The School of Discipleship

09/09/2026

Part 3 of this excellent teaching series aptly presents God as the All-Powerful Shepherd who uses His infinite power in the interests of His sheep.

Listen and experience God's unlimited power @

The All-Powerful God is the Shepherd of believers in Christ.The G...

09/09/2026

Revival Today Devotional
Wednesday, September 9th 2026
YOU HAVE DIED TO SIN (Part 1)

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2 NKJV)

The born-again believers are not expected to strive or struggle to die daily to sin, for they are already dead to sin once and for all through the body of Jesus Christ. At the New Birth, the believers were baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6:1-4).

Your daily victory over sin depends on knowing, believing, internalizing, and knowing that your former sinful and corrupt self (the old man) has been crucified and buried with Christ. You are now a new creation or self in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – TCNT
17 Therefore, if any one is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun!

The death of your old self was not gradual, progressive, or incomplete. Instead, it was a once-for-all, complete, perfect death. This truth is the primary key to a victorious life in Christ!

Romans 6:5-7 – NKJV
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

There is certainly a vast difference between a man who has been confirmed dead and a man who is about to die or who is dying.

Therefore, the experience of a believer who truly knows, believes, internalizes, and walks in the revelation-knowledge of his perfect death and resurrection with Christ will not be the same as that of the believer striving to die daily to sin.

Many born-again believers today still struggle with sinful habits because they do not acknowledge, accept, believe, internalize, and walk in the truth that they have died to sin once and for all through the body of Jesus Christ.

Until you know, understand, accept, and believe that you have died to the Mosaic Law, you cannot serve God in the newness of the Spirit.

Paul aptly explains this truth.

Romans 7:4-6 – NKJV
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

It is only a man who is dead that is free from sin!

Romans 6:2, 7 – NKJV
2 How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. (NKJV).

Therefore, any believer still striving or struggling to die daily to sin or the law is not yet free from the dominion of sin and the law.

We were all born with a sinful, depraved, corrupt, stubborn, and rebellious nature that can never be subject to God (Rom. 8:7). We were irrevocably damaged and corrupted by sin to the extent that when God looked upon the earth, all that He saw was total corruption (Gen. 6:12).

Genesis 6:5-6 – NKJV
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

Sin was embedded and enthroned in our flesh from birth. Nothing can separate us from the sin dwelling in us except death. No religion, institution, reformation, or rehabilitation can revamp, rehabilitate, rescue, or deliver our flesh from sin except death.

Therefore, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, “in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom. 8:3 NKJV), “in the image of the evil flesh (Rom. 8:3 BBE), in a body like that of sinful human nature (Rom. 8:3 WNT); in a body like the bodies we sinners have (Rom. 8:3 NLT); in the guise of sinful flesh (Rom. 8:3 AMP).”

What did God accomplish by sending His Son to come in the likeness of our sinful and corrupt flesh?

The Scripture reveals:

“He condemned sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3 NKJV);
He gave his decision against sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3 BBE);
He pronounced sentence upon sin in human nature (Rom. 8:3 WNT);
He condemned sin in human nature (Rom. 8:3 GNT);
In that body (a body like the bodies we sinners have), God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins (Rom. 8:3 NLT);
God condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice”] (Rom. 8:3 AMP).

Hallelujah!

What is the spiritual implication of Christ dying on the cross in the likeness of our sinful flesh on account of our sin?

Sin was condemned in the flesh!

The power, dominion, and control of sin are now totally broken and destroyed over all who put their faith in Christ Jesus and His substitutionary or sacrificial death on the cross.

The terrible and agonizing death that Jesus Christ died on the cross was the death that we needed to die to be free from the hold, dominion, and tyranny of sin. Jesus came in our sinful likeness so that He might be a perfect substitute for us and died in our stead.

Hebrews 2:9 – NKJV
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Romans 8:3 – NLT
3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by sacrificing his Son for our sins. Praise God!

Therefore, anyone who trusts the Lord Jesus Christ and His redemptive work need not die any death to be free from the dominion of sin because the death that Christ died was in his stead or place.

Christ’s death on the cross was not for His freedom from sin, for he was sinless. His death was totally for our sake, the slaves of sin. It was a once-and-for-all death! Christ’s one-time death on the cross over 2000 years ago is sufficient to deliver all humanity from the power and control of sin (Rom. 6:9-10).

Beloved, seeking, striving, or struggling to die daily to sin is equivalent to despising and belittling Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross and regarding it as insufficient for your total freedom or deliverance from sin.

