Devotional
DAY 1 – INTRODUCTION
GOD’S REQUIREMENTS FOR BELIEVERS – WHAT BELIEVERS NEED TO KNOW AND DO TO REMAIN IN THE LORD AND BE FRUITFUL IN THE LORD (1 OF 2)
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.” AMPC
The purpose of this 180-Day Devotional & Bible Study is to establish the message of salvation, the power of the Gospel of Christ, the Believers’ authority, and what God requires of Believers line upon line and precept upon precept.
Isaiah 28:9–10 “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?…For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”
God wants the Believers’ faith to be built on the foundation of Christ, His Word, and His Power.
1 Corinthians 3:11 “After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ.” GW
1 Corinthians 2:1, 4-5 “AS FOR myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom; And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.” AMPC
Without the knowledge of what salvation offers, the deliverance and transformative power of God’s Word, and what God requires of a Believer, there can never be a solid foundation for the Believer’s faith to triumph over every challenge and demand of life, and the onslaught of the enemy.
There are 2 categories of Believers:
The 1st set of Believers are those who are grounded and rooted in God’s Word through personal study of the Word of God, write notes during preaching, and also go over and verify with Scriptures teachings that have been taught for accuracy and confirmation.
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Acts 17:11“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
The 2nd set of Believers are those who spend little or no time studying God’s Word, pay no attention or are distracted during preaching, do not write notes during preaching, and do not go over teachings that have been taught.
This category of Believers does not have the knowledge of the deliverance power of God’s Word, the transformational message of the Cross, the revelation of the Mind, Will, and Heart of God, the eternal purpose of God for Believers, and what God requires of them.
1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God.”AMP
They do not know about nor walk in the victory that Christ has given them.
The Lord desires all Believers to be like the 1st category of Believers.
The Lord has covered by His Spirit the major tenets of the Christian faith and what He requires of every Believer in this 180-Day Devotional Book & Bible Study.
Hebrews 6:1“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely, we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.” NLT
God does not just want a Believer to make Heaven; God wants a Believer to live a triumphant life that is His Perfect Will and is pleasing to Him while on the earth.
Romans 12:1-2 “I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”AMPC
God desires to bring Believers to a place of understanding Him, His intents, His desires, and His expectations of them.
Philippians 3:10 “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope].” AMPC
GOD REQUIRES OF EVERY BELIEVER:
1. To dwell in His presence by His Spirit and Commune with Him in the place of Prayer to be guided by Him through instructions.
Habakkuk 2:1-4 “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
Psalm 91:1 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
2. To love the Lord with all his/her heart and mind. God gave it all, therefore He wants it all.
To whom much is given, much is expected. God wants you to give Him all your heart and love Him with all your heart, so He can channel your heart and desires to all He has Purposed and Planned for you.
Deuteronomy 6:5 “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
Luke 10:27 “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
3. To Have faith in Him and believe Him to answer prayers and accomplish His Will and Purpose in, for, and through him/her.
2 Timothy 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”
1 Samuel 1:27 “For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:”
4. To minister to the Lord and serve Him with all he/she is and has. God desires a Believer serve Him with joy and do all things heartily, as to Him.
Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
Luke 8:2-3 “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.”
1 Samuel 12:24 “only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.”
5. To grow in the knowledge of His Word by studying and knowing His Word, and also living by His Word.
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Jeremiah 9:24 “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”
Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for the grace to live a life that is holy, pleasing, and acceptable to you at all times and in all situations.
I commit to spend time to study your Word and I pray for the grace to live by your Word and Will for me. In Jesus’ mighty name, I pray. Amen.
INTRODUCTION – DAY 2
GOD’S REQUIREMENTS FOR BELIEVERS – WHAT BELIEVERS NEED TO KNOW AND DO TO REMAIN IN THE LORD AND BE FRUITFUL IN THE LORD (2 OF 2)
Ephesians 4:11-16 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
God has given the Body of Christ, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers for the Perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the Saints; for all Believers to come in the unity of faith, mind, purpose, and also grow in the knowledge of the Son of God.
God does not want His children to be misled, deceived, and tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine: that is why He has made His Word, Will, Mind, and Requirements plain to them to understand, so they can do them by the help and power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 1:19 “For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.” BSB
God has given Believers the life, heart, mind, strength, power, knowledge and grace to know Him and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
One thing God will not do is to force Believers or anyone to do His Will and Purpose. God wants Believers to willingly submit their will to His Will and Purpose.
God rewards and blesses those who willingly submit their will to His Will because it proves their love, reverence, and obedience to Him and to His Will and Purpose.
Genesis 22:9-10, 15-18 “And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac, his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”
I pray that Believers grow in their love for God, knowledge of God, and obedience to His Will, Purpose, and Requirements, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
GOD REQUIRES OF EVERY BELIEVER (CONTINUED):
6. To make room for Him, the people of God, and things of God in his/her heart and house.
This is something a Believer must be determined and intentional in doing by managing his/her time, resources and relationships effectively, thereby redeeming the time and not being ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.
Acts 12:12 “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”
2 Kings 4:9-10 “And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.”
7. God desires every Believer to worship and praise Him at all times and in all situations.
God wants His children not to fret or be anxious at troubled times, but to praise Him and pray, in order to have the peace of God and trust in God that are needed for clarity of mind; so they can make right decisions and not fall into the trap of the enemy.
1 Samuel 2:1 “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.”
Psalm 34:1 “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.” NLT
8. God wants a Believer to willingly submit to Him, those in authority, and others.
A Believer’s submission to authority and others must not contradict the Word and Will of God for him/her. There cannot be an order without submission.
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
1 Peter 2:13 “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;”
1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
9. God expects a Believer to be hard-working and to take care of his/her family, the Church of God, Ministries, and Ministers of God.
God does not want any of His children to be a busy body and a parasite.
Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
John 5:17 “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
Proverbs 31:27 “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”
10. God requires all Believers, not just Ministers of the Gospel, to win souls and preach the Gospel of Christ.
The great commission of soul winning is a mandate to all Believers.
John 4:39 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”
Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Prayer:
I thank you, Lord, for revealing yourself to me and making your Will, Mind, and Requirements plain to me.
I pray for divine enablement and submission to fulfill your Will, Mind, and Purpose at all times and in all situations. In Jesus’ mighty name, I pray. Amen.
