LIVE FOR HIM - PASTOR ANITA OYAKHILOME

LIVE FOR HIM *RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL* SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH, 2014
PASTOR ANITA
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
Believing in the Lord Jesus means you can’t live for yourself anymore, but for Him. This understanding informed the Apostle Paul’s statement in our opening verse. When you were born again, you were actually crucified with Christ; you died in Him, and the life you have now isn’t yours, for He bought you with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:23).
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Having this mind-set will help you set your priorities right as a Christian. Being a Christian is more than being blessed by God or having all the nice things in the world; that’s living for oneself. Mark 8:36-37 says, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” In other words, why would you want to live a life that profits you nothing before the Lord?
Refuse to be distracted or carried away by the world’s symbols of prosperity; live for the Lord and be committed to fulfilling His will for your life. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The things that should matter to you in this life should be things pertaining to the Gospel. In Galatians 6:14, the Apostle Paul made a very inspiring statement; he said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Like the Apostle Paul, consider that you’re dead to this world, and the world is dead to you. Therefore, you shouldn’t live for yourself any more but for the Lord, because you died in Him.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the entrance of your Word has given me insight and understanding. My heart and focus are on you; you’re my help, my strength and exceeding great reward. My delight is in you, O Lord my God, and forevermore I will do your will, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Galatians 5:24
Living Bible (TLB)
24 Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there.
Matthew 10:39
Living Bible (TLB)
39 “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will save it.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 22:1-38 1 Samuel 26-28
2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 16:1-11 Psalm 133-134