HOW TO GROW IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD - Step Four

Apply God's Word to your life. This means not only reading and studying the Bible but also living it out in your daily situations. God's Word is the truth that sets you free from sin and error. It is also the instruction manual for your life, showing you how to love God and love others.

By applying God's Word to your life, you can grow in your obedience and faithfulness to God and in your holiness and righteousness before Him. You can also experience His blessings and His peace in your life. See also Psalms 119:105.

AVOIDING TEMPTATION - Step Two

Pray and ask God for help. God is the source of all wisdom and power, and He is able to help you overcome any temptation. He knows your struggles, and he cares for you. He wants you to be free from sin and to live a holy and joyful life.

You can pray to Him anytime and anywhere, and He will listen and answer you. You can ask Him to forgive you, to strengthen you, to guide you, and to deliver you from evil. See Hebrews 4:15-16.

GOD'S PLAN

Romans 8:29 reveals God's eternal plan and purpose for His people. It teaches that God's plan is based on His foreknowledge and predestination, which means He loves and sets His affection on us. He chose us before the foundation of the world and called us according to His grace. He foreknew us, determining our destiny and securing our salvation. 

God's plan is to conform us to the image of His Son, who is the perfect representation of His character and nature. He redeemed us through His Son's death and resurrection, adopted us as His sons and daughters, and is transforming us through His Spirit and Word. God's plan is for His glory and our good, fulfilling His promise and power in our lives. 

We should trust God's plan and live by His grace, acknowledging His foreknowledge and predestination, and following His example with love and obedience.

BEYOND EARTHLY RICHES

Ephesians 1:3 praises God for His abundant blessings in Christ, stating that He is the source and giver of all blessings, not because we deserve or deserve it, but because of His grace and love. 

God's blessings are in Christ, who is the Lord and Savior of His people, who has made us His children and heirs, redeemed us by His blood, and sealed us by His Spirit. He loves us, cares for us, and gives us wisdom, power, forgiveness, peace, joy, and hope. 

He has prepared a place for us in His presence and promised to return for us. We should thank God for His blessings, live by His grace, depend on Him with faith and gratitude, and enjoy His blessings for ourselves and others.

BENEVOLENT PROVIDER

Psalm 145:16 teaches that God, as the sovereign ruler, generously provides for and satisfies the needs of every living thing. He is the source of all good gifts, sustaining and fulfilling the desires of His creation. God's love extends beyond creation; He not only provides but seeks to redeem, care for, and delight in every living thing.

The verse encourages gratitude for God's provision, trusting in His promises, and sharing His love with all creation. Ultimately, it prompts a call to praise, recognizing God's role as the loving and generous provider for all living beings.

HIS ROD AND STAFF

This verse is a reminder that even in the darkest moments of our lives, we are not alone. God is with us, and He will guide us through our struggles. The "valley of the shadow of death" represents the most difficult times in our lives. It could be a time of grief, loss, or uncertainty. But even in these moments, we can find comfort in God's presence. His "rod and staff" represent His guidance and protection. When we trust in Him, we can find peace and strength to overcome any obstacle.

This verse is a powerful reminder that we are not alone. No matter what we are going through, we can find comfort and strength in God's presence. When we seek refuge in Him, we can find peace and protection. This is especially important during difficult times when we may feel overwhelmed or afraid.

Let us take comfort in the words of Psalm 23:4 and remember that God is always with us. When we dwell in His presence, we can find rest and safety. May we seek refuge in Him and find peace in His love.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD!

Sharing the gospel with others can be a powerful way to share the love of Christ and make a difference in the world. Here are some practical ways to share the gospel with others:

1. Live by example: One of the most powerful ways to share the gospel is to live a life that reflects Christ's love and character. When we live in this way, we can be a light to those around us and inspire them to seek God.

2. Pray: Prayer is a powerful tool that allows us to connect with God and ask Him for help. We should pray for wisdom, strength, and courage to share the gospel with others.

3. Be prepared: It's important to be prepared to share the gospel when opportunities arise. We should be familiar with the basic message of the gospel and be able to explain it in a clear and concise way.

4. Build relationships: Building relationships with others is an important part of sharing the gospel. We should take time to get to know people, listen to their stories, and show them that we care about them.

5. Invite people to church: Inviting people to church can be a great way to introduce them to the gospel and help them connect with other believers.

In conclusion, sharing the gospel with others requires us to live by example, pray, be prepared, build relationships, and invite people to church. May we be bold in our faith and share the love of Christ with those around us.

APPROACHING GOD?

This verse reminds us that God is sovereign over all creation. He controls the weather and the seasons, and His power is beyond our comprehension. We should approach Him with reverence and awe, recognising His greatness and majesty.

Job 37:22 also encourages us to recognise God's power and majesty in all things. May we approach Him with reverence and awe, trusting in His sovereignty over all creation. Amen. 

BE CONTENT

This is a call to not be greedy and to be satisfied with what we have. We've also been assured that God is always with us and will never abandon us.

In today's world, it is easy to get caught up in the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. However, this verse reminds us that true happiness and contentment come from within, not from external sources. We should focus on building meaningful relationships with others and finding joy in the simple things in life.

The second part of the verse is also a powerful reminder of God's love for us. No matter what we are going through, we can take comfort in the fact that God is always by our side. He will never leave us or forsake us, even in our darkest moments.

Therefore, let's follow the teaching to be content with what we have and to trust in God's love and provision for our lives.

