Gladly Receiving the Word

Friday 21 April
READ: Acts 2:41
MORE LESSON: Heb. 4:1-7

The Bible says that the early converts gladly received the Word of God. It means they excitedly accepted all the conditions. In the Church at that time, it was only those who gladly received the Word that were counted to be born again. It is time that we started emphasising again that it is those who gladly receive the Word and not church goers that are true Christians. A man who gladly receives the Word of God has acknowledged his depravity and realised that he is the one that needs God and not God that needs him. So out of his own volition, he comes to the Lord.
These days, you see someone who just came out for altar call and then you have to start begging him for days to come to church again. Even people who have been in church for a long time still need to be cajoled to do things that God wants done. The Early Church gladly received the Word of God and whatever the Word commands, even if it was bitter and difficult, they did it joyfully. If you receive the Word gladly, you accept its supremacy and are ready to obey without anyone policing you.
When you gladly receive the Word of Christ, it means that you have accepted the terms and conditions of God and you should be excited doing them. This is shown as you are excited coming to church, gladly paying your tithes, joyfully working for God and you take pleasure in living by the dictates of the Word. It is when you have received the Word gladly that Heaven is sure for you. It is not enough that you have given your life to Christ and that you come to church. A person who has not gladly received the Word might just decide to go back one day. The question is, 'How have you received the Word? Are you excited coming to fellowship or you see it as an avoidable necessity? Do you see God's work and living for Him as a burden or as a privilege? Do you complain when you give to the Kingdom of God; are you excited at the opportunity to obey His Word?”
If you are a sinner and you have not accepted the Lord, you need to acknowledge that you are a sinner, confess your sins, ask for pardon and accept Jesus as the Saviour and Lord of your life. If you are born again but are not gladly doing the Word, you need to reconcile with God. If you are no longer excited at the things and service of God, then you also have to repent and confess your loss of love and turn back to God. It is those who serve God with gladness that are truly His.

Prayer/Action
* Father, take away the little foxes that will not allow the Word to settle in my heart, in the name of Jesus.
* Father, take away the stony heart and give me a heart that pants after Your Word, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, today I withdraw power from every agent of downward trends and I decree a rising up for my destiny, in the mighty name of Jesus.