HAGAR VS ESTHER PT4 - ATTITUDE TO THE LAWS OF THE LAND MATTERS

MEMORY VERSE: All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live, Esther 4:11a.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 10, 2 Cor 3, Ezek 17, John 18

In part three of these series, we saw that one of the factors behind Hagar’s failure as a wife was her attitude to rebuke. We also saw that her attitude to the poor or less privilege played a significant role in her demotion. Hagar lost her advantage as a result of her attitude to those who were not as favored as her. The Lord decided to demote her and promote those she considered as less privileged.

We have be comparing and contrasting the life of two young women – Hagar and Esther. Both from humble beginning rose to prominence. Hagar lost her advantage but Esther was elevated. While one was demoted, the other was celebrated. One of the reasons behind Esther’s success as a queen was that she used her position to bring joy. Haman hated the Jews with a passion. Since he was close to the king, he used his position to petition the king to pass out a law that will give everyone the right to kill the Jews. Esther got a wind of what Haman was up to, she went before the king and pleaded for mercy. Been a merciful king he agreed and permitted the Jews to defend themselves also. The Lord was with the Jews and they destroyed all their enemies. In the case of Hagar, she used her position to cause pain. She used her advantage as a means to torment Sarah for been childless. The Lord decided that if this is how she is going to use her advantage, I will demote her and promote someone else. She was demoted and the person she was victimizing was promoted.

Another reason behind Hagar’s failure was her attitude to the law of the land. In the days of Abraham it was acceptable for mistresses to raise children through their maid servants. On no occasion should a maid servant disrespect her madam. Hagar disobeyed the laws of the land by disrespecting her madam. Romans 13:1 -2 says all governments are ordained by God, by refusing to obey the laws of the land one is refusing to obey God. Hagar refused to obey God by refusing to obey the law of the land and she was relegated. Esther on the hand respected the laws of the land. The first thing she said when Mordecai prompted her to go before the king was the law of the land states that on no occasion should any one go before the king except he calls them , Esther 4:11a. The fact that one is in position does not mean he can do and undo. Men may not be able to discipline a fellow for transgressing the law but the God who instituted the law can. Because Esther respected the laws of the land, the Lord used the laws of the land to deliver her and her people from the hands of evil Haman.

NOTE: Failure to obey the laws of the land is failure to obey God

HAGAR VS ESTHER PT 2

MEMORY VERSE: so Esther’s maid and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept them, Esther 4:4

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 7, 2 Cor 1, Ezek 15, John 16

Hagar and Esther started as slaves in a foreign land. They both enjoyed God’s favor –. Out of all the maid servants Hagar found favor before Sarah. Out of all the virgins in the land Esther found favor before king Ahasuerus. The both rose to prominence- Esther became the wife of a great king and Hagar became the wife of one of the richest man at that time. Later in life, Hagar was sent away with nothing from her husband’s house but Esther was celebrated. In these series we will be investigating the reasons behind Hagar’s failure and Esther’s success.

In part one of these series; we discussed one of the reasons that led to Hagar’s failure and Esther’s success. James 4:6 says God gives grace to humble but resists the proud. Immediately Hagar got to the top she became proud. Sarah became despised in her eyes. On the other hand the higher God took Esther, the humbler she became. Before you know it Hagar fell from grace and was sent out of the house while the king held a big feast for Esther.

Another reason behind Hagar’s failure was she never appreciated her helpers but Esther did. The Lord used Sarah to lift Hagar up; when she got to the top she became a thorn in her flesh. It got to a point; Sarah had to report Hagar to Abraham. When Esther got to the top, she appreciated her helpers. She heard that Mordecai (her helper) was sitting at the king’s gate in sackcloth, she quickly sent him garments. Esther 4:4 says so Esther’s maid and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept them. Brethren, no one is obliged to help you. They are within their rights not to but when they do appreciate them. No matter how small the help appreciate your helpers. The fellow who rendered a small assistance today has the potential to render a bigger one tomorrow. Appreciate those the Lord has used to bring help to you. You may think you will never need them again and later need them at a crucial hour. When Abraham finally decided to send Hagar away, the only person who could have pleaded for her was Sarah but she could not to turn her because she failed to appreciate her earlier.

