Read:
1 Samuel 2:12-17
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 37:15-39:29
Psalms 74:12-23
Hymn:
Sing hymn 14
The worst of all thieves in the church are the ministers who take the
tithes, offerings and first-fruits collected from members for their
personal use. You hear them say, “He who serves at the Altar must eat
from the Altar.” As true as this statement may be, custodians of the
Lord’s sanctuary should be wary of greed and the love of money. 1
Timothy 6:10-11 says:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some
coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things;
and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
meekness.”
In the Bible reading for today, the children of Eli corrupted the
people’s sacrifice through greed. Unfortunately, the same thing is
happening today; some ministers of God, through greed, have made the
tithes, offerings and first-fruits that people bring to the sanctuary
unacceptable to God. Sometimes, members of the congregation suspect this
foul play and begin to ask the ministers in charge what they use their
tithes and offering for. Though the ministers should be accountable to
God through men, however, the tithes and offerings become an abomination
before the Lord when the givers monitor it to the extent of wanting to
know what God does with it. This is the reason people claim to be paying
their tithes and offerings and there is nothing to show for their
giving. In Matthew 6:3-4, Jesus Christ said:
“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy
right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father
which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
It is dangerous when brethren are not being encouraged or motivated to
give more because they do not have anything to show for their previous
giving. This happens when they begin to develop a negative attitude
towards the way their pastors handle the finances of the Church. Some
people leave their local assembly to go and pay their tithes and
offerings elsewhere. This is counterproductive. Hence, the ministers
handling God’s assets must be very careful. They must not become thieves
in the sanctuary. The Lord enjoins us to fight the good fight of faith,
lay hold on eternal life whereunto we have been called, and keep away
from the love of this world. If it is dangerous to rob God by not paying
our tithes and offering, it is deadly to steal out of the one that the
brethren are faithfully contributing for the advancement of the Kingdom
business. We must learn from the children of Eli and the children of
Samuel himself (1 Samuel 8:1-5).
Memorise:
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Romans 2:21
Prayer Point:
Father, please deliver me from the demon called mammon and don’t let me end up like Judas Iscariot.
Tuesday 4 October 2016
FLY THE FLAG - Our Daily Bread - October 7, 2016
READ:
Ephesians 5:1-13
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
-Ephesians 5:1
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 28-29
Philippians 3
Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for more than 60 years. Her monarchy has been characterised by grace and class. She has diligently given her life to serve her people well, and as a result she is deeply loved and highly revered. So, you can understand the importance of the flag flying above Buckingham Palace. When the flag is flying, it means that she is in residence in the heart of London. The flag is a public statement that the queen is present with her people.
As I was thinking about that, it occurred to me that our King Jesus is in residence in our hearts as our “never leave you nor forsake you” Monarch (Hebrews 13:5). As wonderful as that is to us personally, I wonder if those around us would recognise that He is in residence based on the way we live? If He is within us, that will show on the outside. As Paul says, we are to be “imitators of God” and to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us” (Ephesians 5:1-2). As we do so, we will display joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
So let’s fly the flag of His presence – the flag of His grace, righteousness, and love – so that others may see Him through us. – Joe Stowell
Lord, remind me that Your presence in my heart is intended to be a public reality. May I so value all the blessings of Your presence that I am willing to share them generously with others.
Fly the flag of Christ’s presence to show that the King is in residence in your life.
Ephesians 5:1-13
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
-Ephesians 5:1
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 28-29
Philippians 3
Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for more than 60 years. Her monarchy has been characterised by grace and class. She has diligently given her life to serve her people well, and as a result she is deeply loved and highly revered. So, you can understand the importance of the flag flying above Buckingham Palace. When the flag is flying, it means that she is in residence in the heart of London. The flag is a public statement that the queen is present with her people.
As I was thinking about that, it occurred to me that our King Jesus is in residence in our hearts as our “never leave you nor forsake you” Monarch (Hebrews 13:5). As wonderful as that is to us personally, I wonder if those around us would recognise that He is in residence based on the way we live? If He is within us, that will show on the outside. As Paul says, we are to be “imitators of God” and to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us” (Ephesians 5:1-2). As we do so, we will display joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
So let’s fly the flag of His presence – the flag of His grace, righteousness, and love – so that others may see Him through us. – Joe Stowell
Lord, remind me that Your presence in my heart is intended to be a public reality. May I so value all the blessings of Your presence that I am willing to share them generously with others.
Fly the flag of Christ’s presence to show that the King is in residence in your life.
A FAITHFUL HELPER - Our Daily Bread - October 6, 2016
READ:
Jeremiah 20:7-13
But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
-Jeremiah 20:11
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 26-27
Philippians 2
As a young boy, my father had to deliver slop to hungry pigs on the farm where he grew up. He hated this job because the hogs would knock him over when he entered their pen. This task might have been impossible except for a faithful helper who accompanied my dad - a German shepherd named Sugarbear. She would maneuver herself between my father and the pigs and hold them back until my dad finished his chore.
The prophet Jeremiah had the difficult job of proclaiming God’s message to the Israelites. This required him to endure physical abuse, verbal attacks, imprisonment, and isolation. Although Jeremiah struggled with deep discouragement, he had a Helper through all of his trouble. God promised him, “I am with you…to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:19).
God did not desert Jeremiah, and He will not desert us. We have His continual aid through the power of the Spirit who lives inside every believer (John 14:16-17). The Helper gives us hope (Romans 15:13), steers us towards spiritual truth (John 16:13), and pours out God’s love in our hearts (Romans 5:5). We can trust that God faithfully helps us as we endure hardship. We can say with Jeremiah, “The LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One” (Jeremiah 20:11). – Jennifer Benson Schuldt
You, God, have been our help forever.
And You are our hope now and into eternity.
We thank You that You will never desert us.
You will be faithful.
Our greatest hope here below is help from God above.
Jeremiah 20:7-13
But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
-Jeremiah 20:11
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 26-27
Philippians 2
As a young boy, my father had to deliver slop to hungry pigs on the farm where he grew up. He hated this job because the hogs would knock him over when he entered their pen. This task might have been impossible except for a faithful helper who accompanied my dad - a German shepherd named Sugarbear. She would maneuver herself between my father and the pigs and hold them back until my dad finished his chore.
The prophet Jeremiah had the difficult job of proclaiming God’s message to the Israelites. This required him to endure physical abuse, verbal attacks, imprisonment, and isolation. Although Jeremiah struggled with deep discouragement, he had a Helper through all of his trouble. God promised him, “I am with you…to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:19).
God did not desert Jeremiah, and He will not desert us. We have His continual aid through the power of the Spirit who lives inside every believer (John 14:16-17). The Helper gives us hope (Romans 15:13), steers us towards spiritual truth (John 16:13), and pours out God’s love in our hearts (Romans 5:5). We can trust that God faithfully helps us as we endure hardship. We can say with Jeremiah, “The LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One” (Jeremiah 20:11). – Jennifer Benson Schuldt
You, God, have been our help forever.
And You are our hope now and into eternity.
We thank You that You will never desert us.
You will be faithful.
Our greatest hope here below is help from God above.
Sunday 2 October 2016
THIEVES IN THE SANCTUARY I - Open Heavens 2016 - October 5
Read:
Malachi 3:8-9
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 35:1-37:14
Psalms 74:1-11
Hymn:
Sing hymn 6
One sad thing going on among children of God is that some are stealing from the sanctuary of God and the people concerned are doing it with impunity.
There are many ways a person can steal from the sanctuary of God. The most common way to almost every Bible reading Christian is when you deny God one-tenth of your income, Malachi 3:8 says:
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
When someone eats all his income without giving back one out of ten of it, the fellow is stealing from the sanctuary, because the tithe belongs to the sanctuary of God.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10
Another way of stealing from the sanctuary is by refusing to give your first-fruit to the Lord as He requested from His covenant people in Deuteronomy 26:2:
“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.”
Some people will argue that the ordinance of the first fruit belongs to the Old Testament era. I have always asked them about the numerous promises of God in the Old Testament which they often quote and claim to their advantage. For example, I asked some of them who took me up on whether the promise of being “the head and not the tail” isn’t found in the New Testament. Or “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” which is also in the book of Matthew. The truth of the matter is that the scriptures which are favourable to the flesh are easily quoted and claimed. Those that take the steam out of their so called personal freedom and finances are pushed to the background. The first fruit is the property of the Almighty God in His sanctuary. We must give it to Him through the custodians of the genuine sanctuary of God. I pray for someone using this devotional; the Holy Spirit will convince you of the truth about tithes, offerings and first fruit.
