DAY 3 OF DAY 14

DAY 3 OF DAY 14 INTERNATIONAL PRAYER AND FASTING

RECEIVING THE ENGRAFTED WORD……James 1:21


1. The Word of God is the instrument the Holy Spirit uses for new birth
We get this in verse 18, which in one version reads, ““Through declaring the truth to us, He gave us birth”” – compare John 3:5. ““Born of water”” means ““the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”” (Titus 3:5). The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to effect the miracle of the new birth. See 1 Peter 1:23.

 

2. When we read or hear the Word of God we are to receive its truth with humility and apply its teaching to our lives
We read this in verses 21-22: ““humbly accept the word planted in you……Do not merely listen to the word……Do what it says””. This is the burden of James’’ message! How easy it is to hear God’’s Word, to agree with it, but not to act it out! Jesus pronounced a benediction on those who would not only hear but who would keep His Word (Luke 11:28). Compare Hebrews 4:2. And the reason we are to obey it is given in verse 21. It is able to bring us into the experience of God’’s salvation, not only from sin’’s penalty but also from sin’’s power –- look up and compare 2 Timothy 3:15-17.

 

3. We are to come to the Word of God and use it as a mirror to show us our true state; then we are to adjust our lives accordingly
In verses 23-25 James uses an interesting simile. It is of a man looking at his face in a mirror; he sees that it is dirty, but he does nothing about it. He might just as well have not looked into the mirror. What should we do then? How should we use God’’s Word as a mirror? We should peer into it, as we see from the meaning of the words in verses 23-25. We should look at ourselves in the mirror of the Word, not casually, but with a view to seeing our true state –- because we can only see our face with the help of a mirror!

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Note: Tomorrow, Day 4 is our International intersession prayer for Nations all over the 7 continents and the church worldwide.
 

DAY 2 OF DAY 14

TEXT: JAMES 1:21-22

TOPIC: THE ENGRAFTED WORD OF GOD THAT IS ABLE TO SAVE YOU SOUL

1. Three ways in which James describes the Word of God

1. ““The word of truth”” (verse 18). The definite article is here: the Bible is not ‘‘a’’ word but ‘’the’’ word of truth, which tells us that it stands alone; it is unique (Psalm 119:160), and compare Psalm 119:43; Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15. The word of truth is the whole of God’’s verbal communication which has been given to man and which is now contained in the inspired canon of Scripture.
2.  “”The word planted in you”” (verse 21). Notice the definite article again. There is only one Word of God, and here we are told that it is implanted in our hearts; this means that it is living and life-giving (1 Peter 1:23).
3.  “”The perfect law that gives freedom”” (verse 25). Notice the definite article again! –- and the three important words: (1) PERFECT. This tells us that the author is perfect, that the Word itself is perfectly suited to our needs and cannot be improved upon, and that as we receive its truth we are ‘‘perfected’’ –- made mature. (2) LAW. This means that the Word of truth is to rule our life, for it contains God’’s commandments, which are always for our good (Deuteronomy 10:12-13). (3) FREEDOM. When we obey the Lord’’s Word we are freed from sin, self and Satan –- free to serve God.

DAY 1 OF DAY 14

THE ENGRAFTED OR IMPLANTED WORD THAT IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOUL James 1:21-22

Thank you for reading this today’s message. I pray more importantly that we are allowing God to do what He wants with our lives. There is no better way to live. As I was meditating on the thought of being used of God, the Lord took me back to a passage of Scripture that I had studied recently. He reminded me of what is necessary to live for Him. I would like to share some thoughts with you of how to live for God. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, I have found it to be a great place to start.

Verse 21 starts out with the two words “… lay apart …” It means to put off or aside or away. Paul uses the similar phrasing in Ephesians 4: “… put off …” (verse 22) and “… put away …” (verse 31). It means to cast aside or to no longer use. As James says, I must “… lay apart all filthiness …” (that which makes filthy or foul) and “… superfluity of naughtiness, …” (superiority of wickedness, malice, or desire to injure). I must cast those things aside. We must also understand that there are things in our lives that dirty us up. Whatever it is, we must recognize that God cannot use a filthy vessel. We certainly would not want to drink out of a cup that we found on the side of a road. Why? It is filthy. There are an incredible amount of germs in it and stuff that would make us gag when we think about it. Why then should we expect God to see us as vessels and desire to use us if we are filthy?