REMEMBER: You may think that you will never need that fellow’s help again, but something might happen in the future that will require you to run back to him for help.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus

IT SHALL TURN TO YOU FOR A TESTIMONY

MEMORY VERSE: and it shall turn to you for a testimony, Luke 21:13.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 6, 1 Cor 16, Ezek 14, John 15

BIBLE STUDIES: Luke 21:10-13

The fact that we have given our life to Christ does not exempt us from the challenges of life. Actually as a Christians we will face challenges . According Psalms 30:5, we will face many but the good thing is the Lord will deliver us from them all. One of the signs of the end times is we will be persecuted. We will face unusual challenges at work, school, business, ministry e.t.c. At times the unexpected will happen just like it happened to me sometimes last year. I got to work and one of the senior managers called me into a room for short talk. We got into the room and he handed me a letter of suspension; I was at home for over three months.

In Christ there will be challenges. John 16:33 says these things I have spoken unto you, that it me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. One of the things that bring me joy is that Christ has overcome the world for me and I believe He did the same for you too. I remember after one particular prayer meeting during my suspension, a brother walked up to and said ‘Bro Sam, It shall turn to you for testimony’. It did turn to me for a testimony.

Just as Jesus assured His disciples in Luke 21:13 that whatever they may go through it shall to them for testimony, I am also telling you that whatever you may be going through at the moment ,friend it shall turn to you for a testimony. Without trials there will not be a testimony. Without big challenges, there will not be big testimonies. Without fire, there will not be gold. Are you battling with the repossession of your house? It shall turn to you for a testimony. Is your child’s behavior or conduct at school causing you to worry? It shall turn to you for a testimony. I was once suspended from school but today my parents rejoice over my salvation. Several years ago I was giving a month to leave the country; today it has turned to me for a testimony. Some months back I had a big financial challenge. During that period I received a letter from an organization that I had to settle a debt, failure to settle it will result in a court case. The Sunday before the Monday they were going to take me to court, the Lord settled the debt. I want you to know that the challenges you are facing is a divine opportunity from God to give you a testimony. Small challenges births small testimonies but big challenges births big testimonies. 

PRAYER POINT: Father, let all that I will face in the remainder of this year turn to me for a testimony.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world Jesus

Guard your heart pt 2

MEMORY VERSE: keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life, Proverbs 4:23

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 4-5, 1 Cor 15, Ezek 13, John 14

In part one of these series, we discussed on the need to guard our hearts. The heart is the most important part of the body. It controls everything that we do. The heart is like a little rudder that controls the whole ship. Pride is a thing of the heart, so also humility. The heart informs our speech, actions, decisions, and emotions. The heart is under constant attack because of its value and importance. The enemy is aware that the Lord loves holiness. Since the heart informs everything we do, he attacks the heart and suggests evil thoughts so that an individual can sin against God.

To make it to heaven one needs a pure heart. Matthew 5:8 says blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. It is obvious that if the enemy gets hold of a fellow’s heart, he can turn the fellow against his Maker. If he gets hold of a sister’s heart, he will cause her fight in public and young men will start to run from her. If he gets hold of a brother’s heart, he will cause him give up at the edge of a major breakthrough. If he gets hold of a minister’s heart, instead of the minister to work with his subordinates, he will cause him to fight them to the detriment of his ministry. 

To guard your heart, you need to check what you listen to and watch on TV or surf on the internet. The eyes and the ears are the windows to one’s heart. Romans 10:17 says so then faith cometh by hearing. Do you know that fear also cometh by hearing? Another way to guard your heart against attack is by meditating on the word of God. Psalm 119:11 says your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you. One of the advantages of meditating on the word of God is that the Holy Spirit will always bring to your remembrance words to counter the attack of the enemy with . For example if the enemy brings suicide thoughts, out of the blue I shall not die but live and declare the glory of God will (Psalm 118:17)  flash through your mind. Jesus meditated on the word of God so much that when the devil tried to tempt him, he blasted him away with the word of God, Matthew 4:1-11.When you meditate on the word of God regularly, your heart becomes saturated with the word of God to the extent that attacks will have no effect.

