SERVICE AND PROSPERITY

MEMORY VERSE: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.Job 36:11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 96-98

It pays to serve in the vineyard of God. During one of our Sunday services in church, a young beautiful girl, 'D', ministered; she did choreography to a popular gospel song. ( Name of girl withheld) After her ministration, the man of God ( who was invited from abroad ) climbed the altar to preach. As he preached, he prophesied by the Spirit of the Lord: “The (Lord says that) the young girl that had just ministered is going to be a lawyer and she is going to receive scholarship to study law in ‘X’ university”. (Name of university withheld). He gave a powerful sermon, packed his bag and left. After the service, whilst chatting with ‘D’s’ dad, a brother approached the dad to confirm the prophecy. “Do you know ‘D’ told my wife, when she was at your house a week ago that she is going to be a lawyer when she grows up” he said. Wow! What a confirmation to the prophecy of the man of God. 2 Corinthians 13:1 says, “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” I believe the brother must have thought within himself that the parents of ‘D’ were lucky.

Neither ‘D’ nor her parents were lucky. Were they favoured? Oh Yes! But God is not arbitrary. You can’t get something for nothing. You want to be able to resist the devil? First of all submit to God (James 4:7). ‘D’s’ parent served God, especially her dad, selflessly. He is part of at least 3 groups in the church; he is a sanctuary cleaner, outreach team member, usher, etc. When we go on evangelism, he brings ‘D’ and her sister with us and they participate. Actually, 'D' shares more tracts than the adults because she is not shy. D loved the Lord and Lord reciprocated the love. It is high time you considered your service to God. Job 36:11 says, “If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.“ Do you just go to church, listen to sermon, pay your tithes and offering, and go home? You are missing some serious blessings by not serving in God’s vineyard. Are you serving in God’s vineyard but not putting your best into it? You only serve when it is convenient or when you feel like? I want you to change because God is watching and He will reward each individual accordingly. Revelations 22:12 says, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Have you been serving with all your heart and it seems as if you are getting nothing for it? ‘D’ parents have been serving selflessly for close to 14 years. God sees your efforts and He will reward you in due time. I Corinthians 2:8 says, “ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Your testimony will be different and bigger.

NOTE: It is not only about activities in the church. As you serve selflessly, run away from sin. Sin causes God to distance Himself from a family or an individual (Isaiah 59:1-2). You can’t be working in God’s vineyard and be fornicating at the same time, and expect God to prosper you. The fornication has to stop before He will prosper you.

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“AND HE CHANGETH THE TIMES “

MEMORY VERSE: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding. Daniel 2:21

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 5-9

BIBLE READING: John 2:1-11

God has kept everything He created in the hands of time (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11). This is why the preacher says: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Every human being is limited by time. Some of us wished we had 32 hours instead of the regular 24 hours available to everyone. Even Jesus, whilst He was on earth, was in one way or the other limited by time. John 9:4 says, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” This is a proof that He was fully human when He was on the earth. There are other proofs that Jesus was fully human when He was on the earth. For example, He had a human body. He was born (Luke 2:7). He grew (Luke 2:40,52). He grew tired (John 4:6), and got thirsty ( John 19:28), and hungry ( Matthew 4:2).  He became physically weak ( Matthew 4:11; Luke 23:26). He died (Luke 23:46), and He had a real human body after his resurrection ( Luke 24:39; John 20:20, 27).

Also, He had human emotions. When Jesus heard the centurion’s words of faith, “he marvelled” (Matthew 8:10). He says in Matthew 26:38 that His “soul is very sorrowful, even to death.” In John 11:35 He wept. John 12:27 says, “Now is my soul troubled", and in John 13:21, He is “troubled in his spirit.” According to Hebrews 5:7 “He offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears”. He even had a human mind. Luke 2:52 says, “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man.” Mark 13:32 says, “concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Do you know He even had a human will? The proof is found in Matthew 26:39 when He said, “not as i will, but as you will”. 

