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May you be filled with peace and joy
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13"
Joy and peace are the fruits of the Holy Spirit; this is my prayer for you for August and all the coming months, that God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, may grant you joy and peace.
Indeed, in this world, we go through many challenges, suffering, and difficulties. When we are in these situations, our hearts become burdened and sorrowful, but we thank God for His Holy Spirit who does not let us remain sorrowful forever, for He will turn your sorrow into joy and laughter.
We receive this joy and peace by faith when we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, as our scripture says. When we believe in God and His power, that is when the Holy Spirit goes to work and changes every situation, which takes away our peace.
In this August, may the Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, answer all your prayers and break the chains of darkness tormenting you and your family as a whole. May God heal all diseases and grant you health; may your economic situation be uplifted and every need you have be answered by God. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." AMEN.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram: @Bibleverses
GOD INTENDS GOOD FOR YOU
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20
Joseph is a person we know for the great things he did in the land of Egypt. However, Joseph's journey to becoming the Prime Minister of Egypt was not easy. Similarly, the hardships you are going through today are because there is something great that God has prepared for you.
The battles you face are the result of Satan's fight against you, but he uses people close to you to execute his agendas. You might be surrounded by wicked people who do not want to see any good thing happen to you, just as it was for Joseph, who was hated by his brothers for no reason. People who do not want to see you succeed and be above them, people who are unhappy when they see you blessed. These are the people who plan and do bad things to you. These people could be your relatives, friends, colleagues, or sometimes even fellow Christians.
I wish you knew every situation your enemies create to destroy your life is the very thing that God uses to lift you up. In every trial you go through, there is something to building you, or it is a door for you to move to another level in your life, just as it was for Joseph.
Even for Moses, on the river where Pharaoh was killing Hebrew children, it was the same river where Moses was thrown to die but Pharaoh's daughter saw him, picked him up, and Moses ended up in Pharaoh's palace being raised and nurtured royally.
Likewise, when you are going through tough times, maybe you have lost your job, or suffered a loss, or family and friends have abandoned you, that is the time when God is speaking to you and showing you what to do. And i assure you what will happen next in your life will be something that will take you to higher levels in your life. Where your enemies expect you to fall, there is when God will lift you up. Therefore, when they intend harm for you, that is when God turns that harm into good.
Prayer: Thank you, LORD, for thinking of me with thoughts of peace and turning the harm intended for me into good. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, the one you trust and worship, may he fight all your enemies and destroy them completely.
May you have a victorious Sunday. 🙏
GOD KNOWS YOU AND WILL FIGHT FOR YOU
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. Psalms 1:6
You might find yourself in situations where people perceive you differently from who you truly are or accuse you of things you haven't done. You may find yourself filled with sadness and pain in your heart, and no one seems to believe you.
Or you might be in a work environment where you work diligently and with integrity, but your efforts go unrecognized by your supervisors. Instead, the lazy and dishonest are praised, trusted, and promoted.
Today, I want to alleviate your fears and encourage you with our word that says, "For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. Psalms 1:6" The first thing you need to know is that God knows your ways and your deeds. For every good thing you do, God acknowledges and will reward you for it. In Psalms 37:1-6, God tells you:
"Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday."
Prayer: Thank you, LORD, for your faithfulness to me. I know you are with me and know who I am. You are a righteous God; I pray for your justice. Amen
THE MEANING OF WORSHIP
"Jesus answered and said to him, 'It is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' Luke 4:8"
In most dictionaries, Worship is defined as showing reverence and adoration for a deity. It often involves acts of devotion, prayers, rituals, or ceremonies conducted to honour and express reverence towards a divine being or god. Worship can also refer to great admiration or devotion directed towards someone or something considered highly valuable or esteemed.
The main and first commandment we were given by God is this one that Jesus said here: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Many people think they are worshipping God, but in reality, these are some activities we have established ourselves, which when we do them, we think we are worshipping God. The truth is the foundation, and the meaning of worship is absent in those religious activities we do.
Worship is to respect, love, fear, and depend. Many Christians interpret worship as the act of attending Sunday services and following religious guidelines. These guidelines include liturgy, singing, praying, and offering. The question i am asking you today is: When you do these things, do you respect God? Do you love him? Do you fear him? Do you depend on him?
