My people. God bless you for the continual publishing of the word. I am sorry for not attending to this thread as I should.
Today's word touched me. Great words.

@Lateef4me and @Odunharry God bless you and other readers too.

Welcome back Alwaystrue ! Where have you been all this while ?

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2015.

PREPARE YOURSELF

‘The wise accumulate wisdom...’ Proverbs 14:24 TM

The Bible says, ‘The wise accumulate wisdom.’ So keep learning. Knowledge in most major fields is exploding, and if you don’t stay up to date you’ll be left behind. Repeating the same lessons over and over means you’re not learning enough. Study those who’ve succeeded where you want to succeed, in order to know what to do and what not to do. U.S. Admiral Hyman Rickover said, ‘Learn from the mistakes of others; you’ll never live long enough to make them all yourself.’
So: 1) Respect those with experience and expertise greater than your own. Instead of shrinking away from them, reach for them. The Bible says, ‘God has given each of you some special abilities…use them to help each other…’ (1 Peter 4:10 TLB). We all struggle in certain areas; be careful lest your insecurity be misinterpreted as arrogance. 2) Become a good listener. Don’t try to impress people by seeking to be their intellectual equal. If you find yourself in a discussion that intimidates you, ask questions, talk only about what you know, listen attentively, and the next time you meet you’ll be that much further ahead. 3) The more you prepare yourself, the more opportunities you’ll get. Don’t go to a lesson unless you’ve done your homework. When God starts taking you higher, prepare your speech, your wardrobe, and your mind. Consult a trusted friend who understands where you are, and where you need to go. If you can’t find one, read up until you grasp the basics. ‘A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing…’ (Proverbs 14:35 TLB). The more prepared you are, the more God will open doors of opportunity for you.

Hebrew 5-8, Matthew 15: 1-14, Psalm 149, Proverb 4: 25-27.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2015.

THRIVING IN THE COMBAT ZONE (1)

‘Share in the troubles we have like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.’ 2 Timothy 2:3 NCV

Salvation enlists you into the service of Jesus, the King of Kings. His battles become your battles, and His strategies your strategies. There are no exemptions; you’re ‘in for the long haul’. Satan has declared war on you, and it’s ‘conquer or be conquered’. He will attack you on three fronts. Let’s look at each: Firstly the attack from the world. Do you ever feel like you don’t ‘fit in’? You’re not supposed to! ‘…Don’t you realise that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God’ (James 4:4 NLT). The line has been drawn; there’s no peaceful coexistence in this war. What is ‘worldliness’? It’s not being in the world, but being like it. It’s not mixing with the world, but blending in with its self-centred values, its ‘relative’ morality and its attitudes toward God, His cause, His Word, and His people. The world’s hunger for power, popularity and self-promotion contradicts the principles of Scripture. ‘…Genuine religion in the sight of God [is]…refusing to let the world corrupt you’ (James 1:27 NLT). Jesus told us to avoid becoming swept up in the world’s obsession with material things, or its fear of not having enough to meet our needs (Matthew 6:25-34). You are called to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ (Matthew 5:13-14). You are to be the influencer, not the influenced. When the world can’t tell you apart from them, your light has gone out and your salt has lost its flavour.

Hebrew 9:1- 11: 16, Matthew 15: 15-28, Psalm 5, Proverb 5: 1-2

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2015.

THRIVING IN THE COMBAT ZONE (2)

‘…Make no provision for the flesh...’ Romans 13:14 NAS

The attack from the flesh. Your most vulnerable point is your ‘flesh’, which drives you to do your own thing. Its motto is ‘It’s all about me!’ From start to finish it ‘looks out for number one’, always wanting to be ‘first in line’. That’s the genetic make-up of our flesh. And it can’t be saved, sanctified, or spiritualised because ‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh…’ (John 3:6 NKJV) and nothing else. ‘The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should’ (Galatians 5:17 CEV). So how do you control your ‘flesh’? 1) Make a choice. ‘…Choose today whom you will serve…’ (Joshua 24:15 GWT). During the American Civil War thousands of Yankee and Confederate soldiers were killed by ‘friendly fire’. Why? Because they lacked uniforms that identified the side to which they belonged. Be clear about which side you’re on, and let those around you know it. 2) Cut the supply lines to the flesh. In war time, generals devote a lot of attention to blowing up bridges, highways and railroads to deprive the enemy of the vital supplies they need to win. Your flesh can’t control you if you cut off its supply line. ‘…Don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires’ (Romans 13:14 NLT). 3) Maintain regular communication with base command. Even well-trained soldiers with the finest equipment and best officers can’t win when they’re cut off from base command. So stay in touch: ‘Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion…’ (Ephesians 6:18 NLT).

