Dear Readers in Christ, "Draw near to GOD, and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8).

Friday 31 May 2013

Jun 01 - GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON YOU

“Go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him” (Mark 16:7).
These are the words the angel of the Lord spoke to the women gathered at the garden tomb on the resurrection morning. Our Lord was going to Galilee to meet His disciples. Would it not do to say, “Tell His disciples that He goeth before you into Galilee”? The words “His disciples” surely included Peter, he being one of the twelve. Why was Peter’s name particularly mentioned then? There is a possibility that, in view of the terrible mistakes he had made and the way he had denied the Lord on the crucifixion day, he thought Jesus had forsaken him and therefore the words “His disciples” did not include him any more. Knowing Peter’s predicament, Jesus made special mention of him.

Are you too, like Peter, thinking that you have grieved the Lord too deeply and that He may have forsaken you? No dear child of God, there is hope for you. “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench” (Isa 42:3). Here the reed is like a broken key of a piano; it cannot produce good music. Today your life may be out of tune, like a bruised reed. Yet God has a plan for this bruised reed. A smoking flax, instead of producing light, gives out smoke – darkening and polluting the atmosphere; but the Lord will not put out a smoking flax. God has not given up on you.

This scripture is for you: “Go your way, tell His disciples and Peter [put your name here, instead of Peter] that He goeth before you.” The Lord has something to say to you. He wants to draw you to Himself again. He wants fill you with His glorious power and change you. And He has a glorious ministry for you.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

May 31 - NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD’

“Of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it …” (Gen3:3).
The woman described the tree as ‘the tree which is in the midst of the garden’ instead of ‘the tree of the knowledge good and evil’ as stated by God. Obviously, she speaks of the tree as being in the midst of the garden, because it was in the midst of her heart’s lust. She might have also intended to convey that the best of God was in the midst of the garden and that she was debarred from enjoying it. By that she was questioning the love and kindness of God.

We know from the Word of God that all that was created on the earth was for the use of man (including the tree of knowledge of good and evil). But man was supposed to eat of the fruits of all the other trees first and, after he was mature enough, to eat this fruit also. “Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb 5:14). So it is very clear that the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil belonged to those who had ‘full age’, which our first forefathers did not have when they tasted it.

Let us not misunderstand the plans of God. Let us be filled with the love of God and place our trust in God. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Thursday 30 May 2013

May 30 - FLEETING HONOUR

The frightening fact about proud people is that, not only will their life be miserable but their death and eternity will be most miserable.

Look at Saul, the first king of Israel. Normally, people who sin against God ask pardon at least when they realize their sin. But look at what Saul says when his sin was pointed out - “I have sinned yet honour me now” (I Sam 15:30). How sad that, instead of seeking for forgiveness, Saul was seeking honour when he knew that he had sinned against God. When a man seeks honour, it is a sure sign of the presence of hidden (unwashed) sins in his life.

When Saul was “sore wounded of the archers” he knew he was dying, and yet, instead of using the few seconds or minutes left to repent and prepare for his eternity, he was still seeking dignity and honour ! “Then said Saul to his armourbearer, draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. . .” (I Sam 31:4). Obviously, he did not want anybody to say after his death that he was killed by an uncircumcised person. Whether it was a circumcised or uncircumcised man who killed him, he was going to hell; but that appeared to be his least concern!

The armourbearer refused to kill him. Saul therefore took a sword and fell on it. But his suicidal attempt failed. He realized that even death was hating him. Then Saul saw an Amalekite, and requested him to kill him. The Amalekite stood upon him and cut off his head. In what a pathetic backslidden state he ended his life!

Saul’s end is a warning to every one of us. It proves how pride can make our life and death and eternity most miserable. Saul did not want an uncircumcised Philistine to kill him, but what a disgrace it was that he himself had to ask an Amalekite – the Amalekites were worse and more abominable than the Philistines – to kill him. The honour of this world is like a shadow – the more we follow it the more it flees from us.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Wednesday 29 May 2013

May 29 - DIE IN FAITH

“These all died in faith” (Heb 11:13).


All the heroes of faith died in faith. We need faith, not only to live a life that’s pleasing God, but also to die pleasing God. The Old Testament saints died in faith although they did not receive the promises.

What is meant by dying in faith? Dying trusting in divine healing is, in a way, dying in faith. But all those who die without taking medicine may not die in faith. Many die filled with fear – tormented with the fear of death, fear of hell, or the fear of the devil. Dying in faith means dying fully trusting in God, without any fear at all. Some may have a wonderful gift of faith – faith to heal the sick, raise the dead, etc. But that faith will not help them at the time of death. We need faith as a character, faith, the fruit of the Spirit.

