❣ LOVE DEFINED: –
Love is expressed through sacrificial giving (Action –John 3:16, 13:34,35)
✍1John 4:7–14 (NASB95): Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
19 We love, because He first loved us.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
FAITH
Today's faith gives me peace. Faith gives me divine perspective today. Faith gives me strength for today. Faith gives me resilience today. Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present. We need it to live our lives well. The Bible says without faith, we cannot please God. You must let God into your life if you want to embrace faith. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Phil.4:19 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
I will accept God's gift of His Son Jesus, the Christ as my Saviour and Lord.
I will deepen and live out my faith.
LIFE JOURNAL: As a leader, do I model strong faith? How can I grow in my faith?
*💥TRUE DISCIPLESHIP :—*
➡ Matthew 28:18–20 (NKJV): And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
➡ Matthew 11:27–30 (NKJV): All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
➡ John 8:31–36 (NKJV): Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, *“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”*
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
➡ Luke 14:25–35 (NKJV): Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
➡ Matthew 19:27–30 (NKJV): Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”
28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
➡ John 6:67–69 (NKJV): Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, *“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”*
➡ Matthew 6:31–34 (NKJV): “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
🔹The three primary hindrances to true discipleship are exemplified by three men who were not willing to go all the way with the Lord Jesus Christ :— Luke 9:57-62
*1) Mr. Too Quick* —the love of earthly comforts.
*2) Mr. Too Slow* —the precedence of a job or occupation.
*3) Mr. Too Easy* —the priority of tender family ties.
God's will for our lives is to have a productive heart to receive His Word being sown resulting in fruitfulness in varying degrees: "thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold (Mark 4:1-20)".
Which soil illustrates your heart? By evaluating your present spiritual condition, you're taking the first step toward growing up in God's family. Is the soil of your life hard and unresponsive to the seed? Or is it impulsive and, to be honest, shallow? Maybe you have a preoccupied heart and thorns are strangling your growth in Christ. Worries are distracting you, riches are deceiving you, and desires are taking charge of your life. Your prayers seem hypocritical, and you can't even remember your last meaningful quiet time with the Lord. Be encouraged to do two (2) things :— *1. Confess 2. Repent*
First, confess. Tell the Lord and, perhaps, a fellow believer that you've been distracted, deceived, and victimized by the weeds in your heart. Healing begins with confession. Then, repent. Repentance is the lengthy process of pulling up sin's weeds in your heart one by one, roots and all. Loosen up the soil. Break up some of the clods of pride in your heart, dig up some hardened attitudes, and prepare your heart for change. The seed must have room to sink its roots. Are you willing to let it work its way through your life? (1John 1:5-10). Affirm the following statement of commitment in your life :—
"I totally surrender all of my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Lord.
I receive His power to grow by hearing, receiving and responding to the Word of God thereby having a productive heart.
I choose to root out in my life *"the worries of the world, the deceitfulness of riches and any desire that chokes out my passion for Christ and shifts my priorities".*
▶ *LOVE* :— 1 John 4:7–11 (NKJV): Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
➡ John 13:34–35 (NKJV): A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
➡ Mark 12:29–34 (NKJV): Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
➡ Galatians 5:6 (NKJV): For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
➡ Colossians 3:14 (NKJV): But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
➡ 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 (NKJV): Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
▶Disciples are *Stewards* :— There cannot be divided allegiance. A disciple cannot live for two worlds. A Steward either loves God or loves mammon. If he loves mammon, he hates God (Luke 16:1-13, Matt.6:33)
▶ *Zeal* :— Let every would-be disciple take to heart the necessity of Zeal in his life — A disciple can be forgiven if he does not have great mental ability. He can be forgiven also if he does not display outstanding physical prowess. But no disciple can be excused if he does not have zeal. If his heart is not aflame with a red-hot passion for the Saviour, he stands condemned. The Saviour was consumed with a passion for God and for His interests. There is no room in His train for half-hearted followers. (John 2:17, 5:35, 9:4, Luke 12:50, Heb. 2:1-4)
"If God has really done something in Christ on which the salvation of the world depends, and if He has made it known, then it is a Christian duty to be intolerant of everything which ignores, denies, or explains it away." ➡ The Great Legacy!