Hebrew 11:17 - 13:25, Matthew 15:29-39, Ps 28, Proverbs 5: 3-6

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2015.

THRIVING IN THE COMBAT ZONE (3)

‘…God’s Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.’
1 John 4:4 NCV

The attack from satan. We either trivialise or exaggerate satan’s power and each spells trouble! The first makes you feel vulnerable; the second creates in you an unfounded fear. Understanding satan’s ways—and your weapons—equips you to handle his attacks and resist him. How can you do that? 1) By understanding that God effectively destroyed satan’s power through Christ’s victory at the cross. ‘He stripped the rulers and authorities of their power and made a public spectacle of them as He celebrated His victory in Christ’ (Colossians 2:15 GWT). Satan’s attempt to destroy Jesus backfired in a glorious defeat that allows you to celebrate your victory in Christ! 2) By understanding that ‘…God's Spirit, Who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.’ No power is greater than the Spirit of God Who lives within you. If you abide in Christ, satan can’t control or conquer you (John 15:7). Why? Because he would have to overcome Jesus to do it! 3) By understanding that, you can defeat satan because Jesus has ‘…given you authority over all the power of the enemy…’ (Luke 10:19 NLT). The criminal must submit to the police officer because the officer is vested with and backed up by the full authority of the government. So when you draw on the authority God has given you in Christ, satan has no choice; he must observe the limits you enforce against him. He can do nothing to you without your co-operation, and you don’t have to give it. And satan hopes you never discover that!

1 Kings 1-2, Matthew 16: 1-12, Psalm 33: 1-12, Proverbs 5:7-14

Tomorrow is the day of the Lord . Remember to keep it holy !

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

‘By faith Noah…built an ark to save his family...’ Hebrews 11:7 NIV

The story of Noah teaches us: 1) You can make a difference in your family. ‘By faith Noah…built an ark to save his family.’ Noah’s decision didn’t just benefit him personally, it saved his entire household. It took many years, but he did it. And by God’s grace you can win your family to Christ too. 2) You can make a difference for future generations. Noah not only survived the flood, but God used him to start the world all over again. What a calling! What an impact! What a legacy! ‘The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him…’ (2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT). God is looking for people who will partner with Him in fulfilling His purposes on earth. But to qualify: a) You must be willing to stand out from the crowd. Noah believed in his vision when nobody else did. Difference-makers are different. Don’t let that bother you. b) You must not be afraid to do something for the first time. Don’t let the words, ‘It’s never been done before’ keep you from obeying God. People probably told Noah, ‘It’s not raining. Who needs a boat?’ But they were wrong and Noah was right. c) You must endure the rain in order to see the rainbow. So take your stand and believe God, for what He’s promised He will perform (Jeremiah 1:12). 3) You can make a difference at any age. Stop putting yourself down because of your age. Noah was five hundred years old when he started preaching and building the ark. It’s not over til God says it’s over!

1 Kings 3-5, Matthew 16: 13-28,
Psalm 33: 13-22, Proverbs 5: 15-20

Monday FEBRUARY 23, 2015

DO IT NOW!

‘…Don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”' Proverbs 3:28 NLT

The Bible says: ‘Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbour now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you”' (vv. 27-28 NLT). Procrastination is deceptive. You don’t think of it as disobedience because you intend to obey God. It’s just that you’re going to do it…when you have more money, when you’re not so busy, when the holidays are over, when the kids go back to school, etc. Before God gives you an increase, He observes you with what you’ve already got. For example, there’s no point asking Him to give you more money so you can bless others, if you’re not blessing people with what He’s already given you. You say, ‘But I don’t have much at the moment.’ It’s not just about money. Are you capable of speaking a word of encouragement, or giving an hour of your time, or going out of your way to help someone in need? When God tells you to do something, He wants you to do it on His schedule, not yours. ‘Jesus said to another, “Follow me.” He said, “Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.” Jesus refused…Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.” Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day”’ (Luke 9:59-62 TM). The result of delayed obedience is lost opportunity. So do it now!