When the founder of our mission, Pastor Paul, was about to die, the old priest from his former nominal church came to see him. Pointing to the boils on his body he said, “Look at all the pain you are suffering now.” Then Pastor Paul smiled and said, “You are only looking there. You are not looking here (pointing to his heart). There is a lion roaring inside!” Even the whole of hell rises against us, we should not be afraid. The righteous are bold as a lion. Even in the deepest trouble, even at the time of our death, we should be like a lion.

When Pastor Lazarus was dying, he was extremely weak but his spirit was roaring like a lion. Raising his hand, he was saying, “The gates of hell cannot prevail against the militant church of God.”

Some people may appear bold and may seem to have greater faith but when the time comes for them to die, they are shaken. The heroes of faith stood for the faith, lived for the faith, fought for the faith, and also died for the faith.
 
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Tuesday 28 May 2013

May 28 - “THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP”

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psa 34:7).

Once, when a mother was attending a prayer meeting, her little daughter sneaked out into the church compound and went out into the street. Suddenly, during the meeting, was heard a terrible screeching of tyres, and a car stopped right in front of the church. To her horror, the mother noticed that her daughter was not near her. She rushed into the street and found her daughter calmly sitting on the pavement, and the driver of the car in a shocked state. “Elizabeth, what happened?” shrieked the excited mother. “I did not see the car coming, and I ran into the middle of the street. The car hit me but an angel of God took me up in his arms and made me sit here”, replied Elizabeth calmly. The mother looked her daughter over. There was not even a scratch on her. And, though the driver looked dazed, Elizabeth was very calm and looked like a sweet angel.

How often the angel of the Lord delivers us from harm and danger! We may not be thanking God for them; we may not have even realized how we are being protected and cared for. How blessed a people we are!

“There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Psa 91:10-12).

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Monday 27 May 2013

May 27 - THE MOST BLESSED PRIVILEGE

“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:l2).

The word ‘power’ also means privilege or authority. Indeed, this is perhaps the most wonderful privilege anyone can have on earth.

Dear friend, if you have not received Jesus into your heart, receive Him RIGHT NOW. His compassions, and care and tender love are all available to you. He is waiting just outside your heart to come in and embrace you and to live with you. If you confess your sins to Him, His blood can wash away all your sins and make you a child of heaven.

Countless privileges follow the person who receives Christ into his heart.  He has the privilege of being the son of God. Jesus becomes his brother then. That’s why he is known as the ‘firstborn among many brethern’ (Rom 8:29). Sometimes our own brother may let us down. But Jesus will be to us “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Prov. 18: 24). Moreover, when we become the sons of God, we experience our God as EL-SHADDAI, mother-like God! Sometimes, our own mother may not be able to understand the burden and sorrow we have in our heart. Our God is more than a mother to us. Our earthly mothers cannot carry our sickness and pains, but our El-Shaddai can. Our mothers could carry us only when we were babies, but our God has promised to carry us even in our old age! See Isaiah 46:4. “Even to your old age, I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you.”

          “There is an arm that never tires

            When human strength gives way

            There is a love which never fails
 
            When earthly loves decay.”

How sad it is that millions of people have either not discovered this blessed privilege or have rejected it to their own doom!

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sunday 26 May 2013

May 26 - NO FAMINE IN GOD’S HOUSE!


We have often heard of the greatness of Abraham as the Father of faith, as a man of obedience and sacrifice, etc. But there was an ugly scene of backsliding in his life. Just as we learn many things from his faith, obedience, etc we learn many lessons from his backsliding.

“Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there”(Gen 12:9,10). Leaving Bethel, Abram moved down to the south and faced a famine. ‘Bethel’ means ‘house of God’. Abram should not have left Bethel; there’s no famine in Bethel. The prodigal son could not get even swine’s husk to satisfy his hunger, while those in his father’s house had bread to spare.

          Child of God, don’t ever go away from God’s house; don’t be slack in attending all meetings arranged for you. The Lord has provided for all your needs there. “The children of men… shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river if Thy pleasures” (Psa 36:7,8).

          If you find you are running short of spiritual food, if you have no desire for the Word of God, you must be moving in the wrong direction. And if you don’t get enough spiritual food, take note, you will start craving for Egyptian food. It will do you good to remember that it can never satisfy your soul – it is only ‘husk’ that is meant for swine!

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Saturday 25 May 2013

May 25 - A BRAND NEW BODY!

“Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh … received up into glory” (1 Tim 3:16).

This is amazing. “God was manifest in the flesh.” God’s (divine) nature was manifest while (dwelling) in this human body. This is the first sign of the mystery of godliness and this was very true about Jesus. He “was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). While we are in the flesh (in this physical body) we should manifest God’s glory. What is glory? ‘Full(ness) of grace and truth.’

Some give the excuse - “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” When sin entered man, the body indeed became weak although the spirit is willing. In water baptism, this weak (disobedient) body is removed (buried). Now we are the body of Christ, the Church. WE CAN DO GOD’S WILL IN THIS BODY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, BECAUSE HE HAS REMOVED OUR OLD (WEAK AND DISOBEDIENT) BODY AND HAS GIVEN US HIS OWN BODY. HALLELUJAH !

The final aspect of the mystery of godliness is, “received up into glory.” First, ‘manifest in the flesh’ and finally, ‘received up into glory’. Indeed, if God is manifested now in our body, in the end, our body shall be changed and we shall be received up into glory.

Dear reader, let us no more excuse ourselves saying, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” That is a trick of the devil. Why not thank God for that BRAND NEW BODY of yours and “glorify God in your body?”
 
 – Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Friday 24 May 2013

May 24 - A CARING GOD

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that Thou visitest him?” (Heb 2:6)


What a loving and caring God we have! “What is man, that Thou shouldest magnify him? And that Thou shouldest set Thine heart upon him? And that Thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?” (Job 7:17,18).

God setting His heart upon us and visiting us every morning with His blessings shows how mindful our God is of us. “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits” (Psa 68:19). His mercies and compassions are new every morning (Lam 3:22,23).

          “Great is Thy faithfulness!

           Great is Thy faithfulness!

           Morning my morning new mercies I see:

           All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,

           Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.”

When our God visits us in the morning, if we are lazy or too busy to spend time with Him (in morning devotions), how sad He would be! We sent Him away on many mornings when He came to load us with His blessings – as we were too busy to receive Him.

Every moment the Lord tries us or checks our life; every moment He checks our thoughts, desires, imaginations, words, deeds and feelings – to see that they are unblameable before Him.

He watches over us every moment and “waters us every moment” or pours grace every moment. “I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day” (Isa 27:3).

Why does our God do all these things for us every day and every moment? Only with this blessed hope – “in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trump … we shall be changed” (I Cor 15:52).

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Thursday 23 May 2013

May 23 - EFFECTS OF BEING HURT


We are living in an age in which people often get hurt, offended or wounded, and that, very easily. One saint rightly said, “If we are hurt, it is indeed our pride which is hurt.” Haman was in a high position in Persia; but look at how much his pride was hurt when just one person did not bow before him – see Esther 5:11-13.

I Kings Ch.22 and II Chronicles Ch.18 relate the story of a defeated king who pleaded, “Carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.” Yes, a wounded man can no longer fight the battles of the Lord. He has to be taken off the battlefield in disgrace.

Jesus disclosed the truth that those who get offended lack spiritual depth (Mk 4:5, 6, 17). Does that speak to us? Do we have spiritual depth or do we harbour hurt feelings, and find fault with those who appear to be wounding, hurting or offending us? We are called to be good soldiers of Christ (II Tim 2:3). We have a ‘good fight’ to fight – against sin, against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places – in order to lay hold on eternal life. So let us be careful not to get ‘hurt’ in the battlefield.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Wednesday 22 May 2013

An Evening Digest - Working Out Life So Life Works Out.

"... work out your own salvation... " ~Philippians 2:12 (NRSV)
By Steve Wickham 
God gives us one life to work out - our own. We are responsible for no other life, unless we, for a time, in somebody else's life, are a guardian. We are only responsible for children until they grow to be autonomous adults.

Now, there are no answers in life other than what we, in our own lives, work out. God blesses an ongoing search, done diligently. In fact, we regress in life when we don't search.

Working out our lives or not working them out is our choice and diligence finds its legs in taking responsibility.

There is really no sense in not working our lives out, because we are the only ones that suffer, principally, apart from those who rely on us. And if those that rely on us suffer because we aren't diligent enough, whose true fault is it?
We can take responsibility for these facts of life or we can choose to deny them. It doesn't really matter, but we are blessed to know that working out our lives is about applying our faith. It's about doing the work God sets us, by the challenges and opportunities that come our way; those that proffer us toward blessing.

WORKING OUT LIFE - MAKING LIFE WORK OUT
 
None of us are passive in our own lives. Even if we are passive and we show little interest in leaving a legacy of who we were in life we actively choose to do such a regretful thing.