Memorise:
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Ephesians 4:28
Prayer Point:
Father, help me to abstain from stealing from your sanctuary, and help me to perform the required restitution for the damage I have done to Your honour, when I denied You of Your tithes, offerings and first fruits.
Malachi 3:8-9
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 35:1-37:14
Psalms 74:1-11
Hymn:
Sing hymn 6
One sad thing going on among children of God is that some are stealing from the sanctuary of God and the people concerned are doing it with impunity.
There are many ways a person can steal from the sanctuary of God. The most common way to almost every Bible reading Christian is when you deny God one-tenth of your income, Malachi 3:8 says:
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
When someone eats all his income without giving back one out of ten of it, the fellow is stealing from the sanctuary, because the tithe belongs to the sanctuary of God.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10
Another way of stealing from the sanctuary is by refusing to give your first-fruit to the Lord as He requested from His covenant people in Deuteronomy 26:2:
“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.”
Some people will argue that the ordinance of the first fruit belongs to the Old Testament era. I have always asked them about the numerous promises of God in the Old Testament which they often quote and claim to their advantage. For example, I asked some of them who took me up on whether the promise of being “the head and not the tail” isn’t found in the New Testament. Or “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” which is also in the book of Matthew. The truth of the matter is that the scriptures which are favourable to the flesh are easily quoted and claimed. Those that take the steam out of their so called personal freedom and finances are pushed to the background. The first fruit is the property of the Almighty God in His sanctuary. We must give it to Him through the custodians of the genuine sanctuary of God. I pray for someone using this devotional; the Holy Spirit will convince you of the truth about tithes, offerings and first fruit.
Memorise:
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Ephesians 4:28
Prayer Point:
Father, help me to abstain from stealing from your sanctuary, and help me to perform the required restitution for the damage I have done to Your honour, when I denied You of Your tithes, offerings and first fruits.
PINK SHEEP - Our Daily Bread 2016 - October 5
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
-John 13:35
-John 13:35
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 23-25
Philippians 1
While travelling on a road from Glasglow to Edinburgh, Scotland, I was enjoying the beautiful pastoral countryside when a rather humorous sight captured my attention. There, on a small hilltop, was a rather large flock of pink sheep.
I know that sheep owners mark their animals with dots of spray paint to identify them – but these sheep really stood out. The owner had fully covered every animal with pink coloring. Eveyone knew who those sheep belonged to.
Scripture calls followers of Christ sheep, and they too have a unique identifying mark. What is the “pink coloring” in a Christ-follower’s life? How can someone be identified as Jesus’ own?
In the gospel of John, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, told us what identifier is: love. “Love one another; as I have loved you…By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
In words and deeds, a believer should show love to all those around. “Beloved,” John writes, “if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). A Christian’s love for others around should be as obvious as pink wool on a flock of Scottish sheep. – Dave Branon
Dear Lord, remind me that this life is not about me and my needs, but about others and how Your love can shine through me to them. May Christlike love be my distinguishing characteristic.
As followers of Christ, our love should make us stand out in a crowd.
ENDURE TILL THE END - Open Heavens 2016 - October 4
Read:
Mark 13:3-13
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 33-34
Psalms 73:18-28
Hymn:
Sing hymn 10
The Christian race is not a short one but a marathon; you know there is a finish line but you can’t see it. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not hide this truth from us when He said:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
Matthew 24:36
To endure suggests that one would have to live with some things that are not compatible with our nature. This is a truth that some 21st century believers are not ready to live with. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that we should come and learn of Him. In the process of learning of Him, we must take His yoke upon us. The burden of our Lord Jesus Christ is justice, righteousness; love for God and acceptable service to humanity, particularly those in the household of faith. The Bible says:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10
What calls for endurance in the Christian walk and why should we endure? Jesus Christ confronted the people of old about the fact that they hated Him, because He stood for the truth which His Father sent Him to tell the world.
“…ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham...Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”
John 8:39-40,42
Against this background, our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples and us by extension that He was sending us forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, and that we should be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves. He went further to tell us what was to come:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 10:22
Beloved, as we journey through the wilderness of this world towards our heavenly home, don’t let us forget that this way is a narrow one. It takes a lot of discipline and self-denial to scale through successfully. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way according to the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us forge ahead and the Lord will see us through to the heavenly Canaan in Jesus’ Name. Whatever situation that may warrant your backsliding shall be destroyed this day in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Go into the world today and obtain your victory in Jesus’ Name.
