Don’t “Turn A Blind Eye!” DAILY DEVOTIONS BY JENTENZEN FRANKLIN SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2018

“He will separate them one from another.” Mt 25:32 NKJV

The Bible says: “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom’” (vv. 32-34 NKJV). But here’s what happens to those on the left hand: “He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me’” (v. 41 NKJV). What determines His choice? How does He separate people? Is it based on the fact that one group was highly moral while the other was loose-living? Is it based on the fact that one group was doctrinally correct while the other went astray theologically? No. Jesus said the destiny of all present will be based on one thing: showing compassion to those in need. You object: “We are saved by faith alone!” Yes. But as Martin Luther pointed out, “The faith that saves us is never alone!” The Bible says that faith without works is dead (See Jas 2:26). Jesus said that this was the standard by which we’ll be evaluated and rewarded: “I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Mt 25:36 NKJV). Then He personalized it in these words: “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (v. 40 NKJV). That means you must open your heart and respond to the needs around you.

Ucb Word for Today: Looking after our finances (1) Sunday 11 February, 2018

‘The wise have wealth…but fools spend whatever they get.’  Proverbs 21:20 NLT

It’s never too early to think about our future, and to try and get into good habits now, so we’re really well prepared for any circumstance we might have to face. And one of the things that’s important for us to learn to manage well is our money. So let’s start by looking at Proverbs 21:20: ‘The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get’ (NLT). God isn’t against us having wealth and possessions, but He is concerned when we don’t use them well. In the proverb, those who have planned well and saved when they can are described positively, but those who have wasted their resources are harshly described as ‘fools’. So does that mean we should try and hoard up as much as we can? No, because one of the ways we can use our money well (or any of the resources God’s blessed us with) is to use it to help God’s kingdom. Take a look at the Parable of the Three Servants in Matthew 25 – it’s a reminder of how we can serve God by using what He’s already given us. God doesn’t demand that we give a certain amount. ‘Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver’ (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV). It’s about finding a balance – we need to work out what we need to live on, what we should give, and what we should save. And to do that, we need God’s wisdom. If you’re feeling you need wisdom today, remember the words of James 1:5: ‘If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you’ (NLT).

What Now? Think about whether there’s something you could give up each week and give the money you’d usually spend on it to your church. For example, if you visit a coffee shop every day, resolve to miss a day, or buy a small drink instead of a large one.

Bible in a Year: Luke 2:25-52, Psalm 16-17

UCB Word for Today: Keep pressing on Saturday 10 February, 2018

Straining towards what is ahead, I press on.’

Philippians 3:13-14 NIVUK (2011 Edition)

Developing your faith is like taking swimming lessons. Observe: 1) Fear is like water; if you let it, it will take you under. 2) You can only tread water for so long before you drown. 3) When you reach a certain point, there’s no turning back. 4) Faith is like the air in your lungs; it will sustain you and keep you afloat if you just relax. Have you ever watched a seasoned swimmer? Stroke after stroke, he takes what’s infront of him and pushes it behind him, letting it propel him towards his goal. He literally takes what stands between him and his goal, and uses it to get there. Sometimes we despair and say, ‘I’m just keeping my head above water,’ and that’s okay as long as you keep ‘stroking’ and pressing on. It’s when you feel backed into a corner with nowhere to turn, that you’ve got to take hold of the faith God has placed within you and keep moving forward. Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force’ (Matthew 11:12 KJV). The word ‘violence’ suggests ferocity, passion, and intensity. You must be relentless and fight your way through, confident that God is on your side – because He is (see Psalm 56:9). The waters you’re in don’t determine your destiny; they either carry you over or take you under. It takes faith to keep going. When you quit, God can do nothing more for you! So today whether you’re doing the breaststroke, the backstroke, or some other kind of stroke that nobody’s ever heard of – keep pressing on.

