Words of Encouragement and Thoughts (6)

Shalico,

I love the photo of the JK/SK class. Reminds me of the classes that I do with the little ones at the Christian school that I work at.

Moriah Ruth

A HEART OF GRATITUDE

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today’s passage instructs us, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18). That directive might seem easy when life is going well. But if painful situations arise, expressing gratitude can become difficult.

It’s interesting to note that this instruction to thank the Lord in all things was written by Paul—the apostle whose loyalty to Christ earned him severe persecution. You might wonder how he was able to be grateful to God.

While many situations weren’t to his liking, Paul knew that His riches in Christ Jesus far outweighed any earthly discomfort. Consider the blessings he so valued, which are available to all believers. First of all, we are invited to have a personal relationship with the one true God—the omniscient and omnipresent Lord of all creation. Second, our Creator loves us with an everlasting and unconditional love. Third, He sent His Son to die as payment for our sin debt so that we could spend eternity with Him. As a result, when we place our trust in Jesus, we are freed from the fear of death.

And the list of blessings keeps going: God adopts believers as His children and seals them with His Spirit (Eph. 4:30). He has a plan for every life—and bestows special gifts and empowerment to make it happen. He also promises to meet every need through His limitless resources (Phil. 4:19) and provides His Word and indwelling Spirit to guide us.

No wonder Paul was grateful! Today, make your own list of reasons to give thanks, and be sure to count Paul’s blessings as your own. Let God know how appreciative you are.

InTouch Daily devotional by Charles Stanley

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV)

THE DANGER OF WRONG ALLIANCE

When Jehoshaphat became the King of Judah he sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments. Therefore, the LORD established the kingdom in his hand.

Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and so he had honour and riches in abundance, and mighty men of valour who served him (2 Chro. 17:3-19).

However, by marriage Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab - the wicked King of Israel. When Jehoshaphat went down to visit Ahab, Ahab asked him, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?" And he answered him, "I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war." (2 Chro. 18:3 NKJV).

While they were going to the battle, Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.” (2 Chro. 18:29 NKJV).

Strangely, Jehoshaphat foolishly agreed to this subtle plan!

In the battle, when the captains of the chariots of the Syrian army saw Jehoshaphat, they mistook him for Ahab the King of Israel and thus surrounded him to attack and kill him, for the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots who were with him, saying, "Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel." (2 Chro. 18:30 NKJV).

Because of his alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, Jehoshaphat almost lost his life in the battle that he had no business fighting, but for the mercy and help of God.

The Scripture records in 2 Chronicles 18:
31 So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him.
32 For so it was, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. (NKJV).

However, after Jehoshaphat had returned safely to his house in Jerusalem, God sent His servant to him to rebuke and correct him for being unequally yoked together with the wicked (2 Chro. 19:1-3). But sadly, Jehoshaphat would not heed God’s rebuke, correction and warning.

After the death of Ahab, Jehoshaphat again allied himself again with Ahaziah, the King of Israel, who acted very wickedly. Jehoshaphat joined himself with Ahaziah to do business together - to make ships to go to Tarshish for gold. But, God would not prosper such a business alliance.

The Scripture records in 2 Chronicles 20:
35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly.
36 And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.
37 But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works." Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish. (NKJV).

What a lesson for Christian business men and women today!

While the believers should not hate the unbelievers, yet the Scripture clearly warns against being unequally yoked together with the unbelievers either by marriage or business. Many children of God, like Jehoshaphat, have brought untold suffering, stress, loss, pain, or anguish upon themselves because of their alliance with the unbelievers.

The Scripture warns in 2 Corinthians 6:
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."(NKJV).

Beloved, you will save yourself from unnecessary stress, battle, suffering, pain, or loss in life by heeding God’s admonition or warning against alliance with the unbelievers.

Remember Jehoshaphat!

The Scripture admonishes,
“Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." (1 Cor. 15:33 NKJV).

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Prov. 12:26 NKJV).

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Prov. 13:20 NKJV).