John 2:4 says, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.” There are several lessons to learn from this verse. Firstly, Jesus, whilst He was on the earth, was limited by time. Every man too , whilst on this earth, is limited by time. There was a serious need  but the need could not be met because of time (John 2:1-4). Secondly, Jesus had His own time. John 2:4 says, “.......mine hour is not yet come”. Also, you and i have own time. I am not talking about owning a wristwatch. I am talking of a time the Lord has set apart to either visit us or meet our needs.I am talking of a time God has set apart to work through us or answer our prayers or for an important event to take place in our life. Only God knows our time, as such we must be patient with Him. Thirdly, time can be moved. It can be fast forwarded, paused, or reversed.  Because God wanted to meet the needs of that newlywed couple, He fast forwarded Jesus' time so that He was able to perform that miracle. So also dear brethren, God is able to fast forward our time. He can give a man 2018 blessing in 2015. One may wonder, what will now happen in 2018? Well, in 2018 He will give the fellow another blessing again. 

PRAYER POINT: In the name of Jesus, spirit of delay i bind you in my life, under the Blood of Jesus, pack you bag and never return.

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HANDLING PROPHECY

MEMORY VERSE: Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. Jeremiah 23:16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 1-4

Who is a prophet? A prophet is someone, actually a mature believer, who speaks the mind of God, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The use of the word ‘mature’ is deliberate. The ministry of prophet is listed as one of the offices to be used to bring the church to maturity. A true prophet will speak out against things that are wrong, whether it makes him unpopular or not. He will draw people to God and not himself. The enemy has counterfeits of all the true gifts, and there are plenty of false prophets in the world. A false prophet is a dangerous person, as he will use his supposed authority to gain wrong influence over people, and keep them in bondage to himself through fear. Jeremiah 23:16 says, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.” The deceiving prophet will not warn the people to turn from that which is wrong (Jeremiah 23:17-22), and usually immorality springs up where there is false prophecy. The deceiving prophet or false prophet will never talk about holiness or godliness.

We should be careful of personal, directive prophecy, especially outside the ministry of a mature and submitted man of God. Extreme caution should be used in receiving any alleged directive or predictive prophecy. Please don’t undertake any project simply because you were told to or by presumed prophetic utterances or interpretation of tongues, or by a presumed word of wisdom, or knowledge. Never do something just because a friend comes to you and says: “The Lord told me to tell you to do thus and thus!” If the Lord has instructions for you, He will give you a witness in your own heart, in which case the words coming from a friend, or through the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a meeting, will be confirmation to what God has already shown you. Your guidance must also agree with scripture. 2 Peter 1:19 says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” The save rule is never proceed until you get confirmation. 2 Corinthians 13:1 says, “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” The written Word of God is our guidebook, which we must study well, and is the test of all spoken words. Note the caution of the prophet Jeremiah. He was told by the Lord to buy a piece of property from his cousin Hanameel. He took no action, however, until his cousin came and offered to sell him the property, having no idea what the Lord had already said to Jeremiah. ‘Then’ said Jeremiah, “I knew it was the word of the Lord”. If the prophet Jeremiah, that great man of God, was so cautious, not even believing his own prophecy until it was confirmed, we should be all the more ( Jeremiah 32:6-9). Prophecy is different from inspired preaching. Although preaching is inspired by the Holy Spirit, but in preaching, the intellect, training, skill, background, and education are involved and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Prophecy on the other hand means that the person is bringing the words the Lord gives directly; it is from the spirit, not the intellect.

NOTE: The written Word of God is our guidebook, which we must study well, and it is the test of all spoken words including prophecy.

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CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS: A MINISTRY IN PROPHECY.

MEMORY VERSE: Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying. Jeremiah 1:4

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 5-6

We recently looked at the Gift of Prophecy, one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, which can be manifested in the life of any believer. The gift of prophecy is manifested when believers speak the mind of God, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and not from their thoughts. The fact that this gift is manifested in the life of an individual does not mean the individual is automatically a prophet, NO! As far as one has given his life to Christ, one may manifest any of the seven gifts of Holy Spirit – ‘Word of Wisdom’, ‘Word of Knowledge’, Gift of Faith, Gifts of Healings, Working of Miracles, Gift of Prophecy and Discerning of Spirits. However, after the infilling of the Holy Spirit or overflow of the Holy Spirit, any or all nine gifts may be manifested frequently and in power through the life of the believer. (Note: An infilling of the Holy Spirit or Baptism of the Holy Spirit needs to take place before a believer can manifest the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues.) As a believer matures in the Lord, certain gifts of the Holy Spirit may be expressed more frequently and effectively through the believer. It is then said that the believer have a ministry in those gifts. For example, when a person needs healing, the Lord can manifest the gifts of healing through any yielded believer to the person who needs healing. This does not mean the believer has a healing ministry. However, as this believer mature, the gifts of healing may be expressed more frequently and effectively through this believer. It is then said that this mature believer has a ministry in healing.

