Believe That God Is Your Rewarder

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible 2 please Him, for he who comes 2 God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Most people quote only the first part of Hebrews 11:6 — “without faith it is impossible 2 please Him”. Yet, it goes on 2 say, “for he who comes 2 God must believe that He is, & that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. In other words, the faith that pleases God is the kind of faith that believes that God exists & that He is a rewarder.

The Bible also says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. (Hebrews 11:1) So even in times of difficulty, when we don’t see good things happening in our circumstances, we are 2 believe that God will turn things around & reward us.

God turned things around 4 Ruth, the Moabite widow, when she believed the Lord & made Him her God. (Ruth 1:16) The Bible tells us that she was given a “full reward” by the Lord when she came under His wings 4 refuge. (Ruth 2:12) Not only did He give her protection, He also gave her abundant provision, exceeding favor & a glorious redemption. (Ruth 2:9–17, 3:11, 4:10–13) When Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, heard reports of how the Lord had opened up the Red Sea 4 the children of Israel, she believed that “He is God in heaven above & on earth beneath”. (Joshua 2:9–11) Though Rahab had not personally witnessed the miracles, she believed God & hid the Jewish spies from their pursuers. (Joshua 2:4–6) Because of her faith, she not only did not perish with those who did not believe (Joshua 6:25, Hebrews 11:31), but she was also given a place in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11.

God was so pleased with the faith of these two Gentile women that He not only blessed them in their lifetimes, but He also put them into the genealogy of His Son Jesus Christ, the great Redeemer & rewarder. 

Beloved, when u come 2 the Lord with your needs, believe that He is God, & that He is a Rewarder. God has pleasure in this kind of faith. He wants 2b the rewarder of your faith in Him!

It Shall Not Come Near U

Psalm 91:7 - A thousand may fall at your side, and 10,000 at your right hand; but it shall not come near u.

Your doctor or insurance agent may ask u, “Do u have a family history of cancer?” If u say, “Yes,” they will probably tell u that u might get some form of cancer too.

Now, if u are without God, u would probably agree with them and start worrying about your health. But u are not without God! In fact, His Word tells u, “A 1,000 may fall at your side, and 10,000 at your right hand; but it shall not come near u.” Therefore, even if u have a family history of cancer, & your family members have died of cancer, u can have the confidence 2 declare that it will not come near u!

My mother had this attitude. After a thorough medical check-up, the doctor was surprised & told her that she did not have high blood pressure or heart disease, although these two conditions have plagued her father & siblings. You see, my mother had already firmly declared that no deadly, family-related disease would come near her.

Praise God for my mother’s trust in God’s Word bcoz I am the generation after her! In fact, after my mother told me about the results of her check-up, I randomly opened my Bible only 2 read about Rahab the harlot who by faith “did not perish with those who did not believe”. (Hebrews 11:31)

Beloved, God wants u 2 know that even though u are in this world, u are not of this world. You belong 2 Him. You don’t have 2 get caught in dire situations along with the people of the world. Bcoz God is on your side, “He shall deliver u from the snare of the fowler & from the perilous pestilence”. (Psalm 91:3)

Even when it comes 2 generational diseases, u can boldly declare, “That disease stops here!” bcoz u have God and His Word. And when u believe God & His Word, u will see His promises come 2 pass for u — “A 1,000 may fall at your side, and 10,000 at your right hand; but it shall not come near u”!
 

Give God’s Word Priority & C Good Success

Joshua 1:8 -  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but u shall meditate in it day & night, that u may observe 2 do according 2 all that is written in it. For then u will make your way prosperous, & then u will have good success.

In life, there is good success & bad success. Bad success is the kind of success which robs u of time with your family, friends & church, & destroys your health & relationships. With good success, on the other hand, u see prosperity in every area of your life.

God wants u 2 enjoy good success & the key 2 this lies in what God told Joshua when he took over the reins following the death of his leader Moses — “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but u shall meditate in it day & night, that u may observe 2 do according 2 all that is written in it. For then u will make your way prosperous, & then u will have good success.” Spending time in God’s Word daily will give u godly wisdom, which will make your way prosperous & give u good success.

Look at how Joshua’s life turned out in the end. When Joshua died, “they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath Serah, which is in the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash”. (Joshua 24:30) Joshua had a whole mountain for his inheritance! This means that he was prosperous and successful!

It was also said that Israel served the Lord, not idols or other gods, all the days of Joshua’s life. (Joshua 24:31) This means that while Joshua was around, people were impacted for God’s glory.

