Category: NEW TESTAMENT

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EARLY CHRISTIANS DEVIATED FROM TRUE DEVOTION – James

devotion

Services of Devotion, A Must for Christians

(Passage: James 4)

The early believers deviated from serving God with true devotion, and God’s miracle stopped happening in their midst also. Apostle James explained the main cause of God’s retrogressive miracles that existed among the brethren. James stated,

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3).

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God’s Miracles Accompany True Devotion

A devotion service means so much to God; Christians should give the best of it to him. Any Christian who expects to witness the power of God in his or her life must keep a consistent relationship with God. A Christian cannot demonstrate the works of the flesh and expect God’s miracles to happen in his or her life.

Some activities that are categorized as the works of the flesh that inhibit true devotion are listed in Galatians 5:19. All the activities listed (and the related ones) only satisfy the cravings of the flesh. Believers must shun ungodly behaviors and allow the Holy Spirit to rule them to adequately fit God’s plan and enjoy his benefits. The scripture emphasized that God requires his worshipers to worship him in Spirit and in truth.

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24 NIV).

Many rewards await the believers that prioritize serving God with faithfulness. Jehovah will reward them with some imperishable crowns in his kingdom.

 

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A Christian that expects to witness God’s demonstrative power in his or her life must keep a consistent relationship with God. James Taiwo Click to tweet

 

Aspire to serve God with faithfulness so that you can witness his miracles in your life.

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Prayer for God’s Grace to be Devoted to Him

Dear God, please give the ability to serve you with full devotion so that I can befit your benefits. Help me to faithfully serve you, and let me yield to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and serve you with faithfulness. Empower me to desist from the works of the flesh. Rule me by the Holy Spirit to satisfy your holiness desires so that it can be well with me in every day of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I have made my requests. Amen.

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CHURCH LEADERS MUST HAVE INTEGRITY – Titus

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Christians Must Have Integrity To Honor God

(Passage: Titus 1)

Church leaders are expected to be people of integrity who lead others by example. Paul in his letter to Titus (and as the same principle applied to other Christian leaders) explained the qualities that every Christian leader must have. Paul wrote,

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:6-9 NIV).

Christians Have Obligation to Lead by Examples

Christians leaders have the obligation to be moral and lead people by example. Religious leaders must be people of integrity. They must have the characters that are good enough to emulate other people to faithfully serve God. Since the fact remains that church leaders are appointed to represent God in their services, they must be careful not to act in any fashion that can mislead and/or negatively influence their congregations.

Any activity that a religion leader performs ought to motivate people to love and serve God. Meanwhile, the congregants of the local churches also have the obligation to support their leaders as well. Church members ought to help ease the burden of their spiritual leaders by providing them any needed support they may need, which are inclusive of both the physical and spiritual assistance.

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The congregants of local churches have the obligation to support their leaders James Taiwo Click to tweet

As a Christian, you should not sit on the fence and pass blames on your spiritual leaders. You should attempt to be an agent of positive influence by contributing your own productive quota to their lives and ministries.

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Members of local churches ought to pray for their leaders to properly operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that they can prosper in their services and bring glory to God.

Pray for yourself and pray for your spiritual leaders.

Pray for Church Leaders

Dear God, please make me an agent of positive change in my local assembly. Enable me with the strength to be an active church member and give me the ability to support my leaders. Help me to pray for my church leaders and offer them any support they might need.

I seize this opportunity to pray for my church leaders. Please grant them courage to properly serve you so that they can prosper for your kingdom. Please empower all church leaders throughout the world to operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to adequately serve in your honor. Help your servants throughout the world to be faithful in their services. Give them the ability to be effective their leadership activities and prosper for your kingdom. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my request. Amen.

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GALATIAN CHRISTIANS MUST BE STEADFAST WITH GOD – Galatians

steadfast

Christianity Requires Steadfastness

Passage: Galatians 3

Paul rebuked the Galatians for their inconsistent relationship with God. He challenged them to be steadfast with God since that is the only means of obtaining God’s mercy and inheriting his eternal kingdom. Paul scolded the Galatians for lack of consistency in their relationship with him. God said, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?” (Galatians 3:1).

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Christians Must Understand What Salvation By Grace Mean

Aspire to be a steadfast Christian.

Believers must understand that Christianity requires steadfastness. The religion is free but it does not accommodate unfiltered practices. Whoever wants to serve God should do so with full devotion. Christians must not assume their fleshly characters measure up to God’s standard.

Today’s Christians should learn from Paul’s letter to the Galatians who instructed they must not mismatch their faith with fleshly exercise.

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Whoever wants to serve God should do so with full devotion. James Taiwo Click to tweet

Paul emphasized,

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29 NKJV).

God loves steadfast Christians.

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Pray to be steadfast with God

Dear God, please help me to practice true Christianity. Help me to be a steadfast person! I understand that I am saved by the grace of God; therefore, I must not abuse my freedom obtained through Jesus Christ. Please help me to live every day of my life celebrating the fact that I was saved by your grace! Help me to be consistent with your word so that I can prosper. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my request. Amen.

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FALSE TEACHERS WILL TURN PEOPLE AWAY FROM GOD – Galatians

Christians Must Be Watchful Of False Teachers

(Passage: Galatians 1)

Christians must be watchful of deceptive teachers that camouflage to exploit people for their selfish gains. Some teachers and teachings that are not consistent with bible are out there, and believers must be watchful not to become their victims. Apostle Paul had a similar warning for Galatians’ church when he stated,

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9 NKJV).

Christian To Stay Away From False Teachers

Christians must reject erratic and misleading teachings that lack bases in the scriptures. A heavenly bound believer must not just believe anything that a teacher presents to him or her without establishing facts. Nothing is more factual than the bible, and it remains the basic operation manual for all Christians. Therefore, all Christians must cross-reference whatever they are taught with the Bible; a teaching that lacks the basis in the bible must be outrightly rejected!

Meanwhile, it is important that Christians pray and ask for Holy Spirit interpretations over all matters. The Spirit of God will shed light on all subjects, and he will enlighten our minds to understand the truth. Also, the Holy Spirit of God will empower us to comply with the scripture.

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Christians must reject erratic and misleading teachings that lack bases in the scriptures. James Taiwo Click to tweet

 

Prayer To Be Consistent With God

Dear God, please help me to consistently study my Bible and listen to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Do not let me be lazy in studying your word. Also, let me prayerfully consider every teaching that is presented to me, and give me the grace to reject deceptive teachings. Enable me to accept and celebrate all truth that will liberate me from sin, and make me heavenly bound. Let your word and leadership of the Holy Spirit prosper me now, and always. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen. 

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PAUL APPRECIATED PHILEMON FOR HIS SERVICE TO GOD – Philemon

service to godBelievers Must Bring Good Strive to God

(Passage: Philemon 1)

God will reward people who faithfully serve him with all benefits of life. Jehovah appreciates honest services; he will bless his faithful observers. Paul, on behalf of God, appreciated Philemon for being a good steward of Jesus Christ. Paul commended Philemon,

“I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” (Philemon 1:4-7 NASB).

lesson on serive

Purpose of serving God Unfolded

Christianity requires faithfulness of service to God. Anyone who claims to be a Christian needs to understand the importance of faithful services! Believers must remember that God can clearly measure and determine how much we are committed to him. He will honor those who faithfully serve him.

Not just any service is meaningful to God. A service expected to satisfy God must come from a pure heart, and it must be indeed regarded as Humility in service to God. God’s faithful observers will enjoy his benefits in this life and the one to come.

Since God can gauge the level of our commitments to him, believers must consider it necessary to faithfully serve him! Our pious efforts will motivate God to shower us with his unlimited blessings.

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Prayer for humility in service to God

Dear God, I understand that you want your children to faithfully serve you so that you can be proud to bless them. I promise my committed to you from today! I will serve you with all my strength. Please let the Holy Spirit empower me to meet your standard! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen. 

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THE CHURCH TO LIVE IN PURITY OF JESUS – 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians – Purity Means Everything To God

(Passage: 1 Corinthians 7)

Paul encouraged Corinthian Christians to maintain purity, and abstain from activities that can trap them into sexual immorality.

Those who are ripe for marriage must do so to avoid sexual sins. Also, any adult who chooses to live unmarried should do so, and be sure to abstain from sexuality and maintain body purity.

 

Paul wrote to the Corinthians (as it also applies to today’s Christians),

“I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned…” (1 Corinthians 7:26-28 KJV).

Christians to Learn and Meet God’s Expectations

Humans are comprised of spirit, soul, and body – which are necessary for normal functioning. All three elements, except human soul, will transition after death.

The human body is corruptible and would decay after death. (Christians who are alive during rapture would see their body transformed). The spirit that keeps a person alive will also return to God after death.

However, human soul would survive natural death to face God’s judgment at the end. A person’s soul will face judgment to be rewarded for its past earthly activities. Souls that served God well on earth and also received the salvation of Jesus Christ will be awarded heaven, but unrepentant souls would be condemned in hell.

Therefore, everyone should be sensitive not to allow human body – which is temporal corrupt his/her soul that would ultimately face God’s judgment.

Application Prayer

Ask God to Help You Maintain Purity of Life

Dear God, please I do not want my soul to burn in hell fire, but I want to make heaven! Help me to resist sins; do not let me yield to temptations, but empower me to maintain my body in holiness so that I can receive your positive rewards in heaven. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. 

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PAUL PRAISED PHOEBE FOR HER SERVICE TO GOD – Romans

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Service To God: God Will Reward Faithful Christians

(Passage: Romans 16)

A lady by the name Phoebe caught Paul’s attention with her exceptional godly servitude. Paul recognized Phoebe as a faithful servant of God who ministers to the needs of her people. Paul highlighted in her letter to the Romans, “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Romans 16:1-2 NKJV).

serviceLesson On Faithful Service to God

Faithful service to God has a reward! Christians must understand that our activities are not limited to church activities only. We must demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to people within and without the church. That is, believers must minister to all people. We must understand that some fellow believers are in dire need of a few help that we can render. Our efforts to support others should include the provision of material and other resources. Believers must also offer moral support to people in need.

It is important that each believer is sensitive to the needs of other people and make a significant effort to assist them. In our attempt to demonstrate faithful service to God, Christians must operate as a theme and exercise the true love that Jesus Christ will applaud. We must not leave a brother or a sister-in-Christ behind to suffer. We must understand that every Christian is a co-sharer of God’s kingdom, and we must care for them.

Christians must understand that God cares to watch our attitudes demonstrated towards other people. God knows how we treat other people, and he will compensate us duly. Every Christian must understand that whatever he/she does to his fellow believer is touching the heart of God. In other words, whatever you do to a Christian brother or sister is what you are technically doing to God himself, and he will reward you in due time.

Be faithful in your service to God, He is watching you!

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Prayer To Faithfully Serve God

Dear God, please help me to be a relevant Christian who support others. Help me to be your true ambassador and make positive contributions to the lives of my Christian brothers and sisters. Help me to be relevant to your kingdom with true services! Please give me the resources that I will need to care for my fellow believers so that your name can be glorified.

Please qualify me for your kingdom! When my earthly race is over, let me wake up in your kingdom to hear “Weldone and welcome my good servant!”  For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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JESUS CHRIST LIVED BEFORE MANGER – John

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Jesus Christ was in Existence before His Manger Birth

(Passage: John 1)

 Jesus Christ the Son of God has been in existence before Mary physically gave birth to him at the manger. He was in existence before the creation of the earth. In fact, Christ witnessed inception of the earth, and he also played a part in its creation.

The scripture attested,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and nothing was made without him. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5).

Lesson on the Birth of Jesus Christ and Earth Creation

The life of Jesus Christ did not begin at the manger when Mary gave birth to him. He was the breath of God that made earth creation happened.

It is virtually impossible to separate Jesus Christ from God. He is the breath of God – the voice of God. Jesus was God’s utterance used for the creation of the earth – the Word of God.

Earthly people may consider Jesus Christ as the Son of God, but he is indeed God in human flesh. It is impossible to separate him from God.

Jesus Christ cannot be separated from God, just as a person’s voice cannot be separated from him. In short, Jesus is God! All things were made through him, and nothing else was made without him! Hence, humanity is to declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ and accept him as their Savior.

The condition of receiving the salvation of Jesus Christ is to confess him as the Son of God (God in human flesh). The Bible declares,

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” Romans 10:9-10.

Application Prayer

Pray to Accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ

Dear Jesus Christ, I understand that you have been in existence before the creation of the earth. You are Christ the Son of God! You are God in human flesh! I declare you as my personal Lord and Savior. I yield my complete life to you, and I will faithfully serve you throughout the days of my life. Please write my name in the book of life, and keep me heavenly worthy. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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JESUS PREACHED AGAINST ANXIETY – Matthew

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Matthew – Christians Must Not Be Anxious For Anything

(Passage: Matthew 6)

Jesus instructed his followers to not worry about anything, but they should have confidence in God. Believers must be joyous and hopeful at all times. We must have an expectation that promises of God on our lives will come to pass.

Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek.

For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:25-34).

Important Lesson on Anxiety

People who serve God must not be anxious about anything, but we must be hopeful in God. Believers must be confident that God is ever strong to help us overcome our challenges and lead us to victory.

Christians must understand that Satan outsource scary situations to challenge our faith. His goal is to make us doubt God and stumble in faith. No Christian should give in for the desire of the enemy.

We must be full of faith and have high expectations. As we demonstrate unwavering faith, God will turn our trials into testimonies, and he will also make Satan be ashamed. Indeed, God will compensate our faith and turn it into testimonies!

Prayer Against Anxiety

Dear God, please help me to demonstrate unwavering faith in you. Help me to stop worrying about life challenges. Help me to realize that you are in charge of my life, and you will perfect whatever concerns me! As I continue to trust you, let my terrible situation turn around to good one, and let me have the story of your goodness to share with other believers and the rest of the world. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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JESUS PURCHASED THE CHURCH WITH HIS BLOOD – Acts

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Acts – The Church of Christ to Maintain Its Traditional Values

(Passage: Acts 20)
Apostle Paul declared to a body of believers and stated,

 

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:26-29).

The Church to Honor Its Virtues

Jesus Christ founded the church for the purpose of benefiting all people that entrust their faith in him – The Christians. The Son of God purchased the church with his own blood through his death on the cross, so that people can fellowship and meet God’s mandate of holiness.

It is unfortunate that the church that Jesus Christ purchased with his blood has digressed from its traditional value. The Church has moved away from its Christ-centered traditions to fall in love with activities that have little or no contribution to God’s kingdom.

Most churches now lean toward towards politics. Their leaders restrict the move of Holy Spirit but allow their activities to be fully moderated by politics.

However, Jesus Christ expects the church to regain its stature and celebrate its Bible-based values.

Jesus will demonstrate his power in our various churches again if we can abide by his rules. Christ will reinstate his love with his church if he can gain its cooperation.

 

Application Prayer

Prayer for Church Reinstatement

Dear Lord Jesus Christ please redeem your church again. Gain the hearts of our church leaders to give room for the leadership of your Holy

Spirit. Please the church that you died for become relevant again. Let our church leaders start to fear and obey your instructions, and take your heavenly mandates seriously. Let the truth of your gospel be preached from our church altars; let true love be demonstrated among brethren, and keep us fit for your second coming.

Please, establish the standard of your righteousness in our churches so that people of this generation can have a good legacy to pass down to the coming ones.

Please make our churches receive your royal welcome in heaven as an adorable bride fit for her husband. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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