Blessed Are The Merciful

Blessed Are The Merciful

BE MERCIFUL!

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7

Being merciful can be defined as doing good to someone who doesn’t deserve it. Anyone can give people what they deserve. It takes someone who desires to be close to God to give goodness to people when they do not deserve it.

Revenge says, “You mistreated me, so I’m going to mistreat you.” Mercy says, “You mistreated me, but I’m going to forgive you, restore you, and treat you as if you never hurt me.” What a blessing to be able to give and receive mercy.

To be merciful is to see “the why behind the what.” In other words, mercy doesn’t just look at what a person does, but seeks to understand why he did what he did. Being merciful does not mean we don’t deal with issues. It means we have a forgiving, understanding attitude while we deal with them.

God is merciful to us, and He is giving us a chance to be blessed by giving mercy to others. Do you ever need God or man to show you mercy? Of course, we all do on a regular basis. The best way to get mercy is to show mercy. Give judgement, and you will receive judgement. Give mercy, and you’ll receive mercy.

Remember, you reap what you sow. So be merciful!

Prayer: Thank the Lord for His mercy toward you, and ask Him to give you a merciful heart towards others.

Scriptural Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

NKJV

Blessed Are The Merciful

Go Forward You Are Blessed

Go Forward You Are Blessed

GO FORWARD

And the LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:15

After all the many miracles of deliverance that resulted in their exodus from Egypt, Israel was faced with a perplexing situation. Behind them were the charging armies of Pharaoh; on either side of them was the desert waste and before them were the waters of the Red Sea. They were surrounded on every side.

Confronted with this terrifying situation, they forgot about the many miracles of God which had brought them that far and began complaining. They complained, crying against the Lord and their leader, Moses. In response God commanded them to move forward. I can almost hear them asking, ‘forward to where?’

When God starts a process of deliverance in our lives, He foresees everything that will face us in our progress. He sees mountains, oceans and valleys ahead of us. He sees what we are yet to see. So when we come against obstacles that we did not expect, we must trust Him for the answers. Just trust God and keep moving. Go forward.

•  It is Time to go forward, not time to cry to the Lord

•  It is Time to go forward, not time to wait on the Lord

•  It is Time to go forward, not time to run around for a prophetic word.

All of these are desirable but they should not be used as excuses when God has commanded us to go forward. By all means pray but keep moving forward while you pray. As you move forward in faith, God will go ahead of you and split open that Red sea looming ahead of you.

Prayer: Cast out every image or thought that places limit on your potential to breakthrough in life and claim the anointing to progress and advance beyond your age, experience and position.

Scriptural Reading: Exodus 14:15-31

15 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.

16 But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

17 And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen.

18 Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.

20 So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.

22 So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters …

Go Forward You Are Blessed

Giving Thanks To GOD

Giving Thanks To GOD

SHOW GRATITUDE

Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Colossians 3:17

When we consider all that Jesus Christ has done for us (how long has it been since you considered this?), we see that Paul’s instruction is but our reasonable service.

Anyone would recognize the need to thank someone who had given his life to save their own. But when Jesus pays the eternal penalty for our sins before a holy God, a simple and single “Thank you” will never be enough.

Jesus gave up the infinite wealth of heaven and became poor for us, so that we who are poor could find the infinite wealth of heaven. Nothing that He could then ask of us would be too much or too demanding. Whatever you say, whatever you do, Paul says, let it be under the authority—and for the glory—of Jesus Christ.

Let your life, let your words be your expression of gratitude to Jesus. Show the heart-deep appreciation and measureless love that you have for your Saviour in the decisions you make, the topics you talk about, and the schedule you keep.

You show how much you really believe the gospel and truly trust in Christ’s sacrifice, Paul says, by the way you respond to Him in your daily life. What does your life say? Is it a vibrant, vocal expression of joy and fulfillment and gratitude to the Saviour who gave Himself to set you free

Prayer: Let my life be a continuous expression of praise and adoration to You, O Lord.

Scriptural Reading: Colossians 3:15-17

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

NKJV

Giving Thanks To GOD

Giving Thanks To GOD

Giving Thanks To GOD

SHOW GRATITUDE

Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Colossians 3:17

When we consider all that Jesus Christ has done for us (how long has it been since you considered this?), we see that Paul’s instruction is but our reasonable service.

Anyone would recognize the need to thank someone who had given his life to save their own. But when Jesus pays the eternal penalty for our sins before a holy God, a simple and single “Thank you” will never be enough.

Jesus gave up the infinite wealth of heaven and became poor for us, so that we who are poor could find the infinite wealth of heaven. Nothing that He could then ask of us would be too much or too demanding. Whatever you say, whatever you do, Paul says, let it be under the authority—and for the glory—of Jesus Christ.

Let your life, let your words be your expression of gratitude to Jesus. Show the heart-deep appreciation and measureless love that you have for your Saviour in the decisions you make, the topics you talk about, and the schedule you keep.

You show how much you really believe the gospel and truly trust in Christ’s sacrifice, Paul says, by the way you respond to Him in your daily life. What does your life say? Is it a vibrant, vocal expression of joy and fulfillment and gratitude to the Saviour who gave Himself to set you free

Prayer: Let my life be a continuous expression of praise and adoration to You, O Lord.

