In creation we see that God made everything by His words alone. But for sending his son into this world (redemption and salvation), He needed human intervention. The heavenly decision related to the birth of Jesus was conveyed to mankind through prophets and later through Joseph and Mary. By obedience of these persons, God`s plan was accomplished on earth.
Proceedings thereafter are as follows (Luke 1:26 – 35).
Mary was a virgin espoused to Joseph. Gabriel said “ Hail Mary thou art highly favoured. The lord is with thee; Blessed art thou “among women“.
To the troubled Mary, he said you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus. She replied “I am a virgin. How then can this be?. The angel said “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and God`s power will rest upon you. The child will be called the Son of God“. Thus her doubt was clarified.
Obedience: “ I am the lord`s servant. May it happened to me as you have said“ Mary said.
Mary went to a hill country with haste and saluted Elisabeth her relative. It was to confirm what the angel said about Elisabeth was true and probably to assist her in her household work. Elisabeth said that her babe leaped in her womb when Mary greeted her.
Elisabeth was filled with Holy Ghost when she greeted Mary. “ You are blessed among women and the fruit of your womb is blessed.
Mary sang as a song in praise of the Lord (Luk1.46 – 56).We understand that when we obey gods plans, the presence of Holy Spirit is observed around. Mary’s husband Joseph was a righteous man. He found that Mary, his espoused wife was with a child by Holy Spirit. He had a mind to put her away secretly. The angel in a dream said “Fear not to take Mary your wife. She is conceived of Holy Spirit“. Joseph did, as the angel had said (Mathew 1:18-24).
Witness: it is observed that Zacharias and Elisabeth have prayed for children at young age. But God delayed it because John the Baptist should be born just six month earlier before Christ. They waited patiently. So obedience is required along with patience to fulfil God`s Plan.
Prayer
Heavenly father, you have sent us in this world with great plans. Help us to fulfil by obeying you and waiting patiently. Amen.
The term “world” does not always refer to the universe as created by God. It often is used to describe the community of sinful humanity that possesses a spirit of rebellion against God (1 John 5:19). Because of its opposition to God, the world values those things that are contrary to God’s will:
the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2;16).
Its temptations to the believer are thus twofold: lust for the sensual and pride in mastery of one’s life.
The attraction of the world is amplified by Satan who is the head of its system. He is called the “ruler of this world” (John 12:13); 14:30; 16:11), and the whole world is said to be under his power (1 John 5:19, where wickedness can be translated to“wicked one”).
Some of the tragic effects that love of the world will produce in the believer’s life are:
a. A turning away from the Lord’s work and other believers (2 Tim. 4:10);
b. Alienation from God (James 4:4);
c. Corrupting sins ((2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 2:15-17)
d. Deception by false teachers (1 John 4:1; 2 John 7).
The solution for the love of the world is to have greater love for the Father (1 John 2:15). The Christian who seeks daily to please God in everything and who strives for spiritual growth through prayer, study of God’s Word, and witnessing need not to fall prey to the temptations of the world.
Gospel Mark 14:38 Temptation by the Flesh – “Flesh” in the Bible often means something other than the substance of the human body. It is used constantly to refer to the carnal, sinful principle within man that is opposite to God (Rom. 8:7). The actions produced by the flesh are given in detail in Galatians 5:19-21. Among these are all types of sexual immorality, impurity, hatred, anger, false religions, envy, and drunkenness. A person whose life is characterised by these sins cannot be a true Christian and is under the wrath of God (Gal. 5:21; Eph. 2:3)
Though the flesh is not eradicated for Christians, we do not have to obey it (Rom. 7:15-25). We possess a new nature empowered by he Holy Spirit. Since the flesh and the Spirit are totally opposed to each other, the one whom believers allow to dominate will take charge in life and produce its own fruit. The solution to the urges of the flesh lies in acknowledging that the power of sin was nullified by Jesus’ death (Rom. 6:11) Gal. :16). The latter is a moment-by-moment dependence in faith on the Spirit’s power. We must choose by an act of will To benefit from the Spirit’s enablement.