That is a great insult to the Spirit of Grace!

How should believers deal with the daily temptations to sin?

Why did Paul say, “I die daily”?

Find out in the second part of this piece!

Prayer:

My Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ, in the likeness of my sinful flesh, to die in my place so that I can be free from the dominion of sin once and for all. I believe in Christ’s sacrifice for my sins, and I declare today my perfect and perpetual freedom from the power of sin, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

—Written by Jegede Sunday E.
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08/09/2026

Revival Today Devotional
Tuesday, September 8th 2026
THE MODEL WALL FOR TODAY'S CHURCH

"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28 NKJV)

One of the spectacular visions that John the Beloved saw when he was banished to the island of Patmos for the testimony of Jesus Christ was the vision of "the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Rev. 21:2 NKJV).

The unique and impressive wall of the Heavenly Jerusalem, a city whose maker and builder is God, is a model or pattern wall for today's Church.

The impressive wall of the New Jerusalem, which John the beloved saw in a striking vision coming down out of heaven from God, highlights the primary attributes or qualities that all the men and women in the leadership positions in the Church, who constitute the spiritual walls of the Church, should possess and evince.

God is always looking for and calling some men to build a spiritual wall for His people in every generation.

Prophet Ezekiel reveals God's mind, saying, "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." (Eze. 22:30 NKJV).

"You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the LORD." (Eze. 13:5 NKJV).

The Scripture reveals that the New Testament believers are living stones that make up a spiritual house for God.

1 Peter 2:4-5 – NKJV
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
5 You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Among the living stones that make up the spiritual temple of God, some are divinely, specifically, and strategically positioned as "the wall." These are men and women in positions of authority or leadership in the Church.

While the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Good Shepherd and "the Gate" to the sheepfold, He has graciously called and given some believers the privilege and responsibility to be His under-shepherds.

These God's chosen and appointed leaders in the Church constitute "the spiritual wall of the Church." They are the spiritual walls of the flock of God!

Beyond nurturing, feeding, and caring for the sheep of God, the shepherds or spiritual leaders in the Church are also responsible for watching over, protecting, and defending God's flock against the encroachment and invasion of the world and the devil (Acts 20:27-31). This admonition is for all Church leaders today!

Our churches today are filled with all sorts of abominations and evils because many of our spiritual leaders or shepherds, whom God has strategically positioned as "the spiritual wall," are too weak, feeble, and shallow to defend the Church against the floods of ungodliness, pollution, and corruption.

The Holy Spirit is therefore calling for the rebuilding and reconstruction of the spiritual walls of today's Church.

To build a robust spiritual wall that can stop the encroachment and advance of the world and the devil against the Church, we must carefully examine, study, and understand the peculiar foundation, height, width, and nature of the model wall of the Heavenly Jerusalem, where God dwells. No unclean thing can enter (Rev. 21:27).

First, let us examine the peculiar foundation of the model wall of New Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:14 – NKJV
14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The foundation of a building, though beneath the surface, is very significant. The depth of the foundation determines the height of the building. A shallow foundation cannot carry or support a skyscraper.

The impressive height of the wall of heavenly Jerusalem stood on twelve solid foundations of all kinds of precious stones, bearing the names of the twelve apostles of Christ (Rev. 21:14, 19).

Similarly, church leaders must have spiritual depth in God's Word. Unless we are built on the foundation of the apostles (apostles' doctrine), with Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone, we shall remain a weak, feeble, and porous wall that cannot stop the invasion and infiltration of the world and the devil (Acts 2:42, Eph. 2:20-22, Jude 1:3).

Unfortunately, many spiritual leaders today are men and women without any spiritual depth. Their spiritual shallowness is responsible for the spiritual and moral deficiencies or weaknesses staring us in the face in the Church today.

Damnable heresies and false doctrines have infiltrated the Church because many spiritual leaders are too shallow in God's Word.

Second, the twelve foundations of the heavenly Jerusalem wall were made of twelve solid and precious stones.

Revelation 21:19-20 – NKJV
19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

It is the nature or strength of the foundation materials that determines the strength of the building. A foundation made of soft materials cannot carry or support a strong building.

Today's spiritual walls are weak, feeble, and unfit to stop the encroachment of adversaries because the spiritual foundations of many of our leaders are weak. Many of them are not built firmly on God's Word.

The Scriptures vividly describe how the wall of the heavenly Jerusalem was built on twelve foundations, with the names of the twelve apostles (Rev. 21:14).