Jesus Christ said;
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. For the Father seeks such to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:23-24"
So, worshipping God is a matter of the spirit and your heart. And how you live your daily life. You should live a life of worship every day. Every time respect God with your actions and fear him, there are things you shouldn't do because you know Almighty God has forbidden them, and then you love him by doing everything he has commanded you and most importantly, depend and rely on him.
I urge you from today to start worshipping God with your life. Worship is not just kneeling in church and singing hymns. True worship is in your heart at all times and wherever you are.
Prayer: Oh, LORD, I pray that you enable me to live a life of worship at all times. To worship you in spirit and truth. Amen
OBEYING THE HOLY SPIRIT
Do not quench the Spirit. - 1 Thessalonians 5:19
God is at work within us through His Holy Spirit, who dwells in us. Even though the Holy Spirit resides in us, He does not force us to do things, because the Word of God says, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. - John 14:26." Therefore, the Holy Spirit is a Helper who works with us, helping and teaching us.
The major problem for many Christians arises when God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, a matter that does not align with our plans, or we prioritize something else over what he says. Often, you will find yourself struggling and ignoring or quenching the Holy Spirit. "You quench the Holy Spirit when you fail to obey Him."
Here, God uses the word "quench" because when you refuse to obey the Holy Spirit, it is similar to how someone extinguishes or quench a fire. Also, in the scriptures, you will see the Holy Spirit being symbolized by water, fire, and wind. This is because the way the Holy Spirit works is similar to the function of these three elements: water, fire, or wind.
Quenching the Holy Spirit is one of the saddest things we do to our Loving Father. The Holy Spirit rejoices greatly and loves us, and when He dwells in us, He makes us active just like how the fire flame burns and illuminates.
But some things quench Him, and He remains in us but does not work. And that thing is disobedience. I have already told you that the Holy Spirit does not force you to do anything, but when you feel an urge within you, and you know clearly that this is God speaking to you through the Holy Spirit, do not harden your heart.
The Word of God says, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. - Hebrews 3:15." One of the most important things God wants from you is to have time with Him and to fellowship with him. If you feel the urge to pray or sit quietly and worship, do not quench the Holy Spirit. The second important thing is that God hates sin. When you are about to do wrong or head towards sin or evil, the Holy Spirit will speak within you. If you hear His voice, do not quench the Spirit by continuing down that path of destruction. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.
Prayer: Oh LORD, I pray, have mercy on me for not obeying Your Holy Spirit. I pray that You grant me obedience and humility within me so that I may do everything He speaks to me. Amen.
"You will reap what you sow."
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7"
This is a verse that many of us already know, but today, we are reminded to carefully examine our ways and understand that everything we do has its benefits or consequences.
The main work of Satan is to deceive humans into believing that what God has said is not true. Our God is a God of justice and not a liar; everything He has said will surely come to pass.
This verse begins by saying, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked" which means may be you are doing something because you are being misled by the enemy or by people's words. This is clearly seen in the book of "Genesis 3:4 The serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die'" this is the first lie that deceived man to go against God's commands, thinking that nothing bad would happen to him, and to this day, Satan remains the same and continues to deceive people even today.
Or, you already know the truth but choose to harden your heart and ignore it. But I want to assure you of the truth. Everything you do is like planting a seed; that seed will grow and bear fruit. Therefore, I advise you today to plant good seeds so that you may reap good things. Listen to God's voice and follow His word so that your life may be filled with joy and blessings.
If you intend to do something bad, or you are currently planning it, stop it today. And if there is something you are still doing and you know it will bring harm to you, stop it today. And God will bless you greatly.
Prayer: O LORD, I pray that you grant me to do good deeds always. I ask for wisdom in everything I do. Amen
LET US OBEY CHRIST AND DO WHAT HE SAYS
"And why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46"
In today's world, there are many teachings of the word of God, and some teachers who teach the word of God have altered God's word and created their own teachings and instructions that are not what Christ said. In the book of Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus said:
"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."
The problem with the church today is the compromising of scripture, and this has caused many people to sin against God because the things they do and believe are not from God they are instructions of people.
Some people believe in God, but their actions do not align with what they believe and confess. They mention Jesus, but he is not in their hearts; their hearts are held and filled with evil and the things of this world.
The second type of people are the ones who think what they were taught is God's truth, but it is religious rules, so they obey and follow human instructions and not God's instructions.