1 Chronicles 21:1 – Temptation by Satan – The role of Satan against the Christian is well summed up by the meaning of the name Satan – “adversary”. He is also called the devil meaning “accuser”. He can appear as a hideous dragon (Rev 12:3,4,9) or as a beautifully deceptive “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). He stands hatefully opposed to all the work of God and resourcefully promotes defiance among the people (Mark 4:15; Job 2:4,5)
When Satan sinned, he was expelled from heaven (Luke 10:18), although apparently he still had some access to God (Job 1:6). A multitude of angels cast in their lot with him in his fall and subsequently became demons mentioned often in the Bible (Matt 12:24; Rev 1:7). Although Satan’s doom was secured by Jesus’ death on the cross (John 16:11), he will continue to hinder God’s program until he and his angels are cast into the lake of fire (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10).
The terrifying work of Satan in the unbeliever is described in the Scripture as follows: he blinds their minds (2 Cor. 4:4); he takes the Word of God from their hearts (Luke 8:12); and he controls them (Acts 13:8). In regard to Christians, Satan may accuse them (Rev.12:10), devour their testimony to Christ (1 Peter 5:8), deceive them (2 Cor. 11:14), hinder their work (1 Thess. 2:18), tempt them to immorality (1 Cor. 7:5), and even be used by God to discipline Christians (1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 12:7).
The Christians response to Satan is to recognise his power and deception (2 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:11), to adhere steadfastly to the faith (1 Pet. 5:9), to resist him openly (James 4:7), and not to give him opportunities (Eph. 4:27).
In practice the best way to oppose him is to be a growing Christian. Also, in the light of his tremendous power to blind men to the gospel, Christians must always be aggressively and compassionately witnessing to the lost in order to snatch them from Satan‘s control (Acts 26:18). Believers can respond to temptation by Satan with confidence. We know that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:28-29).
Praise be to the Holy name of the Lord. The beginning of our today’s thought is Ruth chapter 1 -18.
” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.”
What does this verse show? This verse show about determination. I would like to talk to you today on the topic of determination..
We all know about Ruth , Mahlon’s wife and Naomi’s daughter in law. When Naomi’s husband and her two sons died in Moab, she decided that enough of living in that country and to go back to her hometown and asked her two daughters-in-law to go to their respective hometowns. But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
Ruth knew exactly when and how to make decisions. Orpah has gone to her own house and the scriptures say nothing about her, but the scriptures clearly say about Ruth who was determined. By making this decision, Ruth was mindful in her faith in the Lord more than her love for her aunt. In general, when there are problems, struggles, and confusion in our lives, how do we make a decision? Do we make a clear decision?
Let’s think about it. In Isaiah chapter 26:3 verse three , It is written as “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Just as Ruth clung to her mother-in-law, we must also clung to The Lord. Even though she is a Moabite woman, she is included in Jesus’ genealogy. She is David’s grandmother and marries Boaz. The Lord makes a marriage for her who was a widow. She came to God in Israel and she got a full reward.
Beloved, in any matter we should sit in the company of The Lord and take decisions according to His plan, whether it is about our children, about our jobs, about our husband or about our children’s marriage, we must have a firmness of mind.
Some people have a slippery heart
One foot in the river and one foot in the mud. Today they will talk about one thing to each other and tomorrow they will contradict with it. We should not be like that. As children of God, let us be steadfast in prayer, steadfast in reading the scriptures, and steadfast in faith.
Let's be sure of the calling . Let's be sure of salvation . Let's be sure of faith. Let us be blessed like Ruth.Let God bless these words .Amen
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Genesis 1:26)
God made man in His own image and likeness and gave him the power and authority to rule. God wanted man to remain in Him and have a close relationship with Him.
God created Fish and other living creatures of the Sea and every living thing with which the water teens and that moves about in it according to their kinds.