1 Kings 6-7, Matthew 17: 1-13, Psalm 36, Proverb 5: 21-23

Have a wonderful week ahead guys !

nice one lateef4me......

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2015

TAKING YOUR PLACE IN GOD’S FAMILY

‘God places the lonely in families...’ Psalms 68:6 NLT

Life in God’s family can be challenging. To enjoy and fulfil your role as a family member you must understand three things: 1) Your rights. When you trusted Christ as your Saviour you became a member of God’s redeemed family (John 3:3-6). That means you have the right to be accepted, loved, protected, respected, provided for, trained, equipped, and rewarded. Regardless of your past mistakes, God guarantees you these rights, so embrace and enjoy them. 2) The rules of the house. Without the rule of law, you end up with anarchy. And it’s the same in a family. Can you imagine what would happen if the kids ran the house? Well, God’s family isn’t a democracy. You don’t get to vote on the rules. God has established unchanging principles in His Word that guarantee His blessing. ‘If you are…obedient, you shall eat the good of the land’ (Isaiah 1:19 NKJV). 3) Our responsibilities to one another. You’re called to accept, love and help your brothers and sisters even when they’re selfish, immature, critical and irresponsible. Remember that God’s family is still ‘under construction’, but it’s much better than any other alternative! You need to participate in regular family life and activities. Early church believers met together ‘daily’ (Acts 2:46); as a result they survived all satan’s attempts to destroy them. So support the life and mission of your church family with your tithes, talent and time. Don’t just be a taker; ‘…God loves a cheerful giver’ (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

Exodus 20: 15, Joshua 7: 1-26, Malachi 3:8-11, Ephesian 4:28

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25,2015

ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES

‘…I am ready for anything...’ Philippians 4:13 PHPS

There’s a spiritual disease you need to be inoculated against—hardening of the attitudes. It’s a disease that makes you think your opinion is the only right one. And as long as life cooperates with you, you’re fine, but when it doesn’t, you charge ahead from one brick wall into another, bruised and bloodied, until you quit in frustration. Then you start blaming others, life, the devil, or God. Your faith may be well-intentioned, but faith without flexibility is just failure looming! Experienced kayakers know how to perform the ‘Eskimo roll’. It’s a technique that enables you to roll 360 degrees under the water and up again without drowning. It’s the strategy Paul used to overcome the challenges he faced in life. ‘…I have learned the secret of living in every situation…’ (v. 12 NLT). He didn’t acquire it naturally, or learn it at a ‘flexibility seminar’ or get it from a guru. He learned it in the rough-and-tumble school of patience, persistence, humility, self-denial, dedication and confidence in God. As a result he rolled with the punches of persecution, hunger, poverty, prison, and execution, never abdicating, while demonstrating how to ‘rejoice in the Lord always…’ (Philippians 4:4 NIV). When faith collides with reality, it flexes and holds on until victory emerges. It’s like a tree that bends in the storm, then bounces back. ‘I have learned…I am ready for anything through…the One who lives within me!’ (Philippians 4:12-14 PHPS). So learn to roll with the punches!

1 Kings 8-9, Matthew 17: 14- 27, Psalm 40:1-8, Proverb 6:1-5.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2015.

GOD IS AT WORK WITHIN YOU (1)

‘…God, who began the good work within you, will continue…until it is finally finished...’ Philippians 1:6 NLT

When Paul wrote to the Philippian believers, he told them God was at work in each of them. What an awesome truth! He wrote: ‘I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God’ (vv. 9-11 NLT). You say, ‘That’s a tall order!’ Yes, and you’ll never accomplish it through willpower, good intentions or self-effort. You must seek God for direction, submit to Him in all things, and draw strength from Him. Trying to do for yourself what only God can do is like trying to pick yourself up by your own bootstraps; it doesn’t work. You must entrust to God the job of equipping you for the work He’s called you to do. Yes, you need to do your part, but don’t try to do God’s part! ‘…We all…beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory
[degree by degree]…by the Spirit of the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV). What is it that changes us? ‘The Spirit of the Lord.’ He takes the pressure off, and relieves us of the stress and anxiety we so often feel when we try to ‘change’ ourselves.

