TUESDAY JUNE 9, 2020
TOPIC: PROVE YOUR FAITH
TEXT: JAMES 2:10-26
KEY VERSE: "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works" (JAMES 2:18).
It is all too easy to seek to extol our personal virtues, flaunt our spiritual gifts and make ourselves look better than other people. Whereas, this may impress men, it accounts for little or nothing before God. What matters to Him is the result of whatever spiritual experiences we claim to possess.
Apostle James understood this point when he stressed that believers must not strive for half measures. They either obey all the laws or they fail in all. Their words must match their actions. In the same vein, he said if they profess to possess faith, it can only show by their good works. It is no use telling someone in need who came to you for help, that God will bless him. Without giving him an assistance, such fine words amount to nothing.
Faith is reinforced by works, as in the case with Abraham. He believed God to the point of almost sacrificing his only son, Isaac, as God commanded. That singular action was what marked him out as a man of faith. Rahab the harlot, too, was commended for backing up her faith in the God of Israel with action.
We must never be contented with simply proclaiming how great a faith we have. Rather, we should allow the actions that are influenced by our faith to speak the loudest. We must make ourselves part of God's answer to other people's prayers by rendering assistance to them. If we love and obey God, we must never withhold anything He demands from us, no matter how precious. This is the only way to prove that we have faith.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Faith without works is dead."
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 13-14
HIGHER EVERYDAY
TUESDAY JUNE 9, 2020
TOPIC: PEOPLE FOR THE TOP PLACE
TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 28:8-11
MEMORY VERSE: "And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath..." (DEUTERONOMY 28:13a).
In any competition, be it in sports, creative arts or academics, when a competitor separates himself from the ordinary run-of-the-mill competitors by stretching himself beyond limits, during training and the main event, records are often broken and a new champion emerges. Such people dare to set aside previous best records that stand as limits. According to Zig Ziglar, "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." Yes, that little extra in practice, study, revision, prayer and self-discipline.
Our text assures us that God will lift any barrier standing between His children and the top place, be it in academics, career, social and spiritual endeavours. Lifting the limits can be done by God if we trust Him, rightly deploy our talents and do our best. Tiger Woods, the world champion in golf, said, "I just try to be the best I can and hope that is the best ever." If you are beneath now, the story can change and you will move up to become above only as you turn to God for the turnaround.
QUOTE: Turn to God for the turnaround.
CHALLENGE: Tough times never last, but tough people do.
PRAYER: Lord, lift off all limitations in my life in Jesus' name.