We either choose to work our lives out or we don't - and many, tragically, don't. What it means to work our lives out is we earnestly do what we can to make them fruitful exercises of devotion to God, by discovering his will for both our moments and our overall lives and then by doing that discerned will. It's no good not doing it.

We know when we are doing this because our lives are all about growth and opportunity; we are always open to what God is doing; we anticipate the challenges, or at least we receive them without lasting resentment.

A large part of working out our lives is also grappling with our pasts.

For every reason that we deny our pain we miss our opportunities at healing. Healing is coming home to the truth about our pain and emotional discomfort, in order that we can work out our lives for the better all the more. Healing is a journey and it always gets slowly better.

If we don't grapple with our pasts the potential for working out our lives will always be limited. The past can be very important in terms of our future.

God gives us one life to work out - our own. We have charge over our lives alone. We have to work with what we have. Our lives are what they are, but they don't have to remain the way they are. We can have our lives work out however we want. It's up to us.


May 22 - WORLD VISION

“Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the seashore innumerable” (Heb 11:12).


Abraham’s children were like the stars and like the sand of the seashore. We need both these experiences.

Stars shine in the dark night and guide travelers on their way. Those who turn people to righteousness are like stars (Dan 12:3). Are we, by our life and by our words, helping people find their way to the Lord, helping them find the way to peace, joy and rest, to holiness and victory? Does our holiness in all conduct show people living in the dark the difference between right and wrong, the difference between holiness and most holiness?

It isn’t enough if we are high in the sky, bright and shining. How do we respond to the hard-to-take situations and people we face in our day-to-day life? The sand of the seashore is continually, day in and day out, battered by the rolling waves, and made smaller, rounder and whiter as days pass, The hardships and problems in life should not knock us flat, but help us to become humbler, softer and purer. This is our attitude towards them that make all the difference.

How are you going to face today? Will you be a star? Will you be a grain of sand on the seashore?

–  Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Tuesday 21 May 2013

May 21 - WAY OF HOLINESS

“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isa 35:8-10).


The blessedness of the way of holiness is beautifully portrayed here.

(i) It is a highway. “An highway shall be there.” This way is in our hearts. If your heart is narrow, the way to heaven will also be narrow to you; holy living will be narrow and difficult.

(ii) It is the cleanest way because, “the unclean shall not pass over it.”

(iii) It is the easiest way because, “the wayfaring men, though fools shall not err therein.” If fools will not make mistakes in this way, it must be an easy way indeed! However, those who are worldly-wise may go astray in this way. Unless you are a fool for Christ, you will never know or value the way of holiness.

(iv) It is the safest way as, “no lion shall be there nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon.” No wild beast or anything that can cause fear can be found there. In spite of this, many people of God do not choose the safest way, the way of holiness.

(v) It is the most sacred way as, only the ransomed of the Lord or the redeemed people have the right to walk in this way.

(vi) It is the most joyful way as, the people walk in it “with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads.” What a wonderful way it is! All along the way we will be singing and keep hearing others singing, and it’s not ordinary joy but everlasting joy that will be upon us. True happiness comes through true holiness.

(vii) It is the most blessed way as it leads to the most blessed place in heaven, Zion.

Do you love the holiness of God? If so, you will find the way of holiness to be a highway, the cleanest way, the easiest way, the safest way, the most sacred way, the most joyful way and the most blessed way to Zion. So, “keep thyself pure” (I Tim 5:22).
 
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Monday 20 May 2013

May 20 - DARE TO GO TO JESUS

“Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water!” (Matt 14:28).


Though there were twelve disciples in the ship, only Peter had the longing to go to Jesus, braving the wild winds and waters. In the same way, though many have been met by Jesus and know His loving grace and wonderful power, there are only very few who, like Peter, venture to go to Him. Others may have given the lame excuse of the sea being rough or the waves being wild, for refraining from going to Jesus.

The real Christian life is a life of ‘walking on the water’ – not one of sailing comfortably in a boat or one of basking on the seashore. Yes, the wind and the waves are rough, but Jesus wants us to brave it all and go to Him. How happy Jesus must have been when Peter said, “Bid me come unto Thee on the water!” The reply of Jesus was sweet and short – “Come.” Peter lost no time getting out of the ship, and ‘he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.’

Some children of God want to go to Jesus without walking on the water. ‘Waters’ refer to trials, difficulties and sinful temptations. Without overcoming these, we can never go to Jesus.

