THE WINNING PRAYER!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2025.

SUBJECT : THE WINNING PRAYER!

Memory verse: "This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shalt meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1 vs 8.)

READ: Isaiah 1 vs 18; 41 vs 21; & 43 vs 26:

1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

41:21: “Present your case,” says the LORD. “Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob

43:26: Put Me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquitted.

INTIMATION:

The winning prayer is the prayer anchored on reasoning with the Lord in His Word. Therefore, a winning prayer is richly prepared in God’s Word, presenting His Word back to Him that He may hasten to perform it (Jeremiah 1 vs 12). As the Scripture says, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good.” (Numbers 23 vs 19.) The Word of God is forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119 vs 89.) Therefore, a Christian wins in prayer if he or she prepares very well in God’s Word before prayer. 

The apostle Paul told the believers in Colosse in Colossians 3 vs 16, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..." You must have a word-stuffed heart, to maintain a hotline communication with God. Emotional displays in prayer does not move God. No amount of tears from your cry will move God if your communication is void of adequate Word preparation. God is only moved when you ask according to His Will. So, all you need is the right Words and your communication with Him will be through. 

One thing is needful for every other thing to fall in place—the right Word of God. If you check through Scriptures, you will find out that everything is hooked to, and rooted in the Word. Faith, effectual prayer, and success etc, are all rooted in it. Being outstanding in Christianity is a function of your Word content, and not the amount of religious exercises you engage in. I have seen many heavy prayer warriors who are weary, but I am yet to see a Word warrior who is not a conqueror. When you are wordless in God’s Word, your prayers can't be genuine. You will either be under pressure, or just be playing games. 

It is God's Word that connects you to the Throne for response. No matter how long you have been cheated by the devil, when you cry to God and say, "Lord, can't You see how I am being cheated? Can't You see how long I have been a Christian?" All He will say is, "My son, my daughter, talk sense! What do you want Me to do for you?" He wants you to bring your strong reasons from His Word and put Him in remembrance of them. So until you remind Him of His Word that commits Him to perform His Word, your prayers will continue to remain unanswered. 

The Bible in John 1 vs 1 & 14 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth." Jesus is the Word of God. Therefore, locating the Word for any situation, is locating Jesus for that situation.

Now, the Bible says in Matthew 21 vs 42 & 44, "Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes?” And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." The stone referred to here is Jesus—the Word. If any opposition falls on it, that opposition will be broken; and when it falls upon any opposition, it grinds it to powder. Anytime you locate Scriptures that address any issue of concern in your life, and use them, you are spiritually hauling stones against the opposition, breaking them first and then grinding them to powder. And it is obvious the Scriptures cannot be broken (John 10 vs 35).

The Bible in Hebrews 4 vs 12 says, "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Embedded in the Word is the power and might of God. It is living and dynamic as it works in us. Locating the Word is bringing God to the scene, and that marks the end of any oppositions in your life. 

The Lord said, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from out My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55 vs 10 - 11.) 

Rather than spend time doing some religious exercises that won't profit you, spend it in the Word, to gather the appropriate stones that will bring down your Goliath. Go by the River of Life (the Bible), carefully choose and pick up those lively stones (Scriptures), put them in your bag (your heart) and then move against the opposition and you are sure to bring it down.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have given us all that pertains to life and godliness in Your Word. Give me the grace to be richly endowed with the deep knowledge of Your Word, and that I will confess it at all times. to overcome all oppositions of the devil by the words of my testimony, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

You Are Greatly Loved

 You Are Greatly Loved

We all once lived among [the sons of disobedience] in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:3–5)

Would you not love to hear the angel Gabriel say to you, “You are greatly loved”? 

Three times this happened to Daniel.

“At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved.” (Daniel 9:23)

“O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” (Daniel 10:11)

And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” (Daniel 10:19)

I admit that each year when I read through the Bible and come to these verses, I want to take them and apply them to myself. I want to hear God saying to me, “You are greatly loved.”

In fact, I do hear this. And you can hear it too. If you have faith in Jesus, God himself says to you in his word — which is more sure than an angel of God speaking — “You are greatly loved.”

There it stands in Ephesians 2:3–5, 8: We “were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. . . . For by grace you have been saved through faith.”