ACTION POINTS: Meditate on at least two chapters of the bible daily. Also meditate on one chapter of proverbs per day to increase your wisdom.

Bro Samuel - Reaching in the name of the Lord

GUARD YOUR HEART PT 1

MEMORY VERSE: keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life, Proverbs 4:23

 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 3, 1 Cor 14, Ezek 12, John 13

 No one guards a valueless item. No one put measures in place to secure a worthless item. The only part of our body the bible encourages us to guard with all diligence is our heart not our eyes or ears or tongue. Proverbs 4:23 says keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Why do we need to guard our hearts with all diligence? We need to guard our hearts with all diligence because of its importance. Why is the heart so important? It is important because thoughts are formed in our hearts and our thought defines us. Proverbs 23:7 says as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body.

 Our heart reveals our identity. No wonder the bible says the Lord looks at the heart not the outward appearance, 1 Samuel 16:7. Our heart is where we keep our dreams, goals, passion, vision and so on. It is our heart that God connects to not our brain. When Jesus wants to come into a life, He comes through the heart. This is why He knocks at the door of every heart, seeking entry, Revelations 3:20. Our heart is also where people connect to.

 Another reason why one needs to guard his heart is because it is the source of everything we do. Our heart controls our speech and determines our confession. Matthew 12:34 says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Our heart informs our action. A wise man once said the ancestor of every action is thought. 

Before a man gives to God, he must have first thought about it. Our heart informs our decision. The process of sanctification takes place in the heart. The Lord takes away the heart of stone (the unrepentant heart, heart full of evil devises and schemes) and replaces it with a heart of flesh, Ezekiel 36:26. The main reason why we need to guard our heart is because it is always under attack. The enemy is always attacking it to take possession of it and control it. The enemy knows that once you have the heart of an individual, you have the individual. He knows that once you take possession of a fellow’s heart you can determine the end of such fellow. This is why he attacks the heart and the way he does it is through evil thoughts and suggestion.

 PONDER: We need to guard our heart because the enemy wants to take possession of it though evil thoughts and suggestion.

LAY HANDS NO SUDDENLY

MEMORY VERSE: lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure, 1 Timothy 5:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 2, 1 Cor 13, Ezek 11, John 12

Timothy was a young evangelist full of zeal. One thing with zeal is that it needs to be accompanied with knowledge. Proverbs 19:2 says zeal without knowledge is not good; a person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way. Paul (Timothy’s mentor) noticed that this young man was full of zeal. He observed that the young and inexperienced Timothy wanted to touch the world for Jesus; he observed that Timothy wanted to excel in the ministry; he noticed that this young man wanted to be a force to reckon with in his career so he wrote to him to warn him of certain things.

One of the things he warned him of is recorded in 1 Timothy 5:22 - lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins; keep thyself pure. Paul was warning Timothy to desist from acting on impulse. He was encouraging him to reflect on decisions before taking them. He was telling him to think twice before taking an action. Some mistakes define one’s life; some are almost impossible to correct; some can do damage to one’s career so he was telling this young man to think before acting or think before speaking. I pray you will never make such mistake in your life in Jesus name.

A wise man once said a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. A team is as strong as its weakest member. What Paul meant by lay hands no suddenly was know the people you put into positions in the church. Study people before considering them for any position within the ministry. Ask questions about them before ordaining them. Don’t just ordain a brother because of his zeal or a sister because of her gifts. Before ordaining people ensure they have integrity. How faithful are they in the payment of their tithes and vows. A fellow who can rob God of tithes can do and undo. What is their church attendance like? Not only that, how do they relate with other members of the church? Is the fellow a friendly person? Is he approachable? Is he discreet? What Paul was also telling his mentee his don’t form an opinion about people you have not met. Don’t judge people before personally meeting them. Don’t see sister A has a bad person because Sister B said so. Sister B could be saying Sister A is bad because she tried to borrow some money from her and Sister A refused because she is yet to pay the ones she borrowed in the past. Lastly Paul was telling his mentee to desist from making hasty judgment about people. Hear what people have to say first before making your mind on them.

