#christian devotion

How much more did our gracious, and merciful God do for us, when He sent His only begotten Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, and restores us to right standing before God. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. Praise God who has redeemed us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and made us partakers of His divine nature, and all that He has prepared for us now, and in the life to come, everlasting. He has given His church the ministry of reconciliation. O, how He loves the world, and is willing that none shall perish.

Jesus, upon seeing the multitudes weary, and scattered abroad, like sheep without a shepherd, was moved with compassion, and said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (See Matthew 9:36-38)

The heart of our Great Shepherd is loving and forgiving, full of mercy and compassion, full of kindness and truth. A heart that judges righteously; a heart that wants His lost sheep to come home; a heart that wants both the young and grown sheep tended to, and fed with His teachings. A heart that desires the reaping of His harvest to be done, and His house to be filled. (See Characteristics of a Good Shepherd)

Related Bible Readings: Psalm 23; Psalm 78:70-72; Isaiah 40:10-11; Isaiah Chapter 61; Ezekiel 34; Micah 5:4-5; John 3:16 & 17; John 4:34-38; John 10:1-18; John 10:25-27; John 21:15-17; Matthew 10; Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 14:16-24; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:17; The First and Second Epistles of Paul the Apostle to Timothy; Hebrews 13:20 & 21; 1 Peter Chapter 5

“For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. But whoever practices truth [and does what is right – morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are – accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].”

– John 3.20 – 21 (AMP)

As Christians, our lives should always testify to what God has done and is perpetually doing in and through us. Whatever He calls us to do, wherever He tells us to go, whatever He wants us to say openly in faith – when we obey Him and practice the truth of the Word of God, our works testify that everything we did was only done with God’s help, His direction, and in complete reliance on Him and Him alone.

When we practice the truth of the Word of God and live by it, we produce the good fruit that identifies us as doers of the Word, which sets us apart from people living in the world.

1 Peter 2.9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” When God transferred us out of darkness into His marvelous light, we were given the opportunity to declare His excellencies to the world about all that the Lord has done for us. He saved us. He changed our identities. He called us His very own. We have been transformed from who we used to be and that spiritual transformation bears a divine testimony to the glory of God.

Likewise, when we live as doers of the Word and obey God’s divine instruction, our works declare God’s presence in our lives. James 1.25 says, “But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].” The blessing and favor of God are evident in the lives of His obedient children who practice the truth. It is a recognizable sign to the world, just like a shining light, that God is present in our lives when we are faithful in our moral excellence and good deeds. It is so irrefutable that when people see our works, they give all the honor and glory to God alone (Matthew 5.16).

Therefore, come to the Light for there is no reason to be ashamed, condemned, or afraid! Come and step out openly into the Light so that your works, as a doer of the Word of God, would be visible to all and bring God glory for all He has done!

Scriptures to Reflect On:

·         John 3.20-21

·         1 Peter 2.9

·         James 1.22-25

When God is on our side, then nothing can stop us (1 Samuel 18:14). God protects His faithful servants, just like He protected David from Saul (1 Samuel 23:14). God can deliver us from lions, bears, and giants – even if we are weak and small (1 Samuel 17:37).

God wants us to obey Him – not go our own way (1 Samuel 15:22). We have to wait for God’s timing! Doing it our way can cause a lot of harm (1 Samuel 25:39).

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith (1 Timothy 1:18-19 NIV).

Our theme scripture is very enlightening: to war a good warfare requires faith and a good conscience. Also, it’s important to know who you’re up against in this warfare. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

These rulers of darkness are the ones that run the course of this world, manipulate and control the thoughts and minds of those who are rebellious to Christ and the Gospel. There’s no good whatsoever in demons. Everything about them is evil, and they have no restraint to wickedness except when we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the Name of Jesus, restrain them.

Ephesians 6 tells us with what to put up our onslaught and wage our defense against these evil forces of darkness. Verse 13 says, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand….”

Then in the 16th verse, after identifying the defence paraphernalia, he says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:16-17). Here’s why the message of faith is so important; because it says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith!” This doesn’t mean you’re to look for a shield called faith; rather it means as you operate your faith in God’s Word, it’s a shield with which you shall, without doubt, be able to quench, neutralize, defuse and put out all the fiery darts of the wicked.

It doesn’t matter what missile the enemy throws at you; your faith quells and neutralizes them. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). The more of God’s Word you hear, the more your faith increases. And the more you put the Word of God to work, the more your faith is strengthened. Keep hearing God’s Word and putting it to work; your faith will be strong and effective. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the faith I have in your Word; my faith is alive, and with it, I quench, neutralize, defuse, put out and extinguish all the fiery darts of the enemy, foiling and rendering his devices, manipulations, tricks, lies, schemes and stratagems ineffective, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Jesus explains the parable of the sower and his seed:

Luke 8:11-18 "The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they shall believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."

Related Bible Readings: Luke 8:4-10; John 15:1-16; Matthew 7:15-20; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 3:17-21; Philippians 1:9-11; Psalm 119:11