Bride of Christ Devotional for Wednesday, 3rd January 2024 *********************************
TOPIC: DOING THE WORKS THAT GOD APPROVES: —————————————
KEY TEXT: John 6:27-29 “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him, God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” —————————————
EXHORTATION: There is this innate desire in every one of us, especially religious persons to do certain good works for society and for God, such as serving in the church, being prayerful, and helping the needy as a form of service rendered to God. However, more often than not, we do these things for our selfish motives. Like the Jews in our key scripture above, most people today are seeking God or want to serve Him for their selfish desires and not because they love God and desire to please Him by doing His will. Jesus is saying here that, seeking Him or serving Him for His gifts and not because we NEED Him is a service that can never be approved (accepted) by God! This is because true satisfaction and fulfillment can be derived in CHRIST alone and not in the food, money, certificate, job, marriage, or material things we get from Him! This also teaches us that, no matter how religious we are in our service to God, if we don’t wholeheartedly believe in CHRIST and totally depend on Him by doing what pleases Him, our service will be dead works because we are serving in the flesh! No matter how good or great such works might appear in the eyes of men, they cannot be counted for eternity! They are vain works! done only for this world! No wonder why He declared in John 15:5 “…for without Me you can do nothing!” —————————————
PONDER ON THESE: *Why is it totally foolishness for us to know this truth and yet seek God in the flesh? *Why are you doing what you are doing for God? *By reflecting on your current desires or dreams, actions, and projects do you think by achieving them they will be works approved by God? And will they count for eternity? —————————————
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for loving and caring about me so much that You laid down Your life for me. Thank You that You want me to have You to the fullest and to be with You in eternity. Forgive me for being so selfish in seeking after You. As from today help me to seek You wholeheartedly because I desire to know You, to have You to the fullest, and to do Your will in Jesus’ name. Amen. —————————————
TAKE ACTION: *Watch your motive for everything you do for God this year and always *Surrendering to God any selfish ambitions you notice you are pursuing