▶ *Faith* :— There can be no true discipleship without profound and unquestioning faith in the living God. He who would do exploits for God must first trust Him implicitly. All God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them (Heb.11:1-6, 7-40).
Faith claims His promise, "All things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23, John 20:27-29), and "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me"(Phil.4:13).
Faith is opposed to sight. Paul reminded us that "we walk by faith and not by sight". Faith steps forward in obedience to the Word of God, rises above circumstances, and trusts the Lord for the supply of all needs (2Pet.1:2-4, Phil.4:19, 2Cor.5:7). Any disciple who determines to walk by faith can be sure that his faith will be tested. Sooner or later, he will be brought to the end of his human resources. In his extremity, he will be tempted to appeal to his fellow men. If he is really trusting the Lord, he will look to God alone. Since faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, the disciple's desire should be to saturate himself in the Scriptures —to read them, study them, memorize them, meditate upon them day and night. They are his chart and compass, his guide and comfort, his lamp and light.
(Matt. 22:29, 2Tim.2:15, Josh.1:8,9)
*▶ Prayer * :— Important principles of prayer include the following:
➡ Luke 18:1–7 (NKJV): Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
➡ Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV): Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
➡ 1 Timothy 2:1–7 (NKJV): Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
➡ Mark 11:20–24 (NKJV): Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
➡ James 5:16–18 (NKJV): The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
➡ 1 Chronicles 4:9–10 (NKJV): Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
*1)* The best prayer comes from a strong inward necessity. When our lives are serene and placid, our prayers are apt to be dull and listless. When we reach a crisis, a moment of danger, a serious illness, or a heavy bereavement then our prayers are fervent and vital. A sense of urgency, of helplessness, of conscious need is the womb from which the best prayers are born.
Unfortunately, we spend most of our lives trying to cushion ourselves from necessities. By the use of clever business methods, we provide comfortable reserves against every imaginable contingency. Through sheer human cleverness we reach the stage where we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing. Then we wonder why our prayer life is shallow and lifeless and why no fire falls from heaven. If we truly walked by faith instead of by sight, then our prayer life would be revolutionized. (Luke 18:1-14, Mark 11:22-26)
*2)* One of the conditions of successful prayer is that we must "draw near with a true heart" (Heb.10:22). This means that we must be genuine and sincere before the Lord. There must be no hypocrisy. If we are to meet this condition, then we will never ask God to do something when we have it in our own power to do it. God is not mocked. He does not answer prayers if He has already given us the answer, and we are not willing to use it.
*3)* Prayer should be simple, believing and unquestioning. It is too possible to become absorbed with the theological problems connected with prayer. This serves only to dull the spiritual senses. It is better to pray than to solve all the mysteries connected with prayer. Let the doctors of divinity spin their theories concerning prayer. But let the simple believer storm the gates of Heaven with childlike trust. It was Augustine who said, "The unlearned take heaven by force, and we with all our learning rise not above flesh and blood." (Ps. 8:1, 2)
*4)* For true power in prayer, hold nothing back. Be surrendered to Christ. Go all out for Him. Forsake all to follow the Saviour. The type of devotion that crowns Christ Lord of all is the kind that He loves to honour.
*5)* God seems to place a special value on prayer when it costs us something. Those who rise early in the morning enjoy fellowship with the One Who likewise arose early to receive His instructions for the day from His Father. Likewise, those who are in such deadly earnest that they are willing to pray through the night enjoy a power with God that cannot be denied. Prayer that costs nothing is worth nothing; it is simply a by-product of a cheap Christianity. The New Testament often links prayer with fasting. Abstinence from food can be a valuable aid in spiritual exercises. From the human side, it promotes clarity, concentration and keenness. From the divine standpoint, it seems that the Lord is especially willing to answer prayer when we put that prayer before our necessary food.
