John 1:12-14
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
INSIGHT
-The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory. It is only through Jesus that salvation came into the world and those who believe in Him, He gave them the right to be called sons of God. It is therefore not through our will, flesh or blood but by the baptism of the Holy Spirit Who makes us a new creation. The Holy Spirit also witnesses with our spirit that we are indeed children of God, and if children then heirs. If then we are children of God; bearing His image and likeness, we should only follow His divine purpose. Jesus disclosed His mission saying, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent (Luke 4:43). As children of God then, we should focus our time, energy and resources on God’s Kingdom for the glory of His name. As children of God, we should not fear to pursue our purposes for we have great potential within us, having the knowledge that He Who is in us is greater that who is in the world. Further that, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).
PRAYER
Salvation belongs to You Oh God our Lord and King. Salvation belongs to You Oh Lord. Thank You for loving us and for giving us the opportunity to see this new day that You have made, we rejoice and are glad in it. We shall not die but live to proclaim Your glory Oh Lord. All our hope is in You Lord, renew our strength and guide us in all things. Thank You Lord for giving us this most precious gift of salvation to us and to all our generations, all glory and honor belongs to You. Thank You Father for giving us the right be be called Your children and heirs to Your Kingdom. Grant all those who do not know You this gift of salvation, so that they may also have the right to be called Your children. Give us the strength and wisdom Lord to evangelize Your gospel to all the nations as You have called each one of us, for the glory of Your name. We are more than conquerors in You Jesus, we put all our trust in You. Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, thank You for Your grace upon our lives. Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
1 John 3:10
“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.”
INSIGHT
-In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death (Proverbs 12:28). Jesus tells us in John 14:23-24, that those who love Him keep His word, the Father will love him and they will make their home in him. But anyone who does not keep His word does not love God. It is through love for God and our neighbours that the children of God are manifest, but those who do not love are of the devil. We are called to walk in love and keep God’s word and the grace of God will abound in us. Abraham had faith and it was accounted to him for righteousness. We are called to walk in faith and not by sight for only those who walk in faith please God. Faith in God is also an account for righteousness for we rely on the righteousness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Those that give to the poor also abound in righteousness for it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever (2 Corinthians 9:9). We who are led by the Spirit of God, are sons of God, and the Holy Spirit convicts us to righteousness for we are the righteousness of God. Through walking in love, keeping God’s word, holding fast faith in Jesus and giving to the poor, we remain in the righteousness of God.
PRAYER
Splendid and majestic are Your works Lord, Your righteousness endures forever. Thank You Lord for the gift of life and for the blessings that You have bestowed upon us. We know that there are many who wanted to wanted to see this day but they were unable, we don’t take this for granted but give You all the honor and praise. Be with all those who are bereaved all over the world and especially our former president Moi’s family, that You may settle their hearts with Your peace. We shall not die but live to declare Your glory Lord. Only You Lord are worthy of our worship, only You are worthy of our praises. Establish us in Your ways of righteousness Holy Spirit and fill our hearts and minds with Your truth. Help us to take delight in Your word that we may meditate on Your laws day and night. Plant us Jesus in the water is Your word so that we may be transformed and conform to Your image. You are the Vine Jesus and we are the branches. Help us to bear fruit in its season and may our leaves never wither. Bless the work of our hands and prosper our nation Lord. Prosper us Holy Spirit in all our ways for You only know the way we should go. Cleanse us Jesus with Your precious blood and shield us from all evil. Increase our faith in You and fill our hearts with Your love. Oh God of all creation, bless this our land and nation. Justice be a shield and defender. May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty, plenty be found within our boarders. Amen
Philippians 2:14-16
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
INSIGHT
-As children of God, we are reminded that it is evil to complain against the Lord. When the children of Israel murmured and complained against God, He perceived them as an evil generation and they missed their inheritance. God said that those who were twenty years old and above would die in the wilderness except Caleb and Joshua, who had given a good report of the land of Canaan. Caleb and Joshua entered the promised land and got their inheritance for they believed in the mighty works of God (Num 14:26-30). God calls us to give thanks in all situations for this is His will in Jesus Christ. To pray without ceasing, rejoice always and abstain from all evil (1 Thes 5:16-22). May the Lord be glorified in all circumstances, in lack, sickness and when we are going through various trials. As we face our daily challenges and successes, we should always remember to thank God in all things. As children of God, we should also be disciplined and dedicate time for prayer and reading the Bible. We find that, Peter and John were going to the temple at the hour of prayer; three in the afternoon (Acts 3:1). Paul and Silas were going to the place of prayer and at midnight they prayed and praised God (Acts 16). Daniel always prayed three times a day, giving thanks to God (Dan 6:10). As children of God therefore; we should have time, places and frequency of prayer and worship as it is required of us to offer Him ten percent of our time. The word of God gives solutions for every kind of problem and when we study it and meditate on it; we cannot find room to complain. We are reminded to meditate of the word of God day and night. To meditate on things which are pure, trustworthy and give a good report. Pulling down of every stronghold and imagination bringing under the subjection to the word of God.