WHO YOU KNOW MATTERS

MEMORY VERSE: And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Daniel 11:32

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 120-121

BIBLE READING: Mark 5:25-34

In the secular world, it is not what you know but who you know. For instance, if there is a request for tender (a formal, structured invitation to suppliers, to bid, to supply products or services) in an organization, and you happen to know one high ranking officer in that organization, you could end up being awarded the contract. Or, if there is a job vacancy in an organization and you happen to know someone who knows the chairman of that organization, you can be rest assured that you will automatically get an interview; if you perform well you will get the job. I have heard many say the concept of 'it is not what you know but who you know' only happens in poor countries;it is a lie. It happens everywhere even in the so-called advanced nations. Hence the need to always pray for divine connection. If you know the right people – men of timber and caliber – and you are humble, the sky is your limit. The Lord will use them to help you.

When it comes to spiritual matters, who you know matters. Daniel 11:32 says, “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” It is possible to have a PhD and still be jobless. There are instances of people with ordinary ‘O’ level result employing PhD holders. It is possible to be a medical doctor and be barren. It is possible to be a General Practitioner (GP) and still fall sick. So it is not what you know, but who you know. I don’t think the woman with the issue of blood was a novice when it comes to general health and wellbeing. She had spoken to several top physicians and she had lived with that condition for over twelve years so she must know a lot about her condition and other issues relating to health. Even the so-called doctors who knew a lot about blood hemorrhage could not help her. Thank God she met Jesus Christ. She made contact with Him by touching Him and her condition of twelve years was healed.

Not only was the woman with the issue of blood sick, she was poor. Mark 5:26 says, “And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.” This woman was poor not because she was wasteful or because she didn't have financial intelligence. She was poor because she was too weak to work and she had spent all her savings trying to get a cure for her sickness. After Jesus made her whole, she was able to seek employment or start a business and tithe and enjoy expansion. Asides from the fact that she was sick and poor, she was also lonely. She neither had a husband nor a child. She was lonely for several reasons. Firstly, she had a flow of blood which rendered her unclean and as far as a woman is unclean, no one especially men will come near her. Even if a man came near her, she couldn’t conceive because she kept on bleeding. However, one day she heard about Jesus and came to Him. After He made her whole, loneliness became a thing of the past in her life. She could now marry and have children. Who you know matters. The word of the Lord says Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). If you know Christ, you are assured of a great tomorrow. How does one know Christ? Accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Spend quality time at His feet studying and meditating on scriptures. Also spend time praying and fasting. The more time you spend with Him in the closet, the more revelation He will give to you. Revelation will set you apart in this generation.

QUESTION: Do you know God? If you know God, do you things that He loves?

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

EXPECT A CHANGE OF NAME

MEMORY VERSE: Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. Isaiah 62:4

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 21-24

Names are very important. They are so important, the word of God says if you are asked to pick between a good name and great riches; pick a good name. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Why are names so important? Your name can either make your or break you. Bro Jabez – whose name means pain – suffered from pain all his life until he cried unto the Lord (2 Chronicles 4:9-10). His life, from the day he was born, was synonymous with pain. On the other hand, Solomon also known as Jedidah (Beloved of the Most High) enjoyed God’s attention and love all through his life. When he asked God for one thing, the Lord game him two. He asked for wisdom, the Lord gave him wisdom and great riches. Just by changing your name, your lot in life can change. Not until God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, and Sarai’s name to Sarah, the promise of a child did not materialze. What you call yourself matters. This is why you must never call yourself a failure because you failed one exam. Thomas Edison failed several times before he invented a light bulb.If names were not important, the Lord would not have bothered to give Jesus a name.

We live in a world where people prefer to address one by his challenges not name. Everyone knew Elizabeth’s name yet they called her “barren” because she had no child. Luke 1:36 says, “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.” Everyone knew Bartimaeus’ name. His name was Bartimaeus Timaeus, yet people referred to him as blind Bartimaeus. Jesus healed him over 2000 years ago, yet, many of us still refer to him as blind Bartimaeus. Whilst we were in high school, there was one of our classmates who was nicked name “Egbon Jebete” because he was very short.(Mind you he didn't like the name ). Although he was very short, he was very tough. Most of the junior students who were taller than him could not bully him. Several years after we graduated from high school, he came to the UK and we decided to meet up. When I saw him, he had changed. We were almost the same height. I could not call him by his nickname anymore because he had grown so tall. He is now taller than most of those who referred to him as Egbon Jebete back in high school. Isaiah 62:4 says, “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.” I don’t know what name people are calling you but the Most High God will change your situation, and people who used to call you funny names will no longer be able to do so. God turned my short friend's -now very tall - life around so much that we don't even remember "the" nick name. Expect a new name because in this season God will grant your petition and those who have been calling you barren will now be forced to call you a mother. In this season, God will work wonders in your life and those who have been regarding you as Ms 'so and so' will begin to refer to you as Mrs. 'so and so'. In this season, God will change your name from a borrower to a lender.