Today, we will look at ministry in prophecy. Since we are still in the Apostolic Age and the ministry of the apostle is still going on today, there are still those with the ministry of the prophet today. Just because the Old Testament prophets often spoke out against social and political abuses, and against priestcraft and the hierarchy of that day, does not mean that every protester and militant campaigner for social just is a ‘prophet’. Also, prophecy does not mainly consist of denouncing evil. It is not what a man says in the natural realm that makes him a prophet; it is the fact that he is moved by the Spirit of God to speak the words God gives him. There are many who love the title ‘prophet’ and as such they call themselves prophet. The fact that one can perform miracle or magic does not mean one is a prophet. What makes a man a prophet or woman a prophetess is that he or she brings the mind of God to people. As such, a prophet or prophetess must be able to hear from God. All the people referred to as prophets (in the bible and today) became prophets when the word of the Lord came to them. For example, Jeremiah 1:4 says: “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,” A real prophet will not find it necessary to announce to others that he is a prophet; he will be known by his ministry. Look at what the bible had to say about Moses, a prophet of God. Numbers 12:3 says, “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Moses did not need to print a flyer before people knew that he was a prophet. He didn’t even need to introduce himself as a prophet before people knew he is a prophet. Real prophets don’t need to announce that they are prophets before the people around know. A true prophet of God will naturally minister in the gift of prophecy often.

NOTE: A true prophet of God will be a mature Christian, as his ministry is listed as one of the offices to be used to bring the church to maturity ( Ephesians 4:8,11-16). No person should be allowed to minister as an established prophet in the Church unless he is thoroughly known by the brethren as to his doctrine and his manner of life.

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CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS: THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

MEMORY VERSE: But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Thessalonians

The gift of prophecy is a gift manifested when the believer speak the mind of God by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost and not from their own thoughts. There are three ways prophecy minister to believers: edification also known as building up, exhortation also known as urging on, and comfort also known as consoling. 1 Corinthians 14:3 says, “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” If an earthly father never corrected his children, it would be harmful and unloving. They wouldn’t grow up and mature normally. On the other hand, if the father was always telling them they were wrong, and never told them that he loved them and appreciated them, love wouldn’t grow between the parent and the children. Prophecy is not only "woe to this", "woe to that". No! It is a balance of exhortation and comfort. Please note that valid prophecy will not be harshly condemnatory of believers, but it may strongly counsel them. Although prophecy is mainly for believers, it can bring unbelievers to God (1 Corinthians 14:24-25).

In the Old Testament, there were men and women who were moved of God to prophesy. These prophets where chosen by God to speak His word to the people, usually ministering combining the gifts of prophecy and knowledge, and often doing other ‘mighty acts’ by the power of God. Many a time God’s will and intention is revealed through them. There are two major types of prophecies: conditional prophecy and unconditional prophecy. Certain conditions have to be met for a conditional prophecy to come to pass. Usually any prophecy concerning the future had an ‘if’ connected with it. A typical example can be found in the book of Jonah. The Lord sent Jonah to prophesy to the people of Nineveh. Jonah 3:4 says, “And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” But, the people of Nineveh repented in sackclothes and ashes. What would have been the point of bothering to send Jonah if there was no chance for them to repent? Since they repented i.e. met the conditions for mercy, Nineveh wasn’t overthrown. Unconditional prophecy concerns God’s definite plan for example, the coming of Jesus. Isaiah 53 is a perfect example – it is one of the greatest prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the Lord Jesus. The ‘unconditional’ prophecies are mainly given for guide-posts to believers, so that we may discern the ‘signs of the times’. We are not supposed to be arguing with prophecies, but simply noting them as they come to pass, so that we know where we are in God’s time plan.