Peter did not walk in the water, but on the water. Dear child of God, if you walk in sin you can never go to Jesus. Jesus walked on the water and showed an example that we too may walk over all sins, trials and temptations, without getting drowned in them. Living above sin while in this mortal body, is indeed a possibility by the grace of God. Jesus walking on the water was a shadow of this truth. Like Peter, let us also dare to go to Jesus.

–Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sunday 19 May 2013

May 19 - ARE YOU HOMESICK?

“Truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned” (Heb 11:15)


When Abraham left his country, he left it even in his mind. However, when Lot’s wife left Sodom, she did not leave it in her heart. Hence she looked back and became a pillar of salt.

Note that the word ‘country’ is in italics in the Bible. So we must read the text as - “Truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out…” This means that we must leave not only our country but also anything that our Lord asks us to leave. We may leave it literally but it may be in our heart. Some people go back to their drinking and smoking or other vices after some time. They may have been cherishing them in their heart; so when they faced a temptation they succumbed to it. So, whatever the Lord may ask us to leave, we must leave from our heart and mind, just as the heroes of faith did.

“Now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly” (vs16). Since they desired a better country they did not have a desire to go back to their own country. The Living Bible renders – “they were living for heaven.” If we live for heaven, our heart will be heaven and all the way to heaven will be heaven for us.

If heaven is a ‘better country’ to you, you should be ‘homesick’ while on earth. Child of God, are you ‘homesick’ for your heavenly home? The Lord has prepared for us “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away” (I Pet 1:4). So set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
 
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion


Saturday 18 May 2013

May 18 - THE CURSE OF SIN

“Now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth” (Gen 4:11,12).

God did not curse the person of Cain, but pronounced him ‘cursed from the earth’ so that the earth may not yield its crops when he tills the ground. Material prosperity in the hands of a sinner will be very dangerous. So God restricts it in His mercy. Riches in the hands of a drunkard could ruin his own health and the welfare of others.

The earth has a ‘strength’; it gives man the strength of prosperity, health, etc. ‘Strength’ also meant ‘power’ in the original. While sin deprives you of the power of health and riches (though sinners sometimes have riches, they cannot really enjoy them due to fear, ill-health, etc.), saints can claim all these blessings for the kingdom of God and for the glory of God. Hallelujah!

“A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.” Now that Cain had become a murderer, liar and rebel against God, he needed scope for repentance. If he was settled peacefully in a place he would live without giving a thought to heaven. But now, since his life is unsettled, he has to look to the place where he can be finally settled and peaceful, that is, heaven. ‘Fugitive and vagabond’ in the original is, ‘wanderer and bemoaner’. The more we sin and harden our hearts, the more suffering and punishment we will have, and the more difficult it will be to turn to God.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Friday 17 May 2013

May 17 - DON’T DECEIVE YOURSELF

“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red” (Prov 23:31).


Some people who drink (alcohol) take the words of St. Paul in I Timothy 5:23 and say that a little wine is good for the stomach. But look at the previous verse (vs 22): “Keep thyself pure.” The original word for ‘wine’ used here (please check Young’s Concordance) means ‘pure grape juice’. When the Word of God very clearly says that looking upon wine (with a desire) is a sin, how much more sinful it would be to drink even a drop!

There was once a child of God who sincerely desired to please God in everything. One day it was his birthday and his daughter bought a cake and presented it to him. He tasted a little and realized that there was some alcoholic percentage in it. Still, not wanting to offend his daughter, he ate a little and left the rest of it in the fridge. That night he had a dream. He was going to heaven, and on the border he had to pass the customs. The customs officer opened his box and, finding a big bottle of liquor in it, pointed to a prison and said, “That is the place for you.” With that, the child of God woke up. The Lord then told him that he was guilty of eating the cake knowing it had an alcoholic ingredient. Immediately he repented and threw away the cake. In later years he became a great man of God.

Dear child of God, don’t deceive yourself. Perhaps, in your home, there is, not a cake with alcoholic ingredient, but a liquor bottle, a television set, some novels or some worldly magazines. Right now, sincerely repent and remove any such unholy thing from your house – so that it may not prevent you from reaching heaven.
 
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Thursday 16 May 2013

An Evening Digest - How God Hears All Our Prayers

"God has infinite attention, infinite leisure to spare for each one of us... You're as much alone with Him as if you were the only one created." ~C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)


God does not exist in the constant of time; a realm measured. God transcends time, and it would be more accurate, but not thoroughly true, to suggest that for God every moment, eternally, is like the present.

The LORD holds every portion of eternity as if it were the present moment.