The foundation of the apostles comprises the body of Christ's teachings, revelations, principles, and doctrines, which were passed down in the Church by Christ's apostles. Our brother Jude called this "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3 NKJV).

Nothing else offers a solid, firm, secure, and enduring foundation for any believer or leader than the foundation of the apostles, with Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:19-22).

Our walls (spiritual leaders) are cringing, collapsing, and crumbling before the enemy because some are not built upon the apostles' sure, firm, and solid foundation, with Jesus Christ being the Chief Cornerstone.

God is calling all those in leadership positions in our churches today to prayerfully and carefully examine their spiritual foundation—its depth and nature. This starts with examining your life to be sure that you are genuinely born again through faith alone in the person of Jesus Christ and His finished work.

Now is the time to locate, identify, and fix every hidden fault, crack, or weakness in your foundation so that you can be strong and fit to defend and repel ravenous wolves from God's flock.

The third striking feature to consider and emulate from the model wall of the New Jerusalem built by God is its impressive height and thickness—200 feet high and thick.

Revelation 21:16-17 – NKJV
16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.

Imagine a wall of such height and thickness!

Today's Church needs spiritually mature, high, thick, or strong as its spiritual walls. Men and women in leadership positions in our churches must not be babes in spiritual understanding, immature, undiscerning, unstable, untrained, and inexperienced in godliness and handling the Word of life.

Unfortunately, in many of our churches today, the carnal, sensual, ungodly, unrepentant, unregenerate, unlearned, or unskilled men and women in God's Word constitute the spiritual walls (the spiritual leaders). No wonder they cannot stop the invasion of ungodliness and immorality into their churches!

Our spiritual leaders (the spiritual walls of the Church) may not be able to withstand the pressures, violent attacks, and aggressions of the adversaries in the end times unless they grow up in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, thereby becoming strong in the power of God's might (2 Pet. 3:18, 2 Cor. 4:8-10).

However, proper spiritual growth and depth require spending quality time daily in God's Word, prayer, discipline, and diligence in following the Lord's instructions and teachings. Spiritual muscles are mostly built up during personal, deep, and intimate fellowship with God.

Servants of God are called to be good examples to believers in longsuffering, perseverance, and patience. Sadly, many of our spiritual leaders today are like weak and porous spiritual walls because they are lazy in studying God's Word and prayer.

Many are only pleasure-seeking and comfort-loving. Their inordinate passions for the ephemeral make doctrines of demons easily sway them and quickly compromise the faith of old for titles, positions, fame, and wealth.

Lastly, another feature or attribute of the wall of heavenly Jerusalem that spiritual leaders today must possess and manifest is the nature and quality of its material. The Scripture reveals that the wall was made of jasper.

Revelation 21:18 – NKJV
18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.

Jasper is the most precious stone, clear as crystal. In the Scripture, God's glory is often described as a jasper stone.

The heavenly Jerusalem was described as "Having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." (Rev. 21:11 NKJV).

As thick as the wall of the heavenly Jerusalem was, it was as transparent as crystalline jasper, revealing the city's incredible beauty. Among all precious stones, only Jasper is colorless; it is as clear as crystal. This depicts never-ending glory and purity.

God desires that the spiritual walls (spiritual leaders) of the Church today will be like jasper: pure, transparent, and unstained by the corruption of the flesh and the world, and ever reflecting the glory of God.

Beloved, as a spiritual wall of today's Church, your life is expected by God to be like a jasper stone, clear as crystal, and reflecting the nature, glory, image, and character of Christ.

You are supposed to be honest, plain, upright, and forthright in all your dealings. Truth, honesty, integrity, and transparency must be your watchwords in all your transactions with the people.

The Scripture admonishes you to "be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Tim. 4:12 NKJV).

A spiritual leader must seek to be balanced and versatile in God's Word. Enough of laziness, slumbering, and frivolities! It is time to be disciplined and diligent in studying God's Word and prayer.

Like the early apostles (early church leaders), let us shun all frivolities and distractions but "give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:4 NKJV).

Let us grow up to be great, thick, and high spiritual walls around God's flock entrusted to our care.

Prayer:

My Dear Heavenly Father, deliver me today from all distractions, frivolities, slothfulness, and slumbering. Dear Holy Spirit, help me to become disciplined and diligent in laboring daily in the Word and prayer, in Jesus' name. Amen.

