KILLERS OF OUR VISION AND MISSION FOR GOD

MI DAILY DEVOTION

FRIDAY

KILLERS OF OUR VISION AND MISSION FOR GOD

(Job 23:11- 14) … For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

In his book “Thinking for a Change”; Dr. John C. Maxwell shared about “Remove Creativity Killers”. He wrote: “Take a look at the following phrases. They are almost guaranteed to kill creative thinking any time you hear (or think) them:

·       I’m Not a Creative Person

·       Follow the Rules

·       Don’t Ask Questions

·       Don’t Be Different

·       Stay Within The Lines

·       There Is Only One Way

·       Don’t Be Foolish

·       Be Practical

·       Be Serious

·       Think of Your Image

·       That’s Not Logical

·       It’s Not Practical

·       It’s Never Been Done

·       It Can’t Be Done

·       It Didn’t Work For Them

·       We Tried That Before

·       It’s Too Much Work

·       We Can’t Afford to Make a Mistake

·       It Will Be Too Hard to Administer

·       We Don’t Have the Time

·       We Don’t Have the Money

·       Yes, But…

·       Play Is Frivolous

·       Failure Is Final  

This can also apply to anyone who may have a dream, vision and goals in life. Some of the phrases may have been a killer to some churches or organizations already. An individual, some homes, sincere leaders or an ordinary citizen or student could have been a victim of some of those negative phrases already. David said; God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. 12- Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6- In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Psalm 62:11; Proverbs 3:5- 6)

FAITH- IS IT COMPLICATED?

MI DAILY DEVOTION

FRIDAY
FAITH- IS IT COMPLICATED?

(Ephesians 2:8- 10) 8- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9- Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The negative side of faith for the unbelieving world is, it’s hard to believe in and it’s impossible to ride on in the same ship with God. The Christian’s conversion and eternal salvation is by a simple faith in our Savior and Lord. Faith is not the mere by product of man’s natural instinct, natural abilities and it’s not by our own merit or good deeds. Faith is a gift from God and it’s not of any man’s best effort, religious activities or personal belief. Not of works, lest any man should boast… The boasting of man for its belief and religious accomplishment and ceremonial practices will not add any good to God and to man’s personal faith in the Savior. If you want to boast and stand tall, you must boast and stand tall for God and on the top of His grace and mercy, because He is the source of everything and of our faith. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. 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. (Hebrews 12:2) We can’t have faith unless we recognize that He (Jesus) is the author of that faith. We can’t come to God without the recognition of both as I may put it that way. We can cover up everything under one big umbrella called The Love of God. Christ’s death was God’s manifestation of His love for mankind.  It was the love of God that made us trust Him and His death on the cross. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5- Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:4- 5)

FAITH- IS IT COMPLICATED?

MI DAILY DEVOTION

FRIDAY
FAITH- IS IT COMPLICATED?

(Ephesians 2:8- 10) 8- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9- Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The negative side of faith for the unbelieving world is, it’s hard to believe in and it’s impossible to ride on in the same ship with God. The Christian’s conversion and eternal salvation is by a simple faith in our Savior and Lord. Faith is not the mere by product of man’s natural instinct, natural abilities and it’s not by our own merit or good deeds. Faith is a gift from God and it’s not of any man’s best effort, religious activities or personal belief. Not of works, lest any man should boast… The boasting of man for its belief and religious accomplishment and ceremonial practices will not add any good to God and to man’s personal faith in the Savior. If you want to boast and stand tall, you must boast and stand tall for God and on the top of His grace and mercy, because He is the source of everything and of our faith. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. 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. (Hebrews 12:2) We can’t have faith unless we recognize that He (Jesus) is the author of that faith. We can’t come to God without the recognition of both as I may put it that way. We can cover up everything under one big umbrella called The Love of God. Christ’s death was God’s manifestation of His love for mankind.  It was the love of God that made us trust Him and His death on the cross. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5- Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:4- 5)

MY ROLE AS A MEMBER OF MI CHURCH:

MI DAILY DEVOTION

WEDNESDAY

(I Corinthians 1:1- 3)

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2- Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3- Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

MY ROLE AS A MEMBER OF MI CHURCH:

1- TO LOVE THE BODY OF CHRIST WHICH IS THE CHURCH, TO PRAY EARNESTLY, ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE PASTOR AND THE BODY. (Colossians 3:16- 25)

2- TO BE AT MY BEST AS A TEAM PLAYER AND A CHURCH MEMBER. Colossians 3:17; 23)