And at the end of his life, a fulfilled Joshua had this 2 say, “But as for me & my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) Having your family loving God & serving Him with u is the most important success & greatest prosperity that u can ever have.

Beloved, when God’s Word takes priority in your daily life, not only will your finances be blessed, your ministry & family life will also be blessed!

God Favors U Because He Loves U

1 John 4:19 - We love Him because He first loved us.

Have u ever found yourself receiving such exceeding favor that u wonder why? My friend, it is bcoz God is lavishing His grace — unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor — on u. And He does it bcoz He loves u.

I love reading the Old Testament story of Ruth, a young Moabite widow, bcoz it speaks of God’s amazing grace. The moment Ruth depended on God’s grace or favor, she had full access 2 His blessings. Of all the fields in Bethlehem, His grace led her 2 the field that belonged 2 Boaz, who was not only a wealthy bachelor, but also a relative of her father-in-law. (Ruth 2:3) Boaz was therefore her potential kinsman-redeemer — someone who could redeem her from her plight as a poor & childless widow.

Boaz favored Ruth from the moment he laid eyes on her. Ruth was not even a Jew, yet he cared for her safety by telling her not 2 glean in another field & 2 stay close 2 his young women. He even commanded the young men working for him not 2 touch her & 2 allow her 2 drink the water which they had drawn.

During mealtimes, he sat her beside the reapers although she was just a lowly gleaner who picked up what they had missed or dropped. On top of that, he gave her parched grain, making sure that she ate & was satisfied, & that she had leftovers 2 bring back 2 her mother-in-law. (Ruth 2:1–18).

Ruth simply believed that she would find favor in the field & God placed her at the right place at the right time, so that He could open a big door of blessings 2 her. Do u know that Boaz is a beautiful picture of our Lord Jesus? The Bible says that “He first loved us”. Jesus saw u & loved u first, long b4 u knew Him or loved Him. And He favors whom He loves.

Beloved, there is no need 2 fight or strive 2 qualify for God’s favor & blessings. His favor is all over u bcoz He first loved u. Just trust in His love for u & u will see His favor bringing an abundance of blessings into your life!
 

The Gift Of No Condemnation

John 8:11 - … “Neither do I condemn u; go and sin no more.”

When Jesus was on earth, a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Him by the scribes & Pharisees, the religious mafia of His day. They tried 2 trap Him by posing a question that was difficult 2 answer: “Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 

(John 8:5) 

Jesus answered, “He who is without sin among u, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7) The scribes & Pharisees began 2 leave one by one till none of them were left.

The people in the crowd who wanted 2 condemn the woman could not. But Jesus, the only one in the crowd who truly had the power 2 condemn her, would not. He then asked her, “Woman… Has no one condemned u?” (John 8:10)

He spoke such words of grace 2 her bcoz He loved her. Also, by asking her the question, He was giving her a chance 2 speak words of no condemnation 2 herself — “No one [condemns me], Lord.” (John 8:11) 

Jesus not only spoke words of grace 2 her, He also gave her the gift of no condemnation — “Neither do I condemn u; go & sin no more”. It was when she received the gift of no condemnation that she had the power 2 “go & sin no more”.

Today, u have the gift of no condemnation bcoz the Son of God was condemned 4 all your sins. (Romans 8:1) Today, God cannot condemn u when u sin bcoz He is faithful & just 2 what His Son has done. 

So if the devil tries 2 convince u that God is angry with u when u blow it, just say, “God does not condemn me today bcoz He has already condemned Jesus at the cross 2,000 years ago!” 

Unfortunately, we still hear people saying, “Go & sin no more first, then I won’t condemn u.” Maybe u have been saying this 2 yourself too. But God says, “I don’t condemn u. Go & sin no more.” He gives u the gift of no condemnation, so that u have the strength 2 go & sin no more!

Taken Your Love Break Today?

John 15:9 - “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved u; abide in My love.

In your workplace, u probably take coffee breaks, lunch breaks, tea breaks & definitely toilet breaks. Why not do the same in your spiritual life — take time out 4 breaks, especially love breaks?

What is a love break? It is the time u take 2 enjoy & feed on the love of Jesus 4 u. At any time during the day, wherever u are, find a quiet spot & feed on the love of Jesus. Just sit down & talk 2 Him. Say 2 Him, “Thank You, Jesus, 4 loving me. Nothing is going 2 happen 2 me that You don’t already know about. Jesus, when I could not save myself, You died 4 me. You gave up Your life 4 me. What else will You not do 4 me!”

Such love breaks are typified in the Old Testament by Aaron the high priest & his sons eating the breast of the animal sacrificed. (Leviticus 7:31) The breast of the animal speaks of the love of Jesus. Today, u are a priest 2 God. (Revelation 1:6) So spend time feeding on the love of Jesus 4 u, & see yourself nourished, strengthened & sustained by His love. Jesus is our High Priest today. This means that His food is in loving us. He enjoys loving us & is also “nourished” by His love 4 us.

But do not forget that the breast was roasted by fire (Leviticus 7:35), which speaks of God’s judgment on

Jesus as He hung on the cross bcoz He was carrying our sins. So as u feed on Jesus’ love 4 u, see Him loving u at the cross. When things around u are not going well, do not allow the devil 2 say 2 u, “If God loves u, how come these things are happening 2 u?” My friend, interpret God’s love 4 u based on the cross, not on your present circumstances.

During the day, when u are hard at work, when busyness sets in, when problems pile up or when discouragement comes, just stop everything & take a love break with Jesus! Let Jesus love u. Let yourself enjoy being loved by Him. Lean on His bosom, abide in His love & be nourished by His love 4 u!

HEALTHIER, STRONGER Each Day

Acts 2:46 - So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, & breaking bread from house 2 house, they ate their food with gladness & simplicity of heart,

Back then in the early church, Christians would meet each other every day, either corporately in the temple or from house 2 house in smaller groups. And when they met in their homes, the Bible tells us that they would break bread. That’s the Holy Communion, & they took it every day!

Now, I am not saying that u must take the Holy Communion every day. But if u feel led 2 & u want 2, go ahead! The thing about taking the Holy Communion daily is this: If u are sick, u can be made well on a gradual basis. This means that u get healthier & stronger from day-2-day — first 30-fold, then 60-fold, then a 100-fold!

You see, while u can receive healing through the prayer of faith (Mark 11:24), it sometimes puts pressure on u bcoz it requires u 2 believe that u receive it all — complete healing — the moment u pray. There is nothing wrong with the prayer of faith, but u may find yourself saying, “I must believe I receive it all, now! I must believe I have it all, now!”

But the Holy Communion allows u 2 receive a measure of healing every time u partake in faith, so that u get better & better. The more u take it, the better u become. There is no pressure 2 believe that u receive it all at once. Isn’t God good? He meets u at your level of faith!

Now, there are cases I know of in our church, in my family & in my own life, where the manifestation of healing is immediate & complete. If it happens that way, praise God! But if not, don’t worry. The more u partake, the better u will become.

I know of people who take the Holy Communion 3 times a day, just like they would medicine! Why not? My friend, if u are very sick & u are diligently taking your medication 3 times a day, why not give the Lord’s Supper the same amount of attention? Why not boost your recovery rate? And the next time u eat the bread & drink the cup, u may just find your disease totally gone!

Remain Steadfast In The Faith

1 Peter 5:8–9 - Be sober, be vigilant; bcoz your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in the faith…

When I was a teenager, I was taught that if I wanted 2 resist the devil, I had 2 rebuke him. So whenever an evil thought came 2 my mind or I was tempted, I found myself saying, “I resist u, devil, in Jesus’ name! I bind u, devil! Go away from me, devil! I rebuke u in Jesus’ name!”

This went on until God showed me one day that though I had “resisted” the devil, I had spent more time talking 2 him than 2 God! I was more conscious of the devil than of God throughout the day.

I checked the Word of God & realized that we resist the devil not by focusing on resisting him, but by being established in the faith that we are made right with God through Jesus’ blood, that we are the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Yes, the devil will continue 2 remind u of your mistakes, failures & sins. And he will tell u that bcoz of these things, u cannot receive your healing, that u will have 2 pay 4 your mistakes or that something bad will happen 2 your family. He will accuse u, condemn u and try 2 persuade your heart 2 believe that he can do bad things 2 u.

But the truth is that the devil cannot enforce anything in your life if he cannot persuade your heart. And your heart cannot be persuaded if it is “steadfast in the faith”, if it is established in righteousness. God says that once u are established in righteousness, “You shall be far from oppression, for u shall not fear; & from terror, for it shall not come near u”. (Isaiah 54:14)

So now that my heart is established in righteousness, I can boldly declare, “Yes, I may have these problems in my life, but I am not guilty in God’s eyes. I am justified in God’s eyes by faith bcoz of what Christ has done. I am righteous by Jesus’ blood!” My friend, that is how u resist the devil & become undevourable!