ACTION POINT: Don’t ordain strangers

WONDERS OF WAITING ON THE LORD

MEMORY VERSE: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be wear; and they shall walk, and not faint, Isaiah 40:31

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 1, 1 Cor 12, Ezek 10, John 11

Failure to wait on the Lord can be very costly. A Christian couple decided to pray before setting out for an engagement. While committing the journey into the hands of the Lord, the Lord told them to wait for a few minutes before leaving. For one reason or the other they became impatient and left. While travelling, they had a ghastly motor accident which rendered the wife paralyzed for life. At times people wonder why the righteous get into situations like this; it could be because the righteous failed to wait as instructed by God. If a single sister thoroughly waits on the Lord, she won’t fall into the hands of a wife beater.

A fellow who refuses to wait might have his way or get what he wants, but that thing might him hunt for the rest of his life. Sarai got what she wanted ;Hagar became pregnant. Immediately she conceived Sarai became despised in her eyes (Genesis 16:1-6). She became a thorn in her flesh and almost destroyed her marriage of over twenty years.

The life of a fellow who waits on the Lord can be compared to a planted seed. At first the seed will die and decompose. In the first few days or weeks, it looks as if nothing is happening but in actually sense the seed is taking root. After taking root it will start to grow. At first you see a little flower. Before you know it, that little flowers turns into a big tree that bears many fruits. Not only that, it grows branches where birds can build their nests. The leaves from this tree can also act as a shade from the hot sun. Isaiah 40:31 says but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be wear; and they shall walk, and not faint. The life of a fellow who waits on the Lord takes the same course. It will first go down to take root before coming up. At first their life looks dull with no resemblance of greatness but after a while things begin to get better little by little. Before you know it, mighty things begin to happen and people start  asking how did you do it? The lives of those who wait on the Lord are always a wonder. A man of God once shared with us how he used to wear his wife’s belt to work because he could not afford a belt. The man waited on the Lord and today he is the author of three bestselling books.  

POINT: The life of a fellow who waits on the Lord will first go down to take root, before coming up.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus

VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT PART 4

MEMORY VERSE: and he spake that saying openly. And peter took him, and began to rebuke him, Mark 8:32

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 29-30, 1 Cor 10, Ezek 8, John 9

As discussed, the voice of discouragement is inevitable. The voice of discouragement is from the enemy whose sole aim is to steal, kill and to destroy, John 10:10. The voice of discouragement can come at any time.

It can come from a total stranger. It can come in form of a thought going through our minds. It can also come from confidants, family and friends and from people who we hold their opinions in high regard. It is easy to dismiss the voice of discouragement coming through our thoughts. It is very easy to turn deaf ears to the voice of discouragement coming from a total stranger but it is almost impossible not to give second thought to the voice of discouragement coming from close friends. In the case of Jesus, it was Peter – one of His disciples, Mark 8:31-33.

What are the voices of discouragement? Whatever destroys your faith is the voice of discouragement. Whatever causes fear is the voice of discouragement. Whatever causes you to look down on yourself is the voice of discouragement. Whatever encourages you to give up on your dream or vision is the voice of discouragement. What do I do with the voice of discouragement? The only way to deal with the voice of discouragement is rebuke it right on the spot. What we tend to do is keep quiet when the voice of discouragement comes. Plato once said your silence gives consent. If the voice of discouragement is trying to discourage a fellow or destroys his faith and he keeps quiet. It means such fellow is in agreement with the voice of discouragement. When the voice of discouragement came through Peter, Jesus didn’t keep quiet. He did not smile and say stop it because I don’t like it. Immediately Peter tried to discourage Him from pleasing God, He rebuked him right on the spot. The next time someone says there are no jobs; right on the spot tell him or her there are jobs for you. If they say it is impossible, right on the spot tell them for you it is possible.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please make all impossibilities become possibilities in my life.
Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus

DISCERNING THE VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT 3

MEMORY VERSE: fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness, Isaiah 41:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 28, 1 Cor 9, Ezek 7, John 8

In these series we have learnt that the voice of discouragement is inevitable for anyone who wants to succeed. Not only that, we have to come understand that the voice of discouragement is not from God. God is not a discourager but an encourager. Isaiah 41:10 says fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Before we look at another source of voice of discouragement, I want you to know that the voice of discouragement can come at any time. It can come weeks before breakthrough like we saw in Mark 8:31-33. Jesus told His disciples about the plan of God for His life, how He had to die and save the world. Peter called Him aside and began to rebuke Him in other words discourage Him. Immediately Jesus rebuked him and he kept quiet. The voice of discouragement can also come days before a major breakthrough like we saw in 2 Kings 7:1-17. There was famine in the land; the only food available in the market were dove dungs (feces or excrement) and only the rich could afford it. The poor started eating their children. The Lord spoke through Elisha that in 24 hours, there is going to be abundance of food. People will have so much food to the extent that the prices of food stuff will drop. An item that was sold for 10 units before the famine will now be sold at 1 unit of the currency. As Elisha was relaying this message to the king, one of the personal advisers to the king – an economist said it was impossible. Even if God were to open the windows of heaven, things cannot get that better. Elisha told him you will see it with your eyes but shall not partake of it.

The voice of discouragement can come moments before breakthrough.
Friends the enemy is most active moments before breakthrough. I have shared my experience of how the voice of discouragement came an hour to my breakthrough (completion of my final year project). The voice of discouragement can come minutes before breakthrough, an example of this can be found in 2 Kings 5:1-19. Naaman had everything money can buy but he was a leper. Not only that, he was lonely and willing to do anything to get his life back. He heard about Elisha and decided to pay him a visit. On his way the prophet sent a servant to instruct him to go and wash in river Jordan seven times. The voice of discouragement began to tell him why river Jordan when there are better rivers in Damascus. As he turned to leave in anger, one of his servants begged him not to give up and do what the prophet had commanded. He washed himself seven times and was healed. If not for the mercies of God, the voice of discouragement would have robbed Naaman of his breakthrough. It takes only the grace of God, to overcome the voice of discouragement moments before breakthrough.

PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to stand to the end.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus

DISCERNING THE VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT PART 2

MEMORY VERSE: for with God nothing shall be impossible, Luke 1:37. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 27, 1 Cor 8, Ezek 6, John 7 

In part one of these series we learnt that the voice of discouragement will always come when breakthrough is around the corner. We also learnt that the voice of discouragement is not of the devil. The voice of discouragement can come in form of a thought as we discussed in part one. It can also come through a total stranger. An example of this can be found in 2 Kings 7:1-17. There was a terrible famine in the land. The situation was so bad. People began to eat their children. Elisha ran to the Holy One of Israel and the Lord told him that in 24 hours there will be abundance. Things will become so cheap, two measures of barley will be sold for a shekel i.e. something that used to cost ten units before the famine will now be sold for one unit. On hearing this, the man of God ran to tell the king of this great news. While speaking , one of the experts at that time – a financial analyst said it is impossible. Even if God were to open the windows of heaven, two measures of barley will never be sold for a shekel. Thank God Elisha rebuked him. This man tried to discourage Elisha that it can’t be done. 

Brethren, all around us today are voices of discouragement from strangers. The voice of discouragement could be from medical experts telling us that disease cannot be cured; it can only be managed. The voice of discouragement could be from the economists, financial specialists telling us because of the recession it will be difficult for us to get a job. 