—Written by Jegede Sunday E.
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07/09/2026

Revival Today Devotional
Monday, September 7th 2026
COMFORT THE FAINT-HEARTED

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all." (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NKJV)

God is undoubtedly the Great Comforter. He is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. God always seeks to comfort His children in all their tribulations and trials. The Word of God offers us great comfort and hope during tough times and situations.

Paul testifies to this truth.

Romans 15:4 – NKJV
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

The Holy Spirit abides in the born-again believers to comfort and strengthen our hearts so that our hearts may not be overwhelmed with much grief or sorrow as a result of a sudden disappointment and failure, a shocking medical report, an unexpected death of loved ones, a sudden disaster, tribulation, or persecution we may face in this evil world.

The Scripture reveals and testifies that the early believers walked in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:31 – NKJV
31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

God indeed wants all His children today to walk in the comfort of the Holy Spirit and to minister comfort to one another.

The Scripture teaches that one of the primary purposes of God comforting us in all our tribulations and trials is to adequately equip us to comfort others in their times of trials, problems, or suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:1-4 – NKJV
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

In addition to the great comfort that God's Word and Spirit offer believers in trials or tribulations, God also wants you to be His voice and comfort to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in their time of suffering, trials, or tribulations. God wants you to speak to edify, exhort, encourage, strengthen, and comfort the fainthearted.

1 Corinthians 14:1-3 – NKJV
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

We all naturally blame people for their sufferings, miseries, or tribulations. Like Job's friends, we are often too quick to judge, criticize, and condemn our friends and brethren in Christ in their time of suffering, miseries, trials, or tribulations.

Sometimes, we unjustly despise or disdain our fellow believers who are experiencing tough times and situations, seeing them as sinful, unfaithful to God, unwise, spiritually immature, undiscerning, weak, or lazy in fasting and prayer.

That may not always be the case, as seen in Job's case. However, even if that is the case, God does not expect you to inflict more suffering or pain on your fellow believers who are in pain or suffering by judging or condemning them.

On the contrary, God expects you to comfort them by showing them kindness, mercy, and favor.

Job 6:14 – NKJV
14 To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

Apostle Paul rebuked and corrected the Church at Corinth when they dealt severely with a brother overtaken in a trespass. He further instructed them to forgive and comfort the brother by reaffirming their love for him.

2 Corinthians 2:6-8 – NKJV
6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,
7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.

This is a practical lesson and instruction for us today!

Today, we must be careful about the severe punishment or judgment we impose on our fellow believers when they fall into sin.

Today, many believers in our churches have been completely drowned in, swallowed up by, or overwhelmed with much sorrow because of the severe, critical remarks, condemnation, judgment, or punishment we mete out to them when trespasses overtake them.

The Scripture instructs and warns:

Galatians 6:1-2 – NKJV
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

When God eventually showed up to vindicate and restore Job, who, though blameless and upright, was afflicted, God was very angry with Job's friends, who, instead of showing him kindness and ministering comfort to him in his suffering and tribulation, were only judging and condemning him.

Job 42:7 – NKJV
7 And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.

Beloved, God has not given you the ministry of accusation and condemnation but that of exhortation and consolation towards the afflicted and fainthearted. Learn from the blunder of Job's friends and be very careful how you treat or deal with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in their time of suffering, trials, or tribulations.

Rather than despising or condemning them, the Scripture commands:

1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 – NKJV
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.


Prayer:

My Dear Heavenly Father, I renounce my ministry of accusation and condemnation today. But I received today the grace and wisdom to function effectively in the ministry of exhortation and consolation towards the afflicted and fainthearted, in Jesus' name. Amen.

—Written by Jegede Sunday E.
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06/09/2026

Revival Today Devotional
Sunday, September 6th 2026
TAKE YOUR REST IN THE LORD

"Take your rest in the Lord, waiting quietly for him; do not be angry because of the man who does well in his evil ways, and gives effect to his bad designs." (Psalms 37:7 BBE)

There is undoubtedly an eternal rest for believers in heaven; however, Scripture assures that there is also a true rest, peace, and joy in the Lord available to believers now in this present life.

As a born-again believer, you don't need to defer your rest, peace, and joy until you leave this evil world. The Lord Jesus has provided you with rest, peace, and joy in this troubled world.

The Lord Jesus assures His disciples of true peace in Him.

John 14:27 – NKJV
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 – NKJV
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

There is no doubt that perfect and eternal rest, peace, and joy await true believers in heaven (Rev. 21:4). However, God wants you to have a foretaste of the perfect rest, peace, and joy awaiting you in heaven while you live amidst the turmoil of this present life.

The Lord Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28 NKJV).

