March 2021 week 2
Friday
As He is, so are we
Colossians 1:18 says, “And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church….” The head and the body share the same life. If we share His life, then we also share His health, prosperity, strength and glory. No wonder He calls us, “Partakers of the divine nature”; associates of the God-kind. 1 John 4:17 says, “…as he is, so are we in this world.” You’re of the same stock with Christ. Therefore, walk as He walked—in glory, righteousness, strength and dominion. Hallelujah!
Thursday
EXAMINE WHAT YOU HEAR
“My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world (1 John 4:1 MSG).”
There’re those who quote Romans 13:1 and assume they should do whatever they’re told to do, as long as the one giving such instructions is a person of authority. They’d say, “He’s a renowned leader; therefore, he must be speaking the truth”; but that’s not how it works.
Here is what the scripture says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). Our opening verse tells us to test the spirits. That’s why it is important not just to run with, or do whatever we are told by just anybody; examine where that authority is coming from. It could be from Satan. So, we have to be careful.
God can choose a leader, and the leader can go rogue against God. The Scripture is replete with examples of those that went against God, even though they were chosen of God. Let’s take the story of King Saul as a case study. In 1 Samuel 15, Samuel the prophet gave very definite instructions to King Saul. He was to go to war against Amalek and destroy everything connected to them, with no exceptions!
Saul went out as instructed, and had the victory. He utterly destroyed all that was despised and worthless, but spared what he deemed choice and valuable. Not only did he spare Agag, the king, he also spared the best of the sheep and oxen, and all that was good. What was God’s response?
He said to Samuel the prophet, “I regret making Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not performed My commands…” (1 Samuel 15:11 AMPC). This shows that not every leader listens to God or wants to do what’s right.
Therefore subject all things to the light of God’s Word. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Just because someone felt good about what someone else of authority told him doesn’t mean it was from God. We should always remember that God’s Word is the supreme authority by which we judge all things.
Someday we will find ourselves as leaders in some way, and it is important we have to listen to God. We should find out what He wants, and do His will. We should avoid to compromise. We must examine our policies to be sure they’re good for God and for people.
ADD MORE KNOWLEDGE
“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 AMPC).
God said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hosea 4:6). The knowledge of God’s Word for each one of us is very important. It is important to seek to have, by all means, an accurate knowledge of the Word; there’s no alternative to it.
The will, nature, and purpose of God are revealed in His Word. To neglect the Word is to be in the dark about the will of the Father and how He wants you to live.
Tuesday
DO IT FOR HIS GLORY
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”(Philippians 2:3).
The Amplified Classic translation puts our theme verse in a clearer perspective. It says, *“Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance….”* Whatever we do for the Lord shouldn’t be out of selfish ambition or conceit. It should be for His glory. It is important to learn to follow the Spirit in the Word, by the Word, and through the Word. And our works, and our ways, will glorify the Lord.
Monday
THE MYSTERY OF LIGHTS
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:5).”
Have you ever turned on the light in a room and the darkness was so thick that it caused the light to recede? That can never happen! Even if the light is small or a mere flicker, the darkness has to pull apart.
This should help us understand who we are when Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14). He was talking about our calling as Christians, and it is important for us to become conscious of this truth. We are called to light up the darkness in this world, in our sphere of influence; we are that light that darkness can’t comprehend.
Perhaps you’re a student, a security guard, a lawyer, a banker, doctor or scientist; you’re the light in your community of practice.
Light up your world today: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 AMPC).