That is why our Lord Jesus Christ asks us, "Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" Therefore, from today, decide in your heart that you will do what Christ Jesus has commanded us and what is written in His Word.
Stand firm in God's truth and not be influenced by the things of this world. Do not obey people more than you obey God. Your pastor or your Religious leader can not take the place of God; everything they teach and instruct you must be in line with the word of God.
Prayer: I pray for your mercy, Lord, and Savior, for my disobedience to you. Teach me to follow you and not human instructions. Amen.
Follow and pursue Jesus for More
"But whatever were gains to me, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:7"
There is a cost of renouncing a sinful life and the pleasures of this world that you used to enjoy every day, which is detestable to God. The only cost of choosing to obey and follow Jesus is the cost of abandoning the things of this world.
This cost includes the struggles against the desires of your flesh. To please God in your life, you must overcome the desires of the flesh that conflict with the Holy Spirit who lives in you. The Word of God says:
"For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17"
Therefore, you need to sacrifice all fleshly things whose glory is temporary so that you can hold firmly to Christ.
When God tells you to leave certain things, it is not because He wants you to suffer, No! God wants you to leave them so that He can give you better things.
Paul said:
"But whatever were gains to me, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus... Philippians 3:7-8"
So, if you see anything that robs you of peace or separates you from God, it is better to leave it. If you have a relationship with someone and you gain benefits from that relationship, but it does not glorify God, you need to end it. If you are engaged in an illegal job or business, stop it.
All things that are beneficial to you but are not righteous should be abandoned. By doing so, God will bless you with many good, peaceful things.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I pray for the courage to make decisions to leave all things that hinder me from receiving Your blessings and that separate me from You. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
May the God you trust never let you down. May he fight all your battles and give you victory.
May this Sunday be filled with praises for God, our provider, and protector.
Amen. 🙏
GOD IS COMING TO SAVE YOU
"Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; behold, your God will come with vengeance, with divine retribution; He will come to save you.' Isaiah 35:4"
This verse reminds us all of the lives of the Children of Israel, who lived in slavery in Egypt for 400 years, waiting for God's time to come to save them and deliver them from the slavery that tormented them for many years.
In the history of the Nation of Israel, we see that many times they were oppressed and persecuted by their enemies, but they cried out to God, and God came to save them. Psalm 107:6 says, "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress."
Our God is a just God who judges the whole world. His nature, when He comes to save those who are oppressed and tormented by their enemies, is that He must also punish their oppressors for the wrongs and evil they have committed, as He did for the nation of Egypt, which oppressed His people for 400 years.
When we are oppressed, persecuted, and deprived of our rights, it is just for the wicked to be punished for the evil they commit. But that is not your job; you need to pray to God without giving up and wait for Him to come and defend you. God's Word says, "For we know Him who said, 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge His people.' Hebrews 10:30"
Your enemies must be punished so they do not continue to oppress and commit evil against you; that is the meaning of God's vengeance. If God leaves your enemies unpunished, they will mock Him and continue to do evil. God stops evil in the world by punishing evildoers and completely destroying them.
So do not lose hope; God is coming to save you and punish your enemies. His word today says, "Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; behold, your God will come with vengeance, with divine retribution; He will come to save you.'"
Prayer: Oh LORD, I wait for You; I know You will come to save me and punish my enemies so that I may be completely free. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
THE GOD MOST HIGH
"I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. Psalms 57:2"
If you live according to God's purpose and rely on Him, do not have doubts when you encounter challenges and things that you can not accomplish on your own. Know that God is with you to help you.
You need God's help to succeed in your dreams and the purpose that He has placed within you. David knew this, which is why he confidently said, "I cry out to God Most High."
What gives us faith and courage is knowing that our God is the Most High. This means that here on earth, there are times when you are told something is impossible. Yes, it may indeed be impossible, but when you hear or see that, know it is time to call upon the "God Most High". In His word, He says:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
So, the God Most High is above all; nothing is impossible for Him, and He fulfills all your needs. Therefore, do not hesitate to involve God in your needs. God has called you for a special purpose and knows there are things you need to fulfill His purpose.
