God Rejoices to Do You Good

 God Rejoices to Do You Good

“I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. . . . I will rejoice in doing them good.” (Jeremiah 32:40–41)

This is one of those promises of God that I come back to again and again when I get discouraged. Can you think of any fact more encouraging than that God rejoices to do you good? Not just does you good. Not just is committed to doing you good — glorious as that is. But that he rejoices to do you good. “I will rejoice in doing them good.”

He doesn’t begrudgingly fulfill the promise in Romans 8:28 to work everything together for our good. It is his joy to do you good. And not just sometimes. Always! “I will not turn away from doing good to them.” There are no lapses in his commitment or in his joy in doing good to his children — to those who trust him.

That should make us so glad! 

But sometimes it is hard to be glad. Our situation is so hard to bear that we just can’t muster any joy. When that happens to me, I try to imitate Abraham: “In hope he believed against hope” (Romans 4:18). In other words, you look your hopeless situation in the face and say, “You are not as strong as God! He can do the impossible. And I know he loves to do it for those who trust him. So, hopelessness, you will not have the last say. I trust God!”

God has always been faithful to guard that little spark of faith for me and eventually (not always right away) fan it into a flame of happiness and full confidence. And Jeremiah 32:41 is a great part of that joy.

Oh, how glad I am that what makes the heart of almighty God happy includes doing good for you and me! “I will rejoice in doing them good.”

MAKE YOUR CHOICE OF WHO TO SERVE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY MARCH 04, 2025.

SUBJECT : MAKE YOUR CHOICE OF WHO TO SERVE!

Memory verse: ""And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24 vs 15.)

READ: First Kings 18 vs 20 - 21:

18:20: Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on mount Carmel.

18:21: And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him, but if Baal, follow him. But the people answered him not a word.

INTIMATION:

The time is now for your resolution of who you live for, either for yourself or for God. God created us as free-moral beings, and allows a choice in all things. He will not make our choices for now and the future. Your right to choose makes you responsible for your now and future thereby putting your own destiny in your hands. Because of what God had done for you in Christ Jesus, it is reasonable and responsible for you to make the choice to continue in obedience to His will. However, if you fail to do the Will of God, you will be responsible for your own judgements from God.

Why do so many people waver between the two choices? Perhaps some are not sure. Many, however, knew the Lord was God, but they enjoyed the sinful pleasures and other benefits that came from their idolatrous worship. It is important to take a stand for the Lord. If we just drift with whatever is pleasant and easy, we will someday discover that we have been worshipping a false God—ourselves. That is idolatry—simply following after your own desires. It’s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion, going about life in your own way. 

But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God’s Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day. Living the rest of your life for the glory of God will require a change in your priorities, your schedule, your relationships, and everything else. It will sometimes mean not following the way of others, or choosing the difficult path instead of an easy one. The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God. 

Jesus during His earth walk, struggled with such choice at a time. When He remembered that He was about to be crucified, He cried out, "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name..." (John 12 vs 27 - 28.) Jesus knew that His crucifixion lay ahead, and because He was human He dreaded it. He wanted to be delivered from that horrible death, but He knew that God sent Him into the world to die for our sins, in our place. Jesus said no to His human desires in order to obey His Father and glorify Him.

Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure, or will you live the rest of your life for God's glory, knowing that He has promised eternal rewards? The Bible says in John 12 vs 25, "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Our commitment to live for Christ does not mean that we long to die or that we are careless or destructive with the life God has given us, but that we are willing to die if doing so will glorify Christ. God gives you what you need to live for Him, if you just make the choice. The Bible in Second Peter 1 vs 3 says, "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue."

God is constantly inviting us to live for His glory by fulfilling the purposes He created us for. It's really the only way to live. Everything else is just existing. Real life begins by committing yourself completely to Jesus Christ. If you have not done this, or you are not sure, all you need to do is receive and believe in Him. The Bible, in John 1 vs 12 promises, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." 

First, believe. Believe God loves you and made you for His purposes. Believe you're not an accident. Believe you were made to last forever. Believe God has chosen you to have a relationship with Jesus, who died on the cross for you. Believe that no matter what you've done, God wants to forgive you. 