PRAYER POINT: Father, remember me oh Lord.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

BUT BY MY SPIRIT

MEMORY VERSE: David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 1 Samuel 17:37

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 1-3

BIBLE READING: Judges 14:5-6

Zechariah 4:6 says, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” There are several facts we can draw from this popular text. Firstly, with human strength - synonym for might - you are limited. For instance, no matter how strong you are, you will experience tiredness from time to time especially after a hard day’s work. Even the youths (symbol of strength) grow tired and become weary (Isaiah 40:30). You will accomplish very little with your human strength. Hence, the word of God says: “Not by might”. When it comes to dealing with the issues of life and challenges, human strength will avail you nothing. 1 Samuel 2:9 says, “He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” Secondly, with human will /influence /talent /skill -synonyms for power- you are limited. The centurion whom Jesus healed his servant had power /authority /influence /connection but could not heal his servant (Luke 7:1-10). That centurion, despite all he had, was limited. You will accomplish very little with your human power. If you don’t believe me, speak to people who make New Year resolutions at the beginning of each year. With all their power (physical, mental and emotional), five weeks into the New Year they would have broken their New Year resolutions. Might i add to it, you will accomplish very little with your boldness. The enemy is not intimidated by your boldness. It is only by the Spirit of the Lord that you will emerge as a victor! It is only by the Spirit of the Lord that you will start a project and complete it.

You will only defeat Goliath by the Spirit of the Lord not by swords or Saul’s armour. 1 Samuel 17:37 says, “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” David couldn’t have killed the lion and the bear by his power or might. An average adult lion weighs 190kg. The average height of a fully grown lion is 4ft tall and 6ft long. How can a boy, under the age of 16, kill a lion? The average weight of a fully grown bear is 365kg; average length is 7ft long. David stood no chance with a bear talk-less of a 9ft giant. But by the spirit of God, he defeated the lion, the bear and Goliath. Samson couldn’t have killed the lion by his strength. Judges 14:6 says, “And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.” Without the Spirit of the Lord, you cannot defeat Goliath. (A goliath is simply anything that is standing between you and God’s plan for your life). Only the Spirit of the Lord can help you defeat that fellow who is standing between you and your promotion at your place of work. Without the Spirit of the Lord, you cannot destroy those lions that are harassing you and roaring at you. Your human strength has yielded no results, why not try Jesus. He saves – not only from sin but - from everything!

NOTE: Human power may fail but Jesus never fails.

PRAYER POINT: Father, deal with every lion harassing me in Jesus name.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

LAZARUS SLEPT

MEMORY VERSE: These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. John 11:11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 7- 8

Someone once said, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”. What a true statement. There is a need to change the way you look at things. Not until you change the way you look at that situation, it may not change for the better. Firstly, how you see that situation you are facing will determine your confession. Luke 6:45 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Jesus saw Lazarus as one that slept not a dead man. No wonder He told His disciples that He was going to wake him out of sleep. Your confession matters. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Your confession will determine how that challenge will end. Numbers 14:28 says, “Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you.” What God hears you say is what you will have. Joel 3:10 says, “Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” What you confess is what you will have. When David confessed that he was going to kill Goliath and cut off his head, he did not have a sword talk-less of a knife on him. Actually, all he had on him that day was a sling and some stones. But God heard that young boy on that day and granted his confession. David slung a stone and Goliath went down. He ran to him, grabbed Goliath's sword, the only available sword big enough to cut Goliath's head, and cut off his head with it. 

Secondly, how you see that situation you are facing will determine how you  will react to it or tackle it. When Jesus got to the tomb of Lazarus, He called him out like one who was calling a friend who was fast asleep. He didn’t ask them to bring the corpse of Lazarus and lay hands on it. The reason why a lot of us cry when we face challenges is because we think it is over or we think it is beyond God. When Herod threw Peter into prison, what did Peter do? He slept (Acts 12:1-12). He slept because of his confidence in God. He slept so deep that the angel of the Lord had to punch him at the side before he woke up. Even at that, he wasn't fully awake until the angel led him out. In Matthew 8:23-27, Jesus was fast asleep when the storm arose and beat against the boat He was in. Friend, it is not over. Why did Saul and his men run from Goliath? They saw him as an indomitable lion. David on other hand saw him as a dog. Hence, he charged at him with a sling and a stone. The reason why you are running from that project is because you think it will crush you. Others who did the same project and completed it are not in any way better than you. The difference between you and them is how you see the project.Some brothers are afraid of approaching some sisters to propose to them despite the fact that they have prayed and gotten a go ahead from heaven. Maybe because they think the sister is too good for them or they are not in her level. If God is leading you to her then you must be in her level. Brother, don't be afraid to approach that sister. You will be shocked that God has already spoke to her and she is only waiting for you to make the move. 

