The power of courage

To obey God requires courage. It is the firmness of spirit that could face crises without retreating.

Joshua led the nation into the Promised Land. God spoke to him three times, telling him to be strong and courageous.

Joshua responded affirmatively and built his bravery on two precious assurances.

God travels with us.
The Lord pledged He would be with the Israelites in the new land, never leaving or forsaking them. In Hebrews 13:5,He makes the same promise to us. In fact, the Lord travels with us in a far more intimate way—through His Spirit living within us.

God goes before us.
God promised to take care of the enemy before the Israelites arrived. They still faced battles, but He assured them of victory if they had faith and obeyed. Jesus has gone ahead of us to heaven with the spiritual battle already won.
Our redemption has been secured, our place in God’s family permanently established, and our heavenly inheritance guaranteed. While our earthly trials continue, they are temporary.

Joshua 1:1-9
The LORD Commands Joshua
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

(0488 31 I 08)

Accepting God's solution

We may fervently call upon God but do not receive any satisfactory answer. We fail not because of God’s unwillingness, or inability to respond. We fail because we find the answer not satisfactory. If we come to God with a preconceived idea of how to solve the problem, we will not likely to get a true answer.

Read 2 Chronicles 20. Suppose King Jehoshaphat had decided that God could answer his prayer only by giving the army extra strength for the forthcoming battle. If Jehoshaphat’s soldiers had attempted combat, they would have lost Jerusalem.

Sometimes we don’t like God’s solution. We desire freedom from physical pain. We want the Lord to fix everything without requiring any effort from us. We fail because we are not willing to obey. When HE tells us how to resolve our problem, we must act just as HE specifies, or we will never be satisfied.

2 Chronicles 20:14-25
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful. After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendour of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures for ever.As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked towards the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no-one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value— more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.

(0487 30 I 08)

Solving problems through prayer

Most of us focus on our problems or its perceived solution instead of focusing on God.
Read 2 Chronicles 20 and learn how the king magnified the Lord’s greatness, recalling for himself and his people many divine triumphs. In that way, he was able to bolster the Israelites’ courage and prepare them for whatever solution the Lord proposed. Jehoshaphat recognized that no problem is bigger than the God of the universe. The Israelite army was powerless against such an onslaught, but the king refused to give in to his initial fear and despair. “Our eyes are on You,” he pledged

We must first seek the Lord’s will and HIS best way to solve our problems. We do this through prayers. We must surrender this responsibility of problem solving when we come to HIM and pray as King Jehoshaphat did: “I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on You.”

2 Chronicles 20:1-13
Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard and said: O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no-one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it for ever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.' But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them.See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.

(0486 29 I 08)

Christ-centered confidence

When we trust Jesus, we have spiritual growth, personal achievement, peace and influence.

How to go about doing it ?

When we rely consistently on God, we will respond to difficult situations by seeking HIM for guidance and strength. As a result, we will experience the Holy Spirit’s presence, provision and power. With this comes
spiritual growth.
We become more capable to accomplish far greater than imaginable
We show a depth of patience and endurance
We may receive opportunities for leadership position
We may get satisfaction, pleasure and success in doing an unfamiliar task
We experience peace
We inspire others as they watch us achieve in unexpected ways, grow spiritually or display inner peace.

2 Corinthians 3:1-6
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant— not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

(0485 27 I 08)

Praying in Jesus' name

Jesus spoke to HIS disciples about praying and asking in HIS name and the power attached to it. “The Father will give you whatever you ask in My name” (John 15:16b ).

Through Jesus Christ, our sins are paid for, we are in a new family relationship, and we have unhindered access to God !

Praying in Jesus’ name states both our relationship with Christ and our right—through Him—to approach the Father directly

He has instructed us to come and ask for what we need. These words give us the authorization to enter the throne room of grace at any time and speak personally with the Father. To everyone who has received Jesus Christ as Savior, the Lord has granted the right to use His name.