PRAYING FOR THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

In the Bible passage for today, Apostle Paul requests prayer for himself and his companions as they spread the gospel. Thereby, reminding us of the importance of prayer in spreading the word of God.

We should pray for those who are sharing the gospel and ask God to give them strength and wisdom. We should also pray that the message of the Lord will be received by those who hear it and that it will have a powerful impact on their lives.

Therefore, let's keep praying for those who are sharing the gospel and to trust in God's power to work through their efforts.

FORGET THE FORMER THINGS

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Isaiah 43:18-19 is a powerful message of hope and encouragement. In these verses, God speaks to the Israelites, reminding them to forget the past and focus on the future. He tells them that He is doing a new thing, and that they should be ready to embrace it.

The passage begins with God telling the Israelites to forget the former things and not dwell on the past. This is an important message for all of us, as it reminds us that we should not be held back by our past mistakes or failures. Instead, we should look forward to the future with hope and optimism.

God then goes on to say that He is doing a new thing, and that it is already springing up. This is a message of hope and encouragement, as it reminds us that God is always at work in our lives, even when we can't see it. We should trust in Him and have faith that He will guide us through whatever challenges we may face.

Finally, God tells the Israelites that He will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. This is a powerful image of God's ability to bring life and hope to even the most barren and desolate places. It reminds us that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, God is always with us, guiding us and providing for us.

In conclusion, Isaiah 43:18-19 is a powerful message of hope and encouragement. It reminds us to forget the past, look forward to the future with hope and optimism, trust in God's plan for our lives, and have faith that He will guide us through whatever challenges we may face.

GOD'S WORD IN MINE HEART

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 Jeremiah 20:9 says, "But if I say, 'I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,' his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."

This verse is a powerful reminder of the 'unyielding' nature of God's word. Jeremiah, the prophet, was faced with immense challenges and opposition. He was tempted to remain silent and withhold God's message. However, he realized that God's word was like a 'burning fire' within him, impossible to contain or suppress.

The metaphor of fire conveys the 'passion', 'urgency', and 'power' of God's message. Just as fire consumes everything in its path, God's word has the ability to transform lives and bring about change. It is a force that cannot be ignored or silenced.

Jeremiah's struggle to contain God's word reflects the tension between human frailty and divine calling. Despite his weariness and the difficulties he faced, Jeremiah recognized that he could not deny or suppress the message entrusted to him. The fire within him compelled him to speak out and proclaim God's truth.

As believers, we can draw inspiration from Jeremiah's unwavering commitment to God's word. We are called to be 'bold' and 'courageous' in sharing the message of hope, love, and redemption found in the Scriptures. Like Jeremiah, we should allow God's word to ignite a passion within us that cannot be extinguished.

Let us embrace the fire of God's word in our hearts and boldly proclaim His truth to a world in need of hope and salvation.

(1) Jeremiah 20:9 NIV - But if I say, “I will not mention his - Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jeremiah%2020:9&version=NIV.

(2) Jeremiah 20:9 - King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Jeremiah-20-9/.

(3) Jeremiah 20:9 NKJV - Then I said, “I will not make mention - Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2020%3A9&version=NKJV.

(4) Jeremiah 20:9 If I say, "I will not mention Him or speak any more in .... https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/20-9.htm.

PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH

 

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Folks, the Bible verse of today has reminded us that God will bring healing and health to His people, as well as peace and security.

Even in times of destruction and chaos, there is hope for restoration and renewal. This also shows us that God cares about our physical well-being, not just our spiritual health.

Therefore, for anyone who is facing difficulties or challenges in life, I want to encourage us to have faith that things will get better with time if we can trust in God's plan for us. Just wait a little while, and our redeemer, Jesus Christ, will show up to deliver your blessings to you.

Also, be reminded of God's love for his people, which includes me and you, and his ability to restore what has been lost or broken.

PRAISE YE THE LORD!

 

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We will rejoice and be glad in it because it is another Sunday, a day the Lord has made with new opportunities and new grace for us. 

In the presence of your fellow brethren, will you choose to fellowship with God? He desires and appreciates receiving that from His saints. 

God tabernacles 24 hours a day in the Church, which is Mount Zion, to receive our adoration. It is understandable why King David could assert with confidence, "I would rather be a doorkeeper in my God's house than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."

       

See you tomorrow in Church! 

ANY GOOD THING!

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Have you noticed, people, that despite everything we've done in the past, God still loves and protects us? He first loved us and has continued to love us, which is an incredible and constant love. 

No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly, thus if He couldn't keep His own begotten Son, Jesus Christ, from the cross, that proves He is truthful to His word found in "part b" of our Bible reading for today.

If we choose to walk with Him, He will surely be our sun and shield, give us grace and glory, that is, direct and protect us in addition to adorning us with His great favor and honor.

So, let's keep asking for grace to walk with Him in truth and in Spirit.

ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRE YOU!

Folks! The divine direction in life or for one’s ministry is found through reading the Word of God by studying and meditating on specific scriptures that speak to your circumstance. As one reads the Bible, certain passages would stand out to the person that would make the person feel a sense of conviction or inspiration.

Being open to receiving direction from the Holy Spirit while reading the Word of God, and allowing Him to speak to you through the scriptures is very important. By doing so, you can gain clarity and direction for your life and ministry.

O Lord! Give me the grace to have a genuine fellowship that brings me to a real connection with the Holy Spirit for my divine direction, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.