Scriptural Reading: Colossians 3:15-17

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

NKJV

Giving Thanks To GOD

The WORD Is Tried

The WORD Is Tried

THE WORD OF GOD

As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried. Psalm 18:30

Here is one of the great understatements of the Bible: the word of the LORD is tried.

God’s people, for thousands of years, have cast their lives into the mold of God’s Word. They have married, invested, raised children, decided careers, and set their ambitions according to the Word of God. They have found in the Bible their comfort in times of loss, their direction in times of change, and their joy in times of prosperity.

God’s Word has been tried, tested, scrutinized, and relied upon by Christians throughout the ages. And, just as David testified, they have found it more than sufficient for their every need. They have discovered, in every generation and in every imaginable circumstance, that God’s Word truly is perfect.

His counsel is always wise, His history is always accurate, His lessons are always true, and His commands are always relevant. God’s way is perfect.

But David was not merely making an observation or teaching an academic lesson; David’s point is that because God’s Word has been tried and tested by millions of saints through the centuries, and has been found perfect, each of us should therefore build our lives on this tried and sure foundation.

Who do you look to for direction and for advice? Do you trust popular opinion, or well-meaning friends, to help you make decisions and find meaning in life? Or do you go to God’s perfect Word over and over again, for counsel in every area of life?

The Word of the Lord is tried, it is proven, it is sure — but have you tried it for yourself?

Prayer: I praise You, Lord, for Your word is tried and tested. Guide me and lead me by Your word.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 18:30-50

30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

31 For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?

32 It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.

33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.

34 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.

36 You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip.

37 I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.

38 I have wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet.

39 For You have armed me with strength for the battle;

You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

40 You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me.

41 They cried out, but there was none to save; Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.

42 Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind; I cast them out like dirt in the streets.

43 You have delivered me from …

The WORD Is Tried

Look To The LORD

Look To The LORD

LOOK TO THE LORD

We have no might against this great company. . . neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee 2 Chronicles 20:12

This is what great leadership looks like! King Jehoshaphat knew that the enemy forces facing his own people were far more powerful than his small army; as he reviewed his options, he also realized there was no human scheme or strategy that could save them.

Rather than blustering or bluffing his way forward, however, he admitted to his own people, and to God, his inadequacy and led them together in this prayer for help.

“We do not have the strength to face this challenge on our own,” they confessed. Have you come to this point in your life, in your struggle? Not where you give up, but where you give up trying to solve and fix and overcome in your own strength, by your own willpower.

“Neither know we what to do.” Have you reached your wit’s end? Have you come to the limit of your own ingenuity or cleverness? Have you reached the point where there really is no light left at the end of the tunnel, no hope of figuring out your own way out?

Then this is the perfect place to say to God, “My eyes are on you, now.” What do you want me to do? Where do you want me to be? Where should I lead my family, my children, my church?

It is when you reach the end of your own rope, and put all your weight on God’s, that you will discover His strength and wisdom to help and to guide and to save.

Prayer: Lord, I lean on You, my eyes are on You.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:1-19

1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.

2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi).

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,

6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?

7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?

8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying,

9 ‘If disaster comes upon us — sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine — we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’

10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir — whom You would not let Israel…

Look To The LORD

Double Minded Worship

Double Minded Worship

DOUBLE-MINDED WORSHIP

These nations feared the LORD, and served their heaven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so they do unto this day. 2 Kings 17:41

What a horrifying historical observation!

These nations, like Israel, had been double-minded. They had sought to serve both God and idols. They had claimed and practiced a certain degree of the God-fearing lifestyle, but had simultaneously served the pagan gods that had infiltrated their culture.

This double-minded worship was, in itself, pitiful and destructive enough. But the tragedy was multiplied exponentially by the fact their children and grandchildren had followed in their footsteps. What began as one person’s disobedience became the sinful tendency of later generations.

Then this horrifying historical observation by the author, about 300 years after the events he is describing: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day. The chain of mediocre religion had continued for centuries, being passed down from one family to the next.

The same sad story is being re-enacted in countless homes today. Parents and grandparents think they are getting away with half-hearted service to God, while also pursuing the pleasures and applause of the world, but are leaving behind them generations of young people who have no clear compass in life, who do not know what it is to give their lives as a living and single-minded sacrifice to God.

Dear parent, dear grandparent, do not let this be your legacy! Teach your children and grandchildren to love God with all their heart and might, and then show them how to do it by living out the Christian life before them.

Prayer: Lord, help me love and serve You with all my heart, soul and body as an inspiration to future generations.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Kings 17:34-41

34 To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances, or the law and commandment which the Lord had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel,

35 with whom the Lord had made a covenant and charged them, saying: “You shall not fear other gods, nor bow down to them nor serve them nor sacrifice to them;

36 but the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm, Him you shall fear, Him you shall worship, and to Him you shall offer sacrifice.

37 And the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandment which He wrote for you, you shall be careful to observe forever; you shall not fear other gods.