 

PRAYER POINT: Father, i receive boldness to take on my Goliaths.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

THE WORD OF WISDOM

MEMORY VERSE: For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrew 8-10

What is wisdom? Wisdom is the application of knowledge. Just as there are four kinds of knowledge, also there are four kinds of wisdom. Firstly, there is the “natural human wisdom” which is simply naturally applied knowledge. This kind of wisdom is obviously on the increase, since knowledge is so much on the increase. Of course, compared to God’s wisdom, man’s wisdom is foolishness. The wisdom of the natural man will one day pass away. 1 Corinthians 1:19 says, “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Secondly, there is the “fallen world’s supernatural wisdom.” The enemy in Genesis 3 used the fallen world’s supernatural wisdom and knowledge to tempt the first man and woman to disobey God's commandments. Genesis 3:6 says, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and ‘a tree to be desired to make one wise’, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” This kind of wisdom was, and continues to be, forbidden by God. Man already had natural wisdom, which was good, but now he opened himself up to supernatural evil knowledge, and the application of it, evil wisdom, which until then existed only among the fallen angels. Astrology is an example of counterfeit wisdom today.

Thirdly, there is the true intellectual wisdom. The Book of Proverbs and King Solomon’s wisdom are good examples of this. We are told to get this kind of wisdom (Proverbs 4:7). This wisdom comes by respecting the Lord and the Word of God. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” This wisdom also comes by studying God’s word which can be understood only as it is revealed by the Holy Spirit. In other to do this, you must first receive Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). The fourth kind of wisdom is the supernatural gift of the “word of wisdom”. It is the sudden and miraculous giving of wisdom to meet a particular situation, or answer a particular question, or utilize a particular piece of knowledge, natural or supernatural. This kind of wisdom is not a human ability, but the sheer gift of God. An example of the “word of wisdom” is found in Genesis 41. Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream was not natural wisdom or wisdom through study and preparation;he was given an immediate supernatural answer. Joseph was on the spot. He had been let out of prison just long enough to be given a chance to interpret this dream. However, the wise counsel – the need of appointing a wise leader and officers, and how to store the needed food for the time of famine- was true intellectual wisdom that God had given Joseph, and which he used continually. Another example of the “word of wisdom” is found in Matthew 22:15-22 where the Pharisees tried to entangle Jesus in His words by asking if men should pay tributes to Caesar or not. Jesus answered with a word of wisdom: "Render therefore unto Caesar which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” There are other examples in the scriptures. For instance, Apostle Paul was certainly not trained in seamanship, yet when he was involved in a shipwreck, he so took command of the situation that even though he was a prisoner being taken to Rome, the Roman officer listen to him with respect ( Acts 27:21-35).

PRAYER POINT: Father, please fill me with Your wisdom

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

DON’T BE UNEQUALLY YOKED WITH UNBELIEVERS.

MEMORY VERSE: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Micah

We make important decisions every day. Majority of them affect others and the impact can last for a lifetime and on through eternity. The most important decision you will ever make is salvation. Why is it the most important decision? That decision will determine your future. The word of the Lord clearly says: “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him” (Isaiah 3:10-11). Not only that, it will determine what your expectation will be. According to Colossians 1:27, Christ in you, the hope of glory. The Most High God will see to it that none of His children is put to shame. Most importantly, that decision to give your life to Christ will determine where you will spend your eternity. John 3:3 says, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The second most important decision is who you marry (if you are yet to marry). Asides the obvious fact that marrying the wrong person can make one’s life hell on earth, marrying the wrong person drastically reduces one’s chances of making it to heaven. According to Mark 10:8, you are one flesh with whoever you are married to. It will be difficult for one to make heaven without the other.

2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” To those who have been asking how to know God’s will in marriage, your answer is right there in 2 Corinthians 6:14. There is the general will and specific will in marriage. The general will is highlighted in our memory verse – "be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers". As a single Christian brother or sister, you must not marry an unbeliever. God will never lead any of His children into courtship with an unbeliever. No! Some have deluded themselves into thinking that they can marry the fellow and change him or her later. You are making a big mistake. Don’t do it. The first question i will expect any child of God to ask a brother who proposes is are you born again. If a sister is not born again, she is not God’s will for you. No matter how well mannered and how well behaved she maybe. It does not matter how caring a brother is, if he is not saved he is not God’s will for you. There is no need asking God if you can marry an unbeliever because the answer is already no even before you pray. Someone asked how about the so-called brothers and sisters who claim they are born again but indeed they are not. The bible says “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles” (Matthew 7:16). The bible did not say you will know them by their Facebook posts or bible quotation. The devil knows the bible and he quotes them regularly. It is not even by parent’s position in the church. Hophni and Phinehas were sons of the prophet, yet they were sleeping with women in the church. One important thing, make sure you carry your pastors along in the process as they will be praying for you. Also, let your pastors know what is happening especially when you enter into any relationship.