In the Amplified Translation translation, this word says:
"I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]! Psalm 57:2 AMPC
Here it says, the God Most High is the one who will fulfill and complete His purpose in you. Therefore, when people refuse to help you, or they have tried and failed, remember there is "the God Most High" who goes before you to bring you success.
Prayer: I call upon you, God Most High, I ask you to fulfill my needs, and I pray for success in everything I do. Amen
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
GOD WANTS YOU TO BE WHOLE
He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:13
For some people, whenever they ask God to deliver them from afflictions and heal them, doubts and worries come into their minds. That's why God has frequently reminded us in His Word to be strong and have faith.
We see this in the story of the leper who met Jesus in the book of Luke 5:12: "While He was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged Him, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.'"
You'll notice that this leper was uncertain if Jesus wanted to heal him. He also didn't know if he deserved to be healed. He had no doubts about Jesus' ability to heal; he fully believed Jesus could heal him. His question was, "Does Jesus want to heal me?"
This is a problem for many people even today. Due to our weaknesses, we often feel unworthy before God. You may pray earnestly, but when you look at yourself, you have doubts about your own worthiness and whether you deserve what you are asking for. This was the state of the leper, which is why he said to Jesus, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Now, do not sabotage or reject yourself before God. The Word of God says:
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16"
I assure you, by the Word of God, Jesus Christ wants you to be whole. He wants you to be healed, to be free, to succeed in your work, and to live a life of joy and peace. And this morning, Jesus Christ is saying, "I am willing; to be cleansed."
Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your love and mercy towards me. I entrust all my needs to You. I know You want to heal me. I ask You to heal me and cleanse me completely. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
CHANGE IS YOUR CHOICE AND YOUR DECISION
"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Hebrews 11:24"
Everyone in this world has been given the opportunity by God to change. It does not matter the circumstances of your birth or the type of family you come from. You may indeed be where you are because of your nature or circumstances, or perhaps because of a wickedness and curse in your family. But I want you to know that you have the chance to change.
Today's message says, "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter;" where it is written " by faith" it means there was no tangible evidence or sign of change—it was Moses' faith that made it happen. What you need is faith and the decision to reject the kind of life you are currently living that has no benefit.
Also, do not think that you can not change because your family is under punishment or a curse. No! The word of God says;
"The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them. Ezekiel 18:20"
And if you have already lived a life of sin and become like one of them and you feel God's punishment is upon you because of what you have done, the word of God says;
"But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. Ezekiel 18:21"
Therefore, just as Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter, today you should refuse to be the person that Satan has made you or wants you to be. And break out of every family pattern. Have faith like Moses, and God will change and use you. Amen.
Prayer: "O LORD, by faith, I refuse to live a life of suffering and curses. Today, I choose to be a different person. O Jesus, help me. Amen."
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
EVEN IF HE HAS COMMITTED SINS, HE WILL BE FORGIVEN
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; even if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:15
When we believe in God and pray in faith, the things He can do in our lives are amazing and astonishing. The Word of God says, "Everything is possible for one who believes. Mark 9:23"
Today's word encourages us to pray for one another. God knows our weaknesses, but He also knows that there are others He has gifted with talents and strength that they can use to help those who are weak in faith.
First, let me encourage you; the prayers you are praying for your relatives, friends, and your family are not in vain. God hears them and acts on them because He commanded us to pray for others. The book of James 5:16 says:
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Effective prayers are those prayed with diligence, which is why God tells us to pray for each other earnestly. When diligence is combined with faith, it will surely bring results.
Prayers offered earnestly and in faith have great power to bring healing. The Word of God also says that the person you are praying for, "even if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
What discourages us when praying for others is seeing no change in them or knowing the sins and evil they have committed or are currently committing. Sometimes, you might pray for someone but become disheartened when you think of what they have done or are doing.
Today's message assures us that if we have faith and diligence in praying for someone, God will heal and deliver that person, and "even if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
Prayer: Oh, LORD, I ask you to give me diligence and faith as I pray for others. Amen
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
The Power of God's Word
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5
If you are one of the people who face difficulties and opposition when reading and studying the Word of God, today I want you to know it is because Satan knows the great power that is in the Word of God. Therefore, he uses a lot of effort to ensure you do not have time and focus to read the word of God.