So, water is the source of Fish and it has to remain in water in order to be alive.
Likewise, God said, Let the land produce vegetables, seed bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit. Hence, plants and trees should remain and be rooted deep in the earth so as to bear fruit and be alive as earth/soil is the source for the trees and plants. If the tree is uprooted and separated from the earth it will die.
God created man in his own image so he has to remain with the Source i.e.GOD. As fish remains in water and trees rooted in the earth their source, man also should remain in God, his source to be alive otherwise he will be dead spiritually.
When Adam had a close relationship with God his source, he was happy and full of life. When he ate the fruit of knowledge of good and evil he was disconnected from the source and was driven out of Eden.
Even today, man wants to depend on his own wisdom and knowledge rather than submit himself to his Creator, his Source.
In John 15 Jesus says, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.
Let us remain in HIM our SOURCE so that we have Life, Life in abundance!!!
PRAYER
Abba Father, You have created us in your own image and likeness and gave authority to rule over everything. On the contrary we have miserably failed due to our greed and selfishness and got disconnected from You our Source of Life. Forgive us Father. We come to you and surrender ourselves to You and want to remain in You so that we have Life, Life in abundance. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen.
There is nothing quite like the taste of fresh grapes. They are sweet, juicy, and refreshing. I don’t have first-hand experience of growing grapes, but I’ve been told it can be a fickle crop that needs constant attention.
Grapes were—and still are—one of the most common agricultural products in Israel. In Isaiah 5:1-7 envisions God as the owner of a vineyard. Planting a new vineyard was an especially arduous task. Vineyards were typically planted on a hillside (v. 1). They needed to be cleared of stones (v. 2). In an age before tractors or other mechanical help, this was backbreaking work. The stones would then be used to build a fence around the vineyard and a watchtower for protection (v. 2). Planting a vineyard was also a long-term investment. It takes a few years before a vine will grow eatable grapes.
In Isaiah’s song, God has done this work skillfully and carefully. He has tended His vineyard with the utmost care and patiently waited for grapes to grow. Instead of good grapes, His vineyard only produced rotten ones (v. 2). In this metaphor, Israel is the vineyard. God had planted them in the land of Canaan and provided for them. Yet, they consistently rebelled against Him (v. 7). The leaders did not uphold justice but oppressed the weak and vulnerable (v. 7). This parable makes clear that their failure was not because of neglect on God’s part. Because of their rebellion, they would be judged (vv. 5–6).
Thankfully, this is not the end of the story. God promised: “I will again plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them” (Amos 9:15). God does not give up on His people.
Jesus taught that the way to live in right relationship with God was to stay connected to Him as the true vine (John 15:1–8). How are you cultivating and nourishing your connection to the Lord and His people?
Let’s pray
Lord, we ask You to grant us perseverance and selflessness. Draw us near to You and near to Your people. Teach us to love Your people. In Jesus name Amen
The Bible tell us that Elijah needed to hear from God, and thankfully he had a hearing ear toward God even though his circumstances had frightened him. He had experienced tremendous victory but afterward he ran for his life, hid in a cave, and prayed to God to die. Knowing Elijah’s need, God taught Elijah a wonderful lesson about what his voice sounds like. As Elijah waited on God, He demonstrated his power through wind, earthquake, and fire. But God was not in those things; instead, he spoke to Elijah in a “still, small voice” and gave instructions for Elijah’s next mission. Later in this chapter we still see that Elijah obeyed the still, small voice of the Lord.
Elijah’s story help us understand how to hear God when we need direction. God did not reassure Elijah with a showy, flashy manifestation power, although he had already proven that He was capable of doing so. Instead, God spoke to his prophet through a still, small voice—– he still chooses to communicate directly to his children through a whisper deep within their spirits.
