Sunday Mornings

42. Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43. for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Daily, we get convicted of sins and/or habits that we ought to let go of. But we allow the smothering effect of peer pressure or 'what others will think' to suffocate these convictions. What others think doesn't matter at all; God's approval is paramount and essential in our lives. Action Point : We should always be mindful of God approval and seek to Glorify Him in our daily living.

The LORD turned round and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered that the LORD had said to him, “Before the cock crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.” Peter went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61-62 ( GNB ) . Peter’s denial is one of the most striking incidents in the buildup of Jesus’ journey to the cross. When Jesus was arrested, scriptures recorded of His disciples that they all forsook him and fled (Mark 14:50). But there was this disciple that followed the train till the courtyard of the High Priest. He was so zealous for the LORD even at the hour of His condemnation [at least he was a “glance distance” away from his Master]. Zeal was not enough, especially when its foundation was boasting in the arms of flesh, because there at the courtyard, he was confronted, and he denied his Master three times. This may look like a light issue, but when you study the time interval between each of these denials, you will ...

HYMN One is our Master, the blessed Redeemer, Strong is the bond that unites us in Him: Oh, may the love His own Spirit hath kindled Burn with a light that will never grow dim. Brethren in Jesus, let us be faithful, Faithful to Him who is guiding our ways; True in allegiance and loving obedience, Till in His glory hosannas we raise. One is our Master; with gladness we’ll serve Him, “Doing the will” of the Lord “from the heart,” Knowing His strength is made perfect in weakness— All that is needful His grace will impart. One is our Master, the highest and noblest, Yet in His tenderness always “the same”; Be it our honour to follow His banner, Blessing for ever be unto His name. One is our Master; and happy those servants, Watching and ready whene’er He may come; Changed in His image, from “glory to glory,” Joyful reward in His kingdom and home.

But Jesus said, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?” Luke 22:48 ( GNB ) This was the first time Judas was coming in contact with Jesus after betraying him. The way this meeting was going to end was more tragic than the whole betrayal. As he was leaning over to Jesus, I could quietly perceive the LORD expecting a whisper in his ear from Judas saying “master, forgive me! I have sinned.” But alas, it was a kiss that Judas gave his master. You can perceive how disappointed Jesus was, from the tone of our key verse. Jesus was so surprised, he asked the stern question to Judas “is it with a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?” I can hear the Spirit of God quietly asking us the same question today. After betraying God for worldly fame, and glory, were you apologetic, remorseful or repentant? Or you just went right back to the congregation of the brethren to lift “holy hands”? This is hypocrisy! Scriptures make us underst...

Hebrews 2:5-6 ( MSG ) 5.God didn't put angels in charge of this business of salvation that we're dealing with here. 6.It says in Scripture, What is man and woman that you bother with them; why take a second look their way?. Man disobeyed God and fell out of God's original plan. But God, being so mindful, kind and merciful, provided a means of reconciliation for man to reconcile back to Him ; The Salvation Project. "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life"  John 3:16 The Salvation Project is a planned endeavor by God with the goal of delivering man from sin and eternal damnation; giving man a new life. This was accomplished by the death of Christ Jesus. "It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham." Hebrews 2:16. You...

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive be delivered? (Isaiah 49:24) It is one thing to be a prey, it is another for your predator to be mighty. Every prey always quietly prays that he be delivered, but when in the hands of a might, that hope vanishes. In like manner some captivities as abduction and kidnapping are unlawful, so you have hope of the state and federation backing you up for your release; but when your captivity is lawful, such hope vanishes. Today’s scripture brings a vivid scenario of hopeless situations. The answer to the question posed by the passage is for whoever is in this situation to write a will as soon as possible, and prepare to die. No matter how you must have answered the question of that hopeless situation, you need to sit back now and listen attentively for what God has to say: But thus saith the LORD, even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: (Isaiah 49:25a) Hallelu...

2 Timothy 4:3-5 (MSG) You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you— keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant. We are urged to refrain from sexual immorality, false teachings, envy, jealousy, hatred, greed and other sinful nature that is contrary to fulfilling the task set before us. We ought to set our eyes on the goal and avoid chasing mirages. We should live Godly lives , keep the message of God alive and be a thorough Christian. Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG) I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no...