If indeed you have come to Christ and submitted to His lordship, you have a divine right and access to a blessed rest in the Lord while you live in this hectic world.

One of the primary proofs of knowing and following the Lord is that you will experience and express real rest, peace, and joy even amid tribulation or persecution.

In the face of death, the face of Stephen, the first martyr among the early disciples, was said to be glowing like the face of an angel. He was not fearful, restless, or troubled (Acts 6:15).

The word "rest" in the Hebrew "damam" literally means "to be dumb." This implies "to stop, to cease, to hold peace, to quiet self, to be silent, to be still, to tarry or wait."

To take rest in the Lord implies "to stop from struggling to please God through the works of the law; to cease from fear, worries, and anxieties about anything; to hold your peace amid troubles, trusting in the Lord's help; to quiet yourself and refuse to be upset, restless or agitated in the days of adversities; and to be still and wait upon the Lord for divine instructions when under pressures to act."

God commands that everyone who comes to Christ must rest in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalms 37:7 – BBE
7 Take your rest in the Lord, waiting quietly for him; do not be angry because of the man who does well in his evil ways, and gives effect to his bad designs.

How do you know someone who has taken his rest in the Lord?

He will cease from his works!

Hebrews 4:10 – NKJV
10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

What works is this Scripture talking about here?

The works of the law!

You cannot enter into the Lord's rest until you cease struggling to overcome Sin and Satan in your strength and wisdom and striving to appease or please God through your good works, self-righteousness, or adherence to some religious rules and rites.

The Scripture records that when the heavens and the earth and all the host of them were finished, God rested on the seventh day from all His works which He had done (Gen. 2:1-3).

God rested from His works of creation, not to sleep or go on vacation, because He had become exhausted, but to relish or take pleasure in all He had created.

Similarly, Jesus Christ has finished the redemptive work for the salvation of humankind by His death and resurrection. No man needs to do other works or offer sacrifices to be saved or earn God's love, acceptance, favor, or blessing.

All that God wants us to do is to take our rest in the Lord—to take pleasure in the finished work of Christ—by simply putting our complete trust or confidence in the person and finished work of Christ, thereby appropriating and enjoying the benefits of His finished work.

Our self-righteousness, performance, or good works can never satisfy God completely or earn us God's love, acceptance, favor, or blessing.

Therefore, striving to observe, keep, or adhere to religious rules or rituals to earn God's love, acceptance, favor, blessing, or salvation is useless.

Paul aptly explains this truth.

Romans 4:1-5 – NKJV
1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Galatians 2:16 – NKJV
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

The grace of God in Christ Jesus has brought salvation to all men. God's love, acceptance, favor, or blessing is available to all men as a gift at the expense of Christ's suffering and death.

Paul aptly states this truth.

Titus 2:11 – NKJV
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – NKJV
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Romans 11:6 – NKJV
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Beloved, you rest in the Lord when you cease striving or seeking to appease, please, or impress God or earn God's love, acceptance, favor, or blessing by your performance, self-righteousness, or good works.

Instead, you take pleasure in, rely upon, or trust entirely in the finished work of Christ as the only basis for having a loving and intimate relationship with God and for possessing and enjoying God's blessings.

For you to enter into His rest, it takes a spiritual understanding that Christ has defeated Sin, Satan, and the World by His death on the cross.

You will always experience inward rest, overflowing joy, and peace that surpasses all understanding, despite your circumstances, if you genuinely know and sincerely believe that the Lord Jesus loves you unconditionally and infinitely and has won for you a complete victory through His death and resurrection.

You will not lose your sleep, peace, rest, or joy over any spiritual, physical, financial, physical, or emotional needs if you truly know and believe that God has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ and that all things are now yours in Christ (Eph. 1:3, 1 Cor. 3:21-22, Rom. 8:17, 2 Pet. 1:3).

Friend, enough of fretting and running all over the place!

Christ has fought, won, defeated, and finished all your battles and adversaries through His death and resurrection.

Therefore, God is calling you today to cease from your fear, worry, and anxiety and begin to rest in the Lord, taking pleasure in and trusting entirely in the finished work of Christ for your salvation.

Heed the Spirit's call today to take your rest in the Lord.

Prayer:

My Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all the divine provisions You have made available for me in Christ so that I may experience a foretaste of the eternal bliss awaiting me in heaven. From today, I cease my toiling, worries, anxieties, and fears and enter into the Lord's rest, in Jesus' name. Amen.

—Written by Jegede Sunday E.
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