Based on our kinship with Jesus, we have access to the Father and can come with Christ’s authority to make requests. But to use the Savior’s name, we must also agree with God’s purposes. Praying in the name of Jesus means we are asking in agreement with His character and will. We must it our priority to obey Him and carry on His work. We are to accomplish the Father’s will, not ours. By allowing His Word to abide in us, w will learn to pray in accordance with His plan.

John 16:19-33
Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child
has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no-one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. Then Jesus' disciples said, Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God. You believe at last! Jesus answered. But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 14:13
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

(0484 27 I 08)

Discovering GOd's will

God wants us to reach our maximum potential. HE promises “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8).

However, discovering God’s will is a daily process of trust.


We learn God’s will by reading His Word. Scripture provides a comprehensive guide for any situation. There we find rules and commands that will lead to our success, as well as principles for daily application. Studying God’s Word is the only way for a believer to recognize His will. We discover God’s will through circumstances.

2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(0483 26 I 08)

Hindering God's will

To obtain God’s will, we must surrender ourselves totally to God. Influence of friends and ignorance of godly principles can affect our goal. Deliberate sin can also stop us. So is stubbornness.

Stubbornness grows not out of pride about our own judgment but out of doubt.
Stubbornness grows out of fear of what God may want us to do.

Romans 12:1-2
Living Sacrifices
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God— this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.

(0482 24 I 08)

Receiving God's will

Do you have a strong urge that you could not ignore ? We may have many different forms of compelling feelings and from many directions. If you have the feeling that God is working, we would not want to stifle that thought.

God also uses other ways to reveal HIS will. One of the many ways is through counsel. God uses other means to reach us, and one way is through someone near and close to us. (Proverbs 11:14; Titus 2)

Another way to discover God’s will is through our conscience. Through our experience, we should be able to determine quickly whether or not something is of the Lord.

We must bear in mind that no matter whatever means God uses to direct and instruct us, a sense of peace will always accompany our obedience to HIS will. When peace comes, follow HIS lead.

Colosssians 3:15-16
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

(0481 23 I 08)

How to pray with confidence

We need prayer to make changes. Very often we feel unsure about our appeals to the Lord.

We must realize that we belong to God’s family (John 1 : 12). Based on this, we can be absolutely sure HE will hear our prayers (Matthew 6 : 6).
We must pray according to God’s will. There are lists of things which are in God’s will and those that are not in God’s will, (Proverbs 6 : 16-19 ; Colossians 3 : 8).
We must submit our spirit to God, (James 4 : 7) We must surrender ourselves totally to HIM and be willing to accept HIS plan.
God’s general will is revealed through commands and principles, (2 Timothy 3 : 16-17)
We must depend on the Holy Spirit to help us pray in agreement with the God’s purposes.

1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us— whatever we ask— we know that we have what we asked of him.

(0480 22 I 08)

Taking for granted

There are many wonderful common things which we always take for granted · the intricate and delicate ways in which our lungs steadily and silently work to take in fresh air· the way our hearts work untiringly, pumping great quantities of clean blood through the network of blood vessels· the way our body temperature is regulated, varying less than one degree· the ways temperature vary from different geographical zones but never so much as to destroy lives· the way time changes from day to night and seasons. Man continues to make plans accordingly· the wide range of food available from the farm, the fields, the forest, the sea all work out to fulfill our differing desires and needs· the beauty of nature continues to amaze us· the refreshment that sleep brings· the comfort of homes and the warmth of relationships All these are made possible because of God

Psalm 92 : 1
It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High,

Psalm 103 : 4 - 5
.. who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the

Lamentations 3 : 22 - 23
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 68 : 19

Blessings taken for granted are often forgotten. Yet our Heavenly Father 'daily load us with benefits'

(0479 20 I 08)

Living with others in mind

We have always put ourselves first, to think of our issues, our problems, our wants and needs are the most important. This is not the way God wants us to. He wants us to show humility.

Humility is not about weakness

Romans 12:3 tells us to: "Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you" It means not to think of yourself "more highly" but use "sober judgment" in your view of yourself. That is humility.

