“For You, Brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (NKJV) Gal. 5:13.

The Spirit of God has given us spiritual gifts, but these gifts will be worthless unless they are used in the service of God and His Church. In the Bible, Paul often uses the parts of the human body to show their dependence on each other and emphasize the importance of Christians serving one another through love (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-31).

Paul also wrote that while some members of the body have more prominent places of service than others, all are equally important. The worst thing that can happen to the body is for one of its members to become dysfunctional through paralysis, sickness, deterioration, and sometimes death. Therefore, to maintain strength, health, and vitality, every member of the body must function and serve others. The same applies to Christians.

To serve one another in love, we must realize our importance in the Lord's Vineyard (The Church) and how our duties will help in the accomplishments of God's purpose in the world and the edification of the Church (the body of Christ). This will give us much joy in knowing that serving others is serving the God we love and nourishing the body of Christ. May we be joyous always in serving one another. God bless you.

Decisions Determine Destiny || More

“But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried" (NIV) Ruth 1:16-17.

Wrong decisions have been the source of all mankind’s problems from the Garden of Eden till now. The sin man committed has led to many consequences including difficulties and death. Despite all the uncertainties of life, man still has the chance to live a better life. We will consider the book of Ruth for today’s devotion.

The book of Ruth in the Bible was written during a time of great difficulties (Judges 21:25). This scripture demonstrates the providence of God, redemption and hope for survival even in challenging times. Ruth was redeemed by Boaz who gave her a second chance in life.

We have free choices in decision making and we always have choices to make in life. Refusing to choose is also a decision. We are not free to choose but not the consequences. Wise choices have great power and benefits while bad choices are always associated with problems. Ruth became the grandmother of Jesse, the father of David. The principle of choices states our decisions determine our destiny.

We choose our destiny in life (Eze. 18:20) by either accepting the gospel of Jesus or not. Some refuse to say yes or no to obeying Jesus but there is no borderline. When we refuse to make a choice, we have made a choice. Decision-making in all aspects of life determines the outcome of our lives. Leaving God and entering enemy territory is the wrong choice (2Pet 2:20-21).

We easily make wrong choices for these reasons; wrong motives, wrong methods of work and following the wrong masters. We take decisions mostly by carnal reasons and not spiritual, we walk by sight and not by faith.

When life so was difficult, the power of a wise choice by Ruth deciding to go with her mother-in-law changed her destiny. Our decisions have a great effect on our physical and spiritual life courses. Ruth previously lived a cursed and condemned life being poor, widow and an idolater. When we become Christians, our desires, direction, determination, devotion, dependence, and destiny all must be new (2Cor 5:17).

We all have choices to make. What is your decision today? The wrong choice will lead to destruction. The right choice for God leads to everlasting life. Have you obeyed the gospel? The decision you make will determine your destiny.

Serving God || More

"Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it” (NASB) Jeremiah 6:16

Humanity from creation has been subjects of worship. There is always the affinity to believe and serve someone or something. In our attempt to worship and please the true God, mankind has tried different ways to get to Him. Let us realize that there are right and wrong ways to serve God. Obviously, the right way will please God, and the wrong ways will sadden His heart since they lead to damnation or rejection. Therefore, it is just not enough to serve God as we wish but we have to do that according to the design and standard of worship He has set for us.

As Christians, one of the standards is to serve God faithfully. The good book says; “fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”. (Eccl. 12:13). Indeed, God loves all humanity but will provide salvation to only those who obey Him and worship according to His will (Matt 7:21).

In serving God, we are reminded to always seek the old paths, stand in the old ways, and it will be good for us (Jeremiah 6:16). Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This is the desire of God which he made clear in Luke 9:35: “A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." The apostles who heard this voice of God followed what Jesus taught them and passed on the truth to our generation through the New Testament of the Bible. Therefore, we are encouraged to “keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me (Paul)--everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

Beloved, we cannot serve God anyhow. He is true to Himself, and He is faithful to His words. God cannot lie. His words from the Bible must be respected without compromise. A renewal or revival is needed when we go astray. We must encourage others to be faithful to God always. If we will repent and turn to God, God will restore blessings far above what we desire or can possibly imagine.

Striving to maturity || More

“Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong" (NLT) Heb. 5:14

Nothing good in life comes easy especially if you want to excel in any field of endeavor. You can never become an excellent student, academician, business person, worker, sports personality or an artisan just in a day. It takes a period of dedication, constant training, discipline, and hard work to achieve greatness in these physical endeavors. Maturity in Christianity also doesn’t happen by accident.

We are saved in Christianity by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the desire of God for all Christians to achieve spiritual maturity but not to remain the same in Christ. Believe that spiritual maturity is possible in Christ. “Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better” (Col 1:10).

Although God has made available all spiritual and material resources for spiritual maturity, no one can do it for you than yourself. Your growth into maturity begins the day you come into Christ till your last day on earth. Some of the things that hinder and retards our growth are predisposition towards procrastination, staying in our comfort zone, worldly distractions, and lack of motivation to stay focused on our spiritual lives.

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1Cor 9:25). Think, pray, love, serve, study the scriptures, and live like Christ. It will not be easy but remember Christ himself went through difficulties to be crowned the King of Kings and the Lord of all. Keep moving on to spiritual maturity.

Pressing towards the goal || More