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June 22 Job 22v28
28. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
A decree is like an official command made by a ruler. Do you recall that children of God are rulers? We are the kings. Our Lord is our King. The King of kings. We are expected to reign in life.
It takes knowledge to reign. The knowledge of God. Knowledge like what is in Today's passage. You will ALSO decree a thing . Don't just stand loafing with arms akimbo, reading and hearing about what others are doing. Our Today's passage is clear and straight. You shall also decree a thing.
Now you must know, or be reminded that the believer's authority is greater than that of the kings of the Medes and Persians. Remember in the book of Daniel, the Medes and Persians had kings whose decrees could not be changed. Well, you're greater than them. The King of kings lives in you. All power is given to Him in heaven and in earth. No one. As in NOBODY can change your decree. Decree a thing, and it shall be established unto you .
It's good you stop just now, and make that decree. Decree concerning your life, your spirit, your soul, your body, your family, your health, your job, your property. Decree today in conjunction with Jesus Christ. The light has come. Light MUST shine upon your ways . Don't walk in the dark no more.
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June 23 Acts 23v23,24
23. And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
24. And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
It pays to serve God you know. You enjoy life the most, even better than people who are seeking this entertainment day and night with money. Someone has said that believers have more fun/joy accidentally than unbelievers will ever have on purpose. And then to think that we are preparing to go to a city full of joy and happiness evermore. It is good to be a child of God.
Look at Paul the apostle here in our text. If God had opened the eyes of the chief captain, he might have seen the angels and chariots protecting Paul's life. But Paul was to have a treat . Even his accusers didn't enjoy this.
Two hundred (200) soldiers were provided for Paul with two hundred (200) spearmen and seventy (70) horsemen. Also, beasts were provided to set Paul on and bring him safe to the governor. It's a serious matter. God will take care of you. He'll favour you even before your so called adversaries. You are the apple of God's eye and He is your ever present help. God does not fail. Stay very close to Him, for at His right hand there're pleasures forevermore.
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June 24 2Chronicles 24v16
16. And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.
Don't be deceived, God is not mocked. What a man sows is what He'll reap. Many people love to behave like everyone else. That's why they don't get something different from what everybody else is getting. What they get is never enough, because it's what everyone gets.
But uncommon people, with uncommon stand, courage, faith and righteousness definitely receive the uncommon. Jehoiada was a priest, a levite, not a king. They buried him among the kings. Now, that's uncommon! Forever classed among the royals, the greats, leaders.
Jehoiada was a true leader. He had done good in Israel, toward God and toward his house. How Christlike! He went everywhere doing good. Christlike people are great people. Jehoiada the priest actually mentored the king of his time. He was a LIGHT to his generation. You too can receive an uncommon reward. The Overcomer's reward. Overcomers are few, you need dare to be one. You should do good in your community, both toward God and toward your house.
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June 25 Matthew 25v33
33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Today's passage are the words of Jesus Christ, the omniscient and great Teacher. When He said these, he was neither mincing words nor reading tales by moonlight. He was talking about the future seperation. The seperating of the righteous and the unrighteous, the holy and the unholy, the sheep and the goats. Once in a while, i read of 'believers' who pride themselves in not being holy. Well, it's good that you get holy before the coming of the Son of man, Jesus.
The preceding verse says all nations shall be gathered before him. Not all christians, not all churches, all nations. Everybody. And then, He'll seperate them one from another, the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Where will you be seperated to on that day?
The righteous are the sheep, who have sheepishly followed Christ.(i kid you not). The unrighteous are the goats, who have either stubbornly followed, or refused, or not accepted Christ. All sinners are under the goat category. Maybe you're still day dreaming with lines like "no one is righteous, no one is holy". Stop kidding yourself and get on the sheep side. On that day, Christ will set the righteous on his right hand. Join the righteous today. The unrighteous will be on the left, condemned to everlasting punishment.