Exodus 36-38, Matthew 23:1-22

Open Heavens Daily Devotional: Don’t Waste God’s Grace by Pastor Adeboye, Thursday 1st February 2018:

Topic: Don’t Waste God’s Grace [Open Heavens 1st Thursday, February 2018]

Memorise: “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” – 2 Corinthians 6:1

Read: Genesis 6:1-8 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 20-21, Romans 7

MESSAGE

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" - Romans 3:23

When you consider the implication of the above verse of scripture, and compare it with the way God related with Noah in today’s Bible text, you will understand that Noah’s story is a classical example of the grace of God at work in someone’s life. To help you realize the enormity of God’s grace and what it can do for you, consider that at the time when the entire world was condemned to destruction by divine verdict, Noah was spared because he enjoyed divine grace. Genesis 6:7-8 says:

“7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

Having understood the enormity of God’s grace, the wise at heart will earnestly seek to be blessed by it. As the grace of God spoke for Noah, I pray that it will speak for you at the point of your inadequacies in Jesus’s Name. Without God’s grace, no man can escape His judgement. This special grace of God is personified in Jesus Christ, God’s own Son (Titus 2:11). He is calling everyone today to come and partake of God’s benevolent grace in the form of the salvation He makes available for all mankind. Have you partaken of the grace of God available in Jesus Christ? If you haven’t what are you waiting for? Today is the day of salvation; remember that tomorrow may be too late (2 Corinthians 6:2).

If you have received God’s grace in Jesus Christ, please don’t take it for granted. Our memory verse implores us not to receive the grace of God in vain. Noah did not waste God’s grace upon his life. He promptly acted on God’s instructions by building the ark according to His specifications, or are you living as if your own heaven will be different from that of the early disciples? If you reject God’s grace after hearing that it is available for you, or you end up missing heaven, you would have wasted this great grace. What a great waste that would be! I pray that this will not be your story in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, in any area of my life Your grace is lying fallow or being wasted, open the eyes of my enlightenment to correct it in Jesus’ Name.

Hymn 2: I Need Thee Every Hour

1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Chorus:

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee;

Oh, bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;

Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Word For Today:The marriage covenant (1) 1 FEBRUARY 2018

‘For those who are married, I have a command that comes…from the Lord.’  1 Corinthians 7:10 NLT

Having God’s blessing on your marriage is contingent upon your operating according to His rules. To enjoy His protection, peace, and prosperity you must follow His instructions. For example, you can spend hours arguing and still not resolve the issue, when if you’d just followed God’s rules, the argument could have been over in a matter of minutes. And both parties would have been satisfied at the end of the process. When your car breaks down, you take it back to the dealership. Why? Because they sold it to you and they know how to fix it! God performed the first marriage. So, when your relationship gets into trouble, if you’re wise you’ll talk to Him about it before talking to each other. Furthermore, when you get married with the attitude, ‘If this doesn’t work out I can always get a divorce,’ you’re running in the opposite direction from the truth of God’s Word. Paul writes: ‘For those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife’ (vv. 10-11 NLT). Yes, there are some acceptable reasons for divorce, but they are the exception and not the rule! Recently a Hollywood celebrity spent millions of dollars on her wedding and then divorced her husband two months later on the grounds of ‘incompatibility’. When you say, ‘Till death us do part,’ you say it before God and you’re supposed to mean it.

Bible in a Year: Exodus 19-20, Matthew 18:1-20

The Pluses And Minuses Of Role Models DAILY DEVOTIONS BY JENTENZEN FRANKLIN, FEBRUARY 01, 2018

“By the grace of God I am what I am.”       1Co 15:10 NIV

We all need good role models. But when you devote your life to being like somebody else, you risk becoming something God doesn’t want you to be. Always remember, your “heroes” wrestle with blind spots and character flaws too. Paul said, “I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I  persecuted the church of God” (v. 9 NIV). The same thing with Peter: When Cornelius sent for him, we’re told that as he “entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man myself’” (Ac 10:25-26 NIV). If you’re successful in life, you’ll adopt that same attitude. The danger in hero worship comes from forfeiting your individuality and missing the path God has mapped out for you personally. Some of the lessons God teaches us may be similar, but another person’s purpose, gifting, journey, and time-frame will be different from yours. For example, a friend starts a business and makes money, but when you quit your job and follow in his footsteps you go broke. Or a co-worker wears something that looks great on her, but on you the same outfit looks like a sack tied in the middle. God is “jealous” concerning you (See Dt 4:24). Why? Because He wants to protect you from anything that would rob you of your uniqueness, or threaten your relationship with Him. Bottom line: If you want to be on safe ground, make Jesus your role model and you’ll win every time

Sunday School Guide: First Thing First, 28 January, 2017

Sunday School Guide NCSCSCW

Sunday 28 January, 2018

Topic: First Thing First
Text: 2 Chronicles 20:1-21, Matthew 6:19-34
Memory Verse: Matthew 6:
[33]Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need(NLT).

Bible Discourse: Matthew 6:21 "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be".