NOTE: Anyone who marries an unbeliever will have the devil as an in-law.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

MEMORY VERSE: For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:8

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 29-30

It is important that you know about spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:1 says, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” Today, we will look at the “word of knowledge”. There are four basic types of knowledge in the world today. Firstly, there is the "natural human knowledge". This type of knowledge is on the increase today. Daniel 12:4 says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” There is so much knowledge out there that supercomputers are being  employed to store and process the tremendous stock-pile of facts, since it has gone beyond the human mind to do so in any reasonable length of time. As important as the natural human knowledge is, it often creates so much pride – it has even led many scientists and think tanks to believe there is no God. According to 1 Corinthians 8:1, knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. Not only that, it has kept a lot of people from entering into the knowledge of our God.  1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Secondly, there is the “fallen world’s supernatural knowledge”. This is the natural mind’s attempt to gain information by supernatural means either through the occult, psychic or metaphysical investigations which Satan is using to ensnare an increasing number of people today. Please note, the fact that something is supernatural does not mean it is from God. Fortunetelling, clairvoyance, mind reading, astrology, witchcraft, spiritism, etc, all come under the fallen world’s supernatural knowledge. 

Thirdly, there is the true intellectual knowledge. This comes from knowing God personally through Jesus Christ ( John 17:3, Philippians 3:10), being filled with the Holy Spirit, and through studying the Word of God, which brings the knowledge of God’s will and His ways, for which there is no substitute ( Psalms 103:17; Exodus 33:13). Just as the natural human knowledge is growing, the true intellectual knowledge is also growing. Isaiah 11:9 says, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Whilst man’s knowledge will one day pass away, the knowledge of God is permanent and will last through eternity. The fourth is the “word of knowledge”. It is the supernatural revelation of facts past, present, or future which are not learned through the efforts of the natural mind. It maybe described as the Mind of Christ being manifested to the mind of the believer, and is given when needed in a flash of time (1 Corinthians 2:16).  This gift is used to protect the Christian, to show him how to pray more effectively, or to show him how to help others. This spiritual gift is not a human “ability” at all, but sheer gift of God. It is manifested as a result of staying close to the Lord. If a believer suddenly became aware, without receiving the knowledge through any natural channels that a friend was in trouble, and needed his prayers and help, that would not be “extrasensory perception, but rather God manifesting the gift of the “word of knowledge” The gifts of the Holy Spirit come from and through the Holy Spirit to our spirit, and not from or through the soul or physical senses. 1 Corinthians 12:8 says,” For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit.” The “word of knowledge” was used to expose Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27).  It was used to recover lost persons or property, as in the case of Saul and the lost donkeys (1 Samuel 9:15-20; 10:21-23).  The “word of knowledge” can give information in seemingly very prosaic matters. God is concerned about every human need.

NOTE: These gifts are given to profit and benefit one another. They must not be misused. When God chooses to share His knowledge with us, it is for a purpose. It is not given just to make us feel “spiritual” or clever!

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

“TO ANOTHER DISCERNING OF SPIRITS”

MEMORY VERSE: 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. 1 Corinthians 12:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 119

There are several types of discernment. There is what we may call “natural discernment”. This is the judgment that we pass on people, circumstances, and on our own behavior. It is derived from the teaching we received in our homes, and the effect of our environment and culture. Our natural “consciences” are composed of this kind of material, and therefore they are unreliable. Christian and non-Christian alike have this. There is the true intellectual discernment which comes from the mind that is being renewed in Christ. This discernment grows as we meet and receive Christ and get to know Him better, through fellowship and through the study of the Word of God. As we grow in the Christian life, the Holy Spirit sorts through our minds and consciences, discarding the wrong, and adding what is right. If God has been permitted to work in this way, as times goes on, our minds and consciences will become more and more in agreement with the scriptures and with the Holy Spirit living in us. It is important for believers to develop in this kind of discernment as it is a strong defense against false doctrine. The moment we hear a strange new teaching that is not keeping with the truth, we should be able to say that God doesn’t act that way! There is the “false supernatural discernment” possessed by people who have been serving Satan, or people who are oppressed or possessed by enemy power and influence. They are repelled by the presence of anyone who is walking in the Spirit.