This is the only place where Paul uses this wonderful phrase “great love.” And it is better than an angel’s voice. If you have seen Jesus as true and received him as your supreme treasure, that is, if you are “alive,” you are greatly loved. Greatly loved by the Creator of the universe. Just think of it! Greatly loved!

KEEP YOUR HOPE ALIVE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2025.

SUBJECT: KEEP YOUR HOPE ALIVE!

Memory verse: "While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (Second Corinthians 4 vs 18.)

READ: Hebrews 4 vs 3 - 10: 

4:3: For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath,‘They shall not enter My rest,’ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 

4:4: For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 

4:5: and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest..”

4:6: Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,

4:7: again, He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after so long a time; as it is said: “Today if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

4:8: For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.

4:9: There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.

4:10: For he who has entered His rest has also ceased from his works, as God did from His.

INTIMATION:

Hope is the foundation upon which we continue our response to the grace of God. We all have faced problems in our relationships or in our work that have caused us to think about giving up. Also, we have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. It’s easy to lose heart and quit. Because of our hope that is in Christ, however, we can let go of past and look forward to what God will help us become. Don’t dwell on your past if you a child of God. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with Him now. Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ.

Our troubles should not diminish our faith or disillusion us, nor should fatigue, pain, or criticism force you off the job. We should not forsake our eternal reward because of the intensity of today’s pain. We should realize that there is a purpose in our suffering. Problems and human limitations have several benefits: (1) They remind us of Christ’s suffering for us; (2) they keep us from pride; (3) they cause us to look beyond this brief life; (4) they give us opportunities to prove our faith to others; and (5) they give God the opportunity to demonstrate His power. See your troubles as opportunities! Your very weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen you moment by moment as you concentrate on the inner strength that comes from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3 vs 16). 

Our day-to-day experiences and hardships are sometimes overwhelming, and we may despair unless we can see that God’s purpose is to bring about continual growth in us. Though Christians see the world as it is—physically decaying and spiritually infected with sin, but they do not need to be pessimistic, because they have hope for future glory. The hope they need is well expressed in Jeremiah 29 vs 11 - 12; “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” To retain hope while we suffer shows we understand God’s merciful ways of relating to His people.

Some people have little hope of escaping their degrading way of life. With no hope, they languish in their state of predicament. But the blind beggar, in Luke 18 vs 35, took hope in the Messiah. He shamelessly cried out for Jesus’ attention, and Jesus said that his faith allowed him to see. No matter how desperate your situation may seem, if you call out to Jesus in faith, He will help you. God’s grace has delivered us from sin and death, and consequently, will deliver us unto the new heavens and earth that are to come. For this reason, Christians should obediently walk by faith in order not to give up their eternal possession that they have as heirs of God. 

The ultimate hope of a Christian when experiencing terrible illness, persecution, or pain is the realization that this life is not all there is—there is life after death! Death is only a prelude to eternal life with God. Knowing that we will live forever with God in a place without sin and suffering can help us live above the pain that we face in this life. The ultimate hope of the believer is in the return of Jesus (Titus 2 vs 13). Our perspective on life remains incomplete without this hope. This hope gives the Christians the inner strength to persevere through the struggles of this life, and remain faithful and strong through the trials and persecutions of this world. 

Hope keeps the Christian from becoming lazy or feeling bored. Like an athlete, train hard and run well, remembering the reward that lies ahead (Philippians 3 vs 14). No matter what happens, God is in control. Evil will not last forever. And a wonderful reward awaits all those who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord. All Christians should show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that they do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6 vs 11 - 12).

Prayer: Abba Father, my trust is in You. For I know I am victorious in Christ, and look forward to live with Him forever when all suffering will end and all sorrow will flee away.

Give me the grace of unshakable hope in the heirship You promised to Your children, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD! 

God Opens the Heart

 God Opens the Heart

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:14)

Everywhere Paul preached some believed and some did not. How are we to understand why some of those who are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1, 5) believed and some did not?

The answer why some did not believe is that they “thrust it aside” (Acts 13:46) because the message of the gospel was “folly to [them], and [they were] not able to understand” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The mind of the flesh “is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:7).

Everyone who hears and rejects the gospel “hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:20). They remain “darkened in their understanding . . . because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart” (Ephesians 4:18). It is a guilty ignorance. The truth is available. But “by their unrighteousness [they] suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18).