The voice of discouragement could be from people telling us we are not good enough. Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City star (news paper) because the voice of discouragement through the editor back then said he lacked imagination and had no good ideas. Today, the whole world wants to visit Disneyland to see the work of Walt Disney. The voice of discouragement could be from experts telling us it cannot be done. A great man of God wanted to build a 50,000 seat edifice for the Most High God. When experts around the world saw the design, they said it can’t be done. They told the man of God it will take a minimum of at least three years to complete and there are no guarantees that it will be a success. With the help of God, the auditorium was built within a year. Guinness Book of Records said Faith Tabernacle is the largest church auditorium in the world with inside sitting capacity of 50,000 and outside overflow capacity of 250,000 plus.  Friends there is nothing that can’t be done as far as God is in it for with God nothing shall be impossible, Luke 1:37. 

PONDER:  With God all things are possible.

DISCERNING THE VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT PT1

MEMORY VERSE: and he spake that saying openly, and Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, Mark 8:32.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 26, 1 Cor 7, Ezek 5, John 6

BIBLE STUDIES: Mark 8:31-33

In Mark 8:31-33, Jesus called His disciples and began to brief them of the plan and purpose of God for His life. He hinted them of the rejection He was going to face while fulfilling the plan and purpose of God. He summarized the challenges and pain ahead of Him. He told them how He needed to be beaten because every stripe was going to cater for every disease known to mankind. He told them how He needed to go through pain because His pains were going to bring us joy. He told them all these were temporary because at the end He was going to get a name that is above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11). After speaking Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him in other words discourage Him from dying on the cross of Calvary. Thank God Jesus rebuked Him and carried on to please His father in heaven.

When the Lord is about to do something great in a life especially moments before the appointed time, the voice of discouragement will come. The voice of discouragement is the voice of the devil. The voice of discouragement can come through our thoughts. When the enemy knows that the Lord is about to reward a brother for his labour of love in the vineyard of God, he will use the voice of discouragement to distract him. When he knows that a particular service is going to mark a turning point in the life of a sister, he will use the voice of discouragement to ensure that the sister does not attend the service. He might tell the sister all these while you have been going to church ,why not rest this Sunday and go the next Sunday.

Friends I want you to know that the voice of discouragement will always come when breakthrough is around the corner. Few days to the submission of my final year project, the system I developed stopped working. I and the project supervisor worked on the system but all to no avail. On my way to work the voice of discouragement came through a thought that I should quit because God was not in the project. If God was in it, the system will not develop fault at the last minute. The voice advised me to inform my project supervisor of my decision to quit and re-submit a new project proposal the next year. Meanwhile my project supervisor was busy with my project trying to get the system to work but I didn’t know. Any way I decided not to give up and try again when I get home. Around ten minutes later my project supervisor called me that the system was now up and running. The enemy knew that breakthrough was close so he put pressure on me to quit. If I had informed my project supervisor of my decision to quit, he would have quit working on the system and that would have been the end but thank God I didn’t.

TO PONDER: You stand a chance of succeeding when you don’t quit.

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR PT3

MEMORY VERSE: and God saw everything that he made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day, Genesis 1:31.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 25, 1 Cor 6, Ezek 4, John 5

The devil uses everything as a leverage to perpetrate his evil work. If a fellow is from a poor background, he uses poverty mentality to destroy the fellow. If the fellow is from a rich and affluent family, he uses complacency to destroy the fellow. As we have been discussing, he uses lies and deceptions to carry out his evil agenda. To make matters worse he even provides evidences to back up his lies. One of the tactics he employs to steal, kill or destroy a fellow is that he sells them a self limiting belief and backs it up with proofs. Take for instance Gideon; the enemy knew that the Lord created this man to do great things in life part of which was to deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites. From the way the angel of the Lord greeted him, you know Gideon was born to be a mighty general, Judges 6:11-16. 

The question is how come a man who was born to be a mighty general was found by the angel of the Lord hiding from his enemies? How come Gideon was running from the enemies that should be running from him? How come the sister who God created to write books on how to break free from addiction is suffering from addiction? How come the brother who God created to be a CEO is working as a messenger? How come the fellow who God created to be an employer can’t even get employment?

The enemy had told Gideon that he was born to be ordinary and backed it up with evidences. The enemy told him that he was the last person the Lord would use to deliver Israel and gave him proofs. He reminded him of his background - how he came from the weakest tribe in Israel (Manasseh); how his clan was the poorest in Manasseh. He went on further to remind him that he was the least in his father’s house. Gideon bought into this lie and stopped making efforts. This is one tactics the enemy is using to rob many of us , he sells us a lie and provide evidences. It is a lie from the pit of hell that you are not good enough or you are made to be ordinary. According to Genesis 1:31, everything the Lord created was good including you. 
Brethren don’t let him sell that lie to you that you are worthless and provide you proofs. The fact that you tried and failed does not make you a failure. He knows God created you to be an entrepreneur but he will come with a lie that it is not so and give you proofs of how many businesses you have done in the past that failed. He knows God created you to be married with children but he will come with a lie that maybe you are not destined to be married and give you proofs of how many failed relationships you have had. He knows God created you to be an evangelist, he will tell you it is not so and give you evidences of how many people you have preached to and they did not accept Jesus. 

PONDER: You are not a failure as far as you don’t stop trying.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus.

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR PT2

MEMORY VERSE: thy word I have hid mine heart, that I might sin against thee , Psalm 119:11.

 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 24, 1 Cor 5, Ezek 3, John 4 

 What is a lie? A lie is the opposite of the truth. There are no half lies or half truth, you are either telling a lie or saying the truth. Who is a liar? A liar is simply a fellow who tells lies or a fellow who has the habit of telling lies. We know the devil uses a lot of tactics to steal, kill and destroy. For those who like to feed their eyes with naked pictures and watch blue films (pornographic videos) or listen to secular music he employs lust of the flesh to get them. For those who love flashy things – latest bags, latest accessories, latest clothes, latest phones e.t.c, he uses lust of the eyes to get them. For those who love power, fame, prestige e.t.c he uses the pride of life to destroy them. For believers he uses a completely different tactics. 

  He knows that all things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Cor 5:17). He knows that we no longer keep pornographic videos in our phones again; he knows that the latest Gucci bag or belt is not our prerogative or what a celebrity is wearing is not our concern. He is aware that we are no longer interested in getting into power at all cost so he employs lies and deception .Take for instance the case of Adam and Eve, he knew that they were not into pornography; he knew that the latest blackberry handset was not their goal; he knew that they owned the whole world so the question of power does not even cross their mind. What did he do? He employed lies and deception. He told Eve, if you eat the fruit you shall not die but be like God. That one ate the fruit and gave her husband some and they both died. 

 The devil knows that we have now accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and savior. He knows that we are now baptized. He knows that we have joined the workers in our church. He even knows that we now speak in tongues but how does he perpetrate evil in our lives? He employs deception and lies. He tells us that we can’t be perfect even when Jesus himself tasked us to be as perfect as God, Matthew 5:48. It is better to try at something than not to try at all. We only stand the chance of been perfect when we try. An adage says practice makes perfection. If you try to be as perfect as God is and you make mistake, you just simply ask for forgiveness and start again. When kids are learning to walk, immediately they fall they stand up almost immediately. They never quit trying. Don’t accept the lies of the enemy that you can’t be perfect. You can be perfect, you can do without lying, you can do without cheating, you can do without fornication and adultery e.t.c. The question is how? David said thy word I have hid mine heart that I might sin against thee, Psalm 119:11. Read your bible at least two chapters a day. Pray daily for the grace to be perfect and before you know it you see yourself attaining perfection.

 ACTION POINT: Create a bible reading plan and stick to it.