*6)* Avoid selfish prayers (Jam.4:3). The primary burden of our prayers should be the interests of the Lord. First we should pray, "Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Then we may add, "Give us this day our daily bread."
*7)* We should honour God with great requests because He is a great God. "Let us have faith to expect great things from God (Ps.81:10, 1Chron. 4:9,10).
*8)* In praying, we should first make sure we are in the will of God. Then we should pray, believing that He will hear and answer. To pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ means to pray in His will. When we truly pray in His Name, it is the same as if He were actually uttering the request to God, His Father. Prayer should breathe the power of the Holy Spirit, the mind of Christ, the desires of Christ in us and for us (John 14:13,14, 16:23, Matt. 18:19,20, 1John 5:14,15).
*9)* If our prayer life is to be truly effective, we must keep short accounts with God. By that, we mean that sin must be confessed and forsaken as soon as we are conscious it has entered into our lives. A right state of soul is necessary if our prayers are to be heard and answered. We must abide in Christ (Ps. 66:18, John 15:7, 1John 3:20-22).
*10)* We should not only pray at certain stated times during the day; we should develop the attitude of prayer, so that we look to the Lord as we are walking along the street, driving in a car, working at a desk, or serving in the home (Neh. 2:4b). It is a good thing to "dwell in the secret place of the most High" instead of making occasional visits there.
*11)* Finally, our prayers should be specific. It is only as we pray for definite matters that we can see definite answers.
➡ Acts 12:5–9 (NKJV): 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
▶ *Warfare* :— Christianity is a struggle to the death, an unceasing conflict against the forces of hell. No disciple is worth his salt who does not realise that the battle is drawn and that there is no turning back. War demands austerity and sacrificial living. It is high time that Christians realized that we are at war and that expenditures must be cut to a minimum so that as much of our resources as possible can be thrown into the struggle.
➡ 2 Timothy 2:1–7 (NKJV): You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
➡ Ephesians 6:10–15 (NKJV): Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
➡ 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (NKJV): 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.
▶ *World Dominion* :— God has called us to world dominion. When He originally created man, the Lord gave him dominion over the earth. He crowned him with glory and honour and put all things in subjection under his feet. Man was clothed with dignity and sovereignty —just slightly lower than that of the angels. When he sinned, Adam forfeited much of the dominion that had been his by divine decree. Instead of exercising undisputed sway, he ruled unsteadily over an uncertain realm.
Actually, this dignity of the Christian calling is something that Adam never knew. We are partners with God in the world's redemption. "This is our errand—to anoint men in the Name of the Lord to royalty of life, to sovereignty over self, to service for the realm.
➡ 1 Peter 2:9–12 (NKJV): But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
➡ Ephesians 2:4–10 (NKJV): But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
💥 BREAK OUT OF TERRITORIAL CONFINEMENT INTO FRESH TERRITORIES :—
Fall in love with the challenge of CHANGE and watch the desire to change grow. Embrace change, and it will change you.
🕳 Joshua 17:16–18 (NASB95): 16 The sons of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the valley land have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth-shean and its towns and those who are in the valley of Jezreel.”
17 Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, saying, “You are a numerous people and have great power; you shall not have one lot only,
18 but the hill country shall be yours. For though it is a forest, you shall clear it, and to its farthest borders it shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and though they are strong.”