1 Kings 10-11, Matthew 18:1-9, Psalm 40: 9-17, Prov 6:6-8

thanks for update lateef4me

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27,2015.

GOD IS AT WORK WITHIN YOU (2)

‘…God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.’ Philippians 2:13 NLT

The Bible says: ‘…It is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energising and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure…satisfaction and delight’ (AMP). We have a tendency to allow a hundred-and-one different things to crowd God out of our lives, so He creates within us the desire to do His will. When you desire to read your Bible, it’s God urging you to do it. When you desire to pray, it’s God moving you to do it. When you desire to give, it’s God motivating you to do it. Jesus said: ‘…I am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing…If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!’ (John 15:5,7 NLT). Note the word ‘dwell’; it means to live in and take up residence. So as you live in close relationship with Christ, the desires conceived within you are desires He can fulfil. When you sense that God has put certain desires in your heart, it’s important to pray and ask for those things. If you’re not sure whether or not they’re from Him, pray: ‘Lord, I believe You’ve put this desire in my heart so I am asking You to fulfil it. But I can be happy without it, because I am happy with You. Now it’s up to You to do whatever You want.’ Have you reached that place in your relationship with God yet?

1 Kings 12-13, Matthew 18:10-20, Psalms 53, Proverbs 6: 9-11.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2015.

KNOW WHAT TO FIGHT FOR

‘I press on…to win the prize...’ Philippians 3:14 NIV

The poorest person in the world isn’t the one without money, but the one without a God-given vision. Vision requires faith—and focus. Unless you understand what’s worth fighting for, you risk: 1) Fighting the wrong battles. 2) Fighting at the wrong time. 3) Fighting when you shouldn’t be involved. 4) Fighting because you need to win in order to feel good about yourself. 5) Fighting even though the battle is already lost but your pride won’t let you accept it. The most important thing is: stay focused on the goal God has given you. John Mason says, ‘Destiny delayed is the devil’s delight.’ If satan can’t defeat you outright, he’ll try to distract you with unimportant things, or disqualify you by getting you to make bad decisions. Either way, he wins and you lose. Just because something is good doesn’t mean it’s right for you. When your plate is full doing what God’s already given you to do, learn to say 'no' to everything else. Once you can do that, you free yourself from other people’s expectations and the need for their approval. Bear in mind also that ‘no’ doesn’t mean ‘never’; often it means ‘not now’. When you’re spread too thinly, you become mediocre at everything and effective at nothing. When you try to fight on every front, you wear yourself out and fail to win where it counts. Fighting a battle without spoils is like pouring water on a burning shack—unless somebody’s life is in danger it’s probably not worth it. So conserve your energy for when you have something really important at stake.

1 Kings 14-15, Matthew 18: 21-35, Psalms 58, Proverbs 6: 12-15

SUNDAY March 1, 2015.

YOU, TOO, BRUTUS?’ (1)

‘…It was my closest friend, the one I trusted most.’ Psalms 55:13 CEV

No dagger strikes as deeply as the thrust of betrayal. Maybe you identify with David’s story of treachery. It’s the cry of a wounded heart, a desperate prayer for relief. He’s overwhelmed and shaken to the core. If it had been an enemy ‘…then I could bear it…’ (v. 12 NKJV). But it was ‘my closest friend, the one I trusted most. We enjoyed being together, and we went…to your house, our God’ (vv. 13-14 CEV). It was a bitter pill to swallow—his bosom pal, the last one he’d ever suspect, the person he trusted with his deepest secrets, a brother in the faith and fellow worshipper! No wonder his heart was broken. He was in a life-threatening position because of a covenant-breaking friend. ‘As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises. His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!’ (vv. 20-21 NLT). How does David get beyond his grief? By doing these three things: 1) He acknowledges it. He verbalises the emotions he’s experiencing. 2) He talks to God about it. Instead of faking pseudo-courage, he shares his anguish with God. ‘Morning, noon, and night my complaints and groans go up to Him, and He will hear my voice’ (v. 17 GNT). 3) He turns his situation over to God. ‘Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders—He’ll carry your load…He'll never let good people topple into ruin…’ (v. 22 TM). Today, do those three things and you’ll get back on track again.