The Bible tells us that God is a spiritual being, and those who worship him must worship Him in spirit and truth. Jesus explained that some people do not hear that voice of God because they do not believe him and this do not have His word living in their hearts He taught us that we must be born again in order to hear God’s voice: “You must all be born again. The wind blows where it wills; and though we hear it’s sound, yet we neither know where it comes from North where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit”. When we born again, we are made alive in our spirits to be sensitive to the voice of God,. We hear his whisper even though we cannot tell where it comes from. Our ear become ” turned in” to hear our Master’s voice. He whispers to convict, correct, and direct us by still, small voice deep within our hearts.
A HEARING HEART
1 Kings 3:9
Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you”. The Bible tells you that in the last days deception will become so rampant that even God’s select people could be deceived. There will be people who says they are the Christ, the Messiah, and false prophets who will deceive and lead many people astray. They will even show great signs and wonders. It will be pretty confusing to tell who is who and what is what.
You need a great deal of discernment, and the Bible says you can have it if you seek it. God wants you to ask him for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. He wants to give you discretion and discernment. Seek God and ask him for these things. He will surely bless you with a heart that hears clearly and discerns what is right.
Speak the word
God, I pray that you would give us an understanding mind and heart that hears your voice so that we can discern between good and evil.
Where do you turn in times of difficulty? Who do you reach out to when something happens? All of us need other people in our life who can help us through tough times. We cannot make it through life alone, we should always have people who can help us.
However, when something happens in our life, our first reaction should be to come to God first. While other people can help meet our physical needs, God is the only one who can meet our deepest needs.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:4-5
Just as God answered the writer of Psalm 34, God is also ready and available to us through prayer. God is not hidden or far away. He is present, and waiting for us to spend time with Him. Because He is the one who created us, He knows everything about us. He knows how we feel and exactly what we need.
The psalmist says that God delivered him from all of his fears. God desires to deliver you from your fears as well. In Philippians 4:6-7, God’s Word says to not be anxious or fearful about anything, but rather, go to God in prayer, and He will give us peace. God is the source of all peace and security, but we need to go to Him with our fears.
Psalm 34:5 says that those who spend time with God will be free of shame. As we are freed from the mistakes of our past, we will begin to walk in the newness of life. When we walk with God through life, we walk in the light that He provides, rather than the darkness of the world around us. He protects us from harm and keeps us from shame.
God is waiting to spend time with you and give you His peace. Spend some time today in prayer, asking God to remove your fears and replace them with His strength.
Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:12-19
This incident in the Bible talks about the importance of thanksgiving. Jesus healed all the ten lepers, but only one returned to Him to glorify Him and thank Him. God is good and His mercy endures for ever. God is willing to heal us and bless us abundantly. In this world there are problems and difficulties. But we believe in the One who said: “
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
We have to trust Him for that and thank Him for what He has given us and what He is capable of. Knowing Him is more important in receiving this abundance of blessings.
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
If you know His boundless bounty you keep thanking Him always. A grateful heart will sing His glory even in the most adverse conditions. He is a compassionate God and He can change these situations into blessings. For that you have to trust Him and thank Him for his goodness and mercy which endures for ever. The three youths in the book of Daniel refused to obey the king who wanted them to worship his statue. They said that the God of Israel was there to save them. Even if He is not willing to save them they were not ready to worship anyone else. They were so grateful and loyal to their God. And God saved them and the gentile king declared that their God was the true God.
Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:17-18
The first step before any prayer should be thanksgiving. That’s the reason the psalmist advocating to enter His presence with thanksgiving. Our loyalty to God, our faithfulness and our unflinching trust in Him are all expressed through thanksgiving.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for giving us your Son Jesus to save us from our sins and for granting us the hope of eternity. Thank you Jesus for all that you have given us through your death and resurrection. Thank you Holyspirit for your presence and guidance. Thank you God Almighty.
2 Tim 2: 2. And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Matthew 18:19,20 go ye therefore ,and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.Amen
Teaching is a means by which disciples of Jesus are continually transformed in order to become more like Christ
God’s word is a treasure which unfolds itself every time you read it. As we dwell on God’s Word, it comes to life and speaks to us in various ways. As we discuss the same with our friends new revelations are unfurled. Hence it is a necessary step to study the word of God with our fellow believers. As we teach the Word of God [teaching in gift schools ] we tend to learn more.
