By Pastor Lazarus Muoka

Mark8v36 says,“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (KJV) Prov. 16v25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (KJV)

Every human life is governed by devotion. Whether acknowledged or not, every heart is living for something. The true question is not whether we live for a cause, but who we live for. At the core of all spiritual struggle lies this eternal conflict: living for God or self.

This is not merely a moral discussion; it is a matter of lordship. Someone is ruling the heart. Either God reigns, or self sits on the throne. Scripture makes it clear that both cannot rule together. Jesus declared plainly:

“No man can serve two masters.” — Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

Yet many attempt to do just that by serving God with words while serving self with their lives. This divided living weakens spiritual power, silences conviction, and leaves the soul restless and unfulfilled.

From the beginning, self-centred living has been the root of man’s separation from God. Adam’s fall was not simply an act of disobedience; it was the choice of self-will over God’s command. That same spirit still whispers today: “Live for yourself. Protect your comfort. Follow your desires.” But God’s call has never changed. He calls men and women out of self and into surrender.

The Great Divide: Self-Centred Life Or God-Centred Life
Living for self is natural to the flesh. It requires no effort, no discipline, and no surrender. The flesh desires control, recognition, pleasure, and independence from God. Living for self says, “My will first. My plans first. My comfort first.”Even religious activity can be shaped by self when God is served only when convenient.

The apostle Paul warned of this condition: “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” — Philippians 2:21 (KJV)

Self-centred living may appear successful in the eyes of the world, but it is spiritually empty. Jesus spoke strongly against gaining the world at the cost of the soul:

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36 (KJV)

The tragedy of living for self is not always immediate destruction; often it is slow spiritual death. Prayer becomes shallow, obedience becomes selective, and conviction becomes rare. The heart grows comfortable with compromise. What once troubled the conscience no longer stirs the soul.

Self-living promises freedom, but it produces bondage. It promises satisfaction, but it delivers emptiness. Solomon, who tasted pleasure, wealth, and achievement, concluded:

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” — Ecclesiastes 1:2 (KJV)
On the other hand, living for God begins with surrender. It starts when a soul recognises that life was never meant to be self-directed. God did not create man to live independently of Him. True life is found only when God is at the centre.

Paul captured this truth when he said:“For to me to live is Christ.” — Philippians 1:21 (KJV)
Living for God means yielding ownership of our lives back to the One Who created and redeemed us.

Scripture declares: “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (KJV)
This life is not about religious performance, but about daily surrender. It means asking not, “What do I want?” but “What pleases God?” It means allowing God to govern our decisions, relationships, ambitions, and desires.

Jesus made the cost clear: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” —Luke 9:23 (KJV)

Self-denial is the doorway to spiritual life. The cross represents death to self-will and resurrection into God’s purpose. Those who refuse the cross remain bound to self. Those who embrace it discover true freedom.

Living for God does not remove trials, but it gives meaning in the midst of them. It does not promise ease, but it offers peace. Isaiah reminds us: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” — Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

A God-centred life bears eternal fruit. It is marked by obedience, humility, and a growing love for righteousness. It seeks God’s glory rather than personal applause. Jesus said: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 (KJV)
E
very day, we stand at a spiritual crossroads. One path is wide, popular, comfortable and living for self. The other is narrow, demanding, eternal and living for God. Jesus warned:

“Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction… Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.” — Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV)

There is no neutral ground. Delayed surrender is still refusal. Partial obedience is still disobedience. God does not share the throne of the heart. He demands full devotion and not to burden us, but to save us.
Joshua’s challenge remains urgent today:“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” — Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

At the end of life, titles will fade, possessions will vanish, and applause will be silenced. Only one thing will matter—whether we lived for God or for self. Paul reminds us:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV)

For those who lived for self, that day will bring regret. For those who lived for God, it will bring reward. The faithful will hear the words that define true success:
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:21 (KJV)
God is calling today—not to religion, but to surrender. Not to self-improvement, but to transformation. Not to a divided heart, but to a life fully yielded to Him.

The question remains: Are you living for God, or self?
The answer is written not in words, but in the direction of your life.

“I have set before you life and death… therefore choose life.” — Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV)
May grace be given to you to choose rightly. Amen.

Testimony Of The Lord’s Doing

‘God Favoured Me With A Bus Worth N4m’

My name is Brother Barthlomew. I worship at Afro Region Branch of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries.

By the grace of God, I joined this great movement in April, 2003.

First, I want to ask God for forgiveness because there was a testimony that I supposed to have shared in 2001, but it was delayed till now. So, please God show me mercy and pardon me.

In 2001,l had accident twice and God saved me,without sustaining any injury.Praise the Lord!

Another testimony is that my sister in-law called me one day and requested to know what I was doing for a living. As at that time, l was not doing anything, but believing God, He would give me something to do.

So, l informed her that l was not doing anything but believed that God would intervene and settle me. The way she responded surprised me. She said I should tell her what I think I should do and I said transport business.

To God be the glory, the next day, she gave me a huge amount of money that I should go with their eldest brother to purchase a vehicle worth about N3.5m.

By the time, we changed the tyres and did the papers, everything amounted to about N4m.

Unexpectedly and to God’s glory, she gave me the vehicle free of charge. Please join me to thank this God of Chosen, He is so great.

My prayer for our General Overseer is that God, Who called him will always be with him and through his ministry, all of us will make heaven at last in Jesus’ name.