Although King Solomon deeply loved God and had a wise and understanding heart, yet his heart was turned away from God when he allied himself by marriage with ungodly women. Though Solomon started well, yet he ended awfully as a result of wrong alliances.

The Scripture records in 1 Kings 11:
1 But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites-
2 from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.
3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.
4 For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.
5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David. (NKJV).

Friend, don’t be deceived, if Jehoshaphat and Solomon who loved God deeply could be negatively influenced and their hearts drawn away from God when they allied themselves with the ungodly, you better heed God’s admonition about wrong or unholy alliance with the ungodly.

Apostle Paul even admonishes and warns against keeping company with believers who are walking disorderly.

1 Corinthians 5
9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people.
10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. (NKJV).

2 Thessalonians 3
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (NKJV).

Don’t disdain, despise, or discard God’s admonition, instruction, or correction today as Jehoshaphat and Solomon did in their days and they ended awfully.

The Scripture warns,
“Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.” (Prov. 13:18 NKJV).

“He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.” (Prov. 15:32 NKJV).

“A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent.” (Prov. 15:5 NKJV).

Don’t be a fool! Heed your Heavenly Father’s instruction today.

Prayer: My Dear Heavenly Father, I receive today divine wisdom and boldness to disentangle myself from any unequal yoke with the unbelievers and even believers walking disorderly, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is Complying the Same as Lying?

1 John 4:18 – ““Fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.””

Many Christians fear that setting and keeping limits signals rebellion or disobedience. In religious circles you’ll often hear statements such as, “Your unwillingness to go along with our program shows an unresponsive heart.” Because of this myth, countless individuals remain trapped in endless activities of no genuine spiritual and emotional value.

The truth is life-changing: a lack of boundaries is often a sign of disobedience. People who have shaky limits are often compliant on the outside, but rebellious and resentful on the inside. They would like to be able to say no, but are afraid. So they cover their fear with a half-hearted yes.

Take Barry for example. He had almost made it to his car after church when Ken caught up with him. Here goes, Barry thought. Maybe I can still get out of this one.

“Barry!” Ken boomed. “Glad I caught you!” The singles class officer in charge of Bible studies, Ken was a dedicated recruiter to the studies he presided over; however, he was often insensitive to the fact that not everyone wanted to attend his meetings.

“So which study can I put you down for, Barry? The one on prophecy, evangelism, or Mark?”

Barry thought desperately to himself. I could say, “None of the above interest me. Don’t call me—I’ll call you.” But he’s a ranking officer in the singles class. He could jeopardize my relationships with others in the group. I wonder which class will be the shortest? “How about the one on prophecy?” Barry guessed. He was wrong.

“Great! We’ll be studying end times for the next eighteen months! See you Monday.” Ken walked off triumphantly.

Let’s take a look at what just happened. Barry avoided saying no to Ken. At first glance, it looks like he made a choice for obedience. He committed himself to a Bible study. That’s a good thing, right? Absolutely.

But take a second look. What were Barry’s motives for not saying no to Ken? What were the thoughts and attitudes of his heart? Fear. Barry was afraid of Ken’s political clout in the singles group. He feared that he would lose other relationships if he disappointed Ken.

Why is this important? Because it illustrates a biblical principle: an internal no nullifies an external yes.

God is more concerned with our hearts than he is with our outward compliance. “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).

In other words, if we say yes to God or anyone else when we really mean no, we move into a position of compliance. And that is the same as lying. Our lips say yes, but our hearts (and often our half-hearted actions) say no. Do you really think Barry will finish out his 18 months with Ken’s Bible study? The odds are that some priority will arise to sabotage Barry’s commitment, and he’ll leave — but without telling Ken the real reason why.

Here’s a good way to look at this myth that boundaries are a sign of disobedience: If we can’t say no, we can’t say yes. Why is this? It has to do with our motivation to obey, to love, or to be responsible. We must always say yes out of a heart of love. When our motive is fear, we love not.

The Bible tells us how to be obedient in 2 Corithians 9:7, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Look at the first two ways of giving: “reluctantly” and “under compulsion.” They both involve fear—either of a real person or a guilty conscience. These motives can’t exist side by side with love, because “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts our fear” (1 John 4:18). Each of us must give as we have made up our minds. When we are afraid to say no, our yes is compromised.