1 Kings 16: 1- 18:15, Matthew 19: 1-14, Psalm 61, Proverbs 6:16-19.

In MARCH, progress.
In MARCH, move forward.
In MARCH, attain greater heights!
Happy New Month.

David took the high road. Rather than talking to
others about his wounded heart, he aired his grief
and disappointment to God by scheduling three
times of prayer each day (Psalms 55:17).

During these conversations with his heavengly Father,
David made the choice to transfer the
responsibility of healing his heart to the Lord.
Surrounded by enemies and in mortal danger, he
knew God would humble his enemies and
guarantee his safety. When you take the low road
—following raw emotion instead of renewing your
mind with God’s Word (Romans 12:2)—your path
will be filled with wreckage and regrets. Here’s
what will happen

: 1) You’ll inhibit your capacity
for faith. The more you rehearse your hurts, the
more your faith is depleted.

2) You’ll destroy your
ability to work with others. Suspicion and distrust
will rob you of a healthy rapport with others.

3)You’ll be unable to receive help from others.
Trusting nobody but yourself makes you sceptical,
even paranoid, when others attempt to assist you.

4) You’ll be set up for loneliness. Others who
want to befriend you will pick up on your
defensiveness and avoid you. And worst of all,
your loneliness will be self-inflicted.

5) You’llhinder your own healing. A life devoid of genuine
arelationships will prevent your wounded heart
from healing.

6) You’ll remain trapped in the
past. Unless you’re moving forward, the past will
pull you under and hold you captive. Handling
betrayal God’s way is the only path to relief and
restoration.


Num 1-2 , Mark 3:1-19

MONDAY MARCH 2, 2015.

YOU, TOO, BRUTUS?’ (2)

‘God…will hear me and humble them.’ Psalms 55:19 NLT

David took the high road. Rather than talking to others about his wounded heart, he aired his grief and disappointment to God by scheduling three times of prayer each day (Psalms 55:17). During these conversations with his heavenly Father, David made the choice to transfer the responsibility of healing his heart to the Lord. Surrounded by enemies and in mortal danger, he knew God would humble his enemies and guarantee his safety. When you take the low road—following raw emotion instead of renewing your mind with God’s Word (Romans 12:2)—your path will be filled with wreckage and regrets. Here’s what will happen: 1) You’ll inhibit your capacity for faith. The more you rehearse your hurts, the more your faith is depleted. 2) You’ll destroy your ability to work with others. Suspicion and distrust will rob you of a healthy rapport with others. 3) You’ll be unable to receive help from others. Trusting nobody but yourself makes you sceptical, even paranoid, when others attempt to assist you. 4) You’ll be set up for loneliness. Others who want to befriend you will pick up on your defensiveness and avoid you. And worst of all, your loneliness will be self-inflicted. 5) You’ll hinder your own healing. A life devoid of genuine relationships will prevent your wounded heart from healing. 6) You’ll remain trapped in the past. Unless you’re moving forward, the past will pull you under and hold you captive. Handling betrayal God’s way is the only path to relief and restoration.

1 Kings 18:16 - 20:43, Matthew 19: 15-30, Psalm 66:1-12, Proverb 6:20-22

TUESDAY MARCH 3, 2015.

WHOLEHEARTEDLY

‘…[Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord...’
Genesis 15:6 AMP

Abraham came from a land of idol worshippers. He was the first in his family to serve the true God. To do it he had to overcome his background, his training and the opinions of those around him. In obedience to a God he didn’t fully know, he had to leave the security of home and head for a destination he couldn’t describe to anyone. Did he have flaws and weaknesses? Certainly—find someone who hasn’t. Did he make mistakes? Yes, big ones! But it’s mind-blowing what God will do for and through a man or woman who’ll ‘trust in, rely on and remain steadfast [to Him].’ One word sums up how Abraham served God: ‘wholeheartedly’. God made a covenant with Abraham promising him fame, wealth, long life, protection, and a miracle child in his old age. And Abraham’s blessings are promised to you when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour (Galatians 3:14). Tracking Abraham would have been easy because everywhere he went, he built an altar to God. There are several recorded in Scripture, the most famous being the one on which he laid his son Isaac (Genesis 22). There was nothing and no one Abraham loved more than God. And what God did for Abraham, He will do for you if you’ll serve Him wholeheartedly. He will cause people to look at you and say, ‘That man, that woman, serves a God who really cares about them; nobody else could make those things happen in their life.’ The blessing of God is what you get in exchange for wholehearted devotion. When you think about it, it’s a small price to pay.