To achieve that requires a change in our thinking and a daily commitment to operate with others in mind. "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5).

Jesus is the best example of true humility.

1 John 3:16 – 20
And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his
presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything

(0478 19 I 08)

How to claim the promise

Many believers have made claims on Philippians 4 : 19 but failed to realize it. And when they see that God has not fulfilled what hey consider to be a promise, it can make their lives shipwreck. We need to observe the spiritual and circumstantial requirements. Almost every promise in the Bible has one or more conditions that must be met before God's promise is fulfilled. Philippians 4:19 says, "God shall supply all your need." There must be a need before God will supply. God does not promise to supply all of our wants, only our needs. There must be a legitimate need. God meets our need for a purpose--not to relieve us of our responsibility, but because He has given us responsibility. When God gives us a responsibility to fulfill, we can count on His supplying all of the resources that are necessary to accomplish it. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Ps.23:1).

Philippians 4:17-20
Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.

(0477 18 I 08)

Failure to obey

When we violate God’s truth, His Word, consequences always result. Sometimes those consequences are tragic. Abraham discovered this. In his hurry to make God’s promise of a son come true, he agreed to take Sarah’s servant, Hagar, as a substitute wife. The child born from that union, however, was not God’s intended heir. When Isaac, the son of promise, was born, a rivalry developed that eventually caused Sarah to demand Hagar and her son leave the house. Abraham’s disobedience brought serious consequences, not only to himself but to everyone he loved. Only God’s intervention prevented a tragedy (Gen.21:16-19). When we fail to obey God’s truth, we can expect consequences. This is not because God is out to get even. Instead, it’s because God’s truth protects us from situations that will harm us. When we trample down those protective fences God has set up in His Word, we end up experiencing the evil from which those fences were created tosave us. Take God at His word. The Scriptures can keep you from harm. Refuse to violate God’s truth either by running ahead or lagging behind His will for your life. God’s truth will keep you from the consequences. Accept the Truth and avoid the consequences

Genesis 21:9-11

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.

(0476 17 I 08)

Directions

Jeremiah gave a warning to Judah. The people had wandered off the road, the path of God’s righteousness. So the prophet said, “Ask for directions. Get back on the right road.” He also promised that they would find rest for their souls if they did this.
We need to keep the map in hand, the Word of God, because in it we will find “where the good way is” (6:16).

If you are off course, decide to get back on the right path and find the rest that God promises.


1 Timothy 5

Jeremiah 6 - 8

(0475 16 I 08)

Contentment

Due to our personal relationship with Christ we can be contented with unsatisfactory conditions. This is true as different situations arise, we learn our lessons one after another, and we soon learn to be content in every situation.

Contentment is not easy to experience. This is probably due to our tendency to seek contentment in possession rather than in a person. Very often we regard contentment as coming from having things. It is still possible to have contentment without possessing things. So often we think contentment would be ours if we were promoted to the next higher position or if we were able to buy that object we think we need so much or if we could be accepted in a certain circle of friends. As we mature, we discover that contentment is elusive because we are seeking it in the wrong places and in the wrong way.

Contentment does not depend on what we have; it depends on who we are. It is a spiritual attainment, not something that results from purchasing power.

1 Timothy 6 : 6
Godliness with contentment is great gain

(0474 15 I 08)

X-tra hard, a bar of steel

Isaiah 41 : 15
I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument

May this passage help us to be silent, still, and longsuffering. Those who suffer most are capable of yielding most; and it is through pain that God is getting the most out of us, for His glory and the blessing of others.

(0473 14 I 08)

You become what you see

What you are seeing helps to determine what you are becoming
So much of what the world offers is trivial, false and worthless. Do not build your life on the world's foundations. Build your life instead on the Word of God, for it endures forever.

When we fill our lives with the Word of God, we fight vanity. When we turn our eyes upon the pages of the Bible, we grow in truth and value and are in touch with eternity.
The Bible tells us that "he who does the will of God abides forever" (I John 2:17).