Satan uses various agents to distort the truth of God's word. We are living in times where the authority of God's word written in the Bible is being heavily criticised and questioned. People are questioning the validity of the Scriptures to guide their lives. The Word of God is law; the bible does not give out suggestions or advice; what is written in the Bible must be followed. If you do not follow i, you will surely perish.
Now, child of God, our word today says, "Every word of God is flawless;" this means the word of God is perfect and true. The things God has spoken to us come from His heart; God always means what he says. Every promise God has given you is true and will come to pass. Satan uses a lot of effort to mislead God's people, not to take God's word seriously.
The word continues to say, "He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him," it means God will be your protector if you believe in Him, and believing in God means believing in His word. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." This verse brings to light the power and ability of the word of God. There is nothing the word of God can not do.
Today, ask God to give you the grace to study His word, then hold on to it and believe it; you will see God's power fighting for you and defending you in your life.
Prayer: Oh, LORD, I ask you to grant me grace to diligently study and believe in your word. Amen
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
God is welcoming you to his rest
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Are you wondering if God will accept you after all the mistakes and sins you have committed? Don't worry; His word assures you that, indeed, God wants you back and will be with you always. Jesus Christ, the Saviour always welcomes you into His presence, regardless of how you feel or the mistakes you have made.
Unfortunately, feelings of shame, fear, and failure can prevent you from realizing this, as these are among the reasons Satan tempts you to sin. Satan knows that if he can convince you to rebel against the Lord, you will feel so guilty that you will avoid His presence entirely.
Isaiah 59:1-2 says, "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear." The main function of sin is to separate you from God. We all know that God hates sin, and it is true He truly hates sin, but our God is merciful. Even though we anger Him with our actions, He still has mercy on us and welcomes us back to Him.
What sin does to you is to destroy your confidence, creating guilt and shame before God. The more the enemy can make you see your guilt, shame, and imperfection, the easier it is for him to keep you from approaching God, Because the enemy knows God is the only one who can erase and remove your sin and shame.
Even today, God is still calling you to come to Him for healing. Do not avoid Him for any reason. Instead, approach Him with humility and a repentant heart. Ask Him for forgiveness, forsake your sins, and accept His grace. His loving arms are waiting to receive, cleanse, and restore you to Himself.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for welcoming me into Your presence and forgiving my sins. I am very grateful for Your grace and love. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
A Modelled Life
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone." Romans 12:17
The word of God strongly encourages us to be patient and loving. When we live a life of love, the power of love covers many of our weaknesses. Love gives new hope to the person you show undeserved love to.
The word of God says that we who believe in Christ are the light that shines on those who are in the darkness of sin, evil, and the suffering of this world. Jesus Christ has sent us to the whole world to shine His light of love. He has sent us to go among the wicked and preach the good news; the way we live and the things we do every day preach Christ louder than our words and sermons.
Now, when the word of God says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone," It is because our actions and the way we live have a great power to preach the love of Christ and His mercy to unbelievers.
Jesus Christ said, "Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." Luke 10:3. These wolves are the evil people we live with every day, and they are the ones who do evil to us.
If you decide to repay evil, you are not different from the one who did it.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21"
May the Lord help you to love and to be kind even to those who do evil to you. Amen.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, when they did evil to You, You did not repay. I pray that You give me the same heart and help me live with love for everyone. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
Faith in Action
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17
When we talk about the issue of faith, the first thing to understand is the meaning of faith. From the book of Hebrews 11:1, the word of God says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Faith is having certainty (is the substance). This means it is a tangible and evident thing. It can be seen and measured as Jesus saw faith in the people he ministered to. In other words, faith is something you have right now, which is the evidence of what you are hoping for. Therefore, your faith must do something in this physical world, evident and real for people to see.
So, our word today says, "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Works are the main indicator of faith. I have categorised these works into two main types.
Works that accompany your faith: These are called works of faith, which everyone knows. If you believe in God, you must live and act according to your faith. Your living and acting should not contradict your faith.
Works which have been done by your faith: These works are the result of your faith. (This is my focus, and I want you to understand it well). Faith is having assurance about things you hoped for, the things you are expecting that are not currently present, and you believe that they will come into existence and be real. These are the works of faith—works done by your faith.
In the Bible, we see the great works of God, meaning things done by God that became evident as acts of God. Likewise, in your life, there must be works of your faith. Your faith must do things that become evident, showing that they happened because of your faith.