Also in Old Testament, God could not yet, by His Spirit, come to dwell in His people, but the Holy Spirit did come down to anoint certain people as they yielded to God. The Spirit rested on them. Ever since the day of Pentecost and outpouring of the Holy Spirit, any yielded child of God can be moved by the Holy Spirit to prophesy. Women are permitted to minister in prayer and prophesy as long as they are under ‘leadership’, that is, submitted to male leadership.

NOTE: Prophecy must always agree with the written Word of God. Please discard any prophecy that is not in consonance with the Word of God. The prophecy to eat grass does not agree with the written Word of God. The only human that ate grass in the written Word of God is Nebuchadnezzar and that happened after the Lord got angry with him and turned him into a beast!

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PRUDENT OR SIMPLE?

MEMORY VERSE: A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. Proverbs 27:12

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Daniel 1-6

READ: Judges 16: 6-21

Proverbs 27:12 says, “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” The first thing you need to know about the prudent is that he is not blind. He has a pair of eyes and he sees with them. There was a nurse, some years back, whose daughter was 5 months pregnant and she didn’t know. The shocking thing was this girl lived with her. It was a man of God who brought her attention to the girl's protruding tummy and the change in her complexion. How can a nurse live with a 5 months pregnant girl and not know except that she has eyes but can’t see with them? Friend, can you see?

The prudent has foresight. He foresees things especially evil things. The moment something happens, he knows where it will end because he is alert. Samson had no foresight. Delilah made her evil intentions known from the first day she met him. She literally told him "Samson, i want to finish you". Judges 16:6 says, “And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.” Why did she want to know the secret of his great strength if not she intended on weakening him? On hearing this, i thought Samson would end the relationship but he didn't. He was so blinded by love, i guess, that he moved in with her. Delilah asked the secret of his great strength; at first he told her a lie, she tried it and failed. The same thing happened the second time and Samson still continued in the relationship. After two attempts on his life , a prudent man will run for his deal life but Samson remained. My beloved sister, can you foresee evil? A man once asked a lady (he was in a relationship with), “where are the weak points in your body”? Why will a man ask such a question if not that he intends on doing something with the information? Can you read between the lines? That single lady who is always asking you to come and pray with her when no one is around.... That single man who is always asking you to come and pass the night at his place.... I pray God will open your eyes in Jesus name.

The moment a prudent man foresees evil, he will hide himself from it. The moment a prudent sister hears a brother say he doesn't believe in sexual abstinence before marriage, she will withdraw from the brother. Such a sister knows that the ‘brother’ is yet to be saved even though he maybe a choir master. There are a lot of choir masters and head ushers who are not saved. All these are titles; they don’t represent a man’s heart. The moment a prudent brother hears a sister complaining of ‘mother –in-laws’ , he will retire back to the prayer room to make sure he has really heard from God. The moment a prudent man notices that he is often excited around a particular sister that is not his wife, he will run from her. The moment a prudent sister observes that any time she chats with a particular sister, she feels low in the spirit to the point of not being able to pray, she will withdraw from that sister or avoid long conversation with her.

PRAYER: Father, please open my eyes to see.

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CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS: THE GIFTS OF TONGUES

MEMORY VERSE: For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 93-95

The gifts of God, when expressed as the Lord intended them to be, are beautiful, and needful in order that the body of Christ may grow and develop. As mentioned earlier in these series, these gifts are not earned but they are freely given by God to His children. Romans 8:32 says, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Before we define each gift, there is an important thing one needs to know and that is the gifts of God will be manifested according to one’s faith: " According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29).

The first gift we will be looking at is the Gifts of Tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:2 says, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” Speaking in tongues has nothing to do with emotion. Speaking in tongues cannot be emotion, for the emotions are part of the soul, the psychological nature, whilst speaking in tongues is speaking from or in the spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:14 says, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” Speaking in tongues may stir the emotions, just as it may sharpen the intellect, and order the will, but you do not have to become emotional in order to speak in tongues. Remember, emotion is a response, an expression, not a cause. There is no compulsion involved in speaking in tongues. God does not compel His people to do things, but He inspires them. It is the enemy who ‘possess’ and compels people against their will. Whenever anyone says: “i do this because God makes do it!” referring to any physical manifestation, it is likely that it is not God at all, but either his own soulish (psychological) nature that is acting, or worse yet, an alien spirit that is oppressing him. I am not denying that the Holy Spirit can sovereignly cause physical sensations. It is not uncommon for a person to feel a supernatural movement upon cheeks, lips, or tongue, or a stammering tongue, or trembling of the body, when praying for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. There are cases of people experiencing a weakness of muscle, even to the point of not being able to stand up. On the day of Pentecost itself they were accused of drunkenness! Nonetheless, no matter how overwhelming the inspiration may be, and whether it is spiritual, psychological, or even physical in nature, the spirit of the prophet is still subject to the prophet (1 Corinthians 14:32). God can and does do unexpected and unusual things, but does not make His children behave in bizarre and grotesque ways that would frighten others. Speaking in tongues is your spirit speaking, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and your spirit is under your control.

