Introduction: God repays since retribution belongs to Him. The Scripture says in this respect, « ‘It is mine to avenge, I will repay’, says the Lord―Deut.32:35” Rom.12:19. Indeed, He retributes because He is a righteous Judge who repays everyone for their deeds―whether good or bad. For there is nothing hidden that will not be seen, either in our acts or in our life. As it is written, « Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His Name. ‘On the day when I act’, says the Lord Almighty, ‘they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves Him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not’ » Mal.3:16-18, which also means, « those who do His Will and those who do not.” As a result, make every effort to do what is good and right, because that is God’s will (Rom.12:2). And let us not become tired of doing good, for there is a great reward from God to those who do so (Heb.10:35). Therefore, « stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain » 1 Cor.15:58. Those who believe in Him trust in his conduct and his retribution for everything, so they will keep themselves from the temptation to retaliate or to be angry or to grumble to God and judge others, as Jonah did to the town of Nineveh (Jonah 4:1-11). Certainly God repays everyone without distinction according to what they did, and « He will come and will not delay » Heb. 10:37. Jesus says, « Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me and I will give to each person according to what they have done » Rev. 22:12. Trust in the assurance given by the Word of God, « But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint » Isa. 40:31.
Monday 24: God repays everyone.
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh” Jer.9:25.
Reading 1: Heb.10:26-31. Reading 2: Jer.9:25-26. Preaching : Jer.9:25.
Introduction: Our theme of the day declares that if God repays people, it is because He is Holy and Just. And He is the impartial Judge who makes no distinctions between persons. Therefore His word warns us, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” Gal.6:7. As implied by the celebration of the Trinity, He has given us the Spirit who “helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” Rom.8:26. This is how we find justification and favor in God’s sight.
Tuesday 25 : God renders faultless those who live in love.
« Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in them » 1 John 4:16.
Reading 1: Luke 7:36-48. Reading 2 : John 4: 16-21. Preaching : John 4:16.
Introduction: Having God who is Love is a great assurance (1 John 4:16), God is with us (Mat.1 :23) and He wants to dwell in us (John 14:23). God is our righteousness, our aliveness and our perfection. He transforms our heart of stone into a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26) so that we can love Him and love our neighbors (Levi.19:8). “Because love is the fulfillment of the law” Rom.13:10.
Wednesday 26: God rebukes the selfish.
« Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things » Luke 16:25.
Reading 1: James 2: 5-12. Reading 2: Luke 16: 19-31. Preaching : Luke 16: 24-25.
Introduction: Suffering is the portion of a selfish person, but happy are those who love, and who can give and share love with their impoverished and sad neighbors. For « It is more blessed to give than to receive » Acts 20:35. Jesus said to them, « Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world » Mat. 25:34. « Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for Me » Mat. 25:40.
Thursday 27: God answers His people’s complaint.
« He who is coming will come and will not delay » Heb.10:37.
Reading 1: Luke 18:1-8. Reading 2: Heb.10: 35-39. Preaching : Heb.10: 37-38.
Introduction: God’s heart is a compassionate heart towards the sinners. « For He has not despised or scored the suffering of the afflicted one, He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to His cry for help » Psalm 22:24. He sees and knows their misery and the reason why they need His deliverance. Therefore Jesus came and said, « Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest » Mat. 11:28.
Friday 28: God retributes people according to their choice.
« Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned » Mark 16:16.
Reading 1: Heb.3: 12-19. Reading 2 : Mark 16: 12-16. Preaching : Mark 16:16.
Introduction: God gives free choice to people and He actually respects that. However He does not want the wicked to perish (Ezek. 33:11) so He said, « I have set before you life and death, blessing and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live » Deut.30:19.
Saturday 29: Call on Jesus because He answers all those who call on Him.
« Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved » Rom. 10:13.
Reading 1 : Psa. 50: 7-15. Reading 2 : Rom. 10: 9-15. Preaching : Rom. 10:11-13.
Introduction: « God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble » Psa. 46:1.
Therefore He said to all those who undergo hardship and are oppressed, « Call on Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you will honor Me » Psa. 50:15. Jesus the Friend of the sorrowful says: « Peace be with you. I am with you. »
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