Psalm 119 : 37
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
and revive me in Your way

(0472 13 I 08)

The renewed mind

It is good to analyze the kind of thoughts that goes on in our mind. Some will be spiritual thoughts that make a positive contribution to life, others will be thoughts about things that are not necessarily good or bad, and there will be thoughts that are definitely bad--and you realize this without being told. The quickest way to deteriorate or to degenerate is to allow your mind to be occupied with unworthy thoughts. Having good thoughts contributes to building character. When we think selfishly, covetously, jealously and lustfully, these characteristics will become evident in our character.

Romans 12 : 2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God

Proverb 23 : 7

For as he thinks within himself, so he is

Luke 6:45

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart

( 0471 12 I 08)

Acceptable conduct

The purpose of having rules is to inform or remind you of how you are to conduct yourself in a particular environment.


1 Timothy 3:1–13, mark specific “rules.”
“Be blameless” followed by statements on marital fidelity, temper, self-discipline, hospitality and gossip.


It is always easier to apply rules to others. How does your life measure up to this standard ?

1 Timothy 3:14–15
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

(0470 11 I 08)

Spiritual gift

When we accept Christ as our personal saviour, and when we invited the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, the Spirit gives each of us one or more gifts. Unfortunately some or all the gifts given remain unwrapped and unused. What has God's Word to say about that.

What Does God Say in Romans 12:6-8 ?
Although it is not meant to be thorough, it does point out what our attitude should be toward God's gifts.
How motivated are you about using your spiritual gift?
What is preventing you from exercising your gift more freely?


Most of us do not know what our spiritual gift is.
Speak with a pastor regarding spiritual gifts or speak with someone who knows you well what they feel your gift might be.

Romans 12 : 6 - 8
God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have
a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

(0469 10 I 08)

To react or not to react

How do you react when you meet antagonism?
When you are mistreated or wrongly accused, do you harbor resentment or seek revenge?
Do you attempt to retaliate or verbally abuse those who have abused you?


Jesus was falsely arraigned, falsely accused, and falsely abused. Yet to all of the trumped-up charges, to all of this pseudo evidence, our Lord made no reply.

We must never lash out against those who lie against us. We must begin each day with a commitment to live a life like Jesus, never to hate those who did us wrong. It is only then that we will live happily in a world filled with unhappy people

Mark 15:1-20
Jesus Before Pilate
Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and turned him over to Pilate. Are you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate. Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.
But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.
Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews? Pilate asked them.
Crucify him! they shouted. Why? What crime has he committed? asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, Crucify him! Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, Hail, king of the Jews!
Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spat on him.
Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

(0468 09 I 08)

The kinds of care we have

We are more concerned about things than about God’s will for us. We will never have peace by acquiring things. We will have peace only by being in God’s will. When we become anxious due to wanting possessions or from concern over how to pay for them, our faith in God diminishes and we miss the peace of God


In our hurried state we allow ourselves to be pressured into hasty decisions and actions - we feel we must make a decision immediately, and then later we realize it was not that urgent after all. When we are in league with God, we can afford to wait for His perfect time.

We are constantly tensed because of unrest in our souls. We need to know that it is faith that brings answers to prayers.

There is only one scenario
either casting all of our cares upon God, or keeping all of our cares for ourselves.

Matthew 6 : 33
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).

Philippians 4 : 6,7;
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(0467 08 I 08)

Handling the critics

What do you do when people criticize you?


Meditate on the Word of God.
Get your mind fixed upon what God says. If we ponder and think about the things other people say, we will be agitated and anxious and uptight. But if we meditate on what God says, those things that are true and right and holy and beautiful, His peace will fill us.

Delight in the Word of God.
"Your testimonies also are my delight" (Psalm 119 :.24). Some people delight in gossip. They enjoy listening to rumors about people. But the psalmist says, "While they were gossiping and telling lies, I was meditating on the Word of God, because I delight in it."

