2 Corinthians 9:8 - Blessed to Give

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Exposition

Our text today relates to verses 6 & 7 of the same chapter. Every man should give willingly to the needs of the people around them.

In the world we live in today, individuality is becoming the order of the day. While many dig deep to help those who are in need there is a growing class of people who operate on the premise of me, myself and I.

Yes, I understand that every man is meant to provide for their own, the Bible reminds us in John 12: 8 that the poor will always be amongst us. That God blesses those who reach out at all times is not the point here; that the favour and love of God will be enjoyed by the giver is also not the point.

This scripture is letting you know that whoever is good to the poor and whoever gives liberally cannot lose out. That is to say, what you give cannot go down the drain. The receiver can’t repay you but God can and He will repay you with interest. What you sow will be rewarded with abundance in Jesus name.

God has the ability to increase your resources and He will increase your resources, such that you will never lack. As you dedicate yourself to a lifestyle of giving to the poor you will always have enough for yourself and your family and your giving will bring satisfaction and contentment to you. There is blessing attached to giving to the poor, so expect the blessing as you do so liberally in Jesus name.

Prayer

From now on let giving come naturally to me in Jesus name. Help me Lord, so that I will always be on the look out to help those who are in need. Help me, Lord, to give my time and money. Rather than accumulate things I do not have a need of, help me to give such stuff out with ease. Help me, Father, so that I become a good example to my children too. Help me Lord to teach my children to find joy in helping the poor.

As there are blessings attached to giving to the poor, I pray that the blessings will not pass me bye in Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 14

Pentateuch - Genesis 14

History – Joshua 14

Poetry – Job 14

Wisdom – Proverbs 14

Prophets – Jeremiah 14

Gospels – Matthew 14

Epistles – Romans 14

End Times – Revelation 2

Psalm 119:9-11 - Behaving According to God's Word

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Exposition

Our text today starts with a question, how can a young man or one who is a new born in Christ live a holy life? The question is directed to the young because they are liable to sin and lusts and so on. I would say the old man should be prepared to respond to this question too because sin has no respect for age or status.

Before getting to the answer proffered by the writer of this psalm, one could think that a personal determination to live a pure life should be enough, or a life based on the principles of honesty, integrity and a good reputation can see you through.

All these can fail; the only sure bet is a decision to live according to the word of God.

It is not a coincidence that 2Timothy 3:16 says all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Verse 2 of this chapter says the man who seeks after God with his own heart is blessed. If you are conscious of the fact that your heart might want to seek after God but your flesh is naturally weak, you will join me in asking God for help today.

When you memorize the word of God, your heart will stop you from sinning because your heart will remind you that the word of God is contrary to your plan of action.

Unfortunately, the culture of memorizing anything is becoming redundant as virtually all the gadgets that are in use have so much memory that we no longer feel the need to commit anything to memory.

You should go against the grain because your spiritual discipline is dependent on what you commit to memory. When the devil tempted Jesus Christ, Jesus overcame by responding with Scripture that He had hidden in His heart.

Help yourself, organize competitions with your children and friends to recite scripture. It will come in handy, sooner rather than later.

In conclusion, if you obey the word of God, seek God with your whole heart and memorize the word, then your life will conform to the way of God.

Prayer

Help me to live for you by your word. Help me to keep my way pure. Give me a heart that will long for you, a heart that will always want to please you in Jesus name. Help me to make the right choices at all times. I know committing anything to memory isn’t simple. Please make it simple through the Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 13

Pentateuch - Genesis 13

History – Joshua 13

Poetry – Job 13

Wisdom – Proverbs 13

Prophets – Jeremiah 13

Gospels – Matthew 13

Epistles – Romans 13

End Times – Revelation 1

2 Timothy 1:7 - Faith rather than Fear

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Exposition

Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Timothy encouraging him to drop fear and embrace the spirit of power, love and a sound mind that was available to him.

Timothy was the young Pastor of the Church in Ephesus while Nero was an oppressive Emperor on the throne of the Roman Empire who was among other things killing Christians at every opportunity.