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord our Father for allowing us to become Your children. We appreciate You Lord for the far that You brought us and the far that You are taking us. You are worthy of all glory and praise; and there is none like You. We are sincerely sorry for all the times we have murmured, complained and harbored unforgiveness in our hearts, forgive us merciful Father. Give us thankful hearts and the joy of Your salvation so that we may never fail to acknowledge You as our Father Who is conquers all. Guide us as we pray and read Your word so that we may have the wisdom to meditate on Your goodness and love, day and night. Increase our faith in You Lord and give us rest in all situations that we are faced with in our lives, families, work places, schools, institutions, churches, nation and the world at large. Help us to become the light of the world that many may see our deeds and seek Your grace. Thank You for giving us the hope of glory where when we suffer with You we shall also be glorified with You. Lord You are merciful and Your mercies endures forever. Father You are gracious and Your grace is everlasting. Holy Spirit You are loving and Your love endures to all generations. Amen
Romans 8:14-17
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
INSIGHT
-To really know if we are a child of God is by being led by the Spirit of God. Once we have received Christ in our hearts through salvation, the Holy Spirit dwells in our spirits and witnesses with us that we are children of God. The Holy Spirit leads us in many ways and especially through the scriptures, dreams and visions, divine assistance and through many other manifestations. God also tells us that He disciples the ones He loves and chastens everyone he accepts as His son. We should then endure hardship as discipline for God is treating us as His children. “For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined and everyone undergoes discipline then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all” (Hebrews 12:6-8). Sometimes discipline come at a cost. A cost that teaches us to be bold in God’s training and chastisement in our walk of faith. By making the sacrifice to carry our crosses and follow Jesus without looking back, persecution may come. If then we suffer through this things with Christ, we will receive glorification with Him. Further, if indeed we are children of God; then we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. Through faith in Christ then, we know that we will inherit His eternal Kingdom.
PRAYER
Abba Father thank for choosing us. We love You with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, thank You for loving us first. We submit our hearts to You Holy Spirit lead us according to Your divine purposes. Without You we lack favor and cannot accomplish anything, shepherd us in all our going out and coming in. May You increase in us as we decrease Holy Spirit; all our hope is in You. Lead us in our various purposes as You have ordained us from everlasting to everlasting as we hope to receive our inheritance as per Your perfect timing. Take control of our lives Abba Father and fill us with Your wise counsel. All creation praises You Lord. All creation gives You praise. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Be with us now and forevermore. Amen
1 John 3:1-3
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
INSIGHT
-God is love and through His everlasting love gave us the privilege to become His children. God is pure and through faith in Him we are made holy in the hope of glory. As God’s children we walk in victory knowing that we are more than conquerors for we are in Christ Jesus. Despite the challenges that we might be faced with, we always win because our identity is in Christ. Further, we have the hope of partaking in Christ’s glorious resurrection; when we shall be transformed to be like Him and we will see Him as He is.
SUMMARY
-God loved us and gave us His only begotten Son so that we may receive eternal life through faith in Him. He has given us the gift of salvation, and adopted us as His children and heirs of His kingdom. Since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we should live by the spirit which yields life for if we live by the flesh we will die. God calls us to follow His word as His children and shun from evil. Through this we demonstrate love for Him and He comes to make a home with us. God disciplines the ones He loves and if we are His legitimate children; He chastens us and guides us in all things. The Holy Spirit leads us in a war within and brings us to conscience that we are the righteousness of God. Therefore any form of sin in our lives is exposed, then we hate it and love God. Through prayer and meditating on His word of God, we receive correction, direction and effectively cast down any imagination that is not of God. We also know that we are children of God if His Spirit dwells in us and anyone who does not have the Spirit of God does not belong to Him. As His children, we did not receive the spirit of fear but that of sons by which we cry Abba Father. Let us therefore not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit, for those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God, and the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. As His children we live in liberty and have an eternal inheritance which He has promised us. We are joint heirs with Christ and if we suffer with Him; we shall be glorified with Him.
PRAYER
Thank You Father for loving us and adopting us as Your children through Your Son Jesus Christ. Give us the same kind of love so that we may love You and our neighbours as ourselves. We praise You Father for are worthy of all our praises and worship. Sanctify us by Your precious blood and fill us with Your Spirit of counsel, might, knowledge, understanding, wisdom and the fear of the Lord. Help us to operate effectively in everything we do and protect us from all evil. Thank You Jesus for the victory that You won for us on the cross, fight for us our battles we humbly implore You. We are more than conquerors for we are in You Christ Jesus, and neither death nor life, angels, principalities nor powers, things present nor things to come, height nor depth, nor any other created thing can separate us Your love Jesus. Amen