THE DAILY GOOD NEWS OF OUR ALMIGHTY GOD THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD [ 30 OCTOBER, 2013, WEDNESDAY OF THE 30th ORDINARY WEEK ] FIRST READING ROMANS 8 : 26 - 30 The Future Glory 26 In the same way the Spirit who comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express. 27 And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the Spirit is; because the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of his people and in accordance with his will. We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. 29 Those whom god has already chose n he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers. 30 And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them. PSALM RESPONSE PSALMS 13 : 4 - 6 A Prayer for Help 4 Dont let my enemies say, We have defeated him. Dont let them gloat over my downfall. 5 I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me. 6 I will sing to you, O LORD, because you have need good to me. GOSPEL READING LUKE 13 : 22 - 30 The Narrow Door 22 Jesus went through towns and villages, teaching the people and making his way toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, Sir, will just a few people be saved? Jesus answered them, 24 Do your best to go in through the narrow door; because many people will surely try to go in but will not be able. 25 The master of the house will get up and close the door; then when you stand outside and begin to knock on the floor and say, Open the door for us, sin! he will answer you, I dont know where you come from! 26 Then you will answer, We ate and drank with you; you taught in our town! 27 But he will say again, I dont know where you come from. Get away from me, all you wicked people! 28 How you will cry and gnash your teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, while you are throne out! 29 People will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God. 30 Then those who are now last will be first, and those who are now first will be last. OUR DAILY BREAD Father Of Lies Read: JOHN 8 : 37 - 47 When [the devil] speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. ---John 8:44 Satans way over mankind began when he turned the minds of Adam and Eve against God. In order to pull it off, he had to lie to them about God---and they had to fall for it. In that defining moment, he lied to them about Gods goodness, Gods Word, and Gods intentions (Genesis 3:1-6). Satan is still up to his old tricks. Jesus said that wen the devil speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar (John 8:44). It should not be surprising, then, that when trouble interrupts out lives, the father of lies whispers in our ears and suddenly we are questioning Gods goodness. When we are told to follow His commands, we wonder if His Word is really true in the first place. When Jesus tells us things like, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19), Satan tells us that the good life is about piling up things here, causing us to doubt Gods good intentions. Our problem is that we, like Adam and Eve, believe Satans lies. And when we do, our loyalty to God is compromised. Then our enemy slithers off to his next assignment, leaving us alone to face our regrets and the realization that his lies have seduced us away from our truest and dearest Friend. Who have you been listening to lately? Satan can catch you by surprise And stop you in your tracks, So keep on guard and trust Gods Word, Resist his strong attacks. +++The power of Satan is no match for the power of Gods Word.+++ OUR DAILY JOURNEY God-Given Creativity Read: EXODUS 35 : 4 - 35 We are Gods masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10). Steve Saint needed a car that could fly. But with no Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on the market, he prayerfully and creatively began to build one. His labor of love reflects the love he has for the Waodani tribe in Ecuador. Steves father, Nate Saint, was a pilot and missionary who died at the hands of the Waodani in 1956. Over the years, Steve has faithfully ministered to the tribe. His ingenious Maverick car, which uses a parachute for flight, allows greater access to Waodani villages in the Amazon, as well as to other remote parts of the world. Moses needed some skilled, creative people to produce something new---the tabernacle (Exodus 35). The special tentlike structure, where God would meet for tabernacle with His people Israel, was an artists dream---featuring materials such as gold, silver, bronze, linen, wood, and gemstones (vv.5-9). Moses summoned all the gifted craftsman (v.10) he could find to create what God had inspired (v.5). Gods people were passionate about the project. Their hearts were stirred and their spirits were moved as they gave selflessly to see the tabernacle become a reality (v.21). A man named Bezalel, who possessed expertise in all kinds of crafts led the design and development team (v.31). In time, the tabernacle was completed, and God---in all His glory---met with his people there. You might be saying, Okay, Steve Saint and Bezalel used their creativity and drive to make some amazing things, but Im about as creative as a rock. Not true! Each of us is Gods masterpiece and He has good things in mind for us create and complete (Ephesians 2:10). Consider what issues and projects youre facing today. Instead of becoming overwhelmed or feeling inadequate, tap into Gods creativity and use your skill to glorify Him! What does Genesis 1:27 reveal about why we can create, reflecting the ways of our Creator? + GENESIS 1 : 27 + The Story of Creation 27 So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female. WALKING WITH GOD DAY BY DAY Assurance In Prayer Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 JOHN 3:21-22 Over and a above my confidence is my right of access; I must have assurance with regard to my petitions: James puts it like this: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God... But notice this: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For the that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord (James 1:5-7). If you are uncertain, doubtful, or hesitant and lacking assurance in your petition, you will no get your request, says James. Listen to the psalmist in Psalm 66;18: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. If I go to God with a double mind, holding on to my sin and knowing that I am living a wrong life, I will not have confidence in my prayer. God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things (1 John 3:20); if I am condemning myself and know I am wrong, how much more so must God. Now I thank that our Lord Himself has answered this question in Johns Gospel. He put it like this: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7). Or again: I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the father in my name, he may give it you (John 15:16). If I am keeping Gods commandments, then I can be certain that my life is being controlled by the Holy Spirit, and therefore I know that any petitions and desires I may have were created in me by the Holy Spirit. A Thought to Ponder If I go to God holding on to my sin and knowing that I am living a wrong life, I will not have confidence in my prayer.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 15:32:20 +0000
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