The “discerning of spirits” is quite different from all we have talked about. Firstly, it is a spiritual gift. 1 Corinthians 12:10 says, "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." Like all the gifts of the spirit, it does not come through training but is given in a moment when and as it is needed. Any Christian may manifest this gift, but like others, and it is intensified after the baptism of the Holy Spirit. By the gift of discerning of spirits, the believer is enabled to know immediately what is motivating a person or situation. Also, the gift of discerning of spirits enables the believer to discern the kind of spirit that is operating in an environment. Whilst the sense of presence of the Holy Spirit brings joy and love and peace; the discerning of wrong spirits brings a sense of heaviness and unrest. The discerning of spirits is a kind of “police” gift, to keep the enemy’s influence from causing serious problems in the fellowship. In Acts 16:16-18, a girl with a wrong spirit, spirit of divination, met Paul and the brethren and followed them wherever they went announcing to everyone that they were men of God. This she did for many days. Thank God for the discerning of spirits; Paul cast the spirit out of her. When Peter made this great confession about Jesus: “thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!” Jesus commended him. When Jesus began to tell his followers, however, that He was to die, Peter would not accept His words. He began to rebuke Jesus, saying, “be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee!” Jesus discerned that Peter was speaking in a wrong spirit, and said: “Get thee behind me, Satan: you are an offence to me: for you savour not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 16:15-23). When Jesus was not received in the village of the Samaritans, James and John were so angry that they asked Jesus whether should command fire from heaven to consume the people. But Jesus said: “You know not what manner of spirit you are of” (Luke 9:54-55).

NOTE: An important use of the gift of discerning of spirits is in bringing deliverance. One is able to know what spirit is in operation and cast it out

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

“THY FATHER WHICH SEETH IN SECRET”

MEMORY VERSE: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:4

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 5-6

Every word that comes out of the mouth of the Lord must be taken seriously. There are several reasons why you must not take His words for granted.For instance, He is the Truth. John 14:6 says, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And when the Truth speaks, He speaks the truth. Another reason why His words must be taken seriously is because they are spirit and life. John 6:63 says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Jesus only spoke to the corpse of the widow’s son and the boy came back to life (Luke 7:11-17). All He said was: “Young man i say unto thee, Arise.” Another reason why His words must be taken seriously is because His words carry power. According to Ecclesiastes 8:4, where the word of a king is, there is power. Because He is the King of kings, His words carry power. No wonder the bible says:”He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20).

One important reason why you must take His words seriously is because His words will never pass away. Mark 13:31 says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Take His words seriously. If for any reason He repeats Himself, it means there are some eternal truths in what He is saying. For instance, in Matthew 6, Jesus kept on saying “and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly”. He must have repeated that statement at least three times. What can we learn from this statement? Firstly, God is a father. Matthew 6:4 says, “That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” The moment we hear the word “Father” several things come to mind for example family, children, etc. God is a father and He has children. His children are believers. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” This brings us to the next point, God is your Father. Jesus told His disciples “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). Because God is your father, you must treat Him as a father. Many of us respect our earthly fathers but we don’t respect our heavenly father. Many of us dare not disobey our father’s instruction but we flout God’s instruction at will. We give our earthly fathers our full attention when they are addressing us, but when our heavenly father is addressing us through a man of God we are busy playing with our phones. We are either on Facebook, BBM or sending messages on WhatsApp. God is your Father not your headmaster or principal. He is not always looking for opportunities to punish you or scream at you. He is not a task master. He is a loving Father. He is a caring Father. He is a merciful Father. He is a Father not a boss. He is patient. He gives second chances. He understands that you are weak. He wants you to prosper. He wants you to have the good things of life. He wants you to be happy. The idea that God does not like it when we are happy is from the pit of hell. Just as a father loves to hear the voice of his children, Jesus loves to hear your voice.

PRAYER: Father, thanks for being a father to me.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

“HIS FATHER SAW HIM, AND HAD COMPASSION, AND RAN, AND FELL ON HIS NECK”

MEMORY VERSE: And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Luke 15:20

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Hebrew 5-7

BIBLE READING: Luke 15:11-32

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus spoke about the parable of the prodigal son. One morning, he walked up to his wealthy father and asked for his inheritance – his share of the old man’s estate. Disappointed, deflated, dejected, the old man called for his estate agent. When he arrived, the old man divided his property into two – since he had only two sons – and gave the younger his share. Few days later, the boy travelled to a far country and began to live big. He began to pop champagne and follow after strange women. Within a short while his wealth was spent, and he began to starve. In order to survive, he got a job on a pig farm as an attendant and fed on the pigs' leftover. His situation got worse and worse, so he decided to return home and work for his father as a servant since he was not qualified to be called his son anymore. Luke 15:20 says: “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”

 Jesus often taught truths in the form of stories or parables. The way that old man behaved toward his prodigal son is literally the same way our Father in heaven behaves towards backsliders when they return home. He welcomes them back with open arms. Have you backslidded back into the world? The Lord is waiting to receive you back with open arms – not as a slave but as a son. Although, He is not happy that you backslidded, He is not crossed with you. Just as the prodigal son was restored, restoration awaits any backslidden Christian. The fact that you committed abortion when you backslidded does not mean the Lord will not receive you back. There are many who think the Lord will not receive them back because of the terrible things they did when they backslidded; friend it is not so. There is restoration for anyone who returns to the Lord regardless of how terrible they have been.  

