from the Father, or to suggest that the Father’s heart is guarded toward us or disinclined to us — hence the words, “For the Father himself loves you.”

So, come. Come boldly (Hebrews 4:16). Come expectantly. Come expecting a smile. Come trembling with joy, not dread.

Jesus is saying, “I have made a way to God. Now I am not going to get in the way.” Come.

“In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” (John 16:26–27)

Don’t make God’s Son more of a Mediator than he is.

Jesus says, “I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf.” In other words, I’m not going to insert myself between you and the Father, as though you can’t go to him directly. Why? “The Father himself loves you.”

This is astonishing. Jesus is warning us not to think of God Almighty as unwilling to receive us directly into his presence. By “directly” I mean what Jesus meant when he said, “I am not going to take your requests to God for you. You may take them directly. He loves you. He wants you to come. He is not angry at you.”

It is absolutely true that no sinful human being has any access to the Father except through Jesus’s blood (Hebrews 10:19–20). He intercedes for us now (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). He is our advocate with the Father now (1 John 2:1). He is our High Priest before the throne of God now (Hebrews 4:15–16). He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Yes. But Jesus is protecting us from taking his intercession too far. “I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you.” Jesus is there. He is providing an ever-present, ever-living witness to the removal of the Father’s wrath from us.

But he is not there to talk for us, or to keep us at a distance from the Father, or to suggest that the Father’s heart is guarded toward us or disinclined to us — hence the words, “For the Father himself loves you.”

So, come. Come boldly (Hebrews 4:16). Come expectantly. Come expecting a smile. Come trembling with joy, not dread.

Jesus is saying, “I have made a way to God. Now I am not going to get in the way.” Come.