But why then do some believe, since all are in this condition of rebellious hardness of heart, dead in their trespasses? The book of Acts gives the answer in at least three different ways. One is that they are appointed to believe. When Paul preached in Antioch of Pisidia, the Gentiles rejoiced and “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

Another way of answering why some believe is that God granted repentance. When the saints in Jerusalem heard that Gentiles, and not just Jews, were responding to the gospel, they said, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18).

But the clearest answer in Acts to the question why a person believes the gospel is that God opens the heart. Lydia is the best example. Why did she believe? Acts 16:14 says, “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”

If you are a believer in Jesus, all of these happened to you: You were appointed to believe; you were granted to repent; and the Lord opened your heart. The rest of your life you should be overflowing with amazed thankfulness at the miracle that you are a believer.

THE CHRISTIAN RACE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2025.

SUBJECT : THE CHRISTIAN RACE!

Memory verse: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12 vs 1.)

READ: First Corinthians 9 vs 24 - 27; Philippians 3 vs 12 - 14:

First Corinthians 9:24: Do you not know that those who run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

9:25: And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown; but we for an imperishable crown.

9:26: Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainly. Thus I fight: not as one who  beats the air.

9:27: But I discipline my body, and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Philippians 3:12: Not that I had already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

3:13: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

3:14: I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

INTIMATION:

Christian life is a race; we are running toward our heavenly reward with our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. It takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. Winning the race requires purpose and discipline. The essential discipline of prayer, Bible study, and worship equip us to run with vigor and stamina.  Therefore, train yourself diligently in these aforementioned exercises—your spiritual progress depends upon them. God has set before the Christian the mark of a final rest—eternity with Him—for which all of us were created. The goal is the new heavens and earth wherein dwells righteousness. When one’s hope for heaven is strong, then he or she will submit his or her life to the narrow way of Christian living.

To run the race that God had set before us, we must also strip off the excess weight that slows us down. How can we do that? (1) Choose friends who are also committed to the race. Wrong friends will have values and activities that may deter you from the course. Much of your own weight may result from the crowd you run with, therefore, make wise choices. (2) Drop certain activities for you, at this time, that may be weight. Try dropping them for a while, then check the results in your life. (3) Get help for addictions that disable you. If you have a secret “weight” such as pornography, gambling, or alcohol, admit your need and get help today. 

The Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run with endurance, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. All sin hinders one’s faithfulness in running the Christian race. The apostle Paul said, “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” (Second Timothy 2 vs 5.) To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We will stumble if we look away from Him to stare at ourselves or at the circumstances surrounding us. We should be running for Christ, not ourselves, and we must always keep Him in sight.

The goal of every Christian is to know Christ, and we should not let anything take our eyes off the goal. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. If one takes his mind off Jesus, he or she will be diverted to other things, and thus, discontinue his or her participation in the race. It is essential, therefore, that every Christian focus his or her attention on Jesus who has gone before us, and is waiting for us in the heavenly realm.

In one of the passages we read today, the apostle Paul said, “But I discipline my body, and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (First Corinthians 9 vs 27.) The Christian must not allow the lust of the flesh to detour him from the race. He must exercise self-discipline in order to train his or her character to be fit for eternal dwelling. The disciple who preaches to others without bringing his or her own lusts under control, will lose his or her reward. Therefore, one’s good works in preaching are not enough to save one from an unholy life. You must exercise discipline and self-control in order to be qualified. However, you put yourself under excessive pressure if you want to lead this life by yourself without involving and relying on the help of the Holy Spirit—our Helper.

Also, the sin of doubts concerning God’s faithfulness to keep His promises, hinders Christians from zealously doing what God requires of an active faith. One must persevere in the race of faith. One’s race must be consistent and enduring. If one is not actively engaged in the race, then He or she is in a state of falling away. Indifference and stalemate are only stages of digression. If one continues in indifference as a stagnant Christian, he will digress to an inactive faith that would lead to creating an inactive religiosity after his or her own laziness. It is this type of religion that leads one to destruction. 

The apostle Paul remarked, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith: Finally there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give me at that Day, and not to me only, but also to all who loved His appearing.” (Second Timothy 4 vs 7 - 8.) He was certain concerning his reward and eagerly awaited it. This should be the target of all believers, and we should strive to fight and finish the race as he did, and obviously our rewards await us.