God has no interest in our obeying out of fear because, “Fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). God wants a response of love.

Are boundaries a sign of disobedience? They can be. We can say no to good things for wrong reasons. But having a “no” helps us to clarify, to be honest, to tell the truth about our motives; then we can allow God to work in us. This process cannot be accomplished in a fearful heart.

This devotional is drawn from Boundaries, by John Townsend and Henry Cloud.

“Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.” (Psalms 73:18-19 NKJV)

SINNERS ARE SET IN SLIPPERY PLACES

There is a path in life that only goes down; it is dark and slippery. Everyone who follows this path stumbles, falls and goes down to the bottomless pit. There is a way in life, though very broad, yet slippery and sloppy. Everyone who chooses this way falls and crashes, no matter how hard they try to stand up.

There is a course in life that ends only in losses, pains, sorrows and regrets. No one has ever chosen this course and experienced true joy or happiness in life. There is a lifestyle that attracts the devil to steal, kill and destroy. Anyone who adopts this lifestyle will fall a prey to the devil.

What is that path, way, course, or lifestyle?

It is the path of sin!
It is the way of sin!
It is the course of sin!
It is the lifestyle of sin!

The Scripture warns,
“The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.” (Prov. 4:19 NKJV).

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” (Matt. 7:13 NKJV).

Also in Job 18:
5 "The light of the wicked indeed goes out, And the flame of his fire does not shine.
6 The light is dark in his tent, And his lamp beside him is put out.
7 The steps of his strength are shortened, And his own counsel casts him down.
8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walks into a snare.
9 The net takes him by the heel, And a snare lays hold of him.
10 A noose is hidden for him on the ground, And a trap for him in the road. (NKJV).

Asaph was envious of the ungodly (the sinners) when he focused on the transient prosperity, success or happiness of the ungodly, but not on their terrible end.

Asaph confessed in Psalms 73:
1 Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment.
7 Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. (NKJV).

Many believers today, like Asaph, are envious of the ungodly because they are only looking at their temporary material possessions, achievements, or successes, but are not considering their eternal damnation in hell fire.

When you set your eyes only on the transient riches of the ungodly in this world, you may stumble or become discouraged.

When God revealed to Asaph the terrible end of the ungodly, his heart was grieved for being so foolish and ignorant to envy the ungodly because of their transient prosperity and success.

Asaph states in Psalms 73:
16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me-
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. (NKJV).

The Scripture clearly reveals and warns that every sinner is set in slippery places and can be brought down to eternal damnation in hell fire any moment.

While on the broad way that leads to destruction, sinners may enjoy abundance, wealth, riches, success, fame, or happiness, but it is only transitory. Therefore, any believer who is envious of the ungodly because of their transient prosperity and happiness is simply foolish and ignorant.

The Scripture queries in Job 20:
4 "Do you not know this of old, Since man was placed on earth,
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?
6 Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds,
7 Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?'
8 He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
9 The eye that saw him will see him no more, Nor will his place behold him anymore.
10 His children will seek the favor of the poor, And his hands will restore his wealth. (NKJV).

Every sinner is a captive, slave, or prey to the devil. The devil can prey on or devour any sinner anytime he wants because sinners belong to him.

The Scripture clearly states that “He who sins is of the devil…” (1 John 3:8 NKJV).

Friend, stop fooling or deceiving yourself that you are safe and secure though living and walking in the path of sin. No! You are set in slippery places and may be cast down to destruction at any moment.

The Scripture warns, “Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.” (Prov. 13:21 NKJV).

How can sinners escape the evil that is pursuing them?

It is simply by receiving the salvation that Christ has purchased for all mankind with His precious blood!

The Scripture queries in Hebrews 2:
3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (NKJV).

By offering Himself as an atoning sacrifice for our sins on the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ has bought and made salvation available to all sinners as a gift. All that it takes for a sinner to escape the evil that is pursuing him and escape the eternal destruction that is waiting for him is to acknowledge, believe, accept, confess and surrender to Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour.