INTRODUCTION
Jesus knew that a time is coming and is now, that people will be conscious of material and mundane things of the world, thereby making the kingdom of God less valuable. Materialism has diverted the attention of the so called people of God, and many have involved themselves in so many fetish things and have committed all sorts of atrocities, ignoring the warning that Jesus gave that we should lay our treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust will corrupt and where thieves will not break through nor steal.

There are procedures and processes of life. Bible has its own standing rule, where when you key into it, everything will work out . You cannot be admitted into a University of higher learning without going through the processes of obtaining your Waec/GCE, then your Jamb. The same procedure is applicable to Christians. Our toiling is in vain without doing the first thing first. "Matthew 6
[25]“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?.
Everything we need in life is in God's warehouse, but we cannot have it unless we obey His instructions. Matthew 6
[32] "These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs".

Bible Exploration: Luke 5:1-9 NLT
[1]One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God.
[2]He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.
[3]Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
[4]When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
[5]“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”
[6]And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!
[7]A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
[8]When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.”
[9]For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.

Bible Focus:
1 John 2
[16]For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

Bible Application: John 4
[34]Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

Reflection: Psalms 16
[6]The land you have given me is a pleasant land.     What a wonderful inheritance!

Question: Does this generation or the so called Christian seek the first thing first.

Happy Sunday!

The God of the Here and Now By Ray Stedman, January 28, 2018

Read the Scripture: John 11:1-54
"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:21-26)

Martha greets Jesus with a phrase that must have been frequently on all of their lips when Lazarus was sick: "Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died." I do not believe this is a word of reproach. Martha is not saying, "Lord, why didn't you come sooner? We sent for you. If you had responded we wouldn't be in this pickle." It is clear that she realizes the message did not reach him until Lazarus was dead. There was no way he could have responded and gotten there before Lazarus died. Martha's word is not one of reproach, but rather one of regret: "Lord, I wish you could have been here, because if you had, my brother would not have died."

Then she goes on to say, "But even now, whatever you ask of God, he will give it to you." Many ask at this point, "What does she expect? What is it that she wants from him?" Some say that she really did expect Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead. But they seem to miss the point because the very next word of Jesus is, "Your brother will rise again." If Martha had any idea that that would happen then, she would have said, "How wonderful, Lord! That is exactly what I expected you to do now that you have come." But she does not say that. What she says is, "Yes, I know. He will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." No, Martha is not looking for the immediate resurrection of her brother.
What, then, is she looking for from Jesus? What does she mean by the words, "Even now, whatever you ask of God, God will give it to you?" We have to conclude that she is looking for his comfort, for the release that God can give to a heart that is burdened and saddened, torn with grief, anticipating the loneliness and emptiness of the days ahead. God can give marvelous inward peace. Many have testified to that.
As we listen to this we can see that Martha's faith is placed right where ours often is, in what she thought would happen, not in who Jesus is and whom she is dealing with. How many times have you said to yourself, "I know God has worked in the past, and I know that he will work again in the future, but today, well, this is not the day of miracles?" In the daily grind of life our world seems to be so barren of miracles that we think,
"Those days have gone. God can't work now. He will work again, though..." This is Martha's faith—in the future, at the resurrection of the last day. Her theology is accurate, but she has forgotten that God is right there in the here and now.
That is what Jesus brings to her attention. Notice how he shifts the focus back from the program to his Person, in the words, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Even in the grammar of this passage the focus is on the first word, "I, I am the resurrection and the life." Jesus is saying that wherever he is, then anything God ever did or can do can happen! That is where faith ought to be fastened. That is what we ought to remember.

Prayer
Thank you, Father, for this encouraging word, this reminder of the mighty power of our Lord, he who is Master of life and of death.
Life Application: Do our theological boxes serve to limit our expectations and/or experience of God's wisdom and sovereign power? Do we live each day with joyful trust in His agenda?

We hope you were blessed by this daily devotion.

From your friends at www.RayStedman.org

UCB Word for Today: A small change can make a big difference 28 JANUARY 2018

Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings?’  Zechariah 4:10 MSG Imagine the temple lying in ruins, and having to be rebuilt from the ground up. That’s what things were like when Zechariah shared his vision with the people of Israel. Some thought it couldn’t be done, and others thought that their particular contribution would make no difference. So Zechariah challenged them in these words: ‘Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!’ In 1963, MIT meteorologist Edward Lorenz presented the hypothesis that became known as the butterfly effect. He theorised that a minor event, like the flapping of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil, could conceivably alter wind currents sufficiently to cause a tornado in Texas. Lorenz came to the simple yet profound conclusion: ‘Minuscule changes in input can make macroscopic differences in output.’ That simple discovery has the power to change your life. It can radically alter your spiritual, emotional, relational, or financial forecast. It can change the atmosphere of your organisation or your marriage. One decision. One change. One risk. One idea. That’s all it takes. You don’t have to make one hundred changes. All that does is divide your energy by one hundred, and results in a 1 per cent chance of success. You have to be 100 per cent committed to one change. It will take an all-out effort. It will probably be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. But that one change has the potential to make a 100 per cent difference in your life.