38 And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods.

39 But the Lord your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

40 However they did not obey, but they followed their former rituals.

41 So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children’s children

Double Minded Worship

Serving In Humility

Serving In Humility

SERVING IN HUMILITY

Ask of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5

Here is the secret, Peter says, to genuinely and consistently serving others: humility. As long as you are set upon pleasing yourself, fulfilling yourself, seeking self-advancement, you will never be able to genuinely serve others.

Be clothed with humility – a wonderful and poignant way of emphasizing the need for a constant covering of our self-seeking human nature. Let humility be the attire you choose to walk in, live in each day.

Why live this self-deprecating, self-denying way of life? The reply is simple and powerful: God resists proud people, but he gives grace and help to the humble.

Those who lower themselves to serve others will find that God himself is serving them! He gives to the humble, others-oriented saints of God the forgiveness and strength and supply that they do not deserve but so desperately need.

On the other hand, those who seek to exalt and help and please themselves should realize that they are literally anti-God! They are choosing sides, and the battle will be them against God.

Which describes your condition today? Do you find God meeting your every need as you seek sincerely to meet the needs of others, or you are only interested in seeking your own good?

God resists the proud, but He helps those who help others.

Prayer: Lord, give me a humble heart to serve You.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Peter 5:5-7

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

NKJV

Serving In Humility

The Rewards Of Trials

The Rewards Of Trials

THE REWARD OF TRIALS

No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:11

If you are suffering under some great trial right now then hear these emphatic words; no trial feels good at the moment or seems to a great thing.

If you thought the Bible teaches that you are supposed to feel good under God’s chastening hand, then you can breathe a sigh of relief. God knows that your pain hurts, He does not, and you should not, expect it to feel good when affliction comes.

However, there is this great encouragement — although it does not feel good right now, your trial will have a good result, as you are “exercised ” by it. This is an interesting choice of words, because “exercise” in the Greek is the same root from which we get our English word gymnasium.

If you go to any gymnasium today and observe the participants inside, you will see the same principles on display there in which the writer is here speaking — people going through pain and discipline and difficulty in order to obtain a worthwhile goal.

Gymnasts go through rigorous training in order to nail their floor exercises; bodybuilders endure repeated strain in order to chisel their muscles; even middle class mums and men put themselves through strenuous workouts in order to keep their heart healthy. Similarly, we are to understand, suffering is sent to build us up, and to keep us healthy.

As we are weaned off this world by trials, and are made to look to God for our strength and fulfillment, we become stronger because of the difficulty we have faced. May the trials you face today bring you great rewards in your relationship  with your God!

Prayer: Lord, give grace to come out of every trial better than before I went in.

Scriptural Reading: Hebrews 12:4-13

4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Renew Your Spiritual Vitality

The Rewards Of Trials

Patience Of The Saints

Patience Of The Saints

PATIENCE AT WORK

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12

We generally tend to think of “patience” as being a passive virtue, the ability to not fret or fume when things are not going our way. However, here we see patience described in terms of action and faithfulness.

The mark of sanctified patience, we are told, is keeping the commands of God and holding to the faith of Jesus, even in the midst of great personal struggle, pain, or discouragement. It is continued and committed action in the face of overwhelming challenges.

This is not the patience that we are used to contemplating or aspiring to. This patience is not merely waiting; it is also working. But doesn’t this truth coincide with your experience as a Christian?

One of the greatest weapons the devil uses against us is discouragement. If he, then, can render us dormant and inactive by sending trials our way, then he has effectively silenced our Christian witness. The only solution for the Christian who is facing opposition or tragedy or uncertainty is therefore to continue the Christian walk, obeying their Lord’s commands and persevering in the faith of Jesus.

All of us have a tendency to just shut down—or at least slow down—when difficulties come our way. But the way of patience is to endure the trial with faithful, continual service to Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, give me the patience to continue serving you even in trials and difficulties.

Scriptural Reading: Revelation 14:6-12

Patience Of The Saints

Go To The Ant, Thou Sluggard

Go To The Ant, Thou Sluggard

LAZINESS

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Proverbs 6:6

We live in rare age of the world, in which slothfulness has become, not only common, but even a goal for many. Young people grow accustomed to doing just enough work to “get by.” Older folks look to their retirement as the end to all their problems.

But the solution that Solomon gives us is this: go to the ants, you who wish to forsake work, and consider their ways in order to become wise.

Go to the ant: be humble enough to learn, even from an ant. The ant has no guide or supervisor, no encouragement or accountability and yet she is faithful to fulfill her duties day in and day out.

Ants do not procrastinate; they do what they can, when they can. In contrast, we often do not do anything, because we can’t do everything at once. The ant labors little-by-little to get each job accomplished, each need met, each provision made. In fact, she is so slow and methodical in her duties, many won’t even have the patience to watch and consider her, as Solomon instructs us to.

Both success and failure come little-by-little. Like a garden, it just takes a little neglect to grow a lot of trouble. A little neglect has cost teams their victory, people their lives, kings their power.

What little thing can you do today to achieve your goals, heal your marriage, help your children, or draw closer to God.

Prayer: Lord, give me the spirit of diligence.

Scriptural Reading: Proverbs 6:6-11

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,

7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,

8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.

9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard When will you rise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep —

11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.

