The God Of Forgiveness

The God Of Forgiveness

FORGIVE

There is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Psalm 130:4

This is a striking statement from beginning to end. First, there is forgiveness with the holy, perfect God who does not pardon sins? How could this be? On the other hand, even this forgiveness of God should lead us to a reverential fear of God. Why would this be?

The psalmist observes in the preceding verse (130:3) that if God were to keep account of our sins, no one could stand such a scrutiny. We are all sinners to the core and we have each sinned enough to justify a hell-sentence.

But, because Jesus Christ took our sins on Himself and paid the penalty for them, God has not dealt with us according to our iniquity (Psalm 103:10). Thus the holy God maintains His perfect and just standard, but is also merciful.

But what a fearsome forgiveness! To be snatched from the brink of never-ending torment, to be saved from our well-deserved damnation, makes us irrevocably and eternally indebted to our Savior. This forgiveness is fearful because it means we did nothing to deserve it, and we can do nothing to pay it back.

And God now demands the same kind of unconditional forgiveness from us, toward others. If God has so freely and kindly forgiveness us, do we not fear to hold a grudge or transgression against a brother or sister?

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to always forgive as you have forgiven me.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 130:1-8

The God Of Forgiveness

Give Thanks In All Things

Give Thanks In All Things

ALWAYS GIVE THANKS

All things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

Every person, every situation, everything is allowed through the wise and omnipotent hand of God for your sakes. He is, like the potter, shaping this world for His own purposes, and He purposes your good, if you are one of His.

As Paul wrote in his first letter to Corinth, “the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:22). God has subdued even your greatest enemies, so they now work for your good.

But the good of those who love God is not God’s only motivation. His primary motivation, because He is God, is always and rightly His own glory. And so, we are reminded, God has purposed our good for His glory.

It is the great purpose of God that His abundant and conquering grace should redound to His own glory. It is only right that it would be so, like an author or a painter or a sculptor being credited for his masterpieces. But how does abundant grace resonate to His glory? Through the thanksgiving of many.

God will be glorified by us, no matter what — either in forgiving us or in condemning us. But our goal should be that He is glorified in us. When we grab from the gracious hand of God and run away thoughtlessly to enjoy His benefits, His abundant grace does not receive the glory it deserves.

So, dear pardoned sinner and beneficiary of divine goodness: make yourself today a soundboard for the glory of God. May each blessing sent your way reverberate to the glory of His name, through your conscious and joyful thanksgiving.

Prayer: Lord, be glorified in my life.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Give Thanks In All Things

Enquire Of The Lord

Enquire Of The Lord

ASK THE LORD

David enquired of the Lord yet again. 1 Samuel 23:4

Nine times in the Scripture we find this statement – “David enquired” of the Lord, or of God. Every one of these instances was after David had become a great leader. And yet David shows us that great leadership results from being a great follower of God. Even in the most practical or mundane of matters.

Many times, when we are faced with challenging situations, our first inclination, especially if there are others waiting upon or relying on our answer, is to make a hasty decision based on the best understanding we have at the moment. But we should develop the habit, like David, of asking the Lord for direction first.

Perhaps you have already sought the Lord’s guidance, though, in a particular situation – a relationship, or a promotion, or a relocation, or another life-changing decision. Or maybe you received clear direction for your last decision, but a fresh challenge has presented itself.

Then inquire of the Lord yet again. There is no such thing as being too dependent upon God. He never wearies of our questions, and we never out-grow our inadequacy without Him.

The great encouragement is that when David went to the Lord yet again, then “the Lord answered him” (23:4). He always answers those who inquire of Him, and so He will answer you when you call upon Him and inquire of Him. He is faithful.

Prayer: Thank You Lord, that I can always come to You for advice.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Samuel 23:1-6

Enquire Of The Lord

A Legacy Worth Leaving

A Legacy Worth Leaving

A WORTHY LEGACY

These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

It is not enough to pass on God’s Word to our children. We must first receive and embrace it in our own hearts, as parents. There is no way to share a love for God and his Word with your children that you do not daily and vitally experience yourself.

Many parents feel an obligation to their children to raise them up in a good environment. So they cart them off to Sunday school or send them to a Christian school, assuming that they have fulfilled their obligation. However, if they are not themselves actively engaged in the Christian faith, they cannot expect their children to fall in love with it just because they have been exposed to it externally.

The Word must first be in your heart. But even more than that — you must teach God’s Word to your children diligently. Another mistake that parents sometimes make is the assumption that if they have ever explained a biblical principle or told their children a Bible story, then they understand the Christian faith. But it takes much more dedication and careful application than that.

We must make a daily, overriding, unrelenting determination as parents to teach our children the Christian faith. Not only by making it the subject of conversations, but by displaying Christ as the great goal and treasure of our family.