A) Reasons For Confinement :
— The hill is not enough for us (You'll have to appreciate that what God has given you is enough for now and He expects you to exercise great responsibility in its management. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Take your eyes off the things you don't have and concentrate on the maximum utilisation of what you have. When Samson lost his eyes he concentrated on his hair that had grown again and through this he destroyed his enemies)
— The Canaanites are there (So many people want to lie down in green pastures without facing a lion. God knows you'll face lions that is why The Lord is your Shepherd. You need a shepherd because of possible danger. The spies saw themselves as grasshoppers and so were they in the sight of the people. Your image in the sight of the public was first created by yourself. The place to begin the correction is yourself. Don't be paralized with fear –Eccl.11:4, Prov. 22:13)
B) You Can Break Out :
— Desire (A desire is yearning or longing. Desire compels a man to do all that it takes to breakthrough. He would die to the self in agonizing prayer, he would live holy and believe the Word of God. Desire creates an attitude of following (follow on to know the Lord –Hosea 6:3). Desire is an effort. You must concentrate on a thing long enough to generate a strong desire and that takes a lot of energy. God encourages desire (Mark 11:24, Ps. 81:10, 1Chron. 4:9,10, Prov. 18:1)
— Responsibility (You must learn to take personal responsibility for your actions or whatever goes wrong. Stop blaming everybody except yourself. The solution to your problem lies in yourself. When you begin to hold yourself responsible, you'll begin to reproduce, replenish and recover.
— Warfare (The only way out was to forcibly eject them. Drive them out. You are engaged in war against the self, celestial powers and terrestrial systems. We are impregnable, our minds are impregnable, our spirits are impregnable and our bodies cannot be conquered –Ps. 135:7-12, James 4:6,7, Eph. 6:10-12)
— Work (Work and warfare are two inseparable issues. You cannot bind and loose, and afterwards go to sleep and hope to advance into your possession. Never do anything you don't have the means to continue –take note of the words preparation, priorities and permanence to apply to life in Josh.17:18, Prov. 24:27).
✍️ Ephesians 2:1-10 AMPC
And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins [2] In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. [3] Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God's] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God-so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, [5] Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation). [6] And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). [7] He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; [9] Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] [10] For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
*WHAT MATTERS MOST*
_No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love._ 1 Corinthians 13:3b (Msg)
Love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love. 2 John 1:6 (NCV)
_*Life is all about love.*_
Because God is love, the most important lesson he wants you to learn on earth is how to love. It is in loving that we are most like him, so love is the foundation of every command he has given us: "The whole Law can be summed up in this one command: Love others as you love yourself." Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature.
Peter tells us, "Show special love for God's people." Paul echoes this sentiment: "When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers."
Why does God insist that we give special love and attention to other believers? Why do they get priority in loving? Because God wants his family to be known for its love more than anything else. Jesus said our love for each other -- not our doctrinal beliefs -- is our greatest witness to the world. He said, "Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
You have to be around people -- irritating, imperfect, frustrating people. Through fellowship we learn three important truths.
Love should be your top priority, primary objective, and greatest ambition. Love is not a good part of your life; it's the most important part. The Bible says, "Let love be your greatest aim."
_Life without love is really worthless._
Paul makes this point: "No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."
Four of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship to God while the other six deal with our relationships with people. Jesus summarized what matters most to God in two statements: love God and love people. He said, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart....' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important.- Love your neighbor as yourself. 'All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."' Matthew 22:37-40. After learning to love God (worship), learning to love others is the second purpose of your life.
_Love will last forever._ Another reason God tells us to make love our top priority is that it is eternal: "These three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13
Love leaves a legacy.
How you treated other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth. As Mother Teresa said, "It's not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters." Love is the secret of a lasting heritage.
_We will be evaluated on our love._
The third reason to make learning to love the goal of your life is that it is what we will be evaluated on in eternity. One of the ways God measures spiritual maturity is by the quality of your relationships. In heaven God won't say, "Tell me about your career, your bank account, and your hobbies." Instead he will review how you treated other people, particularly those in need. Jesus said the way to love him is to love his family and care for their practical needs: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'
When you transfer into eternity, you will leave everything else behind. All you're taking with you is your character. That's why the Bible says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Knowing this, I suggest that when you wake up every morning, you kneel by your bed, or sit on the edge of it, and pray this: "God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving you and loving other people -- because that's what life is all about. I don't want to waste this day." Why should God give you another day if you're going to waste it?
Jesus modeled this: 'Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins."
_*The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.*_
_*THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE*_
*Point to Ponder:* Life is all about love.
*Verse to Remember:* "The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love Your Neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
*Question to Consider:* Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?