There was a climate of fear then, just as there is a climate of fear now, no matter which country you live in. Our lives are filled with all types of fear, doubts and worry. There are financial, and health worries etc. The old people worry whether their children will succeed in life, whether the children will get a good education, jobs, and good marriages and so on. They fear recession, inflation and so on. The young look around in fear whether the economy has left them behind, for example, whether they’d ever save enough to get a mortgage.

Living in fear is like living in prison and it limits the options available. The person who lives in fear is afraid of what he/she thinks will happen and not what has happened.

Fear stops you from trusting God. Jesus Christ came to release you from the spirit of fear. He came to teach you how to replace fear with faith. He asks you to have faith in Him in all our circumstances rather than in the things you fear will happen.

John 8:31 says the key is in believing on Him and continuing in His word. Verse 32 lets us know that ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

Despite the challenges that exist now and those that will surely rear their heads in future, Jesus wants you to believe and trust in His ability to do as He says.

No wonder He has promised and delivered the Holy Spirit of power, love and self-control to all who believe in Him.

I encourage you, make a choice today, which is more fearful? Stepping out in faith and doing the things God asks you to do, or ignoring God and directly disobeying Him.

Prayer

I step out of the prison of fear. I cast away every fear that has stopped me from moving forward in faith. Through the Holy Spirit, I receive power to live in faith; I receive the power to love Jesus Christ with all my soul, spirit and body. I move forward to acknowledge that there is nothing too hard for you to do for me because with you all things are possible in Jesus name. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 12

Pentateuch - Genesis 12

History – Joshua 12

Poetry – Job 12

Wisdom – Proverbs 12

Prophets – Jeremiah 12

Gospels – Matthew 12

Epistles – Romans 12

End Times – Daniel 12

Romans 14:12 - The Judgment Day

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Exposition

Our prayer text is connected to verses 10 and 11 of this chapter. There is a judgment day for the follower of Jesus Christ. Please note that non-believers are already judged because they have refused to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

John 5: 22 says in addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge. Jesus Christ is the One we will be giving the account of our lives here on earth.

On that day it will be everyone for himself, you will not speak on behalf of your wife or brother, and neither will you speak on behalf of your husband or child. You are on your own.

Matthew 12:36 says but I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. You must be aware that every word means every word. “Idle words” will include jokes cracked in light moments too.

You are giving the account of how you spent your time, how you used your talents for yourself and for others. You are giving the account of what impact you made, you are giving the account of the opportunities you had to be a witness of Jesus Christ.

What you do or do not do today has an impact on what will happen on the Judgement Day.  Be Careful.

Prayer

Help me day by day to be continuously aware of the day of judgment. Help me, Lord, to live a life that will bring reward to me and not punishment in the hereafter. Help me, I pray to shape my thoughts so they do not get me into trouble. You are the only One who knows my thoughts; I desire that they be acceptable to you in Jesus name. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 11

Pentateuch - Genesis 11

History – Joshua 11

Poetry – Job 11

Wisdom – Proverbs 11

Prophets – Jeremiah 11

Gospels – Matthew 11

Epistles – Romans 11

End Times – Daniel 11

Romans 14:11 - I Bow Before the Lord

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Exposition

For it is written, as I live, says the Lord - Today your attention is being called to an important truth. The Almighty is letting you and the whole world know that what He is about to say will certainly come to pass. This piece is so important and the Almighty has sworn by Himself, son or daughter do listen attentively.

every knee shall bow to me – A time will come when everyone will submit to the Most High. Some will bow voluntarily in adoration and others will have no choice but to do so. Philippians 2: 10 says that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. Every human being and spirit beings too will have no option but to bow before Jesus Christ who is seated in heaven at the right hand of the Father. The “bowing” will be to the will and authority of the Almighty God.

The Almighty God sits on His throne in heaven in glory, exercising dominion in heaven and on earth.

and every tongue shall confess to God – On that day everyone will answer for conduct here on earth. You will be best placed if today, you look unto Jesus Christ for your salvation, now. It is time to acknowledge you have lived apart from Him in sin and you want to come back home.  He has paid the price.