Exodus 20:16, Proverbs 24:28, Matthew 5: 33-37, Acts 5: 1-11

WEDNESDAY MARCH 4, 2015.

TAKERS AND GIVERS

‘…It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35 NKJV

Are you a taker or a giver? If you’re not sure how to answer that question, think about certain TV personalities. Even though they have genuine talent, their main motivations are ratings, image, approval and profits. Check their background. Chances are that the little girl who dressed up like Cinderella and said, ‘Look at me,’ now lives and performs for the approval of the crowd. Or the little boy who shouted, ‘I’m Tarzan,’ now goes around with a sense of entitlement. John writes about a man in the church called Diotrephes, ‘who loves to have the pre-eminence…’ (3 John v. 9 NKJV). Leadership coach Dan Reiland observes: ‘If communicators teach out of need, insecurity, ego, or even responsibility, they’re not giving. The needy person wants praise, something the audience must give. The insecure person wants approval and acceptance, something the audience must give. The egotistical person wants to be lifted up, to be superior and just a little bit better than everyone else, something the audience must give. Even the person motivated by responsibility wants to be recognised as the faithful worker, to be seen as responsible—something the audience must bestow upon them. Many communicators teach in one of these modes all the time and aren’t aware of it. Then there’s the giver. This person teaches out of love, grace, gratitude, compassion, passion, and the overflow. These are all giving modes. In each of these modes of the heart the audience doesn’t have to give anything—only receive. The teaching then becomes a gift. It fills and renews.’ Today, ask God to help you become a giver and not a taker.

1 Kings 21-22, Matthew 20:1-16, Psalm 66: 13-20, Proverbs 6: 23-25

THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2015.

TAKE THE INITIATIVE

‘…It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

When the Good Samaritan saw the wounded man the priest and the Levite ‘passed by’, he took the initiative and went out of his way to help him. Jesus ended His parable by saying, ‘…Go and do likewise.’ (Luke 10:37 NKJV). Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart, taught all his employees ‘The 10-Foot Rule’. It says, ‘I promise that whenever I come within 10 feet of a customer I will look them in the eye, greet them and ask if I can help them.’ As a result, stores worldwide implement Sam’s rule every day. Most of us recognise the value of taking the initiative. We acknowledge its importance in relationships, yet we still don’t do it. We wait for the other person to make the first move. But all that does is lead to missed opportunities. Pastor Malcolm Bane observed, ‘If you wait until you can do everything for everybody, instead of something for somebody, you’ll end up not doing anything for anybody.’ If you’re serious about helping others, and you want to walk in God’s blessing, don’t wait—initiate! The ‘perfect moment’ seldom arrives. An old Jewish proverb says, ‘The wise do at once what the fool does at last.’ Initiating a conversation often feels awkward. Offering help means risking rejection. Giving to others can lead to misunderstanding. You won’t feel ready or comfortable in such moments; you just have to learn to get past those feelings of awkwardness and insecurity. To help people, you must go ahead and do what others never quite get around to. So right now take the initiative. Go out on a limb—that’s where the fruit is.

