Read:
Matthew 18:1-6
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 46:19-48:35
Psalms 77:11-20
Hymn:
Sing hymn 12
The child-like faith is what everybody requires, not only to make it to
heaven but also to enjoy his or her days on the earth. If we do not
believe this because it sounds illogical, we must believe it because
Jesus said it. What is then required of us is to pray for the kind of
faith that is comparable with that of a little child. The first thing
about a little child is that he is very trusting. In my living room
several years ago, there used to be a portrait of a little child looking
so innocent with the inscription; “No problem”. The faith that will
enable us not to see problems but see only God who specialises in
solving problems is the best for us.
Another characteristic trait of little children is that they forgive
easily. Unlike adults who keep malice, children forgive and forget the
wrong done to them almost immediately after it’s done. The Bible says in
Ephesians 4:32:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
Children fulfil this Biblical injunction freely. Children could be very
generous with their things except in some unusual occasions. Without
knowing the spiritual implication of their actions, children are
tender-hearted with their peers. This is exactly what God wants from us.
In Colossians 3:12-13, the Bible also says:
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels
of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a
quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
There are many blessings we will access from the throne of God our
Father if we can begin to take after children. For example, if we freely
forgive those who wrong us like a child will do, our prayers will
receive quick answers from God. In Mark 11:25, Jesus Christ said:
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your
trespasses.”
This instruction that comes from our Lord is simply saying that before
we pray, we must first forgive! We can see the reason many of our
prayers are not answered; we refuse to forgive. I pray that a user of
this devotional will find grace to forgive and be kind-hearted in Jesus’
Name.
Memorise:
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and
become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven.
Matthew 18:3
Prayer Point:
Father, please help my faith and transform me to be able to forgive freely and be tender-hearted in Jesus’ Name.
Saturday 8 October 2016
I MUST DECREASE - Open Heavens 2016 - October 9
Read:
John 3:25-30
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 44:15-46:18
Psalms 77:1-10
Hymn:
Sing hymn 14
For Jesus Christ to be fully formed in us, we must learn the secret of reducing our carnal nature to the level of divine approval. In Colossians 3:5-6, Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ said:
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:”
When a person is born, he is born loaded with traits that are in enmity with God and consequently brings His wrath. Another apostle of Jesus Christ lists some things that make a typical fallen man; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life (1 John 2:15). These are the sins into which the first man and woman fell and we inherited. We must get rid of them if want Christ to be fully formed in us. The pride of life is a subtle and complex sin for many reasons. Firstly, the proud will never accept that he is proud; this makes the sin very complex until the power of regeneration comes upon the individual and he surrenders his life to Christ for total deliverance. It takes the direct opposite of pride to go to Calvary and confess one’s sins. Moreover, it takes an acceptance of his actions as sinful before the fellow can confess them. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke on this matter when He told the story of the Pharisee and the Publican in Luke 18:9-14:
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
In the Bible reading for today, John the Baptist teaches us some lessons. In spite of his position as a prophet, he knew his limitation; he knew his boundary. He pointed his audience to the original Messiah. From his proclamation, we got the title for today’s devotional reading: Jesus must increase while we must decrease. Our carnal man must be mortified so that Jesus Christ can increase in us, and gradually, we shall be transformed to conform to the image of the Son of the living God. Beloved, I want to encourage you to make a decision to decrease, that Jesus may increase. Let the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 characterise your lifestyle.
Memorise:
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Prayer Point:
Father, please help me to be transformed to the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ my Saviour.
John 3:25-30
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 44:15-46:18
Psalms 77:1-10
Hymn:
Sing hymn 14
For Jesus Christ to be fully formed in us, we must learn the secret of reducing our carnal nature to the level of divine approval. In Colossians 3:5-6, Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ said:
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:”
When a person is born, he is born loaded with traits that are in enmity with God and consequently brings His wrath. Another apostle of Jesus Christ lists some things that make a typical fallen man; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life (1 John 2:15). These are the sins into which the first man and woman fell and we inherited. We must get rid of them if want Christ to be fully formed in us. The pride of life is a subtle and complex sin for many reasons. Firstly, the proud will never accept that he is proud; this makes the sin very complex until the power of regeneration comes upon the individual and he surrenders his life to Christ for total deliverance. It takes the direct opposite of pride to go to Calvary and confess one’s sins. Moreover, it takes an acceptance of his actions as sinful before the fellow can confess them. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke on this matter when He told the story of the Pharisee and the Publican in Luke 18:9-14:
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
In the Bible reading for today, John the Baptist teaches us some lessons. In spite of his position as a prophet, he knew his limitation; he knew his boundary. He pointed his audience to the original Messiah. From his proclamation, we got the title for today’s devotional reading: Jesus must increase while we must decrease. Our carnal man must be mortified so that Jesus Christ can increase in us, and gradually, we shall be transformed to conform to the image of the Son of the living God. Beloved, I want to encourage you to make a decision to decrease, that Jesus may increase. Let the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 characterise your lifestyle.