Bible in a Year: Luke 1:57-80, Psalm 10-12

S.O.S. Prayers DAILY DEVOTION BY JENTENZEN FRANKLIN, JANUARY 26, 2018

One day a woman was driving through the countryside when she saw a tornado approaching, so she hid behind her car and watched as it demolished a nearby house. Running over to what was now a hole in the ground, she saw a man hunkered down with his eyes closed. “Are you okay? Is there anybody down there with you?” she asked. “No,” he replied. “Just me and God having an urgent conversation!” Nothing fuels prayer like real need; in a crisis even unbelievers will pray. 

There are some issues in life we simply can’t resolve on our own, hence the Psalmist wrote, “When I am in trouble, I pray, knowing you…listen” (Ps 86:7 CEV). Sometimes our prayers are simply cries for help meant for God’s ears only. When you’re out of options, your faith develops fast and emergencies become opportunities to experience God’s grace and power in a greater way. 

So if you’re in an S.O.S. situation today, here’s a prayer God will answer: “Father, it feels like I’m in an impossible position with no way out. Let me feel Your presence and the encouragement of Your Spirit, reminding me that with You all things are possible to those who believe. Send the answer from heaven to my earthly situation. From where I stand, things look hopeless. But You are the God who created the earth from nothing, and rolled back the Red Sea so Your children could cross over safely. You made the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the deaf to hear. Today I thank You that You’re my God, and that You are ‘always ready to help in times of trouble.’”

Daily Hope: If God Is for Us, Who Can Be Against Us? By Rick Warren — Jan 26, 2018

“Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3 NLT). God is for your success in life; he created you for a purpose and wants you to succeed. It is God, your Creator, who will measure your success in life, and no one else. Knowing God is for you will change your whole perspective on life. You’ll stop thinking of God as someone looking down from Heaven, ready to yell “Gotcha!” anytime you mess up. This is extremely good news! It means you don’t need to be afraid of God, because God is for you. Yet some people are so afraid of God that they get nervous just talking about him. Do you know why? They feel guilty, and then they start thinking, “If I get close to God, he’s going to lecture me. He’s going to remind me of all the things I’ve done wrong, and then I’ll feel even worse!” Nothing could be further from the truth of God. Jesus said, “I did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” In effect, Jesus is saying, “I didn’t come to scold you; I came to save you.”  If God is for us, who can be against us?  PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Why do we sometimes think God is ready to yell “Gotcha!” anytime we mess up?  How does knowing that God is for you change your perspective on life?

Daily Hope: Your Integrity Shows Your Faithfulness By Rick Warren — Jan 18, 2018

 

“Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones” (Luke 16:10 GNT).

A common saying today is that “what you do in your private life is nobody else’s business.” Well, it actually is. What you do in your private life — what you do behind closed doors or out of view of other people — builds and reveals your true character. And God sees it just as clearly as the things you do in public.

In fact, the small, unseen things you do are the seeds to God’s public blessing on your life. You cannot compartmentalize your life and say, “I have integrity in my public life, just not in my private life.” I bet you could make a list right now of public figures that have tried to live this way only to have their private indiscretions turn into public scandal and personal downfall. No matter what they say, any leader who is not faithful in small matters will not be faithful in large matters.

Jesus says, “If you have not been faithful with that which belongs to someone else, who will give you what belongs to you?” (Luke 16:12 GNT).

For centuries, everybody who learned a skill, trade, or vocation learned it through an apprenticeship. If you were going to be a mechanic, you apprenticed to another mechanic and served in his (or her) business before you started your own.

This principle of apprenticeship applies to every area of your life. It applies to how you handle other people’s money, how you handle other people’s possessions, and even how you handle other people’s ministry before God gives you your own.

Before God gave me my own ministry, I served as a youth pastor under another man’s ministry. God was watching how I handled it; he was testing my integrity. I needed to prove my faithfulness in that ministry before God would allow me to lead the ministry of Saddleback Church.