Someone once asked, did Jesus speak in tongues when He was empowered by the Holy Spirit? No, He didn’t but He said we would do so. Jesus did not need the edification of speaking in tongues, and there were no barriers in His soul that made it necessary for His Spirit to speak to the Father in a language His mind did not understand. Moreover, speaking in tongues is the manifestation that was to come at Pentecost, in ‘fullness of time’ (John 14:12).

NOTE: Although the Spirit does not compel believers, it can and does compel unbelievers for example those who came out to arrest Jesus were thrown to the ground (John 18:5-6).

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CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS: THE GIFTS OF TONGUES AND INTERPRETATION

MEMORY VERSE: If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 1 Corinthians 14:27-28

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 16

There are two ways speaking in tongues may be manifested. Firstly, as a devotional language for private edification, needing no interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:2). This is the general speaking in tongues, and most of us are familiar with it. Secondly, there is the public manifestation of tongues, which should be interpreted. When a baptized-in-the-Holy-Spirit Christian is inspired to speak in tongues in the presence of others, with interpretation of tongues usually following, this is the Gift of Tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 says, “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” The gift of tongues is delivered or given to the listeners, and they are edified by the gift of Interpretation which follows.

There are two main ways the gift of tongues may be expressed in the gathered church. Firstly, through the gift of tongues and interpretation God may be speaking to the unbeliever and / or to believers. Although God does not speak in tongues, yet, He does guide yielded Christians to do so, and through tongues and interpretation He does speak to His people today. Isaiah 28:11 says, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.” The gift of tongues is not a sign to the believer since he doesn’t need a sign, but it may be a sign to the unbeliever (usually unsought for), causing him to accept the Lord Jesus Christ. How can the gift of tongues be a sign to the unbeliever? Firstly, it may be a known language to the unbeliever with God speaking directly to him. Secondly, it may not be a known language, but the powerful impact of the message in tongues, normally accompanied by interpretation, may speak to the unbeliever, and be a sign to him. All these are a sign to the unbeliever that God is real, alive, and concerned about him. Several years back, a sister was sharing her experience with me. As she prayed in tongues, someone who spoke Japanese heard her speak fluent Japanese. Meanwhile, this particular sister only speaks Yoruba language and English! The gifts of tongues may also be a message from God to bless and exhort faithful people. Secondly, the gifts of tongues may also be a public prayer, praise, or thanksgiving to God. Though all baptized-in-the-Holy-Spirit believers can and should speak in tongues daily in their prayers, not all will minister the gift of tongues in a public meeting (1 Corinthians 12:30). If you believe that God wants you to manifest the gift of tongues, be prepared to pray also for the gift of interpretation in case there is no other person present yielded enough to do so ( 1 Corinthians 14:13). The interpretation of tongues is bringing the meaning of what has been said through the gift of tongues at a public meeting. The Holy Spirit could give the interpretation of what has been said to the fellow who spoke in tongues or another fellow in the congregation. Interpretation may come into one’s mind, in toto, or just a few beginning words may be given, and as the interpreter trusts the Lord and begins to speak, the rest of the message comes. Interpretation may also come in pictures or symbols, or by an inspired thought, or the interpreter may hear the speaking in tongues, or part of it, as though the person were speaking directly in English. Please note that speaking in tongues can be counterfeited as such the gift of discerning spirits is needed.

NOTE: The gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues is first of all a sign to unbelievers when manifested according to scriptural instructions.

