SPIRITUAL SEPARATION

MEMORIZE: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelations 21:8

READ: John 15:4-6 (KJV)

15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

MESSAGE
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:4
The above verse of scripture vividly captures what spiritual separation is and the agony that accompanies it. The Lord Jesus Christ experienced it on the cross of Calvary on behalf all mankind, when He carried the sins of the entire world upon Himself, and the Father turned His face away from Him for the first and only time. My prayer for everyone who is spiritually separated from God is that their eyes of understanding will be opened to see their pitiable state, and that they will realise the agony that awaits them in eternity if they do not reconcile with God.

Sin is the root cause of spiritual separation. The reason is that the Almighty God cannot look at or interact with sin (Habakkuk 1:13). If you are living a life of sin, you are spiritually separated from Him. Genesis chapter 3 narrates to us how the first man and woman experienced spiritual separation. After they sinned, they became empty and naked. They felt so worthless that even when God tried to reach out to them, they were too ashamed to show up. A sense of guilt and self-condemnation overwhelmed their hearts. We thank God that today there is a remedy for spiritual separation: the Blood of Jesus (Colossians 1:19-22). However, there is an eternal spiritual separation that is coming for which there is no remedy; the Bible refers to this as the second death. Today’s memory verse tells us some of those who will partake in this terrible experience, and the first of these is the fearful. Proverbs 29:25says,

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

Saul, the first king of Israel, lost his throne because of the fear of man. Just like King Saul, many leaders have lost their God-given leadership position because of the fear of men. The unbelieving are next on that list. Unbelief was the bedrock of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Other practices such as lying, murder, adultery, incest, homosexuality, as well as witchcraft and sorcery, are the pathway to external spiritual separation. Beloved, spiritual separation from one’s Maker brings about untold agony and frustration because without God, you can do nothing (John 15:5). If you are in the state of spiritual separation today, close the gap between you and your Maker through genuine repentance and by applying the Blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Blessed are you if you do this because you will escape the agony of eternal separation from God inn the Lake of fire.

Action Point
Examine your life. Whatever brings about separation between you and God should be done away with. Also ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the Blood of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 11-13, Revelation 4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

Pace Yourself (1)

Word Study: Isaiah 40:28-31

Confession: I shall mount up with wings like eagles, I shall run and not

be weary and walk but not faint, in the name of Jesus (Isaiah 40:31).

Too many of us are like the man who said, “When I rest, I rust.” Here's a news flash: There will always be something else to do! If you're constantly driven

by “what needs to be done,” you'll burn out and fail to do what God has

assigned you to do. So here are some practical suggestions for pacing

yourself.

First, change your eating habits. The Bible says that it's not smart to stuff

yourself with too many sweets (Proverbs 25:27). You wouldn't put sugar

into your petrol tank, so be wise: educate yourself about good nutrition.

Second, be clear about where you want to go. Set specific goals, and have a plan and a timetable for reaching them. Don't be controlled by mindless routine. Third, instead of ignoring your problems, resolve them. Act before

they become chronic and start sapping your energy. Next, don't “veg” on TV.

Too much television dulls you mentally and lulls you into lethargy, “but they that wait upon the Lord…renew their strength…”(Isaiah 40:31 KJV).

Then, if you're overloaded, don't take on more. Don't say yes out of a sense of guilt, false responsibility or the need to be needed. Sixth, take a break. When did you last take time to get away? A change of pace and Fresh scenery are great battery-chargers. Finally, get to bed earlier. When you burn the candle at both ends, you are the one who burns out. You say, “But I'm

doing it for the Lord.” Notice what the Lord says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late…for so He gives His beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2

NKJV).

Prayers

▪ I receive strength from above, in the name of Jesus.

▪ Father, grant me wisdom to manage my health, in the name of Jesus.

▪ I reject every form of sickness, in the name of Jesus

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