Revelation 1-4, Matthew 20:17-34, Psalm 70, Proverbs 6: 30-31

Prayer Must Be Your Top Priority (1)

Friday, 06 March 2015 00:05
'...He...often withdrew...and prayed.' Luke 5:16
NKJV
Prayer is foundational to your individual Christian
life, and also to the life and ministry of your
church. Like a foundation that secures a building,
prayer gives you something trustworthy on which
to rest. No wonder Satan works overtime to keep
you busy and distracted so that you lose regular
in–depth communication with your heavenly
Father. But there’s one person against whom
Satan couldn’t make headway, when it came to
trying to disrupt His prayer life: Jesus. And He’s
the great example of what your prayer life should
be. He began and ended His public ministry in
prayer. In Mark chapter one, on one of the
busiest days of His life, we see Jesus getting up
before daylight to pray. Luke writes, ‘ He…often
withdrew…and prayed .’ It was His regular daily
habit! In the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed
with an intensity none of us will ever know. No
wonder the disciples asked Him to teach them
how to pray. Just how important is prayer? Ask
Peter. It was the prayers of Christ that kept him
from being destroyed completely when he denied
his Lord; they salvaged him, and eventually
promoted him to leadership in the church. And
the only reason you don’t fail more often is
because Jesus is praying for you, too (John
17:20; Hebrews 7:25). The application is pretty
obvious: if Jesus needed to pray—so do you.
Furthermore, if you’re waiting until you feel like
it, or for the Spirit to move you to pray, you’re
missing something. The Holy Spirit has already
moved you to pray—through the instruction and
example Christ left you.


SoulFood: Rev 10-14, Luke 14:1-14, Ps
136:13-26, Prov 6:32-35

Prayer Must Be Your Top Priority (2)

Saturday, 07 March 2015 00:16

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in
prayer.' 1 Timothy 2:8 NIV


In training Timothy for the ministry, Paul wanted
him to understand how the church works. So he
began with the important stuff like prayer. In
essence, Paul was saying, ‘Before you do
anything else, pray. Before you teach anything
else, teach your people to pray.’ Why? Because if
you’re not aligned with the things of God, you
won’t succeed! Most of us understand this
intellectually. We say a quick prayer as we’re
running out of the door. We say grace before a
meal. We open our church services with prayer.
But few of us grasp the real importance of
prayer, and Paul didn’t want Timothy to be
misled or misinformed about the place of prayer
in the church. We dare not fool ourselves into
thinking we can ‘make things happen’ without
prayer. If a church isn’t a praying church, it
doesn’t matter how well the pastor preaches or
the choir sings, or how nice the building is. For it
to succeed, Jesus said, ‘…My house shall be a
house of prayer… ’ ( Luke 19:46 NAS) Oswald
Chambers said, ‘We look upon prayer as a means
of getting things for ourselves: the Bible’s idea
of prayer is that we may get to know God
Himself.’ You aren’t coming to church just to
hear a lively sermon or a good song, you’re
coming to meet with God. The pastor and the
choir are vehicles through which He can speak,
but there’s no substitute for prayer. It’s not
merely a nice sentiment; your spiritual growth
and survival depend on it. So if you’ve got out of
the habit of praying—right now get back into it!

SoulFood: Rev 15-18 , Luke 14:15-24 , Ps
106:1-23 , Prov 7:1-2

SUNDAY MARCH 8, 2015.

PRAYER MUST BE YOUR TOP PRIORITY (3)

‘…Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.’ Luke 18:1 NKJV

If someone threatened your home or community, wouldn’t you defend them? They are under attack, but the enemy’s invisible. And Paul says the lion’s share of responsibility for stopping these attacks belongs to Christian men. ‘I want men everywhere to…[pray]’ (1 Timothy 2:8 NIV). Here the word ‘men’ isn’t the generic term for the human race or mankind; it’s specific to ‘males’. Now, we’re not saying only men are supposed to pray. Every Christian must. Nor are we saying prayer is the only thing to do. But it’s the first thing to do! John Bunyan said, ‘You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but you can’t do more than pray until you’ve prayed.’ James said, ‘…The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much’ (James 5:16 NAS). Note the word ‘righteous’. Every believer is clothed with the righteousness of Christ, which means you’re in right standing before God. There are two kinds of righteousness: positional and practical. There’s righteousness you need to practise daily as you allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse, fill and use you. Just like you don’t want to drink from a dirty cup, God doesn’t want to hear the prayers of a Christian whose life is fouled up with junk. The prayer God answers: 1) is offered by a clean heart; 2) has a seriousness and intensity that shows you’re not just throwing out a few wishes to see which ones God might pick up on; 3) lines up with God’s Word and purposes; 4) comes from an undivided heart, because ‘…a double-minded man receives nothing from the Lord’ (James 1:6-.