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June 26 Acts 26v18c
18c. That they might receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
We come to the third part of this beautiful verse that we've looked at for over three months now. We've been shown of our leaders' duty, why the pastors were saved and why they preach and teach. It is to open our eyes and turn us. To bring us from the power of satan unto the power of God. Sinners are under the power of satan, that's why they do the things that they do.
Some ignorant believers may also perish under the power of satan. But we can receive turning from the power of satan unto God, and finally now, to receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance. Christ has paid for the forgiveness of our sinS. What we need to do is receive it. We receive forgiveness to go and sin no more. That's the reasonable thing, and that's how Jesus gave forgiveness in the gospels, 'go and sin no more forgiveness'.
We then receive inheritance among those that are sanctified by faith. Sanctification, or what some call seperation, holiness, righteousness, is by faith. It takes believing. If you don't believe in it, you can't have it. sanctified by faith . And Jesus wants us to receive inheritance, after forgiveness of sins, with them i.e among them which are sanctified by faith in Him.
All believers have an inheritance to claim. It's what makes the LIFE beautiful. Having the fullness of God. Go for the fullness of God's purpose for you.
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June 27 Acts 27v11
11. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
The centurion believed the master and owner of the ship, more than Paul. Whao! Had God deserted Paul? No. Was the Holy Spirit not with Paul? He was. But you know, some christians are of the opinion and mindset that when people believe what you're saying, or when people are willing to come to hear what you have to say, then the Holy Spirit is working mightily. The presence of God must be with you. No Sir. It doesn't always follow.
The presence of crowds and zeal is not a measure of the presence of Christ or approval of God.
Today also, unfortunately, there are still multitudes and denominations who believe that their church's owners and masters, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. The epistles of Paul and other scriptures have being explained away. Excuses, theories, theologies, psychologies and philosophies of men now hold in the congregation's hearts than the Word of God contained in the Scriptures. Whose report do you believe as a person today? Don't make the same mistake that the centurion made. These things are our ensamples and admonitions.
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June 28 Psalm 28v6
6. Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
God is good all the time. It is so whether you believe it or not. All the time , God is good. He always wantS to answer your prayers. Infact, He said somewhere that you don't have because you don't ask.
The blessedness of God is tied to answering prayers. Every creature acclaims and proclaims that BLESSING and honour be to God forever. Not just forever, but forever and ever. It follows then that if God is Blessed forever and ever, then He answers prayer forever and ever, everytime!
It means you don't have to wait for another watch night service to receive answers to your prayers. You don't have to wait til the congress or convention or crusade or meeting or gathering or retreat comes. You could have your answers NOW . 6. Blessed be God, because he has heard the voice of my supplications. Let Him hear the voice, your voice from today. Don't just think it or meditate it, say it. Some christians just mumble some things and go. Always on the fast lane. They view it that God knows all their requests, so they don't need to waste time. Whose time? Let God the Lord hear the voice of your supplications. Your supplicationS. Expect a miracle when you pray. God remains blessed forever and ever.
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June 29 1Chronicles29v15
15. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.
Do you know that this earth is not the permanent, abiding home of believers? It is just a phase that comes to pass, our trying zone. It is like the refinery where the gold is tried, so as to come out pure, sparkling and useful.
We believers are to set our eyes and affections on things in heaven, our home. We're to look at the joy set before us and not at the pleasures of the world. Right from the old testament, believers have always known themselves to be strangers on earth, not loving the world but the Lord. It's the same attitude in the new testament. Peter's letter is to beloved strangers and pilgrims.
We all are to always look at this world as not our continuing city, but a phase in our journey. Not only poor or sick believers, but all of us. Believers have Heaven's passport, not earth's. Are you a believer? Are you really a stranger in this world or you're fully accustomed to this world and its systems, and like Lot's wife, having a desire to look back or even go back? Are you looking for the appearing of Jesus to take you home ? Don't dare to 'pitch a tent' towards Sodom.
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June 30 Psalm 30v5
5. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
As we come to the close of this month, the Word of God to His saints is clear. It is the promise of peace, and of joy and of Heaven. It's a promise that is sure and steadfast. It will be fulfilled. That's why you want to be a partaker of such a promise.