[Excerpt from the book, "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Waren]
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Apr 11
❣ LOVE DEFINED: – Love is expressed through sacrificial giving (Action –John 3:16, 13:34,35) ✍1John 4:7–14 (NASB95): Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
Apr 18
FAITH Today's faith gives me peace. Faith gives me divine perspective today. Faith gives me strength for today. Faith gives me resilience today. Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present. We need it to live our lives well. The Bible says without faith, we cannot please God. You must let God into your life if you want to embrace faith. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Phil.4:19 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." I will accept God's gift of His Son Jesus, the Christ as my Saviour and Lord. I will deepen and live out my faith. LIFE JOURNAL: As a leader, do I model strong faith? How can I grow in my faith?
Apr 18
*💥TRUE DISCIPLESHIP :—* ➡ Matthew 28:18–20 (NKJV): And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. ➡ Matthew 11:27–30 (NKJV): All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ➡ John 8:31–36 (NKJV): Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, *“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”* 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ➡ Luke 14:25–35 (NKJV): Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. 34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” ➡ Matthew 19:27–30 (NKJV): Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. ➡ John 6:67–69 (NKJV): Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, *“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”* ➡ Matthew 6:31–34 (NKJV): “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 🔹The three primary hindrances to true discipleship are exemplified by three men who were not willing to go all the way with the Lord Jesus Christ :— Luke 9:57-62 *1) Mr. Too Quick* —the love of earthly comforts. *2) Mr. Too Slow* —the precedence of a job or occupation. *3) Mr. Too Easy* —the priority of tender family ties. God's will for our lives is to have a productive heart to receive His Word being sown resulting in fruitfulness in varying degrees: "thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold (Mark 4:1-20)". Which soil illustrates your heart? By evaluating your present spiritual condition, you're taking the first step toward growing up in God's family. Is the soil of your life hard and unresponsive to the seed? Or is it impulsive and, to be honest, shallow? Maybe you have a preoccupied heart and thorns are strangling your growth in Christ. Worries are distracting you, riches are deceiving you, and desires are taking charge of your life. Your prayers seem hypocritical, and you can't even remember your last meaningful quiet time with the Lord. Be encouraged to do two (2) things :— *1. Confess 2. Repent* First, confess. Tell the Lord and, perhaps, a fellow believer that you've been distracted, deceived, and victimized by the weeds in your heart. Healing begins with confession. Then, repent. Repentance is the lengthy process of pulling up sin's weeds in your heart one by one, roots and all. Loosen up the soil. Break up some of the clods of pride in your heart, dig up some hardened attitudes, and prepare your heart for change. The seed must have room to sink its roots. Are you willing to let it work its way through your life? (1John 1:5-10). Affirm the following statement of commitment in your life :— "I totally surrender all of my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Lord. I receive His power to grow by hearing, receiving and responding to the Word of God thereby having a productive heart. I choose to root out in my life *"the worries of the world, the deceitfulness of riches and any desire that chokes out my passion for Christ and shifts my priorities".* ▶ *LOVE* :— 1 John 4:7–11 (NKJV): Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ➡ John 13:34–35 (NKJV): A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ➡ Mark 12:29–34 (NKJV): Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” ➡ Galatians 5:6 (NKJV): For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! ➡ Colossians 3:14 (NKJV): But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ➡ 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 (NKJV): Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. ▶Disciples are *Stewards* :— There cannot be divided allegiance. A disciple cannot live for two worlds. A Steward either loves God or loves mammon. If he loves mammon, he hates God (Luke 16:1-13, Matt.6:33) ▶ *Zeal* :— Let every would-be disciple take to heart the necessity of Zeal in his life — A disciple can be forgiven if he does not have great mental ability. He can be forgiven also if he does not display outstanding physical prowess. But no disciple can be excused if he does not have zeal. If his heart is not aflame with a red-hot passion for the Saviour, he stands condemned. The Saviour was consumed with a passion for God and for His interests. There is no room in His train for half-hearted followers. (John 2:17, 5:35, 9:4, Luke 12:50, Heb. 2:1-4) "If God has really done something in Christ on which the salvation of the world depends, and if He has made it known, then it is a Christian duty to be intolerant of everything which ignores, denies, or