Memorise:
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Prayer Point:
Father, please help me to be transformed to the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ my Saviour.
Thursday 6 October 2016
DIVINE PROVISION - Open Heavens 2016 - October 8
Read:
Matthew 17:24-27
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 42:1-44:14
Psalm 76
Hymn:
Sing hymn 6
Divine provision is in play when you know that what you have is not by your strength, power or ability. For example, when you work like a rat and you get the wages of an elephant without being fraudulent, you can be sure that the blessing is from above. On the contrary, when a man works like an elephant and all he can show for his labour is the wages of a rat, you can be sure that the fellow needs divine provision. The reason for the last scenario is the fall of man which earned him a curse associated with poverty and suffering. As a matter of fact, every man, particularly a child of God, needs divine provision to be able to make ends meet. This is the reason Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, who has taken care of sin that brought hardship and insufficiency to the life of man.
Divine provision begins with the provision God made for the atonement for our sins. God gave His only begotten Son as provision for our sins. John 3:16-17 says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Having settled the problem of sin, the Lord now makes available to us the abundance of His riches. The death of Jesus Christ cancelled the curse that subjected us to a life of penury and made available to us divine provision. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says:
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
He demonstrated this by the thousands he fed with that incredibly small meal which He multiplied just so that the need of the people will be met. Also, in the Bible reading for today, divine provision came forth to meet His personal need and that of Peter from the mouth of a fish. I pray for someone reading this devotional today; the Almighty will cause His divine provision to come upon you and meet you at the point of your needs in Jesus’ Name.
Memorise:
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Prayer Point:
Father, I present my needs to you today, please meet them all in Jesus’ Name.
Matthew 17:24-27
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 42:1-44:14
Psalm 76
Hymn:
Sing hymn 6
Divine provision is in play when you know that what you have is not by your strength, power or ability. For example, when you work like a rat and you get the wages of an elephant without being fraudulent, you can be sure that the blessing is from above. On the contrary, when a man works like an elephant and all he can show for his labour is the wages of a rat, you can be sure that the fellow needs divine provision. The reason for the last scenario is the fall of man which earned him a curse associated with poverty and suffering. As a matter of fact, every man, particularly a child of God, needs divine provision to be able to make ends meet. This is the reason Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, who has taken care of sin that brought hardship and insufficiency to the life of man.
Divine provision begins with the provision God made for the atonement for our sins. God gave His only begotten Son as provision for our sins. John 3:16-17 says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Having settled the problem of sin, the Lord now makes available to us the abundance of His riches. The death of Jesus Christ cancelled the curse that subjected us to a life of penury and made available to us divine provision. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says:
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
He demonstrated this by the thousands he fed with that incredibly small meal which He multiplied just so that the need of the people will be met. Also, in the Bible reading for today, divine provision came forth to meet His personal need and that of Peter from the mouth of a fish. I pray for someone reading this devotional today; the Almighty will cause His divine provision to come upon you and meet you at the point of your needs in Jesus’ Name.
Memorise:
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Prayer Point:
Father, I present my needs to you today, please meet them all in Jesus’ Name.
LEARN TO WAIT ON GOD - Our Daily Bread 2016 - October 8
READ:
Psalm 62:1-8
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
-Psalm 62:5
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 30-31
Philippians 4
Cha Sa-soon, a 69-year old Korean woman, finally received her driving license after 3 years of trying to pass the written test. She wanted the license so she could take her grandchildren to the zoo.
She was persistent in what is normally an instant world. When we want something and cannot get it, we often complain and demand. At other times, we give up and move on if what we want cannot be quickly gratified. “Wait” is a word we hate to hear! Yet, many times the Bible tells us that God wants us to wait on Him for the right timing.
Waiting on God means patiently looking to Him for what we need. David recognised why he had to wait on the Lord. First, his salvation came from Him (Psalm 62:1). He learned that no one else could deliver him. His only hope was in God (v.5), for God alone hears our prayers (v.8).
Our prayers often revolve around asking God to hurry up and bless what we want to do. What if God’s answer to us is simply, “Be patient. Wait upon me”? We can pray with David: “Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3 NLT). We can trust His response, even if it doesn’t come in the time we expect. – C.P Hia
When we call out to You, O Lord,
And wait for answers to our prayer,
Give us the patience that we need
And help us sense Your love and care. – Sper
The bottom line of every prayer should be, “Your will be done.”
Psalm 62:1-8
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
-Psalm 62:5
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 30-31
Philippians 4
Cha Sa-soon, a 69-year old Korean woman, finally received her driving license after 3 years of trying to pass the written test. She wanted the license so she could take her grandchildren to the zoo.
She was persistent in what is normally an instant world. When we want something and cannot get it, we often complain and demand. At other times, we give up and move on if what we want cannot be quickly gratified. “Wait” is a word we hate to hear! Yet, many times the Bible tells us that God wants us to wait on Him for the right timing.