Yesterday we spoke about the correct response to sin. After you must have confessed your sins to God, there is also a need to confess your sins to man. You see, even after God forgives our sins and forgets them forever, our past isn’t magically erased. Hurt and angry people still lie along the way behind us. With God’s help we must go back to each one we can find and ask for his or her forgiveness. It’s not an easy thing to do but it must be done. After i gave my life to Christ i had to call a lady i offended back in my high school days and apologised to her. She didn’t even remember the incident again but she was amazed that i would do such a thing. 

ACTION: Can i suggest a project that will help you settle the things of the past? Make a list of people you have hurt and things you need to set right.  After you have made your list, lay it down before the Lord. (No one else needs to see it, so destroy it as soon as you can). Confess your sins to Him. Then determine how you will contact each person on your list to ask for his or her forgiveness and make restitution, if necessary. The bible says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed” (James 5:16).  

NOTE: Confession is the healing balm of our soul. 

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

SIN AS A WOUND

MEMORY VERSE: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 18:13


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jonah
One of the names of our Lord is Merciful. Exodus 34:6 says: “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” We are all standing today simply because of His mercy. Psalm 130:3-4 says: “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” We are all alive because of His mercies. Lamentations 3:22 says: “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” God’s mercy attracts human mercy. Jeremiah 42:12 says, “And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.”

However, there are certain criteria you must satisfy before you can receive God’s mercy. Firstly, you must be born again. You must accept Jesus as your personal Lord and saviour. Anyone who does not accept Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior is against Him. Matthew 12:30 says, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Secondly, you must be merciful. Psalm 18:25 says, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.” Not only will the merciful obtain mercy from God, he will also receive blessings from Him (Matthew 5:7). Thirdly, you must be God-fearing. Psalm 103:11 says: “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” God’s mercy is not for the wicked. To fear God simply means to depart from evil (Proverbs 16:6). A child who fears God will not steal from his or her parents. Also, a government official who fears God will not steal from government coffers. Lastly, you must confess your sins and forsake them. Proverbs 28: 13 says: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

A sin is like a bleeding wound on the leg of an athlete. If the athlete does nothing about the wound and continues to run, he may fall and faint. If he covers it up without treating it properly, the wound will fester and decay. The leg will start to hurt and he won’t be able to run as fast as he could. If he continues like that for several days, the leg will become swollen and the doctors may have to amputate the leg to save his life. The right thing to do is treat the bleeding wound. The only way to treat sin which is also a wound is confess /expose it. Let the fresh air of the Holy Spirit blow on the affected area and healing will start. Go to God humbly and tell Him what you have done. Don’t say God forgive me for my sins. Confess each sin to Him and ask Him to forgive you. After confessing to God, you may need to confess to man in some instances. This is very important if you really want to deal with the sin and silence the accuser. (However, going about this requires godly wisdom and as such, seek counsel from an anointed man of God to guide you on how to go about this). After exposing it to fresh air which is confessing it, commence treatment in other words, forsake it. Investigate what led to the sin and put measures in place to avoid falling into the same sin again. Ask God to keep you standing and also watch!

NOTE: One of the advantages of exposing sin is that you won't want to sin at all because of the embarrassment of confessing it especially when it is against people. Where needed, make restitutions.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

HE GAVE THEM UP

MEMORY VERSE: But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Psalm 81:11-12

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Proverbs 28

BIBLE READING: Psalm 81:8-12

One way God demonstrates His love to us (His children) is by chastening us when we do something wrong or go off the line. Proverbs 3:12 says, “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” So if the Lord has ever rebuked you over a matter maybe through a sermon or a post you read on internet, don’t get angry at the pastor or the author of the post. Rejoice because He only rebukes those He loves. He did that because He does not want you to perish. You must not take the Lord’s rebuke for granted. As such, repent immediately He rebukes you. Revelations 3:19 says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” One of the ways God rebukes us, His children, is through our conscience. For instance, if you record your time of arrival at work as 07:20am when you actually arrived at 07:52am, your conscience will prick you. Saul had been chasing David, to kill him, for ages unsuccessfully. One day, God put Saul in his hand to test him – to see whether he would touch the Lord’s anointed. David found King Saul fast asleep in a cave (1 Samuel 24:1-8). He walked to him as gently as possible and cut off the tip of King Saul’s robe just to show the king later that he had the opportunity to kill him but he didn’t. Immediately, the Lord rebuked him for that. 1 Samuel 24:5 says, “And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.”