explains it away." ➡ The Great Legacy! ▶ *Faith* :— There can be no true discipleship without profound and unquestioning faith in the living God. He who would do exploits for God must first trust Him implicitly. All God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them (Heb.11:1-6, 7-40). Faith claims His promise, "All things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23, John 20:27-29), and "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me"(Phil.4:13). Faith is opposed to sight. Paul reminded us that "we walk by faith and not by sight". Faith steps forward in obedience to the Word of God, rises above circumstances, and trusts the Lord for the supply of all needs (2Pet.1:2-4, Phil.4:19, 2Cor.5:7). Any disciple who determines to walk by faith can be sure that his faith will be tested. Sooner or later, he will be brought to the end of his human resources. In his extremity, he will be tempted to appeal to his fellow men. If he is really trusting the Lord, he will look to God alone. Since faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, the disciple's desire should be to saturate himself in the Scriptures —to read them, study them, memorize them, meditate upon them day and night. They are his chart and compass, his guide and comfort, his lamp and light. (Matt. 22:29, 2Tim.2:15, Josh.1:8,9) *▶ Prayer * :— Important principles of prayer include the following: ➡ Luke 18:1–7 (NKJV): Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” ➡ Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV): Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ➡ 1 Timothy 2:1–7 (NKJV): Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. ➡ Mark 11:20–24 (NKJV): Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. ➡ James 5:16–18 (NKJV): The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. ➡ 1 Chronicles 4:9–10 (NKJV): Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. *1)* The best prayer comes from a strong inward necessity. When our lives are serene and placid, our prayers are apt to be dull and listless. When we reach a crisis, a moment of danger, a serious illness, or a heavy bereavement then our prayers are fervent and vital. A sense of urgency, of helplessness, of conscious need is the womb from which the best prayers are born. Unfortunately, we spend most of our lives trying to cushion ourselves from necessities. By the use of clever business methods, we provide comfortable reserves against every imaginable contingency. Through sheer human cleverness we reach the stage where we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing. Then we wonder why our prayer life is shallow and lifeless and why no fire falls from heaven. If we truly walked by faith instead of by sight, then our prayer life would be revolutionized. (Luke 18:1-14, Mark 11:22-26) *2)* One of the conditions of successful prayer is that we must "draw near with a true heart" (Heb.10:22). This means that we must be genuine and sincere before the Lord. There must be no hypocrisy. If we are to meet this condition, then we will never ask God to do something when we have it in our own power to do it. God is not mocked. He does not answer prayers if He has already given us the answer, and we are not willing to use it. *3)* Prayer should be simple, believing and unquestioning. It is too possible to become absorbed with the theological problems connected with prayer. This serves only to dull the spiritual senses. It is better to pray than to solve all the mysteries connected with prayer. Let the doctors of divinity spin their theories concerning prayer. But let the simple believer storm the gates of Heaven with childlike trust. It was Augustine who said, "The unlearned take heaven by force, and we with all our learning rise not above flesh and blood." (Ps. 8:1, 2) *4)* For true power in prayer, hold nothing back. Be surrendered to Christ. Go all out for Him. Forsake all to follow the Saviour. The type of devotion that crowns Christ Lord of all is the kind that He loves to honour. *5)* God seems to place a special value on prayer when it costs us something. Those who rise early in the morning enjoy fellowship with the One Who likewise arose early to receive His instructions for the day from His Father. Likewise, those who are in such deadly earnest that they are willing to pray through the night enjoy a power with God that cannot be denied. Prayer that costs nothing is worth nothing; it is simply a by-product of a cheap Christianity. The New Testament often links prayer with fasting. Abstinence from food can be a valuable aid in spiritual exercises. From the human side, it promotes clarity, concentration and keenness. From the divine standpoint, it seems that the Lord is especially willing to answer prayer when we put that prayer before our necessary food. *6)* Avoid selfish prayers (Jam.4:3). The primary burden of our prayers should be the interests of the Lord. First we should pray, "Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Then we may add, "Give us this day our daily bread." *7)* We should honour God with great requests because He is a great God. "Let us have faith to expect great things from God (Ps.81:10, 1Chron. 