Many Christians have managed to do acts of faith, but their faith has not performed great deeds in their lives to manifest the glory of God. So, ask God that your faith may have works that people can see, so they may know the God you believe in performs great things through our faith. So they may be converted and believe in Jesus.
Prayer: Oh LORD, I ask you for steadfast faith, which does great things to manifest your glory. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
BE A TRUSTWORTHY PERSON
"Do not plot evil against your neighbour, who lives trustfully near you. Proverbs 3:29"
God created us so that we can live together in peace, joy, and love, making the world a place of peace. The life we live is a result of our thoughts and attitudes.
In His Word, God warns us greatly about having evil thoughts. In Proverbs 6, God tells us six things He hates, and one of those things is "a heart that devises wicked plans... Proverbs 6:18"
Today, God speaks directly to us about living well with our neighbours. Here, He is not talking about just any neighbour; He says "Your neighbour, who lives trustfully near you." Our God is faithful and trustworthy, and He wants us to be like Him. He wants you to be a trustworthy person; He does not want to see as a cause of anyone’s heartbreak and suffering. God does not like evil in general.
The Pharisees asked Jesus about the greatest commandment:
"Jesus answered, The first is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:29-31"
Therefore, you must love your neighbour because it is God's commandment. But also, if someone trusts you, as the scripture says "Your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you," even if this person has wronged you, do not harm them or think evil of them.
If you have someone close to you who has shown you kindness and believes you are a good person, do not harm them. Even at the workplace, your boss trusts you and has given you a job and pays you a salary, do not plot evil plans to steal or ruin his work. If you are a Christian, you are required to do more because of your faith. Work with discipline and integrity, and do not harm others or conspire against them. Live a life of integrity, be trustworthy, and if you are already trusted, do not let the devil tempt you to ruin your trustworthiness.
Prayer: Oh Lord, grant me to live a life of righteousness and peace with all people so that I may be your witness, Christ, that people may know you through me.
As an heir of God's kingdom, may you experience God's righteousness, peace, and joy in every area of your life and in your family.
I wish you a nice Sunday 🙏.
Honor God for the grace he has given you.
But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Psalms 130:4
Our God is merciful and gracious. In the New Testament, He has extended grace to us through Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we receive forgiveness of our sins, and God no longer counts our wrongs against us.
When God shows us mercy and forgives our sins, it is so that we may change, obey Him, and love Him more. But also, when you see that God has forgiven your sins while you deserve punishment, know it is time for you to deeply reflect on your ways and conduct.
When Peter met Jesus, he was a sinner, and Jesus showed him His kindness and mercy when He used his boat to preach and then miraculously helped him to catch fish. After all these things, the Word of God says:
"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!' Luke 5:8"
Do not become too familiar with God and see Him as ordinary because He has chosen to be silent and forgive your sins. There are people who live sinful lives, and because nothing bad happens to them, they decide to despise God, and some even say He does not exist, not realizing they are alive because of God's mercy.
Or maybe you are someone who continues to sin just because you know that if you repent, God will forgive you. Today, repent and turn away from your sins. Psalms 130:3-4 says, "If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you, there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you." Therefore, you should greatly fear and obey God, especially knowing that you deserved judgment but have been forgiven.
Prayer: Thank you, LORD, for your mercy. I pray that you grant me obedience and respect for you, to honour and obey you because of your mercy towards me.
Let us do good to all people.
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10
God blesses us greatly when we show compassion and love to others. It is also God's command that we love one another and do good deeds.
You are required to love and be kind to all people without discrimination. Some people only do good to those who help them and others only to those of their own religion. This is not right. The word of God says;
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
When it says *"as we have opportunity,"* it means you can not help people all the time, but when you have the means and a need arises, that is when you should help. Here, God says to do good to all people. "All" means it is your duty to help people without discrimination.
Also, the Word of God says "especially to those who belong to the family of believers," it does not mean you only help your fellow Christians, no! You help everyone, and you do more for a fellow Christian. Because we are God's family in Christ Jesus, and as a family, we must love and support one another. Just as you do for your family, do the same for God's family.
But our family in Christ is a family led by love and kindness to all people, a family without discrimination. Therefore, let us love one another and love others as well and help without discrimination.
