In His Image Ministries

Tuesday November 14 Bible Reading:     Eph. 4: 25 - 32 Topic:                  Carry Over Is Not Allowed (Part Two) We continue today on Paul's teaching on putting off the old man and putting on the new man. This time around more vices that are associated with the old man are mentioned that we are required to put off. Interestingly, wherever he lists a vice to be "put off", he gave a virtue to be "put on" Lying is replaced by truth (v. 25) Anger is replaced by reconciliation (vs. 26, 27) A person who once robbed goes to work (v. 28) Harmful words give way to helpful ones (vs. 29) Bitterness, wrath, anger and insults give way to tender-heartedness, forgiveness (vs. 31, 32) Verse 30 stands out in the list "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" The Holy Spirit Who sees our hea...

Tuesday June 27 Bible Reading:      Gen. 21: 9 - 21 Topic:          Learn To Wait For God's Promise Waiting for God to fulfill His promise is one of the hardest tasks the Christian can face in life. Abraham failed the test when instead of waiting for God's promise that "Isaac shall your seed be called" (v. 12), Abraham listened to Sarah and had Ishmael. But Ishmael was not to be the covenant child. It was Isaac whom God had promised (v. 12; 21: 1,2) The rebellion of Hagar   (Gen. 16: 5, 6) and her son Ishmael (Gen. 21: 9) led Abraham and Sarah with God's approval to cast Ishmael with his mother Hagar out of Abraham's household (v. 10) A slave does not abide in the house forever but the son does (John 8: 35) The bond woman and her son must be cast out. As painful and trying as it was for Abraham, the separation of Ishmael from Isaac led ultimately to God'...

Thursday June 15 Bible Reading:      1 Pet. 4: 12 - 19 Topic:          Suffer Only For Righteousness The text today takes us into the very important subject of suffering for Christ after we have become Christians. Apostle Peter discusses two kinds of suffering here: 1.       Suffering that is a trial of our faith - that is training us in god's spirituality, suffering for righteousness or being a Christian (v 14) 2.       Suffering for being a wrong doer (v 15) Apostle Peter admonished that when a Christian suffers for being a Christian, he should count it great joy or be glad for this makes him a partner with Christ in suffering (v 13). It is a testimony to the life of Christ in him, and an earnest guarantee of the joy and glory reserved for him to share at the second coming of Christ. Now, ...

Wednesday June 14 Bible Reading:      1 Pet. 4: 7 - 11 Topic:          Use Your Gifts To Serve Excellently Well In Life Apostle Peter continued his exhortation to the Christians he addressed, with a challenge to a Spirit filled and Spirit led life of prayer and devotion to God and man. They were to continue in an unselfish, hospitable life in their homes and put every gift in their lives - speaking, helping others and only others for the glory of God forever. God's gifts to us - of grace, love and truth - are for us to build one another in the faith. The foundation for a successful life of service is the Nature of God we have received. By the fruit of the Spirit, we are enabled to be like God in love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control and gentleness. This is the kind of life Paul said against it "there is no law" (Gal. 5: 22 - 23) ...

Saturday May 27 Bible Reading:      Eph. 4: 1 - 10 Topic:          Show The Light Step by step advice on how we can live a good Christian life is given by Paul in today's passage. First he urges us to live a life worthy of our calling - that is "walk our talk" Second we should be humble, gentle, patient and tolerant Third, we should keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, since all believers in Christ belong to one body united under one Head, Christ Himself (1 Cor. 12: 12 - 26) and have one Father and God. And since God has given each of us gifts and abilities which if used in submission to the Holy Spirit will strengthen the whole body of Christ, each of us must endeavour to put those gifts to good use. Allow these divine admonitions to bring changes in your life. Learn to be humble, patient, tolerant and peace seeking. Don't allo...