4:9,10). *8)* In praying, we should first make sure we are in the will of God. Then we should pray, believing that He will hear and answer. To pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ means to pray in His will. When we truly pray in His Name, it is the same as if He were actually uttering the request to God, His Father. Prayer should breathe the power of the Holy Spirit, the mind of Christ, the desires of Christ in us and for us (John 14:13,14, 16:23, Matt. 18:19,20, 1John 5:14,15). *9)* If our prayer life is to be truly effective, we must keep short accounts with God. By that, we mean that sin must be confessed and forsaken as soon as we are conscious it has entered into our lives. A right state of soul is necessary if our prayers are to be heard and answered. We must abide in Christ (Ps. 66:18, John 15:7, 1John 3:20-22). *10)* We should not only pray at certain stated times during the day; we should develop the attitude of prayer, so that we look to the Lord as we are walking along the street, driving in a car, working at a desk, or serving in the home (Neh. 2:4b). It is a good thing to "dwell in the secret place of the most High" instead of making occasional visits there. *11)* Finally, our prayers should be specific. It is only as we pray for definite matters that we can see definite answers. ➡ Acts 12:5–9 (NKJV): 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ▶ *Warfare* :— Christianity is a struggle to the death, an unceasing conflict against the forces of hell. No disciple is worth his salt who does not realise that the battle is drawn and that there is no turning back. War demands austerity and sacrificial living. It is high time that Christians realized that we are at war and that expenditures must be cut to a minimum so that as much of our resources as possible can be thrown into the struggle. ➡ 2 Timothy 2:1–7 (NKJV): You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. ➡ Ephesians 6:10–15 (NKJV): Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. ➡ 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (NKJV): 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. ▶ *World Dominion* :— God has called us to world dominion. When He originally created man, the Lord gave him dominion over the earth. He crowned him with glory and honour and put all things in subjection under his feet. Man was clothed with dignity and sovereignty —just slightly lower than that of the angels. When he sinned, Adam forfeited much of the dominion that had been his by divine decree. Instead of exercising undisputed sway, he ruled unsteadily over an uncertain realm. Actually, this dignity of the Christian calling is something that Adam never knew. We are partners with God in the world's redemption. "This is our errand—to anoint men in the Name of the Lord to royalty of life, to sovereignty over self, to service for the realm. ➡ 1 Peter 2:9–12 (NKJV): But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. ➡ Ephesians 2:4–10 (NKJV): But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Apr 19
💥 BREAK OUT OF TERRITORIAL CONFINEMENT INTO FRESH TERRITORIES :— Fall in love with the challenge of CHANGE and watch the desire to change grow. Embrace change, and it will change you. 🕳 Joshua 17:16–18 (NASB95): 16 The sons of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the valley land have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth-shean and its towns and those who are in the valley of Jezreel.” 17 Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, saying, “You are a numerous people and have great power; you shall not have one lot only, 18 but the hill country shall be yours. For though it is a forest, you shall clear it, and to its farthest borders it shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and though they are strong.” A) Reasons For Confinement : — The hill is not enough for us (You'll have to appreciate that what God has given you is enough for now and He expects you to exercise great responsibility in its management. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Take your eyes off the things you don't have and concentrate on the maximum utilisation of what you have. When Samson lost his eyes he concentrated on his hair that had grown again and through this he destroyed his enemies) — The Canaanites are there (So many people want to lie down in green pastures without facing a lion. God knows you'll face lions that is why The Lord is your Shepherd. You need a shepherd because of possible danger. The spies saw themselves as grasshoppers and so were they in the sight of the people. Your image in the sight of the public was first created by yourself. The place to begin the correction is yourself. Don't be paralized with fear –Eccl.11:4, Prov. 22:13) B) You Can Break Out : — Desire (A desire is yearning or longing. Desire compels a man to do all that it takes to breakthrough. He would die to the self in agonizing prayer, he would live holy and believe the Word of God. Desire creates an attitude of following (follow on to know the Lord –Hosea 6:3). Desire is an effort. You must concentrate on a thing long enough to generate a strong desire and that takes a lot of energy. God encourages desire (Mark 11:24, Ps. 81:10, 1Chron. 