Prayer: Oh, LORD, I pray that you grant me the grace to be loving and kind to my fellow Christians and to all people. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
LET GO OF YOUR PAST SINS AND MISTAKES
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12
Do not let your heart be a treasure trove of memories of past things that do not benefit you. You decide to hold on to or let go of those things that deprive you of joy, freedom, and peace in your heart.
Maybe you think it is normal to feel condemned because of the things you did in the past and the sins you have already repented. And every time these memories come, they break your heart and take away the peace and confidence of your faith. But today, I tell you that this situation should not continue to torment you.
God can not forgive your sins and mistakes and then keep reminding you of something He has already forgiven. Today’s word says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Therefore, if God has removed and taken your sins far away from you, you also need to let go of them along with all the memories and judgment. The word of God says in the book of Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
You must speak to your heart and cleanse yourself with the blood of Jesus, which has completely erased our sins. In the old covenant, sins were covered and put away. But in the new covenant, they are not just put away but completely erased.
So now let go of all judgment and guilt from your heart, God has forgiven you, and you should forgive and release yourself. If you still find it difficult, rebuke it according to Romans 8:1-2 because it is an evil spirit of condemnation from the enemy that torments and judges you.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your mercy and forgiveness. Now, I open my heart to accept your forgiveness. I erase all memories and guilt of sin and mistakes from my heart through the blood of Jesus. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
God Will Guide You on What to Do, Trust in Him
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." Psalm 32:8
Maybe today you have a challenge or problem that is giving you a hard time, and you don't know what tomorrow will bring, or you are at a point in your life where you need to make decisions and you don't know what the right choices are. Or you want to do something but so far you don't know how to achieve it, and you don't know how to go about it.
If you are in such a situation, the only thing to do for now is to ask God to guide you, and if you have already done so, believe that He is working on your matter and therefore He will show you the right thing to do.
Do not be afraid because of the uncertainties surrounding you now and the darkness you see in your life, even if there is something you once believed was God's will but it has suddenly changed and now you are worried, not knowing what God's will is. Do not give up, pray again, believe again, and God will guide you.
His word says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
When He says "I will instruct you," it means that when you are taught, you must understand, and there are tests you must pass, and if you fail the test, it is not the end for you. You study again and then retake the test until you pass. Then God will show you the way you should go.
Also, God says, "I will counsel you." Here, it means you and God sit together and plan things. Then He advises you, telling you, "My child, do this or go this way." Then He says, "With my eyes upon you," meaning, God is watching over you. There is nothing better in this world than knowing someone is watching over you and wants to see you succeed, watching you all the time so that if there is a problem, He immediately warns you, and if there is danger, He immediately comes to defend you. Therefore, God watches over you all the time with loving eyes. He has not forgotten you; you are not alone. Trust God and depend on Him all the time. Amen.
Prayer: Oh, LORD, I know you are with me, teaching and guiding me. I pray you give me the obedience and faith to believe in you and follow you all the time. Amen
Trust God's No
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?" Matthew 7:11
When Jesus was here on earth, one of his major teachings to the people who listened to him was about prayer. This teaching went hand in hand with how he taught us that God is our Father and our provider.
When you pray to God, He does not always give you the answers you were expecting, He does not always give you what you ask for. Because today's word says "How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?"*? Here, we see that God gives only "good things"** to those who ask Him.
So, when you pray to God, He receives your prayers and evaluates them. He looks to see if this thing is good for you. If He sees it is not good, He will not give it to you.
Today, what you need to know is that you should trust God even when He does not answer you as you were expecting. Know that whatever the response may be, it is good for you.
With your human understanding, it is very difficult to know if what you are asking for is good for you or not. God says again in Psalm 84:11 "...No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." So, believe that if something is good, God will not withhold it from you.
God’s answers to our prayers are always good. He gives you things that will become a blessing to you. He can not give you something that will trouble you later. In James 1:17 it is written, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
So, continue to pray and trust God even when He is silent or does not answer you as you wish. Believe that His plans for you are always good.
Prayer: Oh, LORD, I ask you to give me faith in you, especially when you have not answered me as I want. I believe you always have good plans for me. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
GOD WILL NOT LET YOU FALL
"When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. Psalm 94:18"
A blessing in life is when you find someone who truly loves and values you, someone who is ready to help you when you need assistance. But there comes a time in life when you realize that no one can stand with you in life as much as you need.