Second, receive. Receive Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior. Receive His forgiveness for your sins. Receive His Spirit, who will give you the power to fulfill your life purpose. The Bible, in John 3 vs 36 says, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life..." If you are ready to believe and receive Him right now where you are, just say this prayer quietly, bowing down your head:

"God my Father in heaven, I believe You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die in my stead on the cross at Calvary for my sins. I do, here and now, open my heart and receive Jesus Christ and His new life into my life as my Lord and Savior. I believe that as I receive Jesus, I receive You, O God. I am now restored to You my God and Father through Jesus my Savior. Amen."

If you sincerely meant that prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the family of God! You are now ready to discover and start living God's purpose for your life. It is as simple as that. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the privilege of sonship. Endue me with the excellent spirit of total obedience and commitment to You that I shall live for You all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

God Works Through Good Resolves

 God Works Through Good Resolves

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. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

Seeking the power of God to fulfill our good resolves does not mean that we don’t really resolve, or that we don’t really use willpower. 

The engagement of God’s power never takes the place of the engagement of our will! The power of God in sanctification never makes us passive! The power of God engages itself beneath or behind and within our will, not in place of our will. 

The evidence of God’s power in our lives is not the absence of our willing, but the strength of our willing, the joy of our willing.

Anyone who says, “Well, I believe in the sovereignty of God and so I will just sit back and do nothing” does not really believe in the sovereignty of God. For why would someone who believes in God’s sovereignty so blatantly disobey him? 

When you sit back to do nothing, you are not doing nothing. You are actively engaging your will in a decision to sit back. And if that is the way you handle sin or temptation in your life, it is blatant disobedience, because we are commanded to wage a good warfare (1 Timothy 1:18) and resist the devil (James 4:7) and strive for holiness (Hebrews 12:14) and put to death the sinful acts of the body (Romans 8:13).

Second Thessalonians 1:11 says that it is by the power of God that we will fulfill our good resolves and our works of faith. But this does not nullify the meaning of the word “resolve” and the word “work.” Part of the whole process of walking worthy of God’s call is the active engagement of our will in resolving to do righteousness. 

If you have lingering sin in your life, or if you keep neglecting some good deed just because you have been waiting around to be saved without a fight, you are compounding your disobedience. God will never appear with power in your will in any other way than through your exercise of that will; that is, through your good resolves — your good intentions and plans and purposes.

So, people who believe in the sovereignty of God must not fear to engage their wills in the struggle for holiness. “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24). Only strive in the faith that in and through your striving God is at work to will and to do his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

WORSHIP BRINGS PLEASURE TO GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MARCH 03, 2025.

SUBJECT : WORSHIP BRINGS PLEASURE TO GOD!

Memory verse: "The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.” (Psalm 147 vs 11.)

READ: Matthew 4 vs 8 - 10:

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

4:9: And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."

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

INTIMATION:

God created you for His pleasure, therefore, you should bring pleasure to Him. God takes pleasure in your recognition of who He is. He lays great emphasis on who He is. The statement, "I am the Lord," is made over 350 times by the Lord in ‘Old Testament’ alone. Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. Worshipping God is one of your life's purposes. He takes pleasure in it. 

Worship is paying great honor to; to love and admire very greatly. Worship is the appropriate response to God's self-revelation. You worship because you know the worth of what you worship. You worship God because you know who He is. When you catch the revelation of God and His worth, the appropriate response is to reverence Him in worship. 

God desires your worship in spirit and in truth (John 4 vs 23). True worshippers worship God in spirit. "God is Spirit" means He is not a physical being limited to one place. He is present everywhere and He can be worshipped anywhere, at any time. It is not where you worship that counts, but how you worship. Is your worship genuine and true? 

Whatever you do anytime, anywhere, and anyhow that gives God pleasure is an act of worship. God desires our reverence and trust. Have you ever imagined who God is? Have you ever sat down to appreciate nature, and all the natural things you see around you? How did they come into being? Take a little time and do this, starting with imagining how you were made. It is in so doing, you catch the self-revelation of who created all these things, and worship Him. 

Even the devil knows the essence of worship, and wants to be worshipped. He took Jesus to an 'exceedingly high mountain,' God's creation, and showed Him "all the kingdoms of the world and their glory," again God' creation. He requested that Jesus should worship him for all these, which, of course, are not created by him. Jesus answered him well, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." God created us to worship Him, and only Him we shall serve. The devil, the greatest enemy of God, wanted that which is due to God alone. He offered the whole world to Jesus in exchange of worshipping him. You can now realize the value of worship—worth more than the whole world.