The overflowing, personal pleasure that we experience in God’s Word must continually and carefully be emanating from our heart, and be diligently communicated to the hearts of our children.

Prayer: Lord, help me leave a legacy of faith to my children.

Scriptural Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

A Legacy Worth Leaving

Spiritual Ambition

Spiritual Ambition

SPIRITUAL AMBITION

Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. – Mark 10:44

Do you want to make a difference in the kingdom of God? Do you desire to be used in a mighty way to the glory of Jesus Christ? Do you have high ambitions for yourself in Christ’s body?

Then don’t settle for holding a significant position or for being especially prominent. Raise your sights even higher — make it your goal to be the chief person in the kingdom of God . . . and start serving everyone around you.

Jesus told his ambitious, contentious disciples on several occasions the only way to be great in His kingdom. The person that wishes to be great must take on the lowest, self-emptying, others-oriented, servant-spirited position in the church. He or she must become the servant of all.

Is there anyone in the church that you would disdain to serve? Do you still see yourself above certain individuals because of their background, or social status, or financial situation, or educational level, or personal hygiene? Then you are not yet chief in the kingdom of God. You have not yet risen high enough in the service of the Lord. Because you are not yet the servant of all.

Look today for opportunities for promotion in the church of Jesus Christ. Search out the lowliest and become lower still by serving them. There is no person too small, or smelly, or ugly, or sick, or handicapped for you to serve in Christ’s kingdom, if you are spiritually ambitious enough.

Prayer: Lord, give me a heart of a servant.

Scriptural Reading: Mark 10:41– 45

Spiritual Ambition

The Spirit Of God

The Spirit Of God

HOLY SPIRIT

“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.” (John 14:26)

Personal – 5 am to 8 am

1. Bless the Lord and worship Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit; extol Him for His love and mercy that is constantly at work in your life.

2. Ask the Lord to take absolute control of your life; ask Him to help you yield to the Holy Spirit all the days of your life.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into fellowship with Him today; pray that your communion with Him during these 40 Days of Power will be unhindered.

Family and Church – 8 am to 11 am

4. Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit for your family; boldly declare that every member of your family will know His will and follow His leading daily.

5. Pray for a manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in your family; ask God for the manifestation of His nature in your life as an example of the influence of His Spirit

6. Declare that the church is entering into a season of divine experiences; ask for a release of divine power for the body of Christ to show forth His glory.

Productivity, Career and Business – 11 am to 2 pm

7. Pray for an outpouring of divine ideas and concepts for businesses in Ghana; declare that God will endow His people with supernatural gifts to bring solutions to Ghana’s challenges.

8. Ask God to stir up every dormant gift in you; pray for the release of the spirit of excellence into your heart for maximum productivity in all your endeavors.

9. Declare that in these 40 Days of Power, your business or career will experience an uplifting by God’s power, receive the grace to walk in signs and wonders today.

Nation, Continent and Global – 2 pm to 5 pm

10. Prophesy a season of supernatural empowerment for every young person in Ghana; declare that young people will be empowered to excel in their fields of endeavor.

11. Pray for a mighty move of the Spirit of God to take over the nation of Ghana and the entire continent of Africa; ask the Lord to bring massive developments to this continent

12. Thank the Lord for bringing a rain of change on Africa; pray for a ripple effect unto every continent on the globe.

Declaration – 8 pm

I will worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. I will declare His marvelous works to the nations. Today, I avail myself to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I decree a season of God’s power at work in my life, family, church and nation in Jesus’ name Amen!

The Spirit Of God

Trust In God

Trust In God

TRUST IN THE LORD

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:9-10

What a promise! The Lord will be a refuge, a shelter, a hiding place in times of trouble.

Trouble is a part of life. We live in a fallen world and are part of the fallen race. It is impossible to fathom the magnitude of the troubles that encompass the globe. It often is overwhelming and even those who profess to believe in God sometimes forget that He is the source of help in the time of trouble.

When struggling with trials, sickness, and losses it must be remembered that God is sovereign and He is working in our life even when we cannot understand the unfolding of His providences. When trouble comes to a marriage, or parents are struggling with a rebellious child, it must be remembered that God’s Word is our source of counsel and that God does not forsake them that seek Him.

Satan may suggest your trouble is too great, that there is no hope; but God is the God of hope and it is to Him that you must turn. The psalmist says “they that know thy name will put their trust in thee.” True knowledge of God brings trust.

To understand God is all powerful brings you to believe nothing is too hard for Him. To understand He is merciful gives you hope to call on Him in your time of need. To understand He is faithful assures you He will keep His promises. Are you going through any trial? Call on the Lord and He will answer you.

Prayer: Thank You for Your faithfulness, O Lord.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 9:7-14

Trust In God