If someone loans you a car, how well do you take care of it? If a family lets you stay in their house for vacation, do you treat it as well as you treat your own home? God is watching and testing your integrity. And he will reward you accordingly.



PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

How does your faith influence and shape your integrity?

How does integrity reveal a person’s level of faithfulness?

What does the Bible mean when it says, “Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones” (Luke 16:10 GNT)? How have you seen that to be true in your life?

UCB: The difference between Samson and Samuel (1) 17 JANUARY 2018

Samson and Samuel are mentioned in the same Scripture, but there are big differences between them. You ask, ‘Why should I be interested?’ Because as a Christian, you are like them. Each had a miraculous birth, so they’re a picture of those who’ve been born again and called to serve God. Paul writes, ‘These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition…Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall’ (1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NKJV). Difference one: Finances. Samson was greedy and manipulating, whereas Samuel practised integrity. One day Samson bet thirty Philistine princes that they couldn’t solve his riddle, saying, ‘If you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing’ (Judges 14:13 NKJV). Quite a wardrobe, eh? Samson’s emphasis was ‘you shall give me’. He’s an example of Christians in business who discredit the cause of Christ by unethical practices, and those in ministry who twist the Scriptures and resort to emotional manipulation to raise money. The world is watching, so let’s heed the Scripture: ‘Provide things honest in the sight of all men’ (Romans 12:17 KJV). Samuel was totally different. After forty years of his exemplary leadership, the people paid this tribute to him: ‘You have not cheated or oppressed us’ (1 Samuel 12:4 NKJV). When others can say that about you, you did it right! Jesus said, ‘Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’ (Matthew 6:21 KJV). The condition of your heart is revealed in how you handle finances.

Genesis 36-38, Matthew 1:17-42

Daily Hope: Do Good to Those Who Oppose You By Rick Warren — Jan 17, 2018

 



“Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also” (Luke 6:27-29 NLT).

When you’re persecuted, harassed, and face opposition, you need to respond with a blessing.

Jesus says in Luke 6:27-29, “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also” (NLT).

Who does that?! Not many people, actually. It’s what sets Christians apart, because it’s not a natural or popular or easy response.

It takes a lot of courage to do those things! Any fool can fight back. Anyone can fight back. Anyone can retaliate. Anyone can respond with something mean.”

God wants you to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who hurt you, and turn the other cheek. Is that easy? No. You can only do it by being filled with God’s love. But it is the most powerful form of witness.

In the movie The Butler, we see how the Freedom Riders, who fought racism and segregation in the South during the Civil Rights Movement, trained people how to not retaliate when they were hit, spit on, cursed, pushed, or hit by food that people threw at them. It’s a very powerful scene of taking a nonviolent stance.

As I watched that scene, tears started coming down my face. I thought, “I want to be that kind of person for Jesus. I want to be that brave. I want to have a heart of courage that won’t cave in to what’s wrong, no matter what they throw at me. And I want to respond with love.”

When you refuse to retaliate and instead respond in love at work or with somebody who doesn’t like you, God will be pleased. And you’re going to be blessed.

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven” (Matthew 5:10-12 NLT).

Jesus paid a price for you. He says there’s a price to be paid for following him. Popularity on Earth is not part of the guarantee of being a Christian, but your reward in Heaven is guaranteed.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>


Talk It Over

What has your faith cost you — and have you ever regretted that cost?

How do you handle insults or rejection because of your faith? What’s the limit on how much you’re willing to suffer for Jesus Christ?

How has your faith been shaped by choosing to respond in love and not with retaliation — or by watching other Christians respond that way?

Daily Hope: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit By Rick Warren — Jan 13, 2018





“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT).

The difference between faithful people and unfaithful people is that faithful people don’t give up at the first sign of difficulty. They keep on keeping on. Faithful people are determined. Faithful people are diligent. Faithful people are persistent. Faithful people don’t know how to quit. You know how a little acorn becomes an oak tree? An oak tree is just an acorn that refused to give up.

I’m not that smart, but I do know one thing: It is always too soon to quit. You are never a failure until you quit, and it’s always too soon to quit. God uses tough times to test our persistence.

When we started Saddleback, I preached the first sermon to one person: my wife. She thought it was too long. Thirty-one years later, she’s still saying my sermons are too long!

I thought when we started a church we’d get a building quickly. We went 15 years without a building. In the first 13 years of Saddleback Church, we used 79 different facilities. You know how many times I felt like giving up? Nearly every Monday morning! But I don’t know how to quit. And God said, “Rick, if I never give the church a building, would you still serve me?” And I said, “Absolutely!”