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CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS

MEMORY VERSE: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 1-4

There is a need for one to know about spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:1 says, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” This knowledge will be of tremendous help in one's spiritual growth. As such, we will be looking at the gifts of the Holy Spirit in these series. 1 Corinthians 12:7- 10 says: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” Out of the nine gifts lifted above, seven of them – ‘Word of Wisdom’, ‘Word of Knowledge’, Gift of Faith, Gifts of Healings, Working of Miracles, Gift of Prophecy and Discerning of Spirits - were manifested in the Old Testament and Gospels from time to time as people were moved upon by the Holy Spirit. As we define each gift, we will provide incidents in the Old Testament and Gospels where each gift was manifested. To these seven were added two more since the Day of Pentecost: The Gift of Tongues and The interpretation of Tongues. Believers who have not yet experienced Pentecost may manifest any of these seven gifts occasionally, much of the time not even recognizing them as such. Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, etc, manifested some of these gifts long before the Day of Pentecost. However, after the fullness and overflow of the Spirit, any or all nine gifts may be manifested frequently and in power through the life of the believer.

The first seven gifts of the Holy Spirit ( ‘Word of Wisdom’, ‘Word of Knowledge’, Gift of Faith, Gifts of Healings, Working of Miracles, Gift of Prophecy and Discerning of Spirits) should not be confused with the Seven-fold Gifts of Grace mentioned in Isaiah 11:2 which says: “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” These are not spiritual gifts at all, but characteristics of the Holy Spirit in His sevenfold Nature, referred to in Revelations 1:4 as the ‘seven spirits’ which are before God’s Throne, the sevenfold Spirit of God. Revelations 1:4 says, “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne.” Nevertheless, we can see a direct relationship between these last six characteristics of the Holy Spirit (the first being ‘the Spirit of the Lord’ Himself), and the nine fold Gifts. As a believer, if you want the Lord to use you in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, you must learn to listen to God and He speaks through several ways (we have already discussed in times past). The gifts of the Holy Spirit are good gifts and perfect gifts (James 1:17). Although God’s gifts are perfect, we need to be reminded that the mortal channels through whom they are expressed are not. Don’t follow a person just because he has a ‘gift ministry’. Instead, look for the fruit in his life, for honesty and purity brought about by the Spirit of Truth – the Holy Spirit- and a hunger for and appreciation of God’s word. Look for balanced teachings between literal and spiritual meanings of the Scripture, look for fellowship with other brethren; and then receive only that which is quicken to you by the Holy Spirit, and which agrees with the scriptures.

NOTE: Christians don’t follow signs, signs follow Christians.

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WHERE IS YOUR TIME?

MEMORY VERSE: My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Psalm 31:15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 25-27

There are three basic types of time: natural time, human time and God’s time. Naturally, all over the world, midnight marks the beginning and ending of each day. In other words, a day starts at 12am. With the human time it’s different and it varies with individuals. For some, their day starts at 5am; others start before 5am or after 5am. However, God’s day start in the evening. Genesis 1:5 says, “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” The same thing for the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh day.

Going by nature or natural time, a child becomes an adult when he is 18 years (age of consent). From this age, he is free to make his decisions. If he commits a crime, hopefully he doesn’t, he would be sent to prison. Humans, depending on culture and religious beliefs, put the age of maturity at different times. In some cultures, it is believed that once a girl enters puberty she can now be treated as an adult; some even become brides at that age. In some cultures, not until a man is 30 he is not regarded as an adult. According to scriptures, a child becomes an adult around the age of 20 (Leviticus 27:1-7). When it comes to serving God, there is natural time to serve God and that is the age of consent. The human time to serve God is when one is old - probably around 65 years. Between the age of 17 and the age of retirement is a time to concentrate on one’s career and enjoy life. This is why when people see a young brother actively serving in church and serving God with vigour, they say he is not ambitious. This is why when they see a young woman dressed modestly, no parts of her body exposed; they say it is too early to dress in that fashion. The expectation is that one should dress hot and sexy whilst one is young. Going by God’s time, no one is too young to serve God. Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.”