The Scripture assures in Romans 10:
9 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (NKJV).

John 3
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (NKJV).

Any sinner who rejects the free gift of salvation that Christ has purchased for him with His precious blood is condemned or doomed already, having the wrath of God abiding on him.

The Scripture affirms that "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36 NKJV).

Sadly, there are many sinners in the world today living luxuriously and comfortably in their sins. They are apparently oblivious of the truth that they are condemned or doomed already for rejecting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and that they are presently set in slippery places and will soon be brought down to eternal destruction.

They need to be told the truth in love!

Beloved, you are at the verge of eternal destruction without having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. The wrath of God abides on you, not because of your sins, but because of your rejection of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

The truth is this; it is the mercies, goodness and kindness of God that is presently keeping you from sudden destruction. Don’t despise it!

Paul warns in Romans 2:
4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds" (NKJV).

Let God’s goodness lead you to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus today!

Prayer: My Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the free gift of salvation that You offered me through Jesus Christ. I receive, believe, confess and surrender to Jesus Christ today as my personal Lord and Saviour. Thank You for saving me from eternal destruction, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Teaching by Pastor Jegede Sunday E

THE BLESSINGS OF GOD

Ephesians 1:3-14

Everyone experiences difficulty in life. During painful times, we may feel as though God is not blessing us. But even then, we are experiencing many of His amazing gifts, despite the fact that they might be escaping our notice.

Below are several examples of blessings we can enjoy on bright or dark days:

• We are assured that our almighty God chose us before the foundation of the world(Ephesians 1:4). He predestined us to be adopted as His children (Ephesians 1:5). We can feel special and wanted because the Sovereign of the universe selected us.

• Jesus provided our salvation through His death and resurrection (Ephesians 1:7). He redeemed us from sin that causes separation from God and ultimately leads to death. As a result, we receive a brand-new nature and daily forgiveness of iniquities (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 1:9).

• The Holy Spirit resides within us. He guides, warns, and fills us so we always have access to counsel or comfort. And because He also seals us, our eternity is secure (Ephesians 1:13).

• Our Father prepares an inheritance for us that is imperishable (1 Peter 1:4). We may experience momentary troubles, but we can look forward to living eternally in God’s presence, where there is joy and no suffering.

In painful situations, you might be tempted to conclude that the Lord’s hand isn’t resting on your life. But believers have wonderful spiritual blessings at all times. Without the four permanent gifts listed above, fear and emptiness would be overwhelming. Ponder these benefits, and express gratitude, even in difficulty.

InTouch Daily Devotional by Charles Stanley

The Riches of the Destitute

…being justified freely by His grace… —Romans 3:24

The gospel of the grace of God awakens an intense longing in human souls and an equally intense resentment, because the truth that it reveals is not palatable or easy to swallow. There is a certain pride in people that causes them to give and give, but to come and accept a gift is another thing. I will give my life to martyrdom; I will dedicate my life to service— I will do anything. But do not humiliate me to the level of the most hell-deserving sinner and tell me that all I have to do is accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

We have to realize that we cannot earn or win anything from God through our own efforts. We must either receive it as a gift or do without it. The greatest spiritual blessing we receive is when we come to the knowledge that we are destitute. Until we get there, our Lord is powerless. He can do nothing for us as long as we think we are sufficient in and of ourselves. We must enter into His kingdom through the door of destitution. As long as we are “rich,” particularly in the area of pride or independence, God can do nothing for us. It is only when we get hungry spiritually that we receive the Holy Spirit. The gift of the essential nature of God is placed and made effective in us by the Holy Spirit. He imparts to us the quickening life of Jesus, making us truly alive. He takes that which was “beyond” us and places it “within” us. And immediately, once “the beyond” has come “within,” it rises up to “the above,” and we are lifted into the kingdom where Jesus lives and reigns (see John 3:5).

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

If there is only one strand of faith amongst all the corruption within us, God will take hold of that one strand. Not Knowing Whither, 888 L

My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers