“T”- THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING (ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s)

11- 12- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION
“T”- THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING (ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s)
11- “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 12- I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.
People all over the world are complaining and murmurings just like the Israelites of old, they always complain or they always have something to complain about.
Gratefulness or being thankful is very important in our daily walk with God. Being thankful, being appreciative or grateful is very important as God’s light in this darkened world.
People have complains on almost everything. No wonder at the Mall, in tourist areas, in buildings and businesses, we can see a customer service or a complain desks. We read of the Israelites complained to Moses and to God in spite of God’s provision. We complain of the terrible traffic while some people on the other parts of the world; they walk miles or just ride a bike to be able to go from point “A” to point “B”. Some of us Christians here in the USA are complaining of the grapes with seeds, while in some parts of the world they only have grapes on special occasions like Christmas. Are we stepping on the Israelites’ of old footsteps or pattern of life or are we walking in the path of righteousness? We are in the Lord Jesus Christ’s pathway. “Count your blessings name them one by one… and see what the Lord has done” as the song says.
THANK YOU! “We say it so often when a waitress gives us good service, when a customer buys our product, when someone gives us helping hand. Sometimes we show as well as say our thanks, when we leave a small tip, when we send a little gift to a friend or hostess, when we give that warm, sincere hand-shake. I’d like to show my appreciation to you by telling you something that is of far greater value. It is simply that the greatest gift in the world can be yours for the asking.
That gift is the friendship of my best friend-Jesus Christ. He took away my sin and guilt and gives me joy and peace. I serve him with loving obedience and find in Him my life, my hope, my everything! He invites you, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He saves; He keeps; He satisfies! Introducing Him to you is the best way that I can say Thank you! (Faith, Prayer & Tract League, Grand Rapids, MI 49504)
So be thankful to God in all things, (I Thessalonians 5: 18) “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

"S"- START RIGHT ON EVERYTHING YOU DO (ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s)

11- 11- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (I Corinthians 9:25- 27)
"S"- START RIGHT ON EVERYTHING YOU DO (ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s)
25- “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 26- I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27- But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
The best way to start something right is to first, pray earnestly, seek God’s will and consult God’s Word. We need to plan ahead and we need to have the right preparations, right purpose and we need the right person/s or people. It is essential to also have a relevant presentation, rightful profit and to give the Praise and the honor to God when you succeed. This kind of principle is true especially in business, in church planting and even in building a home. Jesus said in (Luke 14:28-32) 28- “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29- Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30- Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31- Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32- Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.”
To start right, it would mean discipline, determination and consistent practice and training to many, especially the athletes. Those who are involved in the track and field knew the importance of starting right with your eyes focused onward or on to the finish line. It will really make the difference, when you have the right gears and the right way of doing things. “At the professional level, sprinters begin the race by assuming a crouching position in the starting blocks before leaning forward and gradually moving into an upright position as the race progresses and momentum is gained. Athletes remain in the same lane on the running track throughout all sprinting events, with the sole exception of the 400 m indoors.” (Wikipedia, Events- Running). Apostle Paul said in, (II Timothy 4:7) “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

“R”- REMEMBER OTHERS AS CHRIST REMEMBER THEM AT THE CROSS (ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s)

11- 10 -10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Luke 23:32- 34)

“R”- REMEMBER OTHERS AS CHRIST REMEMBER THEM AT THE CROSS (ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s)

32- “And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33- And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34- Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon the prince of preachers once said; “It is not my remembering God, it is God’s remembering me that is the ground for my safety.” He continued; “Even the remembrance of the covenant is not left to our memories. We might forget, but our Lord cannot forget the saints whom He has inscribed on the palms of His hands.” (Isaiah 49:16) “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” In (Genesis 8:1) “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;” But in (Genesis 7:23- 24) here in these verses; it tells us of God’s righteous judgement and how God extinguished the whole race of mankind. But the Bible said, “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing…” Remember others in your prayer, blessings and even in small things. I heard an audio of the preaching of the late Dr. Jack Hyles on the topic; “OTHERS”. He said about Jesus remembering us on the Cross in spite of His pain and suffering. The first 3 sayings of the Lord on the cross were for others. When He was talking to God in behalf of the sinful world; He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” The second one was when He was talking to the malefactor as He turned His head and said, “…Today, thou shalt be with me in paradise”. And the third was when He was talking to Mary His mother in the flesh and to His disciple. He said, “Woman, behold thy son!” “Behold thy mother! “ Let’s not be selfish but self-less. One of my favorite song of which I really love to sing when I was travelling was “When He Was on the Cross, I was on His mind” (Philippians 2:3- 4) 3- “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4- Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

“Q”- QUOTE BIBLE VERSES ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s

11- 09- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Deuteronomy 6:1- 3)

“Q”- QUOTE BIBLE VERSES ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s

1- “Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: 2- That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. 3- Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Patrick Henry’s Regret- Patrick Henry, near death, said: “Here is a Book, the Bible, worth more that all others that were ever printed; yet it is my misfortune never to have found time to read it.” (Knight’s Master Book of New Illustrations, WM. B. Eerdsmans Publishing Company)