Saddleback grew to more than 10,000 people before we built our first building. How would you like to set up and take down a church for 10,000 people every week? There’s not a lot of glory in that. It’s just hard work. God uses tough times to test our persistence.

If you’re going through tough times right now, then this Scripture is for you: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT).

God is more interested in what you’re becoming than in what’s happening to you. He often allows trials, troubles, tribulations, and problems in your life to teach you diligence, determination, and character. The problem you’re going through right now? It’s a test of your faithfulness. Will you continue to serve God even when life is tough?

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).



Talk It Over

Why do you think God is more interested in what you’re becoming than in what’s happening to you?

How will knowing God is working in your difficult circumstances change the way you’ll respond to them?

In what situation are you ready to give up? What will it take to trust God as you persevere through this situation?

Open Heaven Devotional: I Shall Not Be Ashamed By Pastor E A Adeboye - January 6, 2017

Topic: I Shall Not Be Ashamed — Saturday 6, January 2018

Memorise: I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. – Psalms 119:31

Read: Isaiah 54:4-5 (KJV)

4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 14-16, Revelation 5:1-6:2, Hymn: Sing Hymn 3: What Can Wash Away My Sins

MESSAGE:

Shame is an undesirable experience of life. It is the outcome of disgrace, humiliation, reproach or degradation. It can simply be described as the loss of honour or respect as a result of wrongdoing or failure. The Bible reveals that shame has its origin in the fall of man in the Garden of Eden:

“And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” - Genesis 3:7

When Adam and Eve engaged in gross disobedience to the commandment of God, the end result was shame. Shame is inevitable for whosoever will not give due regard to the commandments or instructions that come from the Lord. The devil delights in using the spirit of rebellion as a tool to knock people down from grace to grass. This was the case with King Saul. When he acted contrary to God’s clear instructions, the end result was the shame of rejection. God rejected him as king over His people Israel. 1 Samuel 15:26 says:

“And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.”

Are you experiencing any form of shame in your life? Has the devil succeeded in dragging you from grace to grass? I have good news for you today: No matter how terrible your past life has been, the Lord will wipe away your shame today in Jesus' Name. In today’s Bible reading, the Almighty God expressly gives you the assurance that beginning from now, your shame shall become history. To enforce the fulfilment of this prophetic message in your life, you must make a heartfelt cry for mercy through genuine repentance of those sins that have brought you shame.Proverbs 28:13

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

Furthermore, you need to call upon the Lord like the Psalmist in today’s memory verse. What is that shame in your life right now? Is it the shame of sin, sickness, barrenness, or loneliness as a result of a broken home or ailing marriage? An end has come to it today; only believe! Be assured that the God who said you shall forget your shame is well able to do what He has said in His word. Indeed your shame shall become a thing of the past in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, remove my shame and cover my nakedness today in Jesus' Name.

Hymn 3: What Can Wash Away My Sins

1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Chorus:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2. For my cleansing this I see
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my plea
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

3. Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, 'tis all of grace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

4. This is all my hope and peace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness

Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Secrets Of Self-Control (3) DAILY DEVOTIONS BY JENTENZEN FRANKLIN JANUARY 06, 2018

“The grace of God…teaches us to say ‘No.’”        Tit 2:11-12 NIV

Talk back to your feelings. We put far too much emphasis on our feelings. We think everything has to feel good or it’s not worthwhile. We say things like, “I don’t feel like studying…I don’t feel like working…I don’t feel like reading my Bible.” Or, “I feel like having another drink…I feel like sleeping until noon.” Don’t give your feelings so much authority. Feelings are highly unreliable; if you allow them, they will control and manipulate you. God doesn’t want you to be controlled by your feelings; He wants you to master your moods. With Christ as the Master of your life, you can master your feelings. Talk back to them. God says He wants you to learn how to challenge your emotions. “The grace of God…teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives” (vv. 11-12 NIV). God’s grace gives you the power to do what’s right. It gives you the ability to say no to that feeling, to that desire, to that impulse. Are you battling a weight problem? Before you ever walk into the kitchen and open the refrigerator door, you have already begun to talk to yourself about eating. If you are serious, you will have to challenge some of those subconscious attitudes about food. When you hear your mind saying, “I just have to have a snack or I’ll die,” you have to say, “No, I’m not going to die. In fact, I will be healthier if I don’t have a snack.” Bottom line: God’s supernatural power can help you to master your moods, thoughts, and desires