Revelation 15-18, Matthew 21: 33-46, Psalm 136: 13-26, Proverbs 6:32-35

thanks lateef

9 MARCH 2015

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...’

John 1:14

Throughout the Old Testament God routinely spoke to people. In these thirty-nine books He gave them instructions and promises with conditions. Some people understood what He was saying, others didn’t. Some tried to live by it with varying degrees of success, while others rejected it and decided to do their own thing. Then God did something truly incredible: ‘The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish’ (v. 14 TM). Jesus was a living Bible! John tells us, ‘…The Word was God’ (v.1 NKJV), so the more you get into the Word and get it into you, the more of God you’re depositing within you. You say, ‘But sometimes I don’t get much out of reading the Bible.’ A word to the wise: when you start studying the Bible, don’t do it to find some new truth nobody else has ever seen. Do it with the attitude, ‘Lord, what are You saying to me?’ The problem most of us have isn’t interpreting the difficult passages; it’s obeying the ones we already understand! The Word of God provides you with two things: 1) Protection. The Psalmist said, ‘Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life’ (Psalms 119:92-93 NKJV). 2) Direction. ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path’ (v.105 NKJV). Do you need direction? Do you need protection? Get into God’s Word.

 Number 13-14, Mark 6:1-29

TUESDAY MARCH 10, 2015.

YOUR DAILY DEVOTIONS (1)

‘…Your servant, who is devoted…to…You.’ Psalms 119:38 NKJV

The word ‘devotion’ implies total commitment to someone—giving them your time and attention, enjoying their company, seeking to please them, and making them a priority in your life. And that should be the goal of your daily devotions. But here are two pitfalls to look out for and avoid: 1) ‘Me-itis’. God has promised to bless you, but when you seek His blessing instead of pursuing a relationship with Him, you become me-centred rather than Christ-centred. The truth is you can pray until you’re blue in the face but God won’t give you certain things, if you’re not mature enough to handle them. More than anything in life, Abraham wanted a son. And God gave him one. Yet when God asked him to offer his son as a sacrifice, he didn’t hesitate. Abraham proved there was nothing he loved more than God, therefore God promised to bless him and multiply all that he possessed (Genesis 22:17). Abraham became one of the most successful men of his generation, but his real claim to fame was that God referred to him as a ‘friend’(Isaiah41:8NKJV). 2) Being too busy. One of the dangers in working for God is that you can fail to spend time worshipping Him. The Psalmist said, ‘Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name…’ (Psalms 29:2 NIV). The word ‘due’ means ‘deserving of’. When John saw the multitudes in heaven praising God, they were singing, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power…’ (Revelation 4:11 NIV). So start your daily devotions in praise by saying: ‘Lord, I’m here because You deserve to be worshipped and adored.’

Exodus 20: 17, 2 Kings 5:1-27, Ecclesiaste 5:10, Luke 12: 13-34.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 2015.

YOUR DAILY DEVOTIONS (2)

‘…I will lead them...’ Isaiah 42:16 NKJV

Another goal of your daily devotions should be: guidance. Without God’s input you’re at the mercy of your own best thinking—and that should concern you greatly! The Psalmist wrote, ‘Show me Your ways…teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Saviour, and my hope is in You all day long.’ (Psalms 25:4-5 NIV). God said through the prophet Isaiah: ‘I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them and not forsake them.’ (Isaiah 42:16 NKJV). The path you take determines your destination, so before you decide to go in a given direction, talk to God. And don’t be surprised when He takes you down a road ‘you have not known’. You must trust that God knows what He’s doing. Blaise Pascal said, ‘All of man’s troubles stem from his inability to sit quietly in a room alone.’ In this fast-paced age you must take time to slow down, collect your thoughts, evaluate what’s happening around you, and get direction from the One who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). Jesus told His disciples to ‘come apart’ in order to be rejuvenated physically and spiritually (Mark 6:31). The Bible says, ‘…When they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.’. (Mark 4:34 NKJV). There are certain things God will explain to you only when you take the time to be alone with Him.

2 King 1:1 - 4:17, Matthew 22: 15-33, Psalm 106: 24-48, Proverb 7: 3-5