NKJV

Go To The Ant, Thou Sluggard

Who Are Your Friends

Who Are Your Friends

WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS?

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33

Sinful companionship will corrupt a good lifestyle. You may ignore this truth, you may deny it, you may wish it were not so; but the truth still remains that close friendship with ungodly persons will always have a negative impact on your Christian walk.

This is why Paul exhorts in 2 Corinthians, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (6:14). Of course, we are to reach out to, and show genuine love toward, unbelievers. But witnessing to an unbeliever and closely embracing an unbeliever are two different things.

As if knowing this would be an area where we might justify comprises to ourselves, Paul says, do not be deceived! No matter how much you may justify this friendship to yourself, you cannot change the spiritual reality. If you are yoked in a romantic relationship, a business partnership, or a close camaraderie with an unbeliever, the idolatry of their heart and the faithlessness of their worldview will inevitably become a stumbling block for you.

We do not like to think of friends or acquaintances as being “evil”, but anything that draws you away from a single-minded pursuit of Christ will have an evil effect on your life. Their intentions may not be evil, their lifestyle may not appear evil, but if their faith is not in Christ then their effect on you will be negative.

Are you deceived about the nature and outcome of some company you are keeping? Are you allowing the unbelief of others to dim the fire of your own passion for God and his glory?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me godly and faithful friends.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-34

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.

26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.

28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Effects of Denying the Resurrection

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?

30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour

Who Are Your Friends

My Father"s Business

My Father’s Business

THE FATHER’S BUSINESS

I must be about my Father’s business. Luke 2:49

Jesus lived in perpetual awareness that his Father had a purpose for his being here, and that he must therefore be constantly about his Father’s business.

What is the driving motivation of your life? Whose “business” are you usually and primarily concerned with? Are you mostly working toward your own ends and purposes, toward the pleasure and admiration of your colleagues, toward the fulfillment of your friends’ expectations? Jesus determined that his Father’s business was his one driving, overruling interest.

You may excuse yourself as being too young or too new to the faith to make such an all-encompassing, single-minded resolution. But do you know how old Jesus was when he uttered these words? He was twelve years old!

It is never too soon to give your life to the service of the Lord, to dedicate your time and energy and labors to His glory and pleasure. Can you hear the urgency in Jesus’ words, at the age of twelve, to accomplish this purpose in His own life?

You, also, are here for the glory of God. Like Jesus, you must determine to pursue your Father’s purpose for you now, no matter what family members or coworkers or classmates might say or think. Sadly, Jesus is here having to remind his own parents, in a gentle and respectful way, of the God-centered nature of his calling and life.

Believer, you must be about your Father’s business! Do not let any personal ambition or conflicting counsel get in the way of that great purpose.

Prayer: Lord, I resolve, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to make the Father’s business my highest priority.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 2:41-52

41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;

44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

My Father"s Business

A LIFE WORTH LIVING

A LIFE WORTH LIVING

A LIFE WORTH LIVING

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Sometimes, people think Christians live the most boring lives imaginable. But nothing could be further from the truth. The fact of the matter is that a happy life is a holy life—a life that is lived for God. Jesus not only promised us life hereafter, but also a life on this earth that is worth living when He said, “I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

There are two ways we can live our lives: the right way and the wrong way. There are two paths we can take: the narrow path that leads to life or the broad way that leads to destruction. There are two foundations we can build on: the rock or sinking sand. The result is that we can either live a happy and holy life or a miserable and unholy life.

When most people think of a life dedicated to God, they envision something full of misery and rules and regulations. The picture that most unbelievers have of a Christian is one of gloom and boredom. But when you know God and you realize that the Bible is not a mere book, but God’s living Word to each of us, it takes on a whole new meaning.  When you realize that prayer is not just going through some ritual, but it is communicating with the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God who is interested in you, that means a lot.

That is something that the world does not have. There is nothing like it out there. When you truly come to know God, you realize the Christian life is the greatest life there is.

Prayer: Father, thank You for this glorious life I have in Christ.

Scriptural Reading: John 10:1-16

1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Jesus the Good Shepherd

7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and le…

A LIFE WORTH LIVING

Speak The Gospel

Speak The Gospel

PREACH THE GOSPEL

We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

For many cushioned and coddled Christians today, it is all too easy not to speak about the gospel truths which we have seen and heard. Far too often, we bury the gospel light we have been given under a basket full of excuses and justifications.

But this was not the testimony of the apostles. Having seen the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ themselves, having learned at His feet, and having received His charge to go and baptize and teach in His name, they had no option or inclination but to proclaim the gospel truth they had learned and experienced.

Notice especially the context of their bold declaration. The Jewish authorities had just threatened them and commanded them not to speak any more in the name of Jesus. The apostles could have compromised the glory of Christ and settled for a philanthropic, people-pleasing message. But instead they declared their irrevocable determination to “be right in the sight of God” and continue to publish the truth concerning Jesus Christ.

The compelling motivation that is expressed by these faithful disciples should force us to ask this question of ourselves: if we are so easily silenced in our gospel witness, have we truly seen and heard the same thing the apostles did? Is Jesus Christ a living, breathing, instructive reality to us?