Today's passage is talking to children of God, saints. Sinners are not children of God, don't remain a sinner. The preceding verse tells us that Today's passage is for the saints of God. Not just the saints of men, or of self. The saints of the Lord. He's telling His saints that God's anger lasts but a moment, a little while. Surely, that's not an address to sinners. God's anger with sinners is not but a moment. It is going to be everlasting. Let's all come into His favour. In His favour is life.
When you come into this life, His life, sometimes weeping may come. It may. There may be problems and troubles and trials. What I'm saying is that whatever challenges and sorrows and troubles you might be facing, it is going, because joy is coming. That is God's Word. The night is far spent, it is almost over. Your morning has come. Joy is coming in the morning. Look at the joy that is set before you. Joy is in the front, ahead, never forget that. Forget the present weeping, endure. Weeping may endure for a night, Joy is at hand. Morning is come.
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July 1 1Thessalonians 1v5
5. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Many people go to church, both christians and non-christians, and both saved and unsaved. They all have their differing reasons, at different times, of going to church.
A most popular and to some extent reasonable reason is the preacher. Many of us have our preacher preferences. The unfortunate thing is that many preachers come to you in word only. The majority of preachers have sought to improve their preaching in word. They've become good communicators, they know a lot about diction, phonetics, psychology, rhymes, and great/wise quotes. They are orators and 'fun' to listen to, and millions of people base their worship locations mainly on this.
But the divine standard and pattern is more than word only. It is the gospel in word, or rather our gospel (good news) in word, and also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. The preachers' words should have power to make/produce godly lives, not just to entertain or make you happy and relaxed. It should be in the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth, not in error or heresy. And it should be in much assurance, not confusing and dividing the Body of Christ, but in accord with the whole Scriptures. This is the pattern and foundation laid by Christ and His apostles. What do you weigh on the scale?
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July 2 2Timothy 2v1
1. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
When you look at life, and the beautiful lives that godly men have lived, you usually acknowledge grace. When you read of, hear of and even experience anointing in the ministry of anointed servants of God, you'll usually concur to the grace of God in the lives of His servants. But do you know that the same grace is available for you?
Sometimes, you hear about the holy and spotless lives of some, and you shake your head in amazement, and you probably say, "Well, he has grace". You too can have grace. That is why you usually share the grace! That the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us NOW and forever more. Oh yes, it can be if you truly believe it when you say it.
The Scriptures tell us that these servants of God are just like us, Elijah was a man subject to similar feelings/passions as we are. Those holy, radiant, anointed and signs following people are just like you. All they've done is to come BOLDLY before the throne of grace, and they found grace as promised. You too can come. Be strong in the grace . Don't turn it into lasciviousness. Don't waste it. Take hold and advantage of grace. You too can be holy, you can be empowered.
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July 3 Titus 3v8
8. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
How very true it is that our works do not earn us salvation. All our good works and righteousness are as dirty and worthless as rags, nay, as filthy rags before God. Self-righteousness. That's what Paul the apostle fought against in major parts of his epistles. It is grace that saves us through faith, not works.
No matter how pious, or zealous, tender conscienced we are before salvation, it's not enough to buy us salvation. But after salvation, after being born-again, we are expected to produce fruits of a new life, good works. That's what the same apostle Paul is saying in our Today's passage.
Many have taken grace to mean 'raise up your hand or write your name in church one day, and live as you please for the rest of your life'. If you ask them about why they neglect a good thing, they'll say, "will that one save me?" Well no, it's not meant to. The grace of God is not permission for us to live in frivolity. The grace of God gives us power for good works. Paul himself, who showed you grace is saying "This is a faithful saying, these things I will that thou affirm CONSTANTLY ". What is that? That those that have believed in God be CAREFUL to maintain good works.
Maintain good works. In everything you do, say, think, wear, eat, Is it good? Maintain good works. Is it good in God's sight, or in the Bible's sight, maintain good works. Good works are good, says the Spirit of God, and profitable.
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