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR PT 1

MEMORY VERSE: ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it, John 8:44.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 23, 1 Cor 4, Ezek 2, John 3

John 10:10 says the devil steals, kills and destroys. He employs deception when he wants to carry out his evil works. Take for instance what he did to Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:1-6. He approached her and said ‘so God told you not to eat of every tree in the garden?’ That one replied and said we may eat of every tree in the garden except the one in the middle of the garden. God has warned us not to touch it, lest we die. The devil said it is a lie, once you eat it you will be like God. Eve ate the fruit and gave some to her husband. When Adam noticed that Eve had eaten the fruit and was still alive, he too ate the fruit hoping that nothing will happen but something terrible happened. Meanwhile the devil lied to Eve. Firstly God never warned them not to eat of every tree in the garden. Secondly after eating of the fruit they died spiritually on the spot and died physically later. Thirdly after eating of the fruit they never became like God i.e. become Omnipresent, Omnipotent or Omniscience. Before Adam and Eve knew what was happening, the enemy had robbed them of their dominion, destroyed their relationship with God and brought death upon them.

The devil has a way of setting a man up for failure. At times through deception he would turn a man against his helpers or destroy his destiny. Take for instance the case of Judas who betrayed Jesus. The devil must have encouraged him to steal from the purse that no one would notice. Judas fell for it; unfortunately John caught him but kept quiet. John 12:6 says this he (Judas) said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. The devil even encouraged him to sell Jesus to the Pharisee for some cool money. He did and regretted it. As the Pharisees were leading Jesus away to kill him, his eyes opened. When he could not bear the shame he committed suicide. Judas lost his destiny and his seat in heaven. Brethren the devil comes mostly through our thoughts. He brings evil suggestions, if care is not taken the fellow may fall victim. This is why the bible encourages us to meditate on things that are true, worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, just, pure, lovely and lovable, kind, winsome and gracious, things of virtue and excellence, things worthy of praise,Philippians 4:8. This is why we must check every thought that comes to our mind.

TO PONDER: The enemy employs deception (lies) to steal, kill and destroy.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH A PROMISE

MEMORY VERSE: honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;), Ephesians 6:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 20, 1 Cor 2, Lam 5, John 1

What is honor? It is to regard with great respect or to show courteous behavior towards something. When the Lord gave the first commandment –thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3); there was no promise attached to it. When He gave the second one – thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (Exodus 20:3); no promise was attached to it. When he gave the third no promise was attached to it. When He said honor thy father and mother, He attached a promise of long life and prosperity to it. This speaks volume.

My father was never there for me, why should I honor him? My mother left my father to take care of us alone, why should I honor her? Friends, I want you to know that the commandment to honor our parents came from God not our pastors or parents. All commandments are to be obeyed. According to James 2:10 if you obey all commandments – you don’t steal, fornicate, lie, covet and offend in one, you are guilty of all. In other words a brother who does not honor his parent or a sister who is not in talking terms with her mother is in the same league with a murderer or a fornicator in the eyes of God. Another reason why we need to honor our father and mother is so that it may be well with us. When the bible says honor thy father and mother that it may be well with thee (Ephesians 6:2-3). Well with thee on earth and in the day of judgement. Not only that , it means so that it may be well with you spiritually, physically, financially, emotionally , martially e.t.c.

When we honor our father and mother, we are guaranteed long life. No one wants to die young; the recipe for long life is honoring one’s father and mother. When you study this chapter carefully, you will notice that the Lord did not say honor your father and mother only on occasions. He did not say honor them when they pay your school fees alone or when they treat you right or when they are there for you. It says honor them – regardless of whatever they may have done to you. A man of God once shared his story with us. He went through a lot of challenges as a young man, the mother had to raise five children on her own without the support of his dad. When he grew up , he served God with all his strength – he was an usher and a prayer warrior , he never missed church, he always paid his tithe, when it comes to giving he was one of the biggest giver but his life did not bare resemblance to the life of a fellow who was serving God. Despite all his efforts, there was nothing to show for it. One day he heard a message like this and forgave his dad. He went to see him and blessed him financially. Not only that, he began to honor his father. Today he is the author of three bestselling books. When you do your part to honor your parents regardless of whatever they have done to you, the Lord will activate his promise in your life.

ACTION POINT: In whatever way you may have been dishonoring parents, repent today and make amendments

 Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.