3- TO DREAM AND HAVE A VISION WITH MY PASTOR FOR THE BEST AND GROWTH OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S KINGDOM AND GLORY. (Proverbs 29:18)

4- TO WORSHIP, BE A WITNESS AND A TESTIMONY OF GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE. (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:16-20)

5- TO GIVE MY TALENTS, MY ABILITY AND AVAILABILITY AND MY ALL TO GOD AND FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE BODY (THE CHURCH). (I Corinthians 15:10; 58)

Verse 47 of Acts chapter 2-… Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.  (Acts 2:41- 47)

GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY…

MI DAILY DEVOTION

TUESDAY

GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY…

(Revelation 21:4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes… This was the most beautiful phrase that was said of the angel of God to John while he was in Patmos. Matthew Henry wrote; “All the effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have been often before in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church; but now all tears shall be wiped away; no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain, any further than to make their present felicity the greater. God himself, as their tender Father, with his own kind hand, shall wipe away the tears of his children; and they would not have been without those tears when God shall come and wipe them away.” (The Bible Collection) If God can do it to us up there in heaven; I believe He can do the same to us while we’re here on earth below. Do you believe that God can wipe away not just our tears up there in heaven but also here on earth below? God can wipe away all our tears of joy, tears of pain and problems, tears of sorrow and suffering and tears that are beyond our control. God can wipe away our debts, our drive for sins and our discouragement. God can wipe away our discouragement, distress, depression and give us deliverance. King David said; I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. (Psalm 69:3) Have you ever felt that way or have you ever been to that same situation like what King David went through? And then after we felt the hands of God touching our face because of the tears in our eyes, then we can joyfully say; “You are indeed a God of mercy and grace. You are a God of the impossible. God is in control and He took the dark night away from me.” The Psalmists said; For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

EXERCISE YOUR FAITH IN GOD AT HOME

MI DAILY DEVOTION

TUESDAY

EXERCISE YOUR FAITH IN GOD AT HOME

 (Romans 5:1- 2) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2- By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Sometimes I get tempted to conclude that the reason why we have weak homes, because we have parents who are weak in their faith. Your financial stability and your stable business or job will not make your faith in God stronger and your home a better place to live in.

You can live in abundance of this world, but empty without God, without love and without faith in the Lord. Someone said, “Faith is making real what cannot be seen or sensed with our human faculties.” The word “Faith” must not only be heard at home but it must be a daily exercise of every members of the family. Every family member must have faith in the true, living, faithful and loving God the Father. Faith must not be a byword at home, but faith must be a sacred word. Some Christians are almost immune of the word ‘faith’ already. Some of them could not even appreciate and practice faith in their daily walk with the Lord. Faith is not what you think or feel, but it is the Holy Spirit of God working in you and through you. The parents should be the influencer in every religious practices and sincere faith in God. Dr. Jerry Falwell said; “In spite of all our mistakes, shortcomings, weaknesses and vices, if we can learn how to live by faith, we will overcome everything else. We will achieve our goals in victorious living.” Faith means holding on to God right to the last moment, knowing He will never let you down. Apostle Peter said; Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9- Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10- Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: (I Peter 1:8- 10)

MOSES SUFFERED AFFLICTION WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD

MI DAILY DEVOTION

THURSDAY

MOSES SUFFERED AFFLICTION WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD

(Hebrews 11:25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Moses lived by faith but it does not keep him out of suffering. Godly suffering is a choice. Saul had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ when he was on his way to Damascus to kill and persecute the Christians. When Saul of Tarsus was called by the Lord for salvation and service; God actually called Saul to suffer for His sake too and he had the choice to refuse or accept the offer of the Lord. Then God appointed Ananias to meet and pray for Saul. Ananias argued with God regarding Saul’s evil intention and ungodly deeds. But notice what the Lord said to him; But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16- For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:15- 16) I recently notice the significant of the word “must” in verse 16. Suffering for Saul was not only a matter of choice; but it was also God’s choice for 2 reasons: 1- for he is a chosen vessel unto me 2- to bear my name- a) “before the Gentiles”- to the whole population. b) “…and kings”- to the politicians. c) “…and the children of Israel”- to the people of God. Moses has a different story and scenario. Those who have different perspective or outlook in life may conclude that Moses was crazy because he refused the provisions, pleasures and what palace and the kingdom of Pharaoh can offer. Moses did not only suffer with the people of God, but he suffered with God on his side. Peter said; But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14- If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (I Peter 4:13- 14)