Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world ( Philippians 2:14-15).
In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said you’re the light of the world; meaning that without you, those in your world —your sphere of contact—will be in darkness. You’re to quell the works of darkness through your good works; the preaching of the Gospel. In the midst of the prevalent darkness in today ’s world, Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven ” (Matthew 5:16).
The Bible says in Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. ” God’s desire is for this prophecy to be fulfilled through you, as you shine the light of the Gospel to those around you who ’re still in darkness. “How do I do this?” you might want to ask. First of all, you must pray for the salvation of the souls of men and women in your environment: you must haul back the forces of darkness through fervent prayer, and claim the souls of men into the Kingdom.
Secondly, you must share the Gospel with passion. Someone you share the Gospel with and lead to Christ today might just be the member of a gang of robbers or a terrorist group. By saving his soul, you ’ve made the world a safer place. Never be intimidated by the evil and wickedness that ’s seen in the world today. Don’t allow yourheart to be troubled because of the activities of wicked and unreasonable men, for greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). The Holy Spirit in you is infinitely more powerful than all the forces of wickedness in the world.
Therefore get passionate about the Kingdom. Light up your world for Jesus! Share the good news of His salvation with everyone around you. That ’s the cure for the evil and wickedness in the world today: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek ” (Romans 1:16).
Prayer
Dear Lord, I pray that the knowledge of your Gospel will increase around the world and that the hearts of men and women, young and old would be turned to the light and the salvation that ’s in Christ Jesus. I pray that your truth will dawn in their hearts, causing them to become partakers of your grace. Amen!
Further Study:
Matthew 5:15-16; John 5:34-35
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Year Bible reading plan:
John 7:1-24;1 Kings 15-17
2 Year Bible reading plan:
Mark 10:23-31;Numbers 18
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Saturday, 14 May 2011
May 14 – The “Fourth Man” In The Fire – Pastor Chris
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me ( Psalm 23:4).
In Daniel chapter three, we read the inspiring story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were bound and thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to bow to king Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. Nebuchadnezzar’s command was so urgent, and the fire so intense that the soldiers who threw the three young Hebrew men into the furnace were scorched to death instantly.
But then, right inside the fire, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remained unhurt! A “fourth man” was inside the fire with them, and cushioned them against the effect of the raging inferno. At the sight of this, the Bible says “Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God (Daniel 3:23-25).
Notice how he described the “ fourth man” in the fire; he said, “and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. ” That “fourth man” was the Holy Spirit! He ensured that the fire didn’t hurt Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: “…not a hair of their heads was singed; their coats were unscorched, and they didn ’t even smell of smoke” (Daniel 3:27 TLB). Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by this miracle and declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, for he sent his angel to deliver his trusting servants when they defied the king ’s commandment” (Daniel 3:28 TLB). That was no ordinary angel, but the Holy Spirit Himself!
The Lord never promised that you wouldn ’t go through the fire, but that when you walk through the fire you shall not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon you (Isaiah 43:2). The Holy Spirit, “the forth man in the fire,” will be right there to protect you, and bring you out victoriously from any adversity. No wonder He ’s called the friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24); His presence with you and in you guarantees your victory on every count!
Prayer
Dear Holy Spirit, my trust is in you to help, guide, lead and protect me today and always! I appreciate and acknowledge your indwelling and eternal presence in my life in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study:
Isaiah 59:19; Isaiah 43:2-3
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Year Bible reading plan:
John 6:60-71;1 Kings 12-14
2 Year Bible reading plan:
Mark 10:13-22;Numbers 17
In Daniel chapter three, we read the inspiring story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were bound and thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to bow to king Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. Nebuchadnezzar’s command was so urgent, and the fire so intense that the soldiers who threw the three young Hebrew men into the furnace were scorched to death instantly.
But then, right inside the fire, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remained unhurt! A “fourth man” was inside the fire with them, and cushioned them against the effect of the raging inferno. At the sight of this, the Bible says “Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God (Daniel 3:23-25).