Only God can stand with you and help you with a loving and sincere heart. There are times when you may be surrounded by people who are close to you and think they wish you well and want the best for you, only to discover that they are with you but secretly wish to see you fall and fail. But our God is not like that; He is different.
Some people may see you making mistakes and let you make them so they can rise against you to accuse or speak ill of you. But our God is not like that. David says in today's word, "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, Lord, supported me."
God does not want to see you make mistakes or get lost. When you make a mistake, He restores you. God has abundant mercy. He helps us every day so that we do not fall as a father would help his little child. When you are overwhelmed and feel you are about to make a mistake, pray to God first to help and guide you. Do not seek help from people first. Talk to your God. You do not know what the person you are asking for help or advice is thinking about you.
David always depended on God, and when he felt he was slipping and making mistakes, God, in His grace, helped him. Because God loves us.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your love for me. I know you wish me well and will not let me make mistakes. I ask you to guide me and help me always. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
Do not remember the sins of our fathers against us; let your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.
Your cross, Jesus Christ, is our only hope and salvation. You took our curses and judgments so that we could receive your mercies and forgiveness.
Have mercy on us and heal us, oh Lord Lord Jesus, heal our family, our parents save and have mercy on our brothers and sisters ooh, Lord, and our Children so that we may live a life of joy and peace. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
UNCHANGING
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. However, three major things can change our perspective of God and make us see Him differently.
1. False Teachings: Some people preach a God they do not know, They teach a different Jesus than the one written in the Bible. They distort words and give incorrect interpretations of the scriptures. Some do this to gain money, while others are agents of Satan leading God's people astray.
2. Personal Inner Perspective: The challenges you face in your life can change your perspective, making you see God differently than the one you read about in the Bible. Especially when you have prayed for certain things, but He hasn’t responded as He did in the Bible.
3. Sin: From the beginning, when man sinned, he saw God as his enemy and hid. Genesis 3:9-11:
Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"
From this point, man has always seen himself as unworthy before God and thinks that God sees him the same way. Therefore, when we sin and face challenges, we feel that God is not pleased with us and that He does not love us, and that’s why we go through difficulties.
Satan has heavily invested in our thoughts, creating enmity by often using God’s own words to condemn and convincing us that God hates us because of our weaknesses. But Jesus has reconciled you to God you are no longer enemies with Him. You are his child, the Word of God says:
"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled; Colossians 1:21"
Therefore, our God is the same one who loves and values us always. He is ready to do great and wonderful things for you if you believe and love Him because He is our Father. Do not think that God does not love you because of your weaknesses; God's grace is upon you to help you. Amen.
Prayer: O God, you are unchanging. I pray, help me not to change and leave you. Grant me the grace to see you always as a loving and merciful Father. Amen.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses
GOD IS THE ONE WHO MAKES YOU PROSPEROUS
"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:3
God blesses you so that you may know that He is God because one of the most important things in a person's life is their daily needs. Therefore, when God blesses you, it is so that you may know that He is the one who created you, your God who takes care of you and makes you prosper. That is why He says, "so that you may know that I am the LORD, who summons you by name."
There are times in life when you may need something and try many ways to get it but get stuck, or you may use a lot of effort but you won't get results, and if you get results, they will be minimal.
When you believe in God and depend on Him, you need to know that success and wealth come from God. That is why He says, "I will give you the treasures of darkness," so it is God who gives you wealth and success. Even when they are hidden in darkness.
If you work without God's blessing, you can not succeed, no matter how hard you try. The important thing in life is to seek God first, and then you will succeed in your work. Some people work very hard, and some do not sleep day and night, but still they are not successful.
For God to give you His blessings, there are things He is searching for in you. It is not that you will just sit and wait for God to bless you—no! You must be diligent and hardworking in your work, and then God will come to bless you.
The Word of God says;
"So then, you must never think that you have made yourselves wealthy by your own power and strength. Remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to become rich. He does this because he is still faithful today to the covenant that he made with your ancestors." Deuteronomy 8:17-18 GNT
So today, ask God to give you strength and diligence in your work so that He may bless your work, and you may achieve the success you desire.
Prayer: I thank You, God, for Your love for me. I know you are with me to make me prosperous. I pray that You give me diligence in my work so that You may bless me even more.
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Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya
Telegram @Bibleverses