If your conscience convicts you when you do something wrong, it is a sign of God’s love. Remember to thank Him for that love. However, if you lie and you don’t feel anything – your conscience does not prick you – it could be a sign that you are no longer His child. Worse is if you suddenly begin to feel like fornicating or committing adultery, friend if i were you I will run to God and ask why He hates me that much? The reason being that the bible says “the mouth of a strange women is a deep pit and only those God hates will fall into it (Proverbs 22:14)". In other words, when a man’s cup is full before God and He wants to finish such men off, He will allow them to commit adultery or fornication so that they can perish completely. When God begins to rebuke a man over certain things and the fellow refuses to repent and change, the Lord will leave the fellow alone to continue doing what will destroy him. In other words, the Lord will give up on the fellow and say “do as you please”. After several warnings, the people of Ephraim refused to change so the Lord gave up on them. Hosea 4:17 says, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” God literally said “I give up on Ephraim; i will no longer send any prophets to warn them again.” This is why you can no longer delay the day of your salvation if you have not given your life to Christ. This is why you can no longer delay the day you of your repentance if you are yet to repent of certain things. Several times the Lord warned the people of Israel but they refused to repent and change.  Psalm 81:11-12 says, “But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.” At the end they entered into captivity. Proverbs 29:1 says, “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Friend, as the Lord being urging you to repent and you are postponing it? This may be your last warning. Have you been stealing from the offering basket? This may be your last warning. Have you been fornicating secretly and going up to minister on the altar of God? Repent because this may be your last warning.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please open my eyes to see areas where you want me to repent today.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

GREEN PASTURES OR GOD’S PRESENCE?

MEMORY VERSE: And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters. Genesis 19:30

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 115-117

BIBLE READING: Genesis 13:9-12

The story of how Lot separated from his uncle and adopted father, Abram, is a popular one. After series of quarrels between the herdsmen of Lot and those of Abram, Abram decided that it was best they both divide the land between themselves. He called Lot and said “Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left” (Genesis 13:9). Abram, being a senior brother to Lot’s deceased father, gave Lot the opportunity to pick first. One would have expected Lot to turn down the offer to choose first since Abram was like a father to him. Instead he lifted up his eyes to see which portion of the land was most "green". He saw that the plains of Jordan was “well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt” and moved in with his family. At the onset, his decision to move into Sodom and Gomorrah seemed like a masterstroke. In the land he prospered greatly and amassed great wealth. One day, God’s wrath came down on Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot lost all he had. Things were so bad, for him, that he could not afford a house so he began to live inside a cave with his two daughters. Genesis 19:30 says, “And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.”

There are several lessons to learn from this story. Firstly, not all green pastures are actually green. The colour ‘green’ is the colour of life, renewal, nature, and energy, and is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment. So when the Psalmist says “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2a), you have an idea of what he was trying to say. The land of Sodom and Gomorrah had green pastures but it was not 'so green' for Lot. Secondly, not all green pastures are green pastures; some are abattoirs in disguise. Lot went into Sodom and Gomorrah with a large family but left with only two of his children; even his wife did not make it out. Thirdly, not all green pastures are peaceful. Fourthly, the fact that a pasture is green does not mean God is there. The plain of Jordan looked like the garden of the Lord but it was not the garden of the Lord. Sixthly, the fact that a pasture is green today does not mean it will be green tomorrow, as such pray before making any decision. The pastures were green when Lot moved into Sodom, several years later it became a sulphur site. As we mentioned yesterday, in Lot’s scale of preference ‘greener pasture’ came before the presence of God. Friend, in your scale of preference which comes first? Is it money? Is it wealth? Is it influence? Is it the presence of God? Is it the will of God? Lot preferred a green pasture to the presence of God? Dear sister, do you prefer a well-to-do man to a God-fearing man? A man who is well-to-do but not God-fearing has no future because he is at the mercy of the enemy. That job may offer more money but is that God’s will for you? Marriage to that brother or sister may help you meet your financial needs or give you influence and connection, but is God in it? Your journey to that foreign country may offer you a lot in terms of financial returns but is God in it?