We can quote the Word of God when we have trials and in the midst of temptation. We can also quote Bible verses when we’re trying to resist the enemy. God requires of us to be in His Word daily. (Psalm 119:1) “…who walk in the law of the LORD.” God wants every Christians to “walk” according to His Word. (Psalm 119:2) “…keep his testimonies,” The Psalmist said that we’ll be blessed, which is true. We experienced His blessings and we know we’re blessed when we keep God’s Word in our hearts. (Psalm 119:101) “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.” “The Word of God keeps us away from sin and sin keeps us away from the Word of God.” (Psalm 119:3) “They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.” We ought to keep His Word diligently; it will lead us in God’s ways and will. If you want to absorb God’s wisdom and have the spirit of understanding, then be in His Word. If you want to learn every false way, then be in His Word. If you need a light and a lamp then, be in His Word. (Psalm 119:100-105) We will not only quote Bible verses like what Jesus did in Matthew 4:1- 11) during His temptation, but we will live with it; His Word is our life. May this will be your vow and prayers to God like what the Psalmist did in (Psalm 119:106- 107) 106- “I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. 107- I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

PERSEVERE UNTIL YOU REACH YOUR GOAL/S ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s

11- 08- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Hebrews 12:1- 3)

"P"- PERSEVERE UNTIL YOU REACH YOUR GOAL ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s

1- “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2- Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3- For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

According to the dictionary; “Persevere” means – “to persist in anything undertaken”; “maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement”; “continue steadfastly.”

Pray earnestly and Plan wisely as you set your goal. We have daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals and yearly goals, but we must have long ranged goals too.

Entrust your goal/s to God knowing that we can’t do anything without Him. (John 15:5) “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Re-Set your goal/s if you failed, but don’t quit; you have just started to walk through the aisle of the learning process. You’re not a loser as long as you keep on keeping on! Burn that bridge named “quit and looking back”; those were the failures of the Israelites when they went out of Egypt. “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” (Thomas Edison 1847-1931)

Start working hard to get to your goal. Don’t take things lightly and don’t let laziness gets in the way.

Exercise caution and exert more efforts as you work hard. Jesus said, “…be wise as serpent and harmless as dove.”

Visualize your way to success; when you reach your goal/s and celebrate success.

Entertain good advice and counsels. (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22)

Review your failure/s or success and examine yourself. (Psalm 26:2; II Corinthians 13:5)

Evaluate where you are in all areas of life. Your success in reaching your goal/s in spiritual, financial and physical standing in life will depend on your attitude.

“O” OPPOSE SIN AND EVIL ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s

11- 07- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (I Peter 5:8- 9)

“O” OPPOSE SIN AND EVIL ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s

8- “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9-Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

RESIST-the work of the ungodly. Resist the advice and the offer of the evil men. Resist your fleshly desires and the lust of the flesh. This sinful world will offer us temporary pleasures and satisfaction. Be careful of the deceitful works of Satan. Resist Satan’s destructive and deceitful offer. God has a better plan for you.

Evil will always be evil. The devil will make evil looks good and will make good evil; but no matter how you would cover it up, it will not make any difference at all, because evil is evil. It may look different from the outside, because it’s covered with deceit; but it would be the same in the inside.

Sin is sin even if you will cover it up with good things and religious rituals or religious ceremonies and practices. (Romans 8:9- 10) 9- “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10- And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

“I”, yes the big “I” is in the middle of sIn and prIde. Oppose sin, evil, pride and arrogance. The Big “I” was the reason for Satan’s downfall, (Isaiah 14:12- 24).

Satan is a liar and the father of it. (John 8:44) ”Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” The world and its courses have not changed, so is the Word of God and the devices and deception of Satan.  

Temptation will always be there waiting for you, pursuing you if that’s the right word or haunting you but God’s promised is in (I Corinthians 15:58).

“N”- NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING AT ANYTIME ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s

11- 06- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Philippians 4:11- 13)

“N”- NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING AT ANYTIME ON CHRISTIAN’s ABC’s

11- Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12- I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13- I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

One day, I was walking down to my room at Ramada Hotel few hours before our Ramada Worship Night. Behind me was the group of sport team kids who visited Taylor, Michigan for a game. I was not nosey on their conversations, but I just overheard one of the remarks of 1 of the kids. He said, “I hate this hotel, I hate this place and I don’t want to stay in this place.” If you are in a carpeted hotel, with swimming pools, gym, spa and game room, Television with cable and Internet; how can you hate such place? I would not be surprised on the attitudes of some of the children who don’t know what it means to be poor, who don’t know anything about poverty, who’ve never seen people living in shanties or living with nothing but pillows and roof. In 2007, we went to the Philippines for a vacation. You know how expensive it would be for the whole family to go together, but it helps turned my children’s heart with a better perspective and they begin to appreciate what we have here in the States. They were very little when they came to the USA, especially EJ who was born here in the States, he never have any clue what life is, in that beautiful Country. Now, at least they have the feel and they know what it means to be poor. Some of the kids; to be poor means you don’t have the leisure and pleasures of the rich. One day EJ said; “We’re very poor, because we don’t have a nice and expensive car and our house is not as big as my friend’s house.” People will complain of what they don’t have and will also complain of what they have but they want more or better. Contentment, satisfaction, gratefulness and just be happy of what you have is I believe the key to this kind of attitude. Remember that “Only Jesus Can Satisfy Your Soul”. Apostle Paul said in (I Thessalonians 5:18) “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” “NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING AT ANYTIME”