We cannot understand this, for anything beyond the constant of time is a mystery to us. So, it's no wonder that atheists and others scoff at the whole idea of God managing an infinite number of prayers every given moment.
But the fact is God is so 'other' to our understanding, we must accept we cannot understand everything of what we call, more broadly, existence.

WHAT GOD THINKS OF, AND HOW HE VALUES, OUR PRAYERS
As if we were the only one's created - that is how significant each one of us, and each one of our prayers is, to the LORD.

There is no way that God can be overloaded by our concerns, given that God already knows our concerns much before we bring them to him. The sceptic might say, "Why pray, then?" On the surface it's a very good question.

God knows we need prayer more for our own faith than for his intercession - which is in play in any event. Having vocalised the words - whether in struggle, torment, or praise, or even imprecation - we vouch for our belief in God by our prayer.

God works in and through us, through his Holy Spirit, by our prayers. Having committed ourselves to pray about something, we have decided a course of spiritual action or divine trust. Commitment is the important product of and from prayer.

God thinks of our prayers as perfect for our need; in our given moments. We can therefore surmise that God values our prayers, probably more abundantly than we could ever understand.

Being unconstrained by such a thing as time, God hears all our prayers, and all the prayers of everyone, perfectly.

Whatever we think as impossible for humankind we can think as possible for God. None of our human preclusions apply to God at all.
The more we can distance God from human limitation, the more we may know him; him who intercedes for us. Such knowledge of God inspires awestruck wonder.

God, whose 'time' is eternal, and, in fact, who is completely beyond time, has no human limitation. The LORD hears all our prayers, and the prayers of all, without fail, because eternity operates in such a way that God has all the time in the world to listen. And that is exactly what God does; he listens attentively to all our prayers.

May 16 - DRAWING POWER OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS

“Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph 2:13).


In one sense, the blood of Christ has the greatest magnetic power in the world. Just as a magnet draws an iron piece to itself, the blood of Jesus draws a sinner to Jesus. [A magnet may draw an iron piece to itself, but the magnet cannot transform the iron piece into a magnet. But the blood of Christ can not only bring a sinner to Christ, but also transform the sinner into a saint!]

When you really repent of all your sins and are washed in the blood of Christ, the blood has power to bring you very close to the Lord -“made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

Living in the presence of God is feeling God all over you. If you want to speak something wrong, you find God is virtually closing your mouth. You really feel you can reach out and touch Him. God becomes so real and so near. Psalm 139 speaks beautifully about the manifest presence of God. It can also be called the immediate presence of God. David says, “There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it” (Psa 139:2-6). The manifest presence of God is such a unique experience; even the thoughts are checked when they are far away. And in this presence there is fulness of joy and eternal pleasures.

The blood of Jesus Christ is able to bring us so close to God as to enable us to have these beautiful experiences. In other words, the blood of Jesus will enable every fiber of our being, including our words, deeds, thoughts, imaginations, etc to be directed and dominated by God’s presence every moment. Oh, what a wonderful power there is in the blood of Jesus! Even the holy angels cannot comprehend this. 

          Let us claim this glorious experience available through the precious blood of Jesus. Its power will never fail; its power will never be in vain. Even all through Eternity we will be praising the power in the blood of Christ!

            “Saviour, more than life to me,

             I am clinging, clinging close to Thee;

             Let Thy precious Blood applied,

             Keep me ever, ever near Thy side”
 
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Wednesday 15 May 2013

An Evening Digest - The Forgiveness Encounter

Article written By Steve Wickham


FORGIVENESS - as a concept it is for you and for me, as we give to each other or give to ourselves, this divine and precious gift of love. God, too, has something for every single you-and-me, and the Lord wants to give.
 
For is the subject of forgiveness - for the one who receives.
To give is forgiveness' object - for what they receive.
 
When I forgive you,
And you forgive me,
Justice becomes true,
For both of us see.
 
When I forgive myself,
For those things I held true,
I take off the shelf,
What I no longer rue.
 
And when I forgive the other,
As they feel when they forgive me,
I am to myself a brother,
And so are they also free.
 
Forgiveness is healing,
The necessary part,
Giving sense to feeling,
As each find their heart.

FORGIVENESS: THE RELATIONAL CONCEPT 
          Forgiveness is the relational concept. It's a two-party process and event. Even as we forgive ourselves, we come to agree with once-dissonant parts of ourselves. We can see, then, that forgiveness between two persons or more, or groups, involves much more than the people involved. Each is held relationally within themselves and from there the relational dynamic explodes into myriad fragments.
 
Because forgiveness is relational it cannot be accurately analysed nor explained.
 