NOTE: A green pasture where the presence of God is missing is a death trap.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

ON EAGLE’S WING

MEMORY VERSE: As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings. So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. Deuteronomy 32:11-12

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 29-32

Many things have been used as symbolic expressions to give us a picture of God or characteristics of His attributes. For instance, the psalmist describe God as a mountain. Psalm 125:2 says, “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.” In Revelations, God is described as a Lion. Revelations 5:5 says, “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Many things have been employed as pictures of either God’s strength or God’s power or God’s love or God’s mercy. Deuteronomy 32:11-12 says, “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings. So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.” Here, the eagle is used as a symbol of God. There is something about an eagle that is a fit symbol of things about God. For instance, the eagle is the king of fowls. God is not merely a king but He is the king. No wonder Paul describes Him as the King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15). Also, the eagle is very strong. The eagle can fly down and just with the strength of his claws, pick up a young lamb and fly away to yonder’s cleft and devour it – that’s how a strong an eagle is. Our God is stronger than the strongest. In His anger, He can shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place (Isaiah 13:13).

The eagle builds her nest in an unusual way. The eagle selects rough materials for the construction of her nest. As the nests graduates toward a close or a finish, the material becomes finer and softer right at the end. Then she goes about to set up residence in that nest. When the little eaglets are born, she goes and brings in food to feed them. But when they get to the point where they are old enough to be out of their own, the eagle will begin to pull out some of that down and let some of those thorns come through so that the nest won’t be so comfortable. So when they get to lounging around and rolling around, the thorns prick them here and there. She does this to teach them to fly. She makes the nest so uncomfortable that they are forced to leave and commit themselves to the unknown world of air outside. And just so does our God to us. He stirs up our comfortable nests, and pushes us over the edges of them, and we are forced to use our wings to save ourselves from fatal falling. We are put into positions were we have no other choice than to depend on Him or fly to Him. Things are going so well and we are so satisfied that we just lounge around and forget to pray. We walk around all day and enjoy God’s life, God’s health and God’s strength, and go climb into bed without saying, “thank you, Lord, for another day’s journey.” God has to pull out a little of the plush around us, a little of the comfort around us, and let a few thorns of trial and tribulation stick through the nest to make us pray sometime.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please shake me loose from every spiritual slumber.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

“AND LOT LIFTED UP HIS EYES”

MEMORY VERSE: And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Genesis 13:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 11-16

BIBLE READING: Genesis 13:9-12

There was an old man who had three sons. The firstborn married a young woman, so did the second and the third born. One day the third born passed away, and since the firstborn had no child of his own, he decided to adopt his younger’s brother son. He took him home and showered him with all the love in the world. He treated him as his own son, and helped him get into business. The young man began to raise animals like his adopted father. Within a short period of time, the young man began to prosper. He began to acquire staffs, and business began to grow at a rapid rate. Before you know it, his business had become so big that the small town they both (he and his uncle) resided could no longer contain them. Soon, his staffs and his uncle’s staffs began to quarrel. To avoid quarrels and ensure peace between them both, Abram sent for his cousin, Lot. When he arrived, Abram suggested that they split the land between themselves. If Lot choose the eastern part of the land, he would choose the western part. Or better still, if he choose the northern part of the land, he would choose the southern part of the land. The bible records that “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that itwas well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar” (Genesis 13:10). The agreement was that Lot should choose a part of the land but he chose the best part of the land – the plains of Jordan. Shortly after he moved into the land, it was raided; Lot and his household were taken captive.

There are several lessons to learn from this story. Firstly, not everything that appears or looks good is actually good. In addition, not everything that appears or looks good is good for you. Oh the plains of Jordan looked like the “garden of the Lord” but it was not good for Lot. Not every promotion is from God. Possessing the plains of Jordan may seem like a promotion to Lot but it was not a good promotion. Also, not all promotions are promotion. Some of them are demotion in disguise; death traps, etc, and as such be wise. Any promotion that makes it impossible for one to serve God is a demotion which can lead to death. Secondly, not everything that appears good or looks good is from God. Thirdly, not everything that appears good or looks good is God’s will for your life. Fourthly, don’t choose things by their outward appearance or outward presentations. Why? Fifthly, not all that glitters is gold. There are a lot of gold plated items that appear as real gold. Sixthly, only God knows what is good. There are many like Lot today who instead of praying before making a choice have gone ahead and “lifted up their eyes” and chose. I pray they will not end up like Lot. When it comes to choosing between offers, pray and ask God to guide you. Asides from the obvious mistake that Lot choose with his eyes, Lot chose the plains of Jordan based on what he could see from afar. He had not been to the land, he had not seen the people, he had not learnt their ways, he chose based on what he could see from afar. A point to note: not all things that appear pretty at a distance are actually pretty. When you get close to some things that appear beautiful from a distance, you will be disappointed. The closer you get to a person, the more you will know the person. In Lot’s scale of preference, greener pasture came before the will of God. Lot preferred a greener pasture than the presence of God.

NOTE: The fact that a pasture is green does not mean God is there. Greener pasture also does not necessarily mean more money or promotion. Lot went to Sodom full but came out empty.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world