Those who have seen and heard the resurrected Christ are clearly and helplessly consumed by the experience. They cannot help but speak of the things they have seen and heard. What about you?

Prayer: Lord, reveal Yourself in me so that I will preach You to the world.

Scriptural Reading: Acts 4:1-22

1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,

2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Addressing the Sanhedrin

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,

6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,

10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders,

Speak The Gospel

We Walk By Faith

We Walk By Faith

WE WALK BY FAITH

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

In the verse before, Paul affirms that “we walk by faith, not by sight.” This is certainly true when we speak of life after death.

“What happens when we die?” is perhaps the biggest and most important question that humans face, and yet we have no way of finding out the answer for ourselves until the time of death comes. Every one of us, regardless of our religion or worldview, has to answer that question by faith. We all live by faith in some unproven idea of the afterlife.

But, Paul reminds us in the very next verse, this does not mean that we cannot be confident as Christians. We can look confidently forward to a definite and specific reality when we die — to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

There is no purgatory or in-between world. At the instant of our death we will be ushered into the presence of the Lord.

This is encouraging and heartening, but it is also sobering. On the one hand, death is little more than a doorway into God’s presence. If we are trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation, then that faith will be instantly rewarded and confirmed at the moment of our death. On the other hand, Paul warns us, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (10) to give an account of our lives. It is a serious thing to stand before an all-knowing and holy judge! Our Lord is a consuming fire.

And so Paul says, “we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him” (9).

Prayer: Lord, by faith, I confess that I am yours whether I live or die.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,

3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.

4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

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We Walk By Faith

Foundations, Whose Builder And Maker Is GOD.

Foundations, Whose Builder And Maker Is GOD.

FOUNDATION

He looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:10

Abraham left his home, his family, and everything that was familiar and comfortable to him. God called, and he went.

Verse 8 says that Abraham went out not even knowing where he was going! But then verse 10 reminds us why he was willing to go — he did not know exactly where he was going, but he did know what he was looking for.

He was looking for a city that is built on a firm foundation. The city of Venice, Italy is said to be sinking about one-fifth an inch each year, because of its murky foundation. While Ur, the city where Abraham lived, had no such evident problem, Abraham had faith to see that any place or people that are not built on the solid foundation of God’s teaching and character are sure to sink.

So Abraham traded the emotional and physical stability of his hometown for the spiritual and eternal foundation of God’s will and purpose. He wanted, above all else, for his life to be built and shaped by God.

Where is your faith? On what is your confidence resting? Do you trust in familiar surroundings, or your bank account, or even your family for your security? Or are you looking to God and building your life on His Word and His leading each day? Is your mind set on things on earth or on things in heaven?

There is no city with lasting foundation here on earth. Have responded to the upward call of God?

Prayer Lord, with faith and courage, I choose to follow Your leading even when I don’t know where it will lead me.

Scriptural Reading: Hebrews 11:8-12

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude — innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

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Foundations, Whose Builder And Maker Is GOD.

Time To Serve God

Time To Serve God

IT’S TIME TO SERVE

Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11

Five times in this first chapter of Acts the literal visibility of Christ’s ascension is emphasized. There is nothing figurative or symbolic about the language here.

The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven was personal and visible. His return, the angels declare, will be in like manner.

But why the question from the angels? It seems obvious that the supernatural spectacle of Jesus rising into heaven and disappearing into a glorious cloud would leave anyone standing and gaping in wonder.

But then the angels make this sobering, encouraging announcement: Jesus is coming back! Although the disciples stood gazing in a sweet, love-struck heart sickness at the departure of Christ, they can’t stay there. Now that Jesus is gone, and because he promises to return, the earth—not the sky—must be the focus of their gaze and their labors.

The same admonition is good for us today, isn’t it? While we look by faith toward heaven, we must for now focus our labors upon earth. We have work to do, in expectation of our Saviour’s return.

Jesus is returning soon. Every eye will see him and every knee will bow to him. But the important question is how will you see him when he comes? Will you see him as ruler and judge, or as redeemer and saviour?

Prayer: Lord, help me to put my days here on earth to fruitful labor for your kingdom.

Scriptural Reading: Acts 1:1-11

1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,

3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

The Holy Spirit Promised

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;

5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,

 

Time To Serve God

You Are Not Done Yet

You Are Not Done Yet

YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED YET

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30

Here is a great lesson from Jesus on the cross: the most important thing in your life is God’s will for your life; you are not finished until you can say, like Jesus, “it is finished.”

Jesus “gave up the ghost,” or died, according to his own time and pleasure. Unlike us, Jesus’ life was in his own hands. Yet, he refused to depart this world until he had accomplished the purpose for which God had sent him. He endured the cross and cruel mocking until his business here was finished.

The apostle Paul wanted to die. He even said “to die is gain.” But in the end he concluded that “to abide in the flesh [keep on living] is more needful” (Philippians 1:24). Why? Because God was not through with him yet. Paul knew that as long as God had him here at all, then he was here for a purpose.

The perspective changes in Paul’s last letter, as he faces his approaching martyrdom under Nero. Paul confesses, “I am ready to be offered” (2 Timothy 4:6). Why? Because, Paul says, “I have finished my course” (7). Not until he had finished all that God had for him was he ready to fall asleep in the Lord.

Whether young or old, rich or poor, happy or sad, the most important thing in your life is God’s will for your life; you are not finished until you can say, like Jesus, “it is finished.” So long as you have breath, there is a reason for your being. Find it and finish it.

Prayer: Lord, help me to discover and finish the purpose of my life.

Scriptural Reading: John 19:28-31

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”

29. Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.

30. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

31. Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

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You Are Not Done Yet

Serve One Another

Serve One Another

SERVING ONE ANOTHER

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:21

In the very same sentence in which Paul has just admonished us to be filled with the Spirit (v.18), he then gives the striking command to submit to each other in the fear of God.

The demand is remarkable because of the image it instantly brings to mind — a never ending battle for the bottom rung. If one person submits him or herself to another in the body of Christ, but then that person is likewise seeking to serve the person who is submitting to them, there is an inevitable battle to be on the bottom.

The ideal circumstance in the church then, according to Paul, is a condition in which each member is seeking to out-serve the other. While one person submits his or her preferences to the will of other members in the body, another person is seeking to serve the very one who has just resolved to be the lowest in the kingdom.

It is a beautiful picture, is it not? As the Spirit fills each individual in the church, a reverent fear of God so overtakes them that they immediately begin to see themselves as the least worthy, least commendable, least important member of the body. As every member is mutually convicted of their own smallness, they seek to out-serve one another to the glory of the great God whom they mutually admire.

Are you so filled with the Spirit that you have been emptied of yourself? Are you seeking others who will submit to your whims, or are you seeking others to whom you may submit yourself in God-honoring service?

Prayer: Lord, give me the heart of a servant to serve You and others.

Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 5:21

21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

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Serve One Another

A JUST AND A MERCIFUL GOD

A JUST AND A MERCIFUL GOD

A JUST AND A MERCIFUL GOD

The Lord God. . . forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty. Exodus 34:6-7

We are here informed of two attributes of God which seem to be completely contradictory. On the one hand, He is described as forgiving. No matter what the transgression, no matter how dark the sin, no matter how filthy the past, the Lord God is forgiving.

On the other hand, however, we are to understand that God is holy; He will by no means clear the guilty. Sin will not be swept under the rug; lawbreakers will not go unpunished. God is good and God is just, and so God will hold each one accountable for his or her wrong actions.

How then can both be true? Is God merciful, or is God holy? Is God forgiving, or is God just?

This is no mere academic question, because this is exactly the struggle we face each time we feel convicted of our sin and we seek repentance and forgiveness. We feel unworthy to ask for forgiveness, knowing that God is good and just. And yet this is how we want Him to be; we would not want a capricious or unfair or wicked ruler over the universe who would let evil deeds go unpunished.

The answer to this terrible tension is found in the marvelous and reconciling work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Believers in Jesus Christ are forgiven their sins because Jesus Christ paid the penalty for their sins, when He died in their place.

At the cross, God both forgave sin and refused to clear the guilty. Because Jesus took our sins upon Himself, God punished our sins in Christ. Believer, you are forgiven, and your God is still a holy God. Hallelujah!

Prayer: I praise Your glorious wisdom, Father, for in Christ You have been a just and yet a merciful God to those who have put their trust in Christ Jesus the Lord.

Scriptural Reading: Exodus 34:6-7

And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

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A JUST AND A MERCIFUL GOD

Gratitude In Prayer

Gratitude In Prayer

GRATITUDE

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

Two commands are given in this short directive from the apostle Paul: continue and watch. First, we are to continue, or persevere, in daily and fervent prayer to God. But as we do continually pray, Paul reminds us, we must be also careful to be determinedly “watching” for occasions of thanksgiving.

The word “watch” means to be vigilant, alert, attentive. It seems Paul knew that we have a tendency to grow selfish and unmindful of the Lord’s blessings in our lives. We begin to take even the greatest mercies and most undeserved gifts for granted. We forget to give thanks for each and every grace in our life.

In your ongoing prayers, be watchful for opportunities to give thanks. Is there something in this request for which I could also be giving thanks? Is there a reason to be grateful, even in the midst of this trial?

For instance, as I pray for this loved one to be healed, shouldn’t I be grateful for having the loved one in my life to begin with? As I pray for revival in our country, in our church, and in my home, shouldn’t I thank God for the promise that He will be found by those who seek Him?

Beloved, be careful to pray today. And, as you pray, be careful to give thanks to God for His abundant provision and marvelous promises. Even in the needs, even in the sorrows, even in the trials there is always reason to be grateful.

Prayer: Father, to You alone be all the thanksgiving and praise through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Scriptural Reading: Colossians 4:2

2. Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

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Gratitude In Prayer

The Joy Of The LORD

The Joy Of The LORD

THE JOY OF THE LORD

The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord. Isaiah 29:19

Meekness is not a momentary decision, but a way of life. Someone has described biblical meekness as “putting the bit in your own mouth and handing the reigns over to God.” It is an humble attention, and receptivity, to the will of God.

The meek are often mistaken in our day as being weak. But meekness is actually great strength, under control — God’s control. Great faith, great commitment, and great determination are required on a daily basis to live a meek life before God. When He requires sacrifice, meekness trusts completely and gives willingly. When He demands obedience, meekness constrains selfish desires, crucifies personal ambition, and performs joyfully the good will of God.

It is for this reason that the joy of the meek is continually increasing. Their pleasure is not found in personal circumstances; their happiness is not derived from fleeting popularity; their fulfillment does not come from public success.

The meek find their joy in the Lord. Therefore, the more they have of Him, the more they experience of Him, the more they know of Him, the more their joy is increased. And the more their joy increased, the more they desire to plant their joy in the Lord and not in this world.

What about you? Have you found the dependable and lasting and ever-increasing joy that comes from a life of complete submission to our good and wise and glorious God?

Prayer: Let the joy of the Lord be my strength.

Scriptural Reading: Isaiah 29:19

The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.

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The Joy Of The LORD

All Things Work For My Good

All Things Work For My Good

ALL WILL WORK FOR YOUR GOOD

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. John 12:24

One of the powerful principles of the Kingdom of God is that we must be willing to lose what we have in order to receive it back in several fold. If we want to reap we must sow. If we want to receive we must give. However, this is something we all find difficult to do. We have the tendency to keep what we have. We all suffer from fear of loss.

In His wisdom, God sometimes causes us to lose things we value against our wish so that we will receive them back better than we lost them. Abraham had to let go of Isaac in order to receive him back as one from the dead.

In you had been the father of Joseph, surely like all parents, you would be grieved for years as Jacob was. You would have easily questioned God and said, “God what are You doing? And why me?” But if God had not allowed this to happen, Joseph never would have been put into that position of influence that enabled him to save the country and his own family. Jacob lost Joseph as a boy, but received him back as a prince and a deliverer.

If you had been Mary, the mother of Jesus, you would have had a nervous breakdown watching your own son hang on the cross. But if Jesus had not died on that cross and taken our sins upon Himself, we would not have been saved from our sins.

Son, don’t hesitate to give what you have to God. You will receive it back hundredfold.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that all things will work out for my good in Christ.

Scriptural Reading: John 12:20-26

20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.

21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.

24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

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All Things Work For My Good

Show Me Thy Ways LORD

Show Me Thy Ways LORD

THE PATHS OF GOD

Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Psalm 25:4

The psalmist assumes two things in his short, but potent, prayer. First, he assumes that God has a way, a path, for him to take. God has an opinion about his life and he needs to know what it is. He realizes that God is interested in the smallest details, as well as the biggest decisions, of our lives.

Secondly, the psalmist assumes that the Lord is willing to show him, to teach him the path that He has for him. Sometimes we may wish that we had all the information that God has about us — what does the future hold, how would this decision affect my family, what is the right thing to do in such-and-such situation?

While God never promises to show us everything He knows, He has promised to lead and direct us with His infinite knowledge and wisdom. Therefore, we can benefit from His perfect understanding of our circumstances and future by simply and fervently seeking His perfect will for us in each decision we make, each path we take. Of course, He has revealed many objective and unchanging aspects of His will for us in the Bible, which is His Word.

Whatever decision you may be facing—daily and small, or momentous and life-changing—take the psalmist’s prayer, and his concern, with you to God in prayer. God is faithful. He will teach you His ways and show you the path He has chosen for you.

Prayer: Lord, I know You have a path for me to take here, show me what it is and I will follow it, in accordance with Your word.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 25:4

4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.

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Show Me Thy Ways LORD

Teach Your Children

Teach Your Children

TEACH THE CHILDREN

You shall teach [these words] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:7

God could hardly have given us a more vivid illustration of thorough teaching, of daily instruction. When you are sitting, when you are walking, when you are lying down, when you are getting the children up, talk to them about My Word.

In the hustle and bustle of life, we often forget the things that are most important in life. We often let the busyness of our daily schedule and the plans that we have for our family get in the way of devotional, Christ-centered conversations. But notice that God does not say not to be busy, or not to make plans. Rather, He says in your busyness, in the hustle and bustle, in the daily schedule there is the perfect time and place to talk about Me!

What does God have to say about getting dressed? 1 Peter 3:3-4. What does God have to say about learning and education? Proverbs 4:7. What does God have to say about eating and drinking? 1 Corinthians 10:31. What does God have to say about the weather? Psalm 135:6-7.

It is in the midst of daily life that we are most able to teach our children about the relevance of God’s Word to daily life. So talk about it—diligently—with your children.

Prayer: Lord, equip me to teach my children Your word.

Scriptural Reading: Deuteronomy 5:21

21 ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’

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Teach Your Children

The Power Of Unity

The Power Of Unity

THE POWER OF UNITY

The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own. —Acts 4:32

This picture of the early Christian church shows, in a nutshell, the source of their power to impact the world around them. First, they are described as believers. Only those who have a common faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can enjoy the unity of spirit and purpose that is described here.

Second, because of their common faith in Jesus Christ, they were of one heart and soul; they were singular and focused in their objective. They knew the reason for their existence as a church was not to entertain, or even to do good in the community. Their single intention was to exalt the name of Jesus Christ.

Finally, their unanimous endeavor to glorify Christ resulted in practical implications for their daily lives. Although they had personal possessions, they did not see these things as their own.

Likewise, we show that we have finally comprehended the nature of our role as stewards when we can truly say that nothing we have is our own. It is not my car, my house, my money, or my time. It is God’s car, house, money, and time that he has loaned to me. . .and He expects a return on his investment (Matthew 25:14-27).

Are you striving in your church, with fellow believers in Christ to exalt the name of Jesus together? Are you together laying all that you have and all that you are on His altar, to be used in His Kingdom as he sees fit? This was the source of the New Testament church’s power.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that the Church will be of one heart and of one soul to bring glory to Your holy name.

Scriptural Reading: Acts 4:32

Blessed Weekend!

The Power Of Unity

No Condemnation In Christ

No Condemnation In Christ

NO CONDEMNATION

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

Here we find two descriptions of the same person — the person that is in Christ Jesus. Those that are in Christ Jesus are described first by their position and then by their practice. They have no condemnation against them, Paul says, and they walk after the Spirit instead of the flesh.

No condemnation! Because God is completely holy, even our greatest deeds and thoughts are sin-soaked, filthy rags in His perfect sight. We stand guilty before a virtuous and fair judge; justice will be served (He will not compromise His own righteousness in order to have mercy on us) and so we must be condemned.

But those who are in Christ have their punishment transferred to Jesus, so that they are without condemnation. Those who believe on Jesus Christ have the assurance that He has taken their place—acted as their substitute—and so, in spite of their great shortcomings, they are without condemnation. Christ’s perfect sacrifice on their behalf has wiped their criminal record clean.

How do these pardoned sinners then live? They follow the promptings and leadership of the Spirit of God. As Paul explains a few verses later, “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (14). They no longer follow the dictates of their corrupted nature or of the sinful world; they march to the beat of a spiritual Drummer, following the footsteps of their perfect Saviour.

What a joy, what a privilege it is to be in Christ! Our desire, like Paul’s, should therefore be to “be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9).

Prayer: Thank You Father, that in Christ there is no condemnation. By Your grace I walk in step with Your Spirit.

Scriptural Reading: Romans 8 : 1

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

NKJV

No Condemnation In Christ

Kneel Before The Lord

Kneel Before The Lord

WORSHIP

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95:6

Throughout Scripture we are called to worship the Lord in various ways and by various means. We are called to give thanks, praise, and power to our God. But the practice of all of these commands and encouragements must begin with submission to God — “bow down and kneel before the Lord.”

There is no true worship without submission. We can admire Jesus, we can appreciate the selflessness and sacrifice of the cross. We can even confess that He is Lord. But if we do not submit to Him as our Lord, than we have not offered Him genuine worship.

Worshiping God begins by submitting to God’s rightful rule over us because He is “our maker.” There is no particle or person or planet that does not owe their existence to God. Because He is the creator of all things, all things owe their allegiance to Him.

None are exempted from this call—“let us worship and bow down”—because none are excepted in the description of God as their“maker.” We are all summoned to the privileged position of worshiping at the feet of Jesus Christ.

Have you purposed to worship Jesus Christ today? Then you must begin by bowing down, by kneeling before Him and submitting to His rightful rule over your every thought, word, deed, and design. You must prepare to offer the only reasonable service to your Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I offer my whole body as a living sacrifice to You.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 95:6

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

NKJV

Kneel Before The Lord

The Awesome WORD Of GOD

The Awesome WORD Of GOD

THE AWESOME WORD OF GOD

The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Notice first that the Word of God is quick, or alive. It always is (present tense) alive. God’s Word will always be true; it is alive forever. And therefore God’s Word is always relevant, never just a dead carcass, a used up and empty vessel from the past. It is the living, breathing truth of God. And, as Psalm 100:5 extols, “His truth endures to all generations.”

The Word of God is also powerful. It is, in other words, energetic. It is not only living, but energetically efficacious. God’s Word, Paul tells us, “is the power of God unto salvation” to every one that believes (Romans 1:16). Have you ever felt the moving, slicing, energetic operation of God’s Word on your heart as you read, or listened to, or meditated on its truth? If so, then you know the kinetic power of God’s Word to reach and melt and prick the heart.

But it is here compared to a sword—and elsewhere called a sword (Ephesians 6:17). Why do we need a sword? Because we are in a war. We daily battle, whether courageously or pathetically, the ever-present foes of sin, self, and Satan. We need the spiritual power of God’s Word to strengthen us and fight for us against these foes.

Finally, God’s Word is called a discerner. The truth of God’s Word sifts through and analyzes the myriad of ideas, aspirations, and desires with which we are enticed and, as a qualified and a skilled judge, discerns truth from error, good from bad. It is a wise weapon!

Do you feel the need today for the energetic, discerning work of God’s Word upon your heart, directing your ways? The question is asked in Jeremiah 17:9, of the deceptive human heart, “who can know it?” The answer from Hebrews is: “the Word of God can.”

Prayer: Lord, let Your word do it’s work in me.

Scriptural Reading: Hebrews 4:12

12 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.

NKJV

The Awesome WORD Of GOD