Going by nature, the time to get married is four years after a child enters puberty and this is around the age of 18. The human time for an individual to get married varies. The general consensus is once a man has a job and a house, he can consider marriage. However, God’s time for each individual to get married is different. There are instances where God may decide not to give a brother a wife until He trains him for his future and the training may not end until he is 30 years. In a nutshell, there are things nature expects one to have at certain times. Also, there are things humans expect one to have at certain times. When one does not have those things at the expected time, one may be regarded as a failure. The expectation is after 10 years in ministry, one's congregation should have grown to a certain number. One should be doing this and that. However, God does not work like this. He may decide to give one something before the human time or after the human time. Samuel started hearing God's voice from a tender age. Moses did not start his ministry until the age of 80. I want to encourage you to put your time in God’s hands. Let Him give you what He wants to give to you in His own time.

NOTE: A lot has destroyed their lives because they received certain good things at the wrong time.

PRAYER POINTS: Father, help me to be more patient.

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CHRISTIANS AND HYPNOTISM

MEMORY VERSE: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Thessalonians 4-5

What is hypnotism? Is it dangerous? Should a Christian under go hypnosis? What does the bible say about hypnotism? These are some questions Christians, all over the world , ask from time to time. Hypnotism is a form of therapy in psychology and psychiatry. There are instances where hypnotism has been used as an alternative to anaesthesia in medicine and dentistry. Hypnosis is a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination. During hypnosis, one is fully conscious but tuned out of most of the stimuli around. The subject (the person being hypnotized) approaches the suggestion of the hypnotist, or his own ideas as if they were reality. During hypnosis, one is highly suggestible. If the hypnotist suggest that the subject’s tongue has swollen up to twice its size, the subject will feel a sensation in his mouth and may even have trouble talking.

We have taken time to explain what really happens during hypnosis so that you will appreciate the dangers involved. Hypnotism places the soul in a passively receptive state thereby opening the door to morbid spiritual influences that may bring oppression that last for years, until the person is delivered through prayer and exorcism. There have been several instances where the enemy has taken over people’s mind during hypnosis. For example, an eleven year old girl, some years back, came out of hypnosis a changed person. She started acting strangely and this continued for several years. At a point, she was involved in a car theft. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Hypnotism is a no-go area for Christians because: 1) It involves the transfer of control away from ourselves to another person which is contrary to biblical teaching. As we follow the Spirit’s lead, He will give us the power to better control our own selves (Galatians 5:22-23). 2) During hypnosis the subject yields himself - body, soul, and spirit – to the hypnotist. We are to yield ourselves – body, soul, and spirit – to God not man (Romans 6:11-13). 3) Hypnotism is often promoted as a simple way of refocusing oneself and finding the answer within us. As a Christian, our focus is to our Savior, Jesus, not on ourselves or anything else (Hebrews 12:2). 4) Many of the techniques used in hypnosis are shared by mystical, philosophical, and religious systems, including the occult.

In one sense, everything we have been talking about - mind reading, astrology, fortune telling, Spiritism ,etc - are all forms of sorcery, for we may define sorcery as the effort to gain power and control in the ‘spiritual’ world as to get information, influence other people, get wealth and power, or other material advantages. The purpose of the believer is to get to know and love God. Fortunately for us, God desires to bless us in every way, and therefore we find, as we get to know Him that He wants us to ask and claim good things for ourselves and others. He delights to give them, as we believe for them, but He Himself is always the greatest Good and the greatest Gift.

NOTE: These occultic beliefs carry with them demonic power; if you have ever been involved in any of them, renounce them in the Name of Jesus. Ask God to forgive you. Claim the protection of the Blood of Jesus, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill every area where any false beliefs have been. There are instances where people with psychic and occult abilities try to bring these abilities to God to be used for Him. Although this is desirable, God does not need Satan’s second hand goods! If you have such ‘powers’, you must get rid of them, and let God give you His gifts.

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MIND READING FORBIDDEN

MEMORY VERSE: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 14-15

Clairvoyance is the idea that a human being can obtain information from beyond his physical senses by ‘occultic’ or psychic means. Clairvoyance comes in different forms. There are clairvoyants who claim the ability to diagnose diseases and prescribe cures by means of occultic powers. There is water witching or dowsing. Water dowsing, also known as ‘Water Witching’ or ‘Divining’ is an interesting method in which persons use a variety of tools, such as twigs, hanging medallions, or even cut off coat hangers in order to find water underground. The process is very mysterious. A person walks around the yard carrying an apparatus and when it moves a particular way, the determination is that the water is beneath them. In certain cases, the dowser can predict the depth of the water. There are also parlor games (indoor games) like ‘pendulum’ where an object on a string or chain is hung over a person’s hand and questions are asked. The swinging of the pendulum allegedly indicates the answers. All these types of games should be left alone. These games and practices open the door of the spirit of oppression into one’s life.