First and foremost we will not be able to teach anything if we do not practice it. If we do not sit in worship then we are not able to encourage others do it. When we experience joy in worshipping and reading the Word of God only then will be able to tell it to others
Let us see some of the benefits of teaching
Teaching follows Jesus example
Jesus preached to the people in large crowds but he spent special time teaching the disciples to empower and to prepare them to follow his footsteps. The early disciples continued the work of Jesus by devoting themselves to teaching and having fellowships in small numbers in houses. This is today’s gift school teaching and troop church
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Teaching directs us in wisdom
When we teach others we tend to dwell deeply in God’s word, we discuss God’s word with others and get new revelations. As we teach, we get new insights as interpretation of Gods Word, as it varies with each individual
2 Peter 1: 3 According as his divine power hathgiven unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:
Teaching creates meaningful connection.
We as humans do not thrive alone in this world. We have to depend on God first and then on our fellow humans. Hence as we sit in groups and study the Bible we will be able to develop a close relationship with others and will be able to help each other in times of need.
Teaching provides necessary encouragement
As we develop a close relation with others we are able to witness the faith and the ability of each member to overcome the hurdles in their path. This gives us an encouragement to stand firm in faith when we have to go through trials and tribulations
Romans 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where with we ourselves are comforted of God.
It keeps us accountable
As the saying “Practice before you preach”, when we have to teach God’s word we have to find time to study the word deeply so that we will be able to get revelations. We have to be accountable for our time with God’s word. This will help us to become mature and grow in faith which will help us to rely on God’s word at all times.
It transforms our families, workplaces and communities
As we read the word of God; He speaks to us and we are transformed. This helps us to love him an obey His commands. When we change and become more like Jesus, our family, our workplaces and communities will be eternally impacted and we will reap the benefits of a good harvest.
Hence let us spend more time in teaching others and helping them to teach others. Let us strive to maintain this chain of teaching
Prayer:
Lord Jesus as we come into your holy throne room of Grace, we ask you to fill us with wisdom knowledge and understanding in learning your Word . Be with us at all times and especially when we teach others about you. Help us to draw more soldiers into your army to fight the battle for you. We love you we thank you and glorify your holy name. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
There are two types of Christians, Doubters and Believers ,Negative and positive. They believe that if they go and preach then doors Will be shut in their faces. This is a negative attitude of very Positive opportunity. We are soul winners and we have proven that people want Christ but are little interested. In other religions. They long for God, for His Salvation They are never content until they find Jesus Christ who is the Way the Truth and the Life. There are sixty million People being added to our generation every year who are unreached. People seek for light and life. Our priority is to be witness and preach the Gospel. The Bible says that we can know that we have passed from death into Life.lf you read this with faith it will help you to know.
1 .BORN FROM ABOVE
To be saved means to be born again to become a child of God.John.3 :7. Jesus said,” you must be born from above. “That means heavenly or spiritual birth.lt is accepting Christ. From this you receive a person Jesus Christ not a religion.
The Bible says, in John 1: 12.” As many as received him,to them gave he power to become the child of God.”
2. SINS ARE FORGIVEN
The angel said, ” You shall call His name JESUS for he shall save his people from their sins .Mathew 1: 21. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions Psalm103:12
3 . Received New Life
2 Cor 5: 17 Paul says, “lf anyone be in Christ he is a new creation.Old things are passed away, behold all things are new. “This is what happens when Christ saves you. You receive a new life, a new nature, new desires, new ambitions. You receive peace. Jesus said,” l have spoken unto you that in me you may have peace John 16:33.There is no peace says God to the wicked.”
PRAYER
I believe with all my heart Lord that you rose from the dead. I confess you as my Saviour.I receive you into my heart by faith. Amen.