Obey the Word of God.
"Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors" (Psalm 119 : 24) You get your counsel from the Word of God, not from authorities, friends or enemies.

Psalm 119 : 23-24
Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors

(0466 07 I 08)

Angels unaware

The Bible says that Christians should be hospitable In fact, it’s so important that it’s listed as one of the qualifications for anyone desiring a position of leadership in the church (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:8).

The writer of Hebrews said, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels" (Heb. 13:2).

The next time when you have opportunity to open your home to a troubled teenager or to host a foreign student do it!

Some may have the gift of hospitality, but we all have the responsibility.

Genesis 18:2-3
So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.

(0465 06 I 08)

Considerate Christians

Philippians 4 : 5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all” reveals a special consideration given to other people, to patiently forbear under injury without desiring revenge. It is a spirit that is ready to forgive, and it possesses a gentleness of temper. It is alsotemperate in physical desires and demonstrates equity; that is, justice and impartiality in business. A person of such quality will avoid extremes and will not be explosive. The peace of God is obviously not in a person's life if he has an explosive temper. This quality can only be possible to the indwelling Holy Spirit and the fruit that is produced by Him in our lives.

Philippians 4:1-7
Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

Exhortations
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(0464 05 I 08)

Keeping clean

How does a person keep and remain clean in this world?
The psalmist asks this question in Psalm 119 : 9: "How can a young man cleanse his way?" The answer: "By taking heed according to Your word."

We have several instructions to follow to keep us spiritually clean.

First, heed the Word. We first have to read and study the Word so we know it. And if we know it, we should obey it.

Second, hide the Word. "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You”

Third, herald the Word by sharing it with others. "With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth" (Psalm 119 : 13)

Finally, honor the Word. "I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways" (Psalm 119 :15)

In order for God’s Word to take effect, you must get into the Word - obey the Word and God will keep you clean

(0463 04 I 08)

Obedience

Look around you and you will find that we are surrounded by all kinds of instant products, instant coffee, instant noodles, instant soup, and so on We seem to want everything instantly these days. BUT, we are slow to obey God. When God declared circumcision to be the sign of His covenant with Abraham and his descendants, Abraham at age 99, subjected himself to the same temporary discomfort as everyone else. Doing God’s will knows no rank or privileges. Genesis 17:10This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised. Genesis 17:22-23Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him. We become a Christian by repentant faith; we live as a Christian only as we obey Christ’s commands. The extent of that commitment is measured by the speed with which we obey If the Lord has been speaking to you about a matter of obedience, do not delay any longer. The blessing you receive by doing God’s will is directly proportional to the speed with which you begin to do it. Salvation is through faith; maturity is through obedience.

Hebrew 3 : 7 -8

Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your
hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness

(0462 03 I 08)

Did I tell you about ......

We are good about telling some things over and over to anyone who will listen. We like to share what we have experienced and enjoyed. Are you as persistent in telling people about God ? Decide that today you will share with someone else a blessing or a lesson you’ve learned from God.

Isaiah 62:1
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch

(0461 02 I 08)

Dealing with your past

We can do nothing about the past except to confess. When a confession is made, the Bible promises: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Unless the past is dealt with, we are not prepared to live in the present nor to go on into the future. it becomes haunting memories that weaken our strength so we are unable to honor Christ in our daily lives. When we confess our sin, "I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you" ). (Isaiah 44:22)Hebrews 8:12 says, “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” We may need to consider very carefully that (a) our failures keep our faith from advancing;
(b) our successes create pride (see Prov. 16:18);
(c) our losses drag us down so we cannot serve the Lord the way we should;
(d) our grievances produce false attitudes (see 1 Cor. 13:6);
(e) we should let God deal with our sorrows and heartaches;
(f) we should not remember our discouragements. We need to remember Christ, not disappointments, thwarted hopes and plans.

Philippians 3:12-14;
Pressing on Towards the Goal Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal
to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
The Lord's Grace to Paul
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners— of whom I am the worst.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(0460) 01 Jan 2008