Prayer: Abba Father, my complete trust is in You. Give me the grace to constantly focus on Jesus in my Christian race that I may be worthy of Your calling, and receive the crown of life—eternal life with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Hour of Unusual Threat

 The Hour of Unusual Threat

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:14)

Many Christians in the world today do not know the life-threatening danger that comes with believing in Christ. We have gotten used to being free from such persecution. It seems like the way things must be. 

So, our first reaction to the threat that things might be otherwise is often anger. But that anger may be a sign that we have lost our sense of being sojourners and exiles (“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles . . .” 1 Peter 2:11). 

Perhaps we have settled too much into this world. We don’t feel as homesick for Christ as Paul did: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

Many of us need the reminder, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). It isn’t strange.

Have you ever wondered how you will do in the hour of final trial? The gunman has you in his sights and asks, “Are you a Christian?” Here is a strong word to give you hope that you may do better than you think.

Peter says, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14). This encouragement from Peter says that in the hour of unusual threat (whether insult or death) there will be “a Spirit of glory and of God resting on us.” Doesn’t that mean that God gives special help in the hour of crisis to those who suffer because they are Christians?

I don’t mean he is absent from our other sufferings. I just mean that Peter went out of his way to say that those who suffer “for the name of Christ” will experience a special “resting” on them of “the Spirit of glory and of God.”

Pray that this would be your experience when the trial comes. There will be resources of endurance in that moment that we do not have any other time. Take heart.

JESUS THE VACUUM FILLER!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2025.

SUBJECT: JESUS THE VACUUM FILLER!

Memory verse: "And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2 vs 10.)

READ: John 6 vs 16 - 21:

6:16: Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,

6:17: got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.

6:18: Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.

6:19: So when they had rowed about three to four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat; and they were afraid.

6:20: But He said to them, “It is I; be not afraid.”

6:21: Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

INTIMATION:

Life without its Owner creates a vacuum. This vacuum needs to be appropriately filled. If you look around, you will notice that few people seem content within themselves. But when you get closer, they will tell you of a vacuum in their lives that needs to be filled. Many people are searching for something that will give their lives a boost. A strange and often hard-to-identify inner vacuum gives most people an uneasy sense of incompleteness. Christ fills that vacuum! As Jesus’ person is fully divine, so we, united by faith to Jesus, find personal fulfillment in Him: “You are complete in Him.”

Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of all things: “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men.” (John 1 vs 3 - 4.) With Him you are something valuable and unique; apart from Him you are nothing, and can do nothing (John 15 vs 5). Christ alone holds the answer to the true meaning of life because He is life. He is the unique source of knowledge and power for the Christian life. No Christian needs anything in addition to what Christ has provided to be saved, and to live; ‘as His divine power has given us all that pertains to life and godliness’ (Second Peter 1 vs 3). 

In our life’s experience and circumstances, some days may not feel like it, but in Jesus, the vacuum is gone; the full power and presence of God takes up residence in your mind and heart. In Christ you are a new person, equipped for life and satisfied in God. In union with Christ through His empowering Spirit, we are complete. We have all the fullness of God available to us. But we must appropriate that fullness through faith and through prayer as we daily live for Him. You can ask the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of your life to the fullest. And then take some risks, God will guide you. Give more generously, God will supply. Love more freely, God will energize you. Say “can do” more often, God will amaze you.

Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” (Revelation 22 vs 13.) Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and it signifies the eternity of God. Without Him you have nothing that is eternal, nothing that can change your life, nothing that can save you from sin. When you place your life in Christ’s hands, He restores you now and resurrects you later to an eternal, peaceful relationship with Him. Is the Lord your reason for living? “the Alpha and the Omega” of your life? Honor the One who is the beginning and the end of all existence, wisdom, and power.

In the passage we read today, the apostle John recorded the very significant and unique attribute of Jesus! When you willingly accept the entrance of Jesus into your life, you will immediately arrive at your ultimate life’s destination. Just as His disciples willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going (John 6 vs 21). When you catch this revelation, you will willingly receive Him into your life, trust, and rest in Him, assured of your ultimate arrival to your life’s destination.

Prayer: Abba Father, all to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely and willingly give my life. I will ever love and trust Him, and in His presence I will daily live, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!