The understanding of "worship" defers among religious backgrounds. Some think that praises during church services with singing constitute worship, some think that praying, and listening to a sermon as worship. Some think of ceremonies, candles, and communion as worship. Others think of healing, miracles, and ecstatic experiences as worship. Worship include these elements, but worship is far more than these expressions. Worship is a lifestyle. It is not a part of your life; it is your life. Worship is not just communion with God, or church services. It is your whole life given for service to God, and His pleasure. 

The psalmist, in Psalm 105 vs 4 says, "Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore." And, "From the rising of the sun to it's going down the Lord's name is to be praised." (Psalm 113 vs 3.) God is worshipped continually, therefore, praise God in worship at all times—at work, at home, in battle, in jail, and even in bed! Praise should be the first activity when you open your eyes in the morning and the last activity before you close them at night. Ensuring that you worship Him continually knowing it is the first purpose of your creation.

Every activity can be transformed into an act of worship when you do it for the praise, glory, and pleasure of God. The Bible, in First Corinthians 10 vs 31, says "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." How is it possible to do everything to the glory of God? By allowing God's love to permeate our motives so that all we do will be to His glory. By doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus and by carrying on a continual conversation with Him while we do it. You can keep as a guiding principle the question to self, "Is this action glorifying God?" Or "How can I honor God through this action?"

The Bible, in Colossians 3 vs 23 says, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men." This is the secret to a lifestyle of worship—doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus. Since creation, God has given us work to do. If we could regard our work as an act of worship or service to God, such an attitude should be regarded as the cost of discipleship. The apostle Paul noted this in Romans 12 vs 1 when he said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." We should daily lay aside our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. 

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is for an intimate relationship with You. Endue me with Your excellent spirit that I may worship You in all things, at all times, and everywhere I find myself all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Arm Yourself with Promises

 Arm Yourself with Promises

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

When Paul says to put to death the deeds of the body “by the Spirit” (Romans 8:13), I take him to mean that we should use the one weapon in the Spirit’s armor that is used to kill; namely, the sword, “which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

So, when the body is about to be led into a sinful action by some fear or craving, we are to take the sword of the Spirit and kill that fear and that craving. In my experience, that means mainly severing the root of sin’s promise by the power of a superior promise. 

For example, when I begin to crave some illicit sexual pleasure, the sword-swing that has often severed the root of this promised pleasure is, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). I recall the pleasures I have tasted of seeing God more clearly from an undefiled conscience; and I recall the brevity and superficiality and oppressive aftertaste of sin’s pleasures, and with that, God has killed the conquering power of sin.

Having promises at hand that suit the temptation of the hour is one key to successful warfare against sin. 

But there are times when we don’t have a perfectly suited word from God in our minds. And there is no time to look through the Bible for a tailor-made promise. So, we all need to have a small arsenal of general promises ready to use whenever fear or craving threaten to lead us astray.

Here are four of my most oft-used promises in fighting against sin:

Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

Philippians 4:19, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

And the promise implicit in Philippians 3:8, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

And, of course, Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Be constantly adding to your arsenal of promises. But never lose sight of the chosen few that God has blessed in your life. Do both. Be ever-ready with the old. And every morning look for a new one to take with you through the day.

OBEDIENCE IS THE GATEWAY TO GOD’S GLORY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 02, 2025.

SUBJECT: OBEDIENCE IS THE GATEWAY TO GOD’S GLORY!

Memory verse: "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to Him.” (John 14 vs 21.)

READ: Genesis 22 vs 15 - 18:

22:15: Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,

22:16: and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son.

22:17: That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

22:18: In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

INTIMATION:

When we generally think of obedience, we think of doing what one is instructed to do. For instance, in speaking to our children we may say, "Will you please obey me and do what you are told?" What we mean is, "Please carry out my instructions." Such uses are not far removed from the intended meaning of Scripture, but far enough that the true essence of the word is lost.

Obedience to God is more than submission to authority. It is a submission which results from believe, trust, and persuasion—out of faith in God. Now, faith is of the heart; you believe in your heart which is invisible to man. While obedience is of the conduct and may be observed. Therefore, when you obey God, you give the only possible evidence that in your heart you believe God. Of course, it is persuasion of the truth that results in faith (we believe because we are persuaded that the thing is true).