Notice how he described the “ fourth man” in the fire; he said, “and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. ” That “fourth man” was the Holy Spirit! He ensured that the fire didn’t hurt Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: “…not a hair of their heads was singed; their coats were unscorched, and they didn ’t even smell of smoke” (Daniel 3:27 TLB). Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by this miracle and declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, for he sent his angel to deliver his trusting servants when they defied the king ’s commandment” (Daniel 3:28 TLB). That was no ordinary angel, but the Holy Spirit Himself!
The Lord never promised that you wouldn ’t go through the fire, but that when you walk through the fire you shall not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon you (Isaiah 43:2). The Holy Spirit, “the forth man in the fire,” will be right there to protect you, and bring you out victoriously from any adversity. No wonder He ’s called the friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24); His presence with you and in you guarantees your victory on every count!
Prayer
Dear Holy Spirit, my trust is in you to help, guide, lead and protect me today and always! I appreciate and acknowledge your indwelling and eternal presence in my life in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study:
Isaiah 59:19; Isaiah 43:2-3
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Year Bible reading plan:
John 6:60-71;1 Kings 12-14
2 Year Bible reading plan:
Mark 10:13-22;Numbers 17
May 13 – Put Others First – Pastor Chris
… Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights {or} its own way, {for} it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy {or} fretful {or} resentful … (1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP).
God’s love does not insist on his own right or his own way for it is not self- seeking. In other words, it cares more for others than for self. As a child of God you must learn to put others first. This is one of the characteristics of “agape”— God’s kind of love—it’s not selfish. The Bible says “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another ” (Romans 12:10).
Another attribute of love revealed in the opening scripture is that it is not touchy. There are people who are touchy or quick- tempered; they ’re so sensitive, you have to be careful the way you talk to them, lest they be offended. That ’s not the way of love. Love is not easily offended. Love is not resentful. Have no enemies. Never have people you dislike, hate, or show antipathy towards. Love doesn ’t permit that. To habour resentment is an ugly attitude that defiles a man ’s spirit. Never find yourself acting like you’ve been cheated in life just because you heard of someone else ’s promotion or something that’s been done to honour someone else.
Search your heart with the Word today, and be sure that the attributes of love listed in 1 Corinthians 13 form the basis with which you relate with other people. Never rejoice at the injustice suffered by others, rather, rejoice only when right and truth prevail. Refuse to be conceited,self-seeking, touchy or resentful. Confession I refuse to be resentful, touchy, or self-seeking, because I ’m full of divine love! The love of God is growing in my heart, and I ’m deeply rooted and grounded in love. As I go forth today, I manifest love to everyone I meet, in Jesus ’ Name. Amen.
Further Study:
1 Corinthians 13:1-2 AMP
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Year Bible reading plan:
John 6:25-59;1 Kings 10-11
2 Year Bible reading plan:
Mark 10:1-12;Numbers 16
God’s love does not insist on his own right or his own way for it is not self- seeking. In other words, it cares more for others than for self. As a child of God you must learn to put others first. This is one of the characteristics of “agape”— God’s kind of love—it’s not selfish. The Bible says “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another ” (Romans 12:10).
Another attribute of love revealed in the opening scripture is that it is not touchy. There are people who are touchy or quick- tempered; they ’re so sensitive, you have to be careful the way you talk to them, lest they be offended. That ’s not the way of love. Love is not easily offended. Love is not resentful. Have no enemies. Never have people you dislike, hate, or show antipathy towards. Love doesn ’t permit that. To habour resentment is an ugly attitude that defiles a man ’s spirit. Never find yourself acting like you’ve been cheated in life just because you heard of someone else ’s promotion or something that’s been done to honour someone else.
Search your heart with the Word today, and be sure that the attributes of love listed in 1 Corinthians 13 form the basis with which you relate with other people. Never rejoice at the injustice suffered by others, rather, rejoice only when right and truth prevail. Refuse to be conceited,self-seeking, touchy or resentful. Confession I refuse to be resentful, touchy, or self-seeking, because I ’m full of divine love! The love of God is growing in my heart, and I ’m deeply rooted and grounded in love. As I go forth today, I manifest love to everyone I meet, in Jesus ’ Name. Amen.
Further Study:
1 Corinthians 13:1-2 AMP
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Year Bible reading plan:
John 6:25-59;1 Kings 10-11
2 Year Bible reading plan:
Mark 10:1-12;Numbers 16
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)