James then says to “… receive with meekness …” (verse 21). Receive means to take hold of or to take up. It is the complete opposite of lay apart. This is the positive aspect of the garment – take off that which is not appropriate (the world) and put on that which is appropriate (the Word). I must not only hear the Scriptures, I must take them and clothe myself in them. They should be what surrounds me. With meekness means that I should receive all Scripture in the same spirit, whether it is convicting me or encouraging me. I need to be careful not to identify preaching that is funny or powerful any differently than preaching that is piercing and convicting. If all preaching, studying, and counseling is Biblical, I should receive it with a gentle and tender Spirit.

Engrafted means implanted by nature or implanted by other’s instruction. It really is a beautiful word describing how the Word of God should be a natural part of my life. When I got saved, I became a new creature. Christ took what I was and desires to replace it with what He is – the Word. That is what should now be my nature. It does become a daily battle between the flesh and the Spirit; but when I die to self, I am able to live naturally with what has been engrafted into me – the Word! Why then do I still sometimes live in what has been replaced? The flesh is powerful. I must die to the flesh and live in the ” … engrafted word, …”

Verse 22 shows the instruction after receiving the Word – be a doer of it. The word “… doers … ” here means to be a performer or one who obeys the law. Simple application: I cannot just hear what is being said; I must DO it! I must take preaching, counsel, and my own studies and do them. Walk in them. Live in them. What I do is a reflection of what I am. So what am I? My actions will reveal it. Regardless of past actions or an incomplete mindset, I should strive to move forward with new actions that show obedience to God and His Word. There is GREAT liberty in that!

For years, my heart’s prayer is that I will lay aside that which filthy before God (the world), jump into that which grows me closer to Him (the Word), and do the things that I know He wants me to do (the work). “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17).

Have a great day in the Lord!

MY SERMON

SPIRIT WORD MESSAGE FROM THE THRONE OF GRACE

TOPIC: Partakers Of The Divine Nature.

TEXT: 2Peter 1:3-8

INTRODUCTION: We struggle daily to serve our Lord because we do not realize the true power that He has given us—His divine power.  He has given us everything we need for this life, in Christ, but we must learn how to share in His divine nature in our daily walk.  When we do we will develop many Christian virtues, so that we will have a fruitful walk with the Lord.

(A) THE DIVINE POWER

There are several notable points in 2 Peter 1:3–4.

(i). His Divine Power:

First, God’s power has granted us the “very great promises” concerning our salvation. Second, it is through those promises that we are made “partakers of the divine nature.” Third, being partakers of the divine nature involves escaping the world’s decay and rising above sinful desires. Simply put, when we are saved, we receive a new nature, by which we do not perish with the world.

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us (Rom 8:11). 

 – “divine” this is God’s power, not something we can work up naturally. -Power–“Dunamis”–God’s miracle working power, the power that makes God who He is, there is no lack to this power, it gets the job done.

(ii).Human “nature” in the Bible is what makes us “us.” A man’s nature is the sum total of qualities that makes him who he is. It is a person’s inherent character and that which constitutes his or her individuality. According to the Bible, every human being is born with Adam’s nature, which is sinful; we have a natural bent toward pleasing self (Romans 5:12; 7:14). Our natural selves cannot please God (Romans 8:8). Our sin nature keeps us from fellowship with God, keeps us in bondage to sin, and leads eventually to spiritual death (Romans 6:16, 23; 7:14; 2 Peter 2:19). We cannot free ourselves from sin because we cannot change our natures, just as a tiger cannot change its stripes.

(B). THE DIVINE NATURE OF THE CALLED

The Divine Nature of God has distinct characteristics to it that separate it from those of this world.  As we grow in our walk with the Lord we will grow in holiness.  We must add (develop) the characteristics of this Divine Nature to our life so that we can shine brightly for Him.

Let take a look on Divine Nature of The Called (Divine Nature of Successful or Fruitful Ministers),

(i).Diligence— “σπουδή-spoude”—earnestness, zeal, care, attention.  This is the first thing we must establish—what we do for Christ, we will not do sloppily, but with earnestness, zeal, great care, and attention.  We are in the King’s business and He deserves our diligence.  If we do not have the zeal of the Lord, we will be careless in our walk and not strive after holiness.