Another type of physic belief is mind reading or telepathy. Mind reading is the idea that a human being can detect and read the thought of another person, or can project his own thoughts to another person. The idea that one is able read the mind of people is interesting. Many have even made fortune out of it. Who wouldn’t want to read people’s mind to know whether what they are saying is true or not? Telepathy or mind reading is forbidden by God. First of all, it destroys relationship. Actually, how many friends will you have, when they know you can read their minds? This practice destroys human continuity and fellowship. Satan, our spiritual enemy, would love to have us try to learn to do these things. The so-called extrasensory perception (mind reading, clairvoyance, etc) is the direct action of the powers of darkness - Satan and his angels and demons – bringing the information to the person who is foolish enough to seek it. If you attempt to read someone’s mind, or to foresee the future, or to gain information from a distance by clairvoyance, Satan is overjoyed. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Although, Satan cannot read one’s mind, he has access to the information that you are seeking, and he can bring it to your mind, knowing that you will think that you have acquired the power to do it yourself. This way he accomplishes several things: (a) He causes you to become proud and self-centered, and even though you may be ‘doing good’ with your supposed abilities you yourself are becoming more and more self-important; (b) He is setting you, and all who believe you, up for a mighty let down.

NOTE: Most of these practices appear harmless but they are not. They open one to forces of darkness.

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FORTH-TELLING VS FORTUNE TELLING

MEMORY VERSE: There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Deuteronomy 18:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 21-25

Two major things happened after the fall of man. Firstly, man became Satan’s servant. Romans 6:16 says, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Everything man owned, including all God had given to him – the world and its riches, was transferred to Satan. Luke 4:6 says, “And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” Secondly, man died spiritually. Since man could only reach God through his spirit, which is now dead as a result of sin, his fellowship with God was broken. John 4:24 says, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” After this (spiritual) death, man began to operate from his soul and body. (Note: the soul is composed of our will, our intellect, and our emotions.) The soul is wonderful, when it is under the control of God through the Spirit, but when it is out of control it does terrible things. This is why human history is the record of hate, bloodshed, cruelty, and confusion; human beings are dead spiritually – “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and trying to live soulishly while being out of touch with God and therefore lost (Luke 19:10).

When Satan moved in and took over this world after the fall of man, he created a counterfeit spiritual realm, and any human being who tries to find God, or to come into contact with God, or influence God, by his own psychological efforts, by thinking, willing, or feeling, is likely to come into contact with Satan’s ‘spiritual’ world which is more accurately termed the ‘psychic’ world. One of the psychic beliefs is fortune-telling. Fortune-telling works on the premises that a human being can validly foretell the future by means of visions, crystal balls, playing cards, palm reading, Ouija boards, meditations, drugs, etc. Lurking behind the concept of fortune-telling or precognition is the idea of a fixed ‘fate’, an unchanging future that is already laid out and cannot be changed. This idea in itself is unscriptural. Christians don’t believe in ‘fate’ or ‘destiny’ but in a living God who guides all things. God knows the future, not because He foresees it but because He sees it. He is already there, just as He is in the present and in the past. The future is dependent on the free actions of free beings, and of God. The bible says, if you are willing and obedient you will eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19). Fortune-telling works on the premises that whether you are willing and obedient or not, if it is in your destiny to eat the good of the land you will eat it. This is a contradiction to the Bible! If Satan is able to deceive people into thinking that they can know the future, he can also make them believe that “what will be, will be”, and adopt a fatalistic attitude towards life. According to Deuteronomy 18:10-13 fortune telling is strongly condemned and forbidden in the Bible.

NOTE: Biblical prophecy is forthtelling not fortune telling. The fortune teller says, “I have the power to peer into the future, and i will tell you what i see!” The biblical prophet, on the other hand says, “I was talking to God, and He told me to tell you so, so, and so...” If a prophet of God foretells the future, he does so because God has chosen to share with him something that He, God, is going to do and there is usually a condition attached to it.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world