Memorise:
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Mark 13:13
Prayer Point:
Father, please see me through the journey of life and don’t let me perish with the world.
Mark 13:3-13
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 33-34
Psalms 73:18-28
Hymn:
Sing hymn 10
The Christian race is not a short one but a marathon; you know there is a finish line but you can’t see it. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not hide this truth from us when He said:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
Matthew 24:36
To endure suggests that one would have to live with some things that are not compatible with our nature. This is a truth that some 21st century believers are not ready to live with. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that we should come and learn of Him. In the process of learning of Him, we must take His yoke upon us. The burden of our Lord Jesus Christ is justice, righteousness; love for God and acceptable service to humanity, particularly those in the household of faith. The Bible says:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10
What calls for endurance in the Christian walk and why should we endure? Jesus Christ confronted the people of old about the fact that they hated Him, because He stood for the truth which His Father sent Him to tell the world.
“…ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham...Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”
John 8:39-40,42
Against this background, our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples and us by extension that He was sending us forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, and that we should be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves. He went further to tell us what was to come:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 10:22
Beloved, as we journey through the wilderness of this world towards our heavenly home, don’t let us forget that this way is a narrow one. It takes a lot of discipline and self-denial to scale through successfully. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way according to the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us forge ahead and the Lord will see us through to the heavenly Canaan in Jesus’ Name. Whatever situation that may warrant your backsliding shall be destroyed this day in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Go into the world today and obtain your victory in Jesus’ Name.
Memorise:
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Mark 13:13
Prayer Point:
Father, please see me through the journey of life and don’t let me perish with the world.
DISPOSABLE CULTURE - Our Daily Bread 2016 - October 4
READ:
Psalm 136:1-9,23-26
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
-Psalm 136:1
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 20-22
Ephesians 6
More than ever, we live in a disposable culture. Think for a minute about some of the things that are made to be thrown away – razors, water bottles, lighters, paper plates, plastic eating utensils. Products are used, tossed, and then replaced.
This disposable culture is also reflected in more significant ways. Many times true commitment in relationships is seen as optional. Marriages struggle to survive. Long-term employees are discharged just before retirement for cheaper options. A highly revered athlete leaves to join another team. It seems as if nothing lasts.
Our unchanging God, however, has promised that His loving mercy endures forever. In Psalm 136, the singer celebrates this wonderful promise by making statements God’s wonder, work, and character. He then punctuates each statement about God with the phrase, “For His mercy endures forever.” Whether it is the wonder of His creation (vv.4-9), the rescue of His people (vv.10-22), or His tender care for His own (vv.23-26), we can trust Him because His mercy will never fail. In a temporary world, the permanence of God’s mercy gives us hope. We can sing with the psalmist, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (v.1). – Bill Crowder
I sing of mercies that endure,
Forever builded firm and sure,
Of faithfulness that never dies,
Established changeless in the skies. – Psalter
God’s grace is immeasurable;
His mercy inexhaustible; His peace inexpressible.
Psalm 136:1-9,23-26
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
-Psalm 136:1
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 20-22
Ephesians 6
More than ever, we live in a disposable culture. Think for a minute about some of the things that are made to be thrown away – razors, water bottles, lighters, paper plates, plastic eating utensils. Products are used, tossed, and then replaced.
This disposable culture is also reflected in more significant ways. Many times true commitment in relationships is seen as optional. Marriages struggle to survive. Long-term employees are discharged just before retirement for cheaper options. A highly revered athlete leaves to join another team. It seems as if nothing lasts.
Our unchanging God, however, has promised that His loving mercy endures forever. In Psalm 136, the singer celebrates this wonderful promise by making statements God’s wonder, work, and character. He then punctuates each statement about God with the phrase, “For His mercy endures forever.” Whether it is the wonder of His creation (vv.4-9), the rescue of His people (vv.10-22), or His tender care for His own (vv.23-26), we can trust Him because His mercy will never fail. In a temporary world, the permanence of God’s mercy gives us hope. We can sing with the psalmist, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (v.1). – Bill Crowder
I sing of mercies that endure,
Forever builded firm and sure,
Of faithfulness that never dies,
Established changeless in the skies. – Psalter
God’s grace is immeasurable;
His mercy inexhaustible; His peace inexpressible.
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