4:9,10, Prov. 18:1) — Responsibility (You must learn to take personal responsibility for your actions or whatever goes wrong. Stop blaming everybody except yourself. The solution to your problem lies in yourself. When you begin to hold yourself responsible, you'll begin to reproduce, replenish and recover. — Warfare (The only way out was to forcibly eject them. Drive them out. You are engaged in war against the self, celestial powers and terrestrial systems. We are impregnable, our minds are impregnable, our spirits are impregnable and our bodies cannot be conquered –Ps. 135:7-12, James 4:6,7, Eph. 6:10-12) — Work (Work and warfare are two inseparable issues. You cannot bind and loose, and afterwards go to sleep and hope to advance into your possession. Never do anything you don't have the means to continue –take note of the words preparation, priorities and permanence to apply to life in Josh.17:18, Prov. 24:27). ✍️ Ephesians 2:1-10 AMPC And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins [2] In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. [3] Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God's] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God-so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, [5] Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation). [6] And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). [7] He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; [9] Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] [10] For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
May 30
*WHAT MATTERS MOST* _No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love._ 1 Corinthians 13:3b (Msg) Love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love. 2 John 1:6 (NCV) _*Life is all about love.*_ Because God is love, the most important lesson he wants you to learn on earth is how to love. It is in loving that we are most like him, so love is the foundation of every command he has given us: "The whole Law can be summed up in this one command: Love others as you love yourself." Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature. Peter tells us, "Show special love for God's people." Paul echoes this sentiment: "When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers." Why does God insist that we give special love and attention to other believers? Why do they get priority in loving? Because God wants his family to be known for its love more than anything else. Jesus said our love for each other -- not our doctrinal beliefs -- is our greatest witness to the world. He said, "Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” You have to be around people -- irritating, imperfect, frustrating people. Through fellowship we learn three important truths. Love should be your top priority, primary objective, and greatest ambition. Love is not a good part of your life; it's the most important part. The Bible says, "Let love be your greatest aim." _Life without love is really worthless._ Paul makes this point: "No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." Four of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship to God while the other six deal with our relationships with people. Jesus summarized what matters most to God in two statements: love God and love people. He said, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart....' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important.- Love your neighbor as yourself. 'All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."' Matthew 22:37-40. After learning to love God (worship), learning to love others is the second purpose of your life. _Love will last forever._ Another reason God tells us to make love our top priority is that it is eternal: "These three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13 Love leaves a legacy. How you treated other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth. As Mother Teresa said, "It's not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters." Love is the secret of a lasting heritage. _We will be evaluated on our love._ The third reason to make learning to love the goal of your life is that it is what we will be evaluated on in eternity. One of the ways God measures spiritual maturity is by the quality of your relationships. In heaven God won't say, "Tell me about your career, your bank account, and your hobbies." Instead he will review how you treated other people, particularly those in need. Jesus said the way to love him is to love his family and care for their practical needs: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' When you transfer into eternity, you will leave everything else behind. All you're taking with you is your character. That's why the Bible says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Knowing this, I suggest that when you wake up every morning, you kneel by your bed, or sit on the edge of it, and pray this: "God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving you and loving other people -- because that's what life is all about. I don't want to waste this day." Why should God give you another day if you're going to waste it? Jesus modeled this: 'Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins." _*The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.*_ _*THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE*_ *Point to Ponder:* Life is all about love. *Verse to Remember:* "The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love Your Neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14 (NIV) *Question to Consider:* Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are? [Excerpt from the book, "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Waren]
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