Waiting on God means patiently looking to Him for what we need. David recognised why he had to wait on the Lord. First, his salvation came from Him (Psalm 62:1). He learned that no one else could deliver him. His only hope was in God (v.5), for God alone hears our prayers (v.8).
Our prayers often revolve around asking God to hurry up and bless what we want to do. What if God’s answer to us is simply, “Be patient. Wait upon me”? We can pray with David: “Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3 NLT). We can trust His response, even if it doesn’t come in the time we expect. – C.P Hia
When we call out to You, O Lord,
And wait for answers to our prayer,
Give us the patience that we need
And help us sense Your love and care. – Sper
The bottom line of every prayer should be, “Your will be done.”
Tuesday 4 October 2016
THE LORD; MY HEALER - Open Heavens - October 7, 2016
Read:
Isaiah 53:1-5
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 40-41
Psalms 75
Hymn:
Sing hymn 6
The title of today’s devotional requires deep thought. The is asking us to personalise this truth today. The reason is not far-fetched; the healing virtue of Jesus Christ is very potent and available for YOU.
In today’s Bible readings, we are reassured that Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Healer because He paid for our healing with His Blood. Apart from reassuring us, the Bible passage also draws our attention to some other truths; not believing that God heals His ailing people is an ancient unbelief that is meant to subject humans to perpetual suffering. In the book of Numbers 21:6-9, the serpents sent to the Israelites as a result of their sins had bitten them, God then directed Moses to make and lift up a serpent for whoever was bitten to look upon for healing; as many as looked lived. This is the type of healing God provides through our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 3:14-15, Jesus Christ said:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
The power and secret of sickness and diseases which ultimately leads to death is hidden in sin. This is the reason why Jesus Christ often first of all attacked sin in the lives of the people He thereafter healed (Matthew 9:2-6). Healing is easily procured when the sick’s sin are forgiven him. This is why the Psalmist says:
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Psalms 32:1
He is our unfailing Healer because He paid the dues for our healing, in that He atoned for the cause of sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 26:28).
To access divine healing, therefore, we must have a covenant relationship with the Healer, because by His stripes only, we can be healed. In other words, by the atonement of Jesus Christ, our healing is forever settled. To have a covenant relationship with the Healer, therefore, we must respond to His call for repentance, and surrender the totality of our lives for Him to control. The body that has been dedicated to Jesus Christ shall be spared the sicknesses that make people miserable. When we give our lives to Christ, the next thing to do is to graduate to the level of belief that, henceforth, Jesus Christ will be our Healer. We now become candidates for divine healing and we can graduate to the level of enjoying divine health.
Memorise:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Peter 2:24
Action Point:
Make sure your salvation is genuine by re-examining yourself to ensure that you have faith in the healing power of Christ.
Isaiah 53:1-5
Bible in one year:
Ezekiel 40-41
Psalms 75
Hymn:
Sing hymn 6
The title of today’s devotional requires deep thought. The is asking us to personalise this truth today. The reason is not far-fetched; the healing virtue of Jesus Christ is very potent and available for YOU.
In today’s Bible readings, we are reassured that Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Healer because He paid for our healing with His Blood. Apart from reassuring us, the Bible passage also draws our attention to some other truths; not believing that God heals His ailing people is an ancient unbelief that is meant to subject humans to perpetual suffering. In the book of Numbers 21:6-9, the serpents sent to the Israelites as a result of their sins had bitten them, God then directed Moses to make and lift up a serpent for whoever was bitten to look upon for healing; as many as looked lived. This is the type of healing God provides through our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 3:14-15, Jesus Christ said:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
The power and secret of sickness and diseases which ultimately leads to death is hidden in sin. This is the reason why Jesus Christ often first of all attacked sin in the lives of the people He thereafter healed (Matthew 9:2-6). Healing is easily procured when the sick’s sin are forgiven him. This is why the Psalmist says:
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Psalms 32:1
He is our unfailing Healer because He paid the dues for our healing, in that He atoned for the cause of sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 26:28).
To access divine healing, therefore, we must have a covenant relationship with the Healer, because by His stripes only, we can be healed. In other words, by the atonement of Jesus Christ, our healing is forever settled. To have a covenant relationship with the Healer, therefore, we must respond to His call for repentance, and surrender the totality of our lives for Him to control. The body that has been dedicated to Jesus Christ shall be spared the sicknesses that make people miserable. When we give our lives to Christ, the next thing to do is to graduate to the level of belief that, henceforth, Jesus Christ will be our Healer. We now become candidates for divine healing and we can graduate to the level of enjoying divine health.
Memorise:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Peter 2:24
Action Point:
Make sure your salvation is genuine by re-examining yourself to ensure that you have faith in the healing power of Christ.
THIEVES IN THE SANCTUARY II - Open Heavens 2016 - October 6, 2016
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.
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.
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.
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