The one who has confessed will be in a position to give thanks and to praise the Almighty God.

The essence of confessing Christ and deciding to live a life free of sin gains you a place in heaven. Confessing Jesus now gives you the benefit of salvation and all the promises of God are available to you.

If you do not do it now, while you are alive, when you are forced to confess Him, that confession will have no impact on where you will spend eternity.

Prayer

I choose to bow my knees before my Lord Jesus today, I confess my sins and recognise that You, Jesus Christ paid for my sins and I now acknowledge you as my Lord. I appreciate what you have done and I ask that you help me live a life that is holy and acceptable to You in Jesus name.

I worship you and adore you, the Most High God. I magnify your holy name. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 10

Pentateuch - Genesis 10

History – Joshua 10

Poetry – Job 10

Wisdom – Proverbs 10

Prophets – Jeremiah 10

Gospels – Matthew 10

Epistles – Romans 10

End Times – Daniel 10

Proverbs 3:33 - Blessing of the Just

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Exposition

A curse is simply put an absence of blessing. The house of the wicked is the house where the fear of the Lord and the love of God do not exist. Malachi 2:2 says that what might even look like a blessing in the house of the wicked will actually turn out to be a curse. God has nothing but contempt for the wicked while He shows respect and love for His saints.

The habitation or house of the just is the house of one who has chosen to live in the faith that Jesus Christ died for his/her sins. There would be a love of Christ and a reverential fear of God in the house of a “just” man.

In the house of the “just”, the favour and protection of God are present. To put it simply, the “just” man experiences the “presence of God”. God is worshiped in spirit and in truth. In this house, everything that happens will work together for the good of the inhabitants.

A blessed family might not be as materially rich as a cursed household but they would have no reason to envy a cursed family. The choice before you is to decide whether you want to live before God as a blessed man or as a cursed man. The blessed man lives a life of faith in Christ Jesus and the cursed man rejects Jesus Christ.

Prayer

I choose a life of faith. I confess every sin that has led to my living a life separate from Jesus Christ. I repent of all my sins and I dedicate myself to Jesus Christ. Thank you for accepting me as I am. Thank you, Father, for I am relieved that I am no longer cursed in Jesus name. Thank you for every blessing that is coming my way. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 9

Pentateuch - Genesis 9

History – Joshua 9

Poetry – Job 9

Wisdom – Proverbs 9

Prophets – Jeremiah 9

Gospels – Matthew 9

Epistles – Romans 9

End Times – Daniel 9

Matthew 4: 1 - Overcoming Temptation

Exposition

Matthew 4:1-11 states the account of the temptation of Jesus by the devil. Hebrews 4:15  says for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. This tells us that one of the reasons why Jesus was tempted was to enable Him to sympathize with us, His children whenever we go through the experience.

Many profess shock and surprise when they go through temptation. I ask if Jesus was tempted, what makes you think you are exempted from being tempted? God allows you to be tempted so that your faith in Him can be strengthened. Temptation also brings out the good qualities in you when you resist. Jesus Christ overcame every single temptation and as you are made in His image, your reaction to temptation says a lot about who you really are and your relationship with God. God also allows you to go through temptation so that He can reward you. James 1:12 says blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

The temptation of Jesus Christ tested three areas, lust of the flesh, pride and lust of the eyes. On the three occasions, Jesus responded with scripture. When the thoughts come or when the situations arise, the armour to use is the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. Know the word.

Be prepared because the devil will continue to try you. You should always know that God wants you to win that battle. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says the temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

God is on your side. You can live a victorious life.   

Prayer

I know temptation is always lurking around me. Help me, Father, to overcome every time the devil appears. Help me so I do not give in to my flesh. Help me to be prepared with the word at all times. If I have to memorize scripture, help me to do so in Jesus name. Help me to handle temptation in a way that will honour at all times in Jesus name. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 8

Pentateuch - Genesis 8

History – Joshua 8

Poetry – Job 8

Wisdom – Proverbs 8

Prophets – Jeremiah 8

Gospels – Matthew 8

Epistles – Romans 8

End Times – Daniel 8