Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* MONDAY 11TH MAY, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* RESPONSE TO GRACE. *TOPIC:* HOLY LIVING. *TEXT:* 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-8. 1. As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; to 4. that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5. not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6. and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you His Holy Spirit. *TOPIC:* HOLY LIVING. *THE MESSAGE:* The lifestyle of unbelievers is characterised by passionate lust and greed. But those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into holy living. Paul exhorts believers to continue growing in holiness, in their conduct, and in sexual purity in a way that pleases God. Sexual sin is not just a personal failing but a violation against others and a matter of divine judgement. Truly, God calls believers to control their bodies in holiness and honour. Refusing to comply is a direct assault on God, who gives His Holy Spirit to enable holy living. It is disgraceful how some Christians engage in sexual immorality, pornography, masturbation, and all sorts of impurities. These affect holy living. Allow the Holy Spirit to take residence in your heart. He will help you control your passions. *REFLECTION:* Do not subject your body to sin. *PRAYER:* Father, help me to avoid sinning, in Jesus' name. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* TITUS 2:12. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age. *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* NEHEMIAH 13. ED.ii. Skip to content Dalily Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth Posted onMay 11, 2026 by Editor The Service of God Christian Applications Store:: Christian devotional App Store; Explore Recommended Christian Books and Devotionals Service of God There are many that claim to be in the service of God. Many that claim to be doing mighty works in the Name of Jesus, but thank God that true ministry is not to be judged and assessed by man – but please God that we will all judge and assess our own hearts and motives. Tools of God Some ‘base’ men, like Nebuchadnezzar are taken by God and used to His glory. Some adversaries and antagonists are often used by heaven to glorify His Name. Some Christ-haters have proclaimed prophecies… like the great prophetic words of Caiaphas…the High Priest, who identified Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, when he cried:- “It is expedient for us, that one Man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should perish not.” John 11:50. Some are even manipulated to do His will..like those hooks in the jaws of Magog. Ezekiel 38:4 Servants of God But what of His direct and elect means of working through chosen, consecrated ones? What of those that claim to be of His own household? What of those that are His own servants – His faithful or unfaithful servants? What should be the true spiritual value of those that are called and chosen ones? Word and Service Much is heard of ‘Ministry Work’ and ‘Missionary Work’ and ‘Christian Work’.. work that is often couched in the terms of ‘Vocation’; ‘Calling’; ‘Evangelism’… service that is often dependent on senses; intellect; emotions – the external appeal – labour designed to satiates the tickled ear, the straying eye, the emotional high. Spiritual Reality But consider real spiritual realities, which require an unmixed, undivided heart.. a heart that has set its face like a flint to serve in His way and in His strength – a heart, not seeking acclaim through hot air, vivid pictures, romantic conceptions. But consider this… some will falsely claim ‘Lord, Lord did we not serve You in many mighty ways?’ Others will slowly shift the focus of Christ to self – batheing in His reflected glory. Dead Mausoleums Many living ministries become dead mausoleum when Christ’s is not preeminent. Much sacred service becomes profane self-obsession when He is not central. So often the Name; the Reputation, the Position becomes the essential element. As Christ stands outside the door and knocks and pleads, ‘will anyone hear My voice?’ Revelation 3:20 Spiritual Effectiveness The cost of accountability in each life is very high. The greater the degree of spiritual effectiveness given to an individual or ministry.. the more spiritually accountable that one becomes. For to him that has been given much, much will be required Luke 12:48 Spiritual Accountability The Lord Jesus Himself is the guide-stone of effective spiritual ministry. The Lord Jesus Himself shows the way to examine spiritual accountability: “The Son can do nothing of Himself…” John 5:19 “The Father doeth the works…” John 14:10 “The Father speaketh the words…” John 12:49 “My Father worketh until now…” John 5:17 And when Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the gospel, He told them:-. “It is not you that speaks, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you…” Matthew 10:20 Holy Spirit Guidance This important principle was similarly recognised by the apostle to the gentiles.. that it is only and exclusively the indwelling Holy Spirit -that must lead and guide: “Without Me”, Jesus warns and pleads… “Without me ye can no do nothing”. John 15:2 Warning Signs But how often we ignore His warnings and launch out into the deep ourselves – Thinking that our works alone can do the work of the Father: But motive, good intentions, enthusiasm, interest in your fellow-man is not enough – Giving, praying, encouraging, labouring is all insufficient. All is insufficient unless done through the leading, guiding and power of the Spirit. Moses’ Example Consider this— even after Moses that great prophet of old had stood on the holy mount of fire… even after he’d been chosen to speak to Pharaoh and lead God’s people out of Egypt… even after he had received revelation and been commissioned of God… even then – God met Him and God sought to kill him…” Exodus 4:24 Why ? — Why did God seek to kill the very man that He had trained for 80 years? Because the circumcising of the flesh had been neglected, And no flesh can serve God – and God has made it very clear.. I will not give my glory to another Isaiah 42:8 Examine Ourselves In your ministry and in my work for the Lord, let us examine ourselves.. to see if the flesh is still seeking supremacy… If it is, your ministry will die – and my little work will die too. An effective work does not depend on how much we do but how we do it. Effective Work Yes –the Lord Jesus is the one way that your ministry can be spiritually effective, and it is the only way that mine can be spiritually effective too. But it requires a daily dying to self – and a moment by moment living to Christ.. Is it worth the pain now for the glory that will follow…? Post navigation Previous Post Previous A Life Example Proudly powered by WordPress. Evening prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom. ⏤ Psalm 90:12 As we grow in grace, we more earnestly desire to live for the glory of our Lord. ⏤ Charles Spurgeon We thank You, Father, for another day. Each day You give us is a gift, meant to be used for You. They are not ours to waste in idleness, nor to fill with selfishness, or stain with sin. They are ours to spend in holy obedience and loving service. Each day comes to us like a blank page on which to write words of beauty that others may read, and that will be read at last when the books are opened in the final judgment. They come like ships for us to fill with good things, to be sent away to bless others. Now we bring another day to You. If we have written anything on the page that is not uplifting and beautiful, may You blot it out. If there are stains, may You remove them. If this day contains any messages for the judgment day that would bring us shame, may You erase them. If we have filled this day with selfishness instead of deeds of love, we ask for Your forgiveness. We cannot have the day back to correct it, so we ask You to turn its evil into good, just as You turned the sin of Joseph’s brothers into something good in the end. As we turn from this day, never to see it again until the judgment, we entrust it to You. You are merciful and gracious. Bless our home tonight. You who do not slumber, keep us in Your holy care and let no harm come near us. Bless us as a family and grant us Your peace. Prepare us for tomorrow, and when the new day comes, grant us Your presence and grace for all it holds. We ask this in the name of our Savior and Redeemer. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/36/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.