FORGIVENESS: FAR BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING
        Forgiveness, being a relational concept, is worlds beyond human understanding. As there are many forms of relationship we have even with ourselves, and, so for others too that they also relate in many forms with themselves, only God can truly know.
 
The dynamics of forgiveness are about reconciliation and healing. These are relational mandates. God is the bequestor. Only God has the power to give someone the grace to forgive. Forgiveness is not a mere human transaction. It cannot be bought. It can hardly be requested, though we will try.
 
Many words could be written on forgiveness, and many words are. Words could be infinite and they still wouldn't do justice to the majesty in such a thing.
 
And then, forgiveness is merely one superbly surreal manifestation of the splendor of God. And because this particular manifestation is mysterious, it holds us open to the enigma that is God.
 
What can we do but forgive?
What right have we not to?
 
If we would but agree, God would thrust all his divine power into our hearts so we and they (the other party, whether part of ourselves or another person or group) could be freed and healed.

May 15 - ANGER – THE SPIRIT OF MURDER

“Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell… Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” (Gen 4:5,8).


When your face (countenance) changes, beware – a murderous spirit might be entering into you – which could lead you into killing your own brother or sister!

Dear child of God, do you realize that when you are angry and upset and your face changes, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you”? Many of God’s children have not realized that wrath is the spirit of murder. When this foul spirit entered into Saul, he wanted to kill innocent David (I Sam 18:8,11). Herod, in his fury, slew thousands of babes under two years (Matt 2:16). Pharaoh, in his fury against Israel, slew all their male children (Exo 1:22).

When Simeon and Levi, the sons of Jacob were furious with the Shechemites, they hid their anger in their hearts and outwardly showed themselves to be friendly, even to the extent of suggesting marriage ties with them. However, after a few days, when they found an opportune moment, they massacred all the males in the country. [Perhaps the worst form of anger is keeping resentment and bitterness in the heart and pretending to be godly and friendly in the outside.] Their wrath was so detestable that even their own father, when in his deathbed, instead of blessing them, said, “Instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. 0 my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel” (Gen 49:5-7).

Dear reader, do not wait for the demonic spirit of anger to destroy you and others. Flee to God with a broken and contrite heart. God, in His mercy, can renew a right spirit within you (Psa 51:10). Instead of your face becoming black with anger, let it be changed into glory with grace.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Tuesday 14 May 2013

An Evening Digest - The Character And Fruits of a Christian Life

Speak these promised powerful words of God in your personal, family and spiritual life!
Be blessed!

Abundant life - John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Citizenship - Romans 13:1-7, Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. - Titus 3:1

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.

Cleanliness - 2 Corinthians 7:1, Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

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

Contentment - Philippians 4:11-13, I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. - 1 Timothy 6:6 - But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Courage - Psalm 27:14, Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Diligence - Romans 12:11, Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Duty - Luke 20:21-25, So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" He saw through their duplicity and said to them, "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?" "Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

Endurance - Luke 21:9-19, When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life. 2 Timothy 2:3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Faith - Matthew 8:5-13, When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Mark 11:22-24 "Have[a] faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Faithfulness - Matthew 25:23
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Forgiveness - Mark 11:25-26
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Freedom - John 8:31-36
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants[a] and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Fruitfulness - John 15:1-8
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Godliness - Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Happiness - Matthew 5:3-12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Holiness - 1 Peter 1:13-16
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Honesty - 2 Corinthians 8:21
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

Honor: Parents, Elders, and others - Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. - 1 Peter 2:17 - Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Hope - 1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Humility - Luke 18:9-14
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Philippians 2:3-11

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Joy - Luke 10:20
However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Kindness - Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Labor - John 9:4
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

Love - Luke 10:27
He answered: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' 1 Corinthians 13 - If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Obedience - John 14:15-24
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. Acts 5:29 - Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!

Overcoming - John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Patience - Hebrews 10:36
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Peacefulness
- John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Romans 12:18 - If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Perseverance - Mark 13:5-13
Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains."You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Prayer - Luke 11:1-13
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins,for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.' " Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"  Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Pure thinking - Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Purity - Matthew 5:27-32
You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. - 2 Timothy 2:22 - Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Reading the Bible - John 5:39
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me. - Psalm 1:2 -But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. - Psalm 119:97 - Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

Resolution - Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel ofpeace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Righteousness - Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be filled. - Matthew 6:33 -But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Sincerity - Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

Steadfastness
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Stewardship - 1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Temperance - 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Trust - Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this. - Proverbs 3:5-6 -Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Truth - John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 17:17 - Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. - Ephesians 4:14-15 -Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. - Philippians 4:8 -Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Victory - 1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 John 5:4 -for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Watchfulness - Mark 13:34-37
It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch."Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'

Worship - John 4:23-24
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Zeal
- Romans 12:11
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

May 14 - RULE YOUR MIND



How are we to keep our thoughts or mind pure and clean? First of all, we should realize that, in one sense, that our evil thoughts are more sinful and serious than our actions. St. Peter says to Simon the sorcerer, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22). Simon desired the anointing of the Holy Spirit but his intention was to make a living out of it. It is this unholy thought which is considered as ‘wickedness’ by Peter.

