Be Joyful

BE JOYFUL

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

The Bible says, “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” O how you need some strength to triumph this year. Most of us are weak because we lack the joy of the Lord. Note, not the joy of the world but the joy of the Lord. The joy of the world depends on circumstances, but the joy of the Lord comes from the hope of the glory of God.

   Because the devil knows that the joy of the Lord is our strength, he will do everything in his power to still our joy. How sad it is that most of us have lost our joy in the Lord. We can lose our joy for several reasons:

•  Wrong focus. Paul and Silas were able to praise God despite severe trials because they centred on Jesus. Concentrating on our difficulties will cause delight to disappear. Refocusing through praise will bring it back.

•  Disobedience. Sin steals our joy because it separates us from the Lord. As we receive forgiveness and obey Him, joy returns.

•  Regret. We crowd out gladness when we continue to feel bad about past mistakes and failures. Our Father wants us to believe that He forgives us (1 John 1:9) and live in His grace and move ahead.

•  Fear. Too often we attempt to live out the future before it has happened. With so much outside our control, we become afraid. Joy and fear cannot coexist. The Lord calls us to live by faith, asking Him to meet today’s needs and trusting Him with the future.

•  Someone else’s suffering. How can we rejoice when others are hurting? Romans 12:15 says we are to weep with them, but we are also to offer the hope of God’s presence, power, and provision. A downcast spirit is a poor witness for hope.

   What excuse have you been using for your lack of joy? Fix your gaze on the Lord and let His joy fill your heart in power and strength.

Prayer: Lord, let Your joy be my strength.

Scriptural Reading: Roman 5 : 1-5

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

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Be Joyful

The Lord"s Arm

PRAYER

Behold, the Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor His ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:1-2

Staying in constant fellowship with God through prayer is crucial to your success in life. This is the reason why it is so important to be on a lookout for anything that will be a hinderance to your prayer life.

   One of the reasons our prayers may not be answered is because of unconfessed sins in our lives. Nothing will bring a prayer life to a halt faster than unconfessed sin. Psalm 66:18 says, “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”

   Offence, bitterness and unforgiveness will also hinder your prayer. When the Lord taught His disciples to pray in Matthew chapter six, He said to them, when you pray tell the Father, “forgive us our offences as we have forgiven those who have offended us.” If you don’t forgive those who offend you from your heart, God will not listen to your prayers.

   Idolatry, or putting something in our lives into a place of prominence over God Himself, can also be a hinderance to prayer. In Ezekiel 14:3, God said, “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests.?”

   Is there someone or something that is more important to you than God Himself? Anyone or anything that becomes more important to you than God can potentially become your idol. Any object, idea, philosophy, habit, occupation, or sport that has your primary concern and loyalty—or to any degree, decreases your trust and loyalty to God—could potentially become an idol. And it could stop your prayers from being answered.

Prayer: Lord, revive my prayer life, and help me be vigilant and look out for the schemes of the devil to stop my prayer life.

Scriptural Reading: Isaiah 59:1-5

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,

That it cannot save;

Nor His ear heavy,

That it cannot hear.

2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood,

And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.

4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

5 They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.

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The Lord"s Arm

You Need Some Adversities

YOU NEED SOME ADVERSITIES

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13

The pathway to success and greatness almost always passes through the valley of adversity. We see this principle not only in the story of Joseph, who endured thirteen years of adversity, but also in the lives of many other men and women in both the Old and New Testament.

   Moses was raised in the royal splendour of Pharaoh’s household in Egypt, but he was forced to flee and spend 40 years in desert exile before God called him to lead the children of Israel out of slavery. Joshua spent the years of his youth as a slave in Egypt and his middle-aged years wandering in the desert as Moses’ aide. He was well acquainted with adversity when God called him to lead Israel’s armies in the conquest of Canaan. The prophet Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions before he could reach a place of power and influence in the Babylonian courts. And we see this same pattern played out in the lives of David, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea and other Old Testament leaders.

   Even Jesus our Lord had to face adversity. He suffered hunger, thirst, temptation and opposition from Satan. He had to endure hardship and shame before He could be glorified. The Lord’s apostles also suffered persecutions, hardships, and despair.

   All those adversities were necessary parts of the process of making these people what they needed to be to accomplish what they did. So get ready to face some adversities on your way to great accomplishments this year.

Prayer: Lord, make me stronger and wiser by the adversities You allow my way.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

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You Need Some Adversities

Keep The Big Picture

KEEP THE BIG PICTURE

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. *James 1:2-4 *

Sports can teach us lot of valuable life lessons. Sometimes we buy into the idea that if we will do all the right things, we are guaranteed immediate success. The problem is that sometimes this is true. The outcome matches the execution and the goal. However, in sports, as well as in life, success is not always guaranteed.

   For instance, if you bring a smothering perfectionism to the golf course, you will probably leave with a higher handicap and a lousy disposition, because your game will never meet your expectations. You can make the perfect golf swing and end up in a divot or sand bunker. A footballer can kick the perfect penalty and the goalkeeper tips it over the bar; analogies are limitless.