In the passage we read today, we saw the glory of God upon Abraham because of obedience; in blessing he was so blessed that he was rich in all things; his descendants were so multiplied that the entire earth are his descendants, either through Isaac, Ishmael or the sis sons of his last wife Keturah. Keturah had six sons for Abraham namely; Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. (Genesis 25 vs 1 - 2.) And through his seed the whole earth is blessed in the Person of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus said that His followers show their love for Him by obeying Him. Love is more than lovely words; it is commitment and conduct. God is so delighted in our obedience to Him. Consequently, our obedience occasions the manifestation of Himself to us, and we are assured of the love of the Father. What will be more glorious than this?

God considers our obedience better than our sacrifices and offerings. Christians today always lay emphasis more on religious rituals, sacrifices, and offerings; like going to church, taking communion, paying tithes, and so on. God doesn't want these sacrifices and offerings without an attitude of devotion (obedience) to Him. He doesn't have any need of these activities, they have no effect on His status, or nature. Sacrifices and offerings are all for our benefits. But benefits from God to us on these activities are only derivable on the platform of raw and complete obedience to God, otherwise they are empty if our reasons for doing them are selfish. 

The prophet Samuel told Saul, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (First Samuel 15 vs 22). All we should do is to give God the obedience and lifelong service He desires from us, and He will benefit us as the Scripture says, "You shall eat the good of the land" (Isaiah 1 vs 19). 

Sacrifices and offerings are not bribes to make God overlook our character faults. All God wants is our sincere faith and devotion to Him. The Christian rituals, sacrifices, and offerings are to be outward sign of an inward faith in God. 

Many today have come to place more faith in the rituals of their religion than in God they worship. God does not take pleasure in your outward expressions if your inward faith is missing (Hosea 6 vs 6). Though religious rituals can help people understand God and nourish their relationship with Him, but they are helpful only if it is carried out with an attitude of love and obedience to God.

The consequences of disobedience is grave. It is likened to rebellion and stubbornness to God. Rebellion and stubbornness are serious sins. They involve far more than being independent and strong-minded. Scriptures equates them with divination (witchcraft) and idolatry (First Samuel 15 vs 23). Rebellion against God is perhaps the most serious sin of all because as long as a person rebels, he or she closes the door of forgiveness and restoration with God.

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is for an intimate relationship with You, and total submission to Your Will. Endue me with the spirit of raw and complete obedience to You that my outward expression of obedience to You will be a reflection of my inward attitude of faith in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Where Our Comfort Comes From

 Where Our Comfort Comes From

He [Pilate] entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:9–11) 

Pilate’s authority to crucify Jesus did not intimidate Jesus. Why not?

Not because Pilate was lying. Not because he didn’t have authority to crucify Jesus. He did. 

Rather, this authority did not intimidate Jesus because it was derivative. Jesus said, “It was given to you from above.” Which means it is really authoritative. Not less. But more.

So, how is this not intimidating? Pilate not only has authority to kill Jesus. But he has God-given authority to kill him.

This does not intimidate Jesus because Pilate’s authority over Jesus is subordinate to God’s authority over Pilate. Jesus gets his comfort at this moment not because Pilate’s will is powerless, but because Pilate’s will is guided. Not because Jesus isn’t in the hands of Pilate’s fear, but because Pilate is in the hands of Jesus’s Father.

Which means that our comfort comes not from the powerlessness of our enemies, but from our Father’s sovereign rule over their power. 

This is the point of Romans 8:35–37. Tribulation and distress and persecution and famine and nakedness and danger and sword cannot separate us from Christ because “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” 

Pilate (and all Jesus’s adversaries — and ours) meant it for evil. But God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20). All Jesus’s enemies gathered together with their God-given authority “to do whatever [God’s] hand and [God’s] plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:28). They sinned. But through their sinning God saved.

Therefore, do not be intimidated by your adversaries who can only kill the body (Matthew 10:28). Not only because this is all they can do (Luke 12:4), but also because it is done under the watchful hand of your Father.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6–7)

Pilate has authority. Herod has authority. Soldiers have authority. Satan has authority. But none is independent. All their authority is derivative. All of it is subordinate to God’s will. Fear not. You are precious to your sovereign Father. Far more precious than the unforgotten birds.