22 January Rom. 1:5 ~ How to appropriate the gospel

Paul states the means for appropriating the gospel (Rom. 1:5). The gospel is appropriated by faith (Rom. 1:5). Faith is not only the means but the sole means for appropriating the gospel (Rom. 1:17). It is by faith that the benefits of the gospel become ours. Faith is the only means by which any one can be saved (Rom. 10:9-11). Without faith, no one can know or please the Lord (Heb. 11:6). In fact, a faithless life is a useless life (see Matt. 13:58). Faith is surely the only effective key not have it has nothing, regardless of what he thinks he has.

PRAYER: 1. Father, please give me faith
2. Father, please increase my faith

23 January - Acts 2:38 ~ There is forgiveness through Jesus Christ

According to their interpretations of the Old Testament, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day held that only God could forgive sins, and that it was therefore an act of blasphemy for Jesus to claim to forgive sins (Lk. 5:18-21). Here Paul states clearly that there is forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38; cf. Lk. 24:45-48). The message is meant for all mankind (Lk. 24:46; Acts 2:39). Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is not only entitled to forgiveness, he is sure to receive it. If anyone is not forgiven it is because he does not believe in Jesus Christ (cf. Jn. 3:36).

PRAYER: 1. Father, please forgive me all my sins through Christ
2. Father, please enable me to trust in Christ for my forgiveness

24 January - Lam. 1:5 ~ Sin brings subjection to our enemies

Israel’s sin had terrible consequences on her as a nation. One of the consequences was to make them subject to their enemies. Instead of their enemies being subject to them as God promised (Duet. 28:7), they became subject to their enemies (cf. Duet. 28:25). Instead of the tables being turned in their favour as was the case for Mordecai and the Jews in Persia (Esth. 9:1), the tables were turned against them. The master became the servant while the servant became the master. Having forsaken the Lord, he forsook them and handed them over to their enemies (cf. 2Chron. 15:1-2). This is what sin can do to anyone or any nation. We have to forgo sin to escape being subject to our enemies. There will be no victory over our enemies if we persist in sin or continue to be party to it. It is by turning from sin to God that we can have the victory.

PRAYER: 1. Father, please give me victory over every sin
2. Father, please enable me to hate every sin as you do

25 January - Rev. 2:26-27 ~ Jesus promised to reward the over comer with authority

Jesus promised to reward the over comer with authority (Rev. 2:26). An over comer is one who perseveres in Christ to the end, even if it means death. This authority covers the nations (Rev. 2:26). This authority is most certain, since Jesus who promised is already in possession of it (Matt. 28:18). Authority is the highest form of reward. There is no reward as great as this. It is a reward that is worth seeking. But it is available only to the one who overcomes. It is not available to the cowardly. This authority is available in some measure now, and will be available in the fullest measure when Jesus returns (cf. 1Cor. 13:12). Anyone who desires to enjoy this authority must live an overcoming life. This authority is not available to those who do not overcome.

PRAYER: 1. Father, please enable me to persevere, even unto death
2. Father, please let your authority be my portion

26 January - Acts 1:4-5 ~ The importance of the Holy Spirit

Although the disciples had been called (Matt. 4:18-22; Matt. 9:9) and commissioned by Jesus (Matt. 28:18-20), they were commanded not to proceed on their mission until they received the Holy Spirit (Acts. 1:4). This means that nothing can work or succeed in life without the Holy Spirit (Acts. 1:8). This is true of every believer. There can no effective or successful christian living without the Holy Spirit. Any attempt to live the Christian life without Him is bound to fail. No one should proceed to do anything without the gift of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER: 1. Father, please give me the Holy Spirit
2. Father, please enable me to depend on the Holy Spirit for all things

27 January - Acts 13:39 ~ Justification is through Jesus Christ alone

Here Paul makes a fundamental declaration or assertion regarding the gospel. As forgiveness is through Jesus Christ (Acts 13:38), so is justification (Acts 13:39). Justification is the act whereby the guilty is declared righteous or innocent, in spite of his guilt. Neither the Old Testament sacrificial system nor any other system or means can provide this justification (Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:27-28; Gal. 2:15-16). This justification is available through Jesus Christ alone (Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:21-24; Gal. 2:15-16). Since all men have sinned, all men are entitled to be justified (Rom. 3:23-24). But it is only the one who believes in Jesus Christ who is justified (Rom. 3:22, 28; Gal. 2:15-16). This justification is not based on any merit of the recipient (Eph. 2:8-grace (Rom. 3:23-24; Eph. 2:8- 9). If anyone is not justified, it is because he does not believe in Jesus Christ (cf.Jn. 3:18,36).

PRAYER: 1. Father, please justify me through Jesus Christ
2. Father, please enable me to depend on Jesus alone for my justification

28 January - Ps. 3:4 ~ God answers our prayers

David took his case to the Lord and He answered him (Ps. 3:4). The Lord is a prayer answering God (cf. Acts 4:23-31; Acts 12:1-19). It is His will and nature to answer the prayers of His children (Matt. 7:7-8). He has assured His children of His answer to their prayers (Is. 65:24; Ps. 50:14-15; Matt. 7:7-8; cf. Jer. 33:3). With God we have one who answers our prayers (Is. 65:24; Ps. 50:14-15; Matt. 7:7-8; cf. Jer. 33:3). When we pray to God, we can be quite sure of His answer to our prayers (Is. 65:24; Ps. 50:14-15; Matt. 7:7-8; cf. Jer.33:3). With the certainty of His answer, we have every reason to tell all our problems or cases to Him and wait for Him to answer us (Ps.68:19; 1Pet. 5:7). No one can answer or help us except Him. (Ps.121:1-8).

PRAYER: 1. Father, thank you for answering all my prayers
2. Father, please give me the spirit of prayer

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