(ii).Faith— “πίστις-pistis”—persuaded, belief, confidence, assurance, conviction, confirmation.  “Add to your faith . . .” Faith is the foundation on which all the other characteristics are built upon.  This confidence comes from our being indwelt by His Divine Nature.  “Without Faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6), therefore, we must be sure we have a solid foundation to add all the other characteristics to. 

(iii).Virtue—“ἀρέτη- arete”— Excellency, being pleasing to God, force or energy of the Holy Spirit accompanying the preaching of the gospel.  Not only are we to display God’s glory, but also His Excellency of character.  Our lives are to be pleasing to God in all that we do.  When we walk in His divine power, our preaching of the gospel will be with Excellency and the Holy Spirit will give it the force necessary to change lives.  His Word will not return void, but will accomplish all that God desires for it to do (Isa 55:11)

(iv). Knowledge—”γνῶσις-gnosis—fragmentary knowledge, enquiry, investigation, doctrine.  The second floor is that we must always be seeking to know the truth.  Because we are living our life pleasing to the Lord, we will seek His ways and learn to walk in His truth.  Our enquiry into the things of God will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:18-23) as we seek God’s will and learn from Him.  We will “know”—“eido”–understand–the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.

(v). Temperance—”ἐγκράτεια-egkrateia”—self-control, contentedness. The next floor shows us that we must put into practice the knowledge that God teaches us.  As we exercise self-control, we see that our life is being led by the Holy Spirit and we gain strength to live this life pleasing to God. He is teaching us to master our passions and desires, so that we can “be holy as God is holy.”

(vi). Patience —”ὑπομονή-hupomone”—endurance, persistence, perseverance, steadfastness. This endurance and perseverance is based on all that has been laid previously. 

a.      If we are to persevere through the trials, we must have faith.  Faith that God loves us and is in control of our life.

b.     If we are to persevere through our trials, we must know that our life is pleasing to God—i.e. we are serving Him to the best of our ability—otherwise we will see these trials as punishments for our failures and turn our back on Him. 

c.     If we are to persevere through the trials, we must know the truth about God.  We must know His great love for His children.

d.     If we are to persevere through the trials, we must have self-control.  Otherwise, we will want to give up when the going gets tough

vii. Godliness—”εὐσέβεια-eusebia“—practical religion.  The next floor adds the fact that this endurance through trials is not just “a grin and bear it” mentality, but one that knows and accepts that God is in control of our lives.  Because of His Divine Nature in us, we are aware of His Divine Power and Presence in our life no matter what we go through.  Therefore, we can praise and worship Him no matter how hard it gets—“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. *(James 1:2 NASB)*

viii. Brotherly kindness —”φιλαδελφία-philadelphia” —love of the brethren, benevolence.  As we go up to the next floor, we see that no matter how difficult life may be, we are able to help others when we are going through our pain and trials.  This shows true maturity, that when we are suffering, we can reach out to others that are hurting and comfort them with the same comfort the Lord comforts us with (2Cor 1:4).  As we say at Healing Hearts Ministry, you hurt . . . you heal . . . you help!

ix. Charity (Love): “ἀγάπη-agape”—God’s love.  The roof to the building is God’s love.  It covers everything below it and keeps it protected from the enemy.  We can have all these virtues in our life, but without the love of God, the building is not finished.  This is the love that reaches out to a lost world and invites them into the kingdom.  It doesn’t hoard His Divine Power and His Divine Nature, but gives it freely to all men so they can share in what God has freely given to us.

Conclusion:  “Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  The reason that God fills us with His Divine Power and His Divine Nature and gives us His Divine Life is that God does not want us to be unproductive or unprofitable in the knowledge of our Lord.  This is the goal for which all these virtues are given to us.  This is the reason He has built this house; that we might by doing His will, become more like Christ in our thoughts and actions.  That His Divine Power working mightily in us, through His Divine Nature helping us to grow in holiness, will give us His Divine Life full of abundance and fruitfulness, and all the world will see it and glorify God!

Prayer Points:

1. Take a song of praise and worship as you are led.
2. Father, thank You for Your blessings unto me in Christ Jesus.
3. Let everything in me that is not of God (name them) be flushed out by the Blood of Jesus.
4. Lord, make my life a living gospel; no more sorrow, pain, lack, oppression, infestation, sickness, weakness, barrenness, joblessness (name it) in the name of Jesus.