   So what do we do when the outcome does not match the expectations? We must accept that in sports, as in life, outcomes don’t end the way we always hope. A player may miss a penalty kick, but his team may eventually win the match. You don’t have to win every battle to win a war. Some short-term outcome may be bad, but keep your eye on the big picture. As you set off to achieve your goals for this New Year, some short-term results may not be what you hoped for, but don’t be discouraged. Learn the lessons that need to be learned and move on.

   You and I need to keep the big picture in mind when short-term outcomes don’t turn out well. The Bible calls this perseverance. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

Prayer: Thank You Lord, for Your plan to ultimately bring me to a perfect end. Help me focus on the big picture.

Scriptural Reading: James 1:1-6

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:

Greetings.

Profiting from Trials

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

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Keep The Big Picture

Watch Your Thoughts

WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

It is said that thoughts are the seedlings of realities. What you predominantly think about becomes your reality. Our thoughts control our lives and determine our destiny. This is why our minds are the battle ground of our fight with the force of darkness.

   The Scriptures urge us to cast down imaginations or thoughts that are variant with the word of God out of our mind. To live victoriously, every thought that originates from the devil must be immediately cast out of your mind. The command to “cast down” indicates the fact that you have the ability to decide what thoughts stay in your mind and what thoughts you cast out of your mind. God has given you the power to control the kind of thoughts you allow to stay in your mind.

   The question is how to discern which thoughts originate from God and which ones are from the devil? Generally, thoughts that originate from God are true, honest, pure, just and lovely. They are thoughts that reflect God’s nature and are in harmony with His will. Thoughts that originate from the devil are false, hypocritical, filthy and self-centered. They reflect the devil’s charater and bring out the worst in us.

   Let us maintain a high level of awareness and keep a perpetual watch over our minds. We must not entertain negative or evil thoughts in our mind. Your success, prosperity, peace, and your destiny depend on the quality of your thoughts.

Prayer: Father, help me develop the discipline of keeping watch over my mind. Help me meditate day and night on Your word.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

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Watch Your Thoughts

The Controller

THE CONTROLLER

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your rememberance all things that I said to you. John 14:26

A pilot found himself in a terrible storm. Visibility had dropped and he couldn’t see his way through the storm. At this point when his own vision was not clear, the only option left for him was to put his total trust in the cockpit instruments.

   His destination was a crowded airport he wasn’t familiar with. To make a safe landing he had to make accurate decisions. During training his instructor had practically forced him to memorize the airplane Rulebook. He didn’t like it much at the time, but now he was thankful he learnt it.

   As he approached his destination, he made contact with the air traffic controller. For the next 45 minutes, the controller confidently and gently guided the pilot through the storm. As course and altitude corrections were made, the young pilot realized the controller was guiding him around obstacles and away from potential collisions. With the words of the Rulebook firmly placed in his mind, and with the gentle voice of the controller, he landed safely at last.

   The Holy Spirit guides us through the maze of life much like that air traffic controller. The controller assumed that the young pilot understood the instructions from the Rulebook. His guidance was based on that. Our Rulebook is the Bible. The traffic controller is the Holy Spirit. Our guidance in life comes through knowledge of God’s word and dependence on the Holy Spirit. We must hear His voice in the midst of the storm and follow His guidance.

   Have you studied the Rulebook? Do you know the voice of the Holy Spirit?

Prayer: Guide me, Holy Spirit, and lead me to the future You have prepared in advance for me.

Scriptural Reading: John 14:23-31

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

The Gift of His Peace

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

29 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.

30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.

31 But that the world may know that I love the Fa…

The Controller

Powerful Intercession

POWERFUL INTERCESSION

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you. Colossians;1:9

One of the most important poweful ministries is that of an intercessor. That is the present ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father in heaven. When we intercede, we don’t pray for ourselves but for others. Apostle Paul provides one of the greatest examples of an intercessor. His letters to the churches are full of powerful intercessory prayers for the churches. His prayer for the Christians in Colosse is a model of an effective intercessory prayer. Why don’t you receive it by faith as my prayer for you this New Year?

•  May you be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. May the Lord make His perfect will known to you through spiritual wisdom and understanding. May you never lack guidance and direction.

•  May you walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. May He be at work in you both to will and to do according to His good pleasure.

•  May you bear fruit in every good work. May all your efforts to please the Lord yield positive results. May you achieve extraordinary results that will bring glory to the Lord.

•  May you increase in the knowledge of God. Above all else, may you come to know God intimately and walk closely with Him this year.

•  May that same power that brought our Lord Jesus Christ from the grave, be at work in you. May it strengthen and sustain you.

•  May you always give thanks to God for the many blessings He has showered on you, especially, your eternal inheritance in Christ. There is nothing for which we should be more appreciative than the fact that God has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in His Kingdom.

   May all these blessings and more be yours this year and forever.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for Your intercessions for me at the right hand of the Father.

Scriptural Reading: Colossians 1:9-14

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

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Powerful Intercession