Why does God take our wrong thoughts so seriously? The reason is that every thought will be judged by God (Eccl 3:17); we are accountable to God for every thought of ours. Our God lives in a ‘secret place’, and he wants us to live with Him in that secret place (Psa 91:1) – for which we must not have any secret sins.

When unsanctified thoughts try to come in, thrust them out of your mind by the grace of God. Sooner or later you may face the same problem or a similar trial. Again, by the grace of God, fight against it. Such a life is called an overcoming life. It is for an overcoming life that we are called; let us not give in to sinful thoughts.

          We cannot grow above our thoughts. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov 23:7). If you think like the devil, you are like a devil indeed. If you think like Christ, you are like Christ.
 
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Monday 13 May 2013

An Evening Digest - God's Word

Forever Established And Settled


The value of a man's word depends upon what you know about him. If a man promises to give you half of all he has, it greatly matters who he is and the ability has to fulfill those promises. The Bible tells us that God never reneges on His promises, and when He promises a thing, He goes ahead to fulfill it (Isaiah 55:8-11; 43:13; Matthew 24:35). The Word of God is hidden to many people today because of the quest for human wisdom and logic. Human wisdom, worldliness and unbelief have made the power hidden in the Word of God to be as if there is nothing in it (Hebrews 3:16-19; 4:1-6). It should be noted that because the action of God's Word begins in the mind, many people fail to observe and to believe it.

Nevertheless, it is true that anyone has the right to believe or not believe in the power of God's Word, but the fact remains that the Word of God has power to illuminate our darkness and remove the lukewarm tendencies in us. It brings the understanding of God, source of love and knowledge of Him. The Word of God can also fill us with courage to conquer, cleanse us, sanctify us, and purify us.

The truth of God's Word is not in contention because God has established (or settled) His Word in heaven and made it stand firm (Psalm 119:89). When we align ourselves with the Word of God, our own words receive the power they need to limit Satan's ability. Satan knows that we can have what we say and so tries to tempt us into saying and believing contrary things about God's Word. When we act contrary to God's Word, our words give Satan free reign. Let me quickly remind you here that you are the "establishing witness", and so whatever you say as a child of God (a Christian), will come to pass.

In the book of John 10:10, the Bible tells us that the purpose of Satan is to kill and destroy, and so he uses pain and other physical symptoms and circumstances to hinder God's children from speaking God's Word in faith. When you fail to align your speech with God's Word, you make yourself prone to Satan's manipulations.

Jesus, in His own time, experienced positive results, because He only spoke the Word of God. God expects you to also align your speech with His Word. This means that you should always examine your words diligently so that you won't give the Devil authority in your life. 

Do not forget that Words which are spoken contrary to God's Word can hinder His ability to "raise you" out of your circumstance (James 5:15).


Article written by : By Vitus Ejiogu.

May 13 - THE CENTRE OF GOD’S WILL

“But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim” (II Kgs 6:5,6).


Once the axe head comes off the handle, it is of no use to the owner. Child of God, you are that axe head. It is a only as a long as you are attached to the handle, only as long as you stay in the center of God’s will, that you will be an instrument meet for the Master’s use. When selecting a person for any ministry, the Lord always looked for someone who would do His will. “I will raise Me up a faithful priest that shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in My mind,” He said once (I Sam 2:35). On finding David He says, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will” (Acts 13:22).

The axe head that is broken off from the handle is not only useless but also dangerous; it could easily cut or kill someone. Dear reader, does this in any way speak to you? Rebelling and going against the will of God is dangerous.

Here, the axe head fell into the water. Child of God, have you fallen into troubled waters? You might have lost the joy of salvation, your peace of mind, or your first love for the Lord. Obviously, the one who lost the axe head thought he would never get it back. You too may be in a similar position. You may be thinking you will never be able to get back the spiritual experiences you lost. Do not be discouraged. There is nothing impossible with your God. Arise and come back to the center of God’s will.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion