CHANGED ATTITUDE, CHANGED STORY

MEMORY VERSE: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 20-23

Naaman had everything except for one thing, good health. 2 Kings 5:1 says: ‘Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.’ One day, the young slave girl who waited on Naaman’s wife witnessed to her. ‘Would God my Lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy,’ she said. Mrs. Naaman related the message to her husband. On hearing, he travelled to Samaria to meet the prophet of God. When he arrived, Elisha sent his servant to tell him to dip seven times in River Jordan.

Naaman went ballistic. He was angry because the prophet did not personally attend to him. Also, he was angry because he was told to dip himself in River Jordan, a dirty river. Whilst he was ranting and raving, his servants counselled him to do what the man of God told him to do; he listened and was healed. A change in attitude can lead to a change in circumstances, to breakthrough, to a change of story, and so on. With his initial attitude, Naaman would have died a leper!

NOTE: Your attitude matters! Regardless of the promises of God for your life, a terrible attitude or character can frustrate the plans of God for your life. From time to time, we say ‘if God be for us, who can be against us.’ The answer is you and me.

QUESTION: What is your attitude towards divine instructions? Do you argue with it? What is your attitude towards the things of God? What is your attitude towards challenges? Do you easily give up or throw in the towel? Do you make negative confessions when things are not going as planned? What is your attitude towards the progress of others? Do you get angry? What is your attitude towards the undiluted word of God? What is your attitude towards the ministry God has put in your hands?

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WHAT INFORMS YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS

MEMORY VERSE: And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment. 1 Kings 3:11

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 16-19

People in love give gifts to one another. John 3:16 says: ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…’ God gave us His son out of love. Out of love, Solomon gave one of the biggest offerings a man ever gave to God: a thousand burnt offerings (2 Kings 3:4-14). The Lord reciprocated the love by paying him a visit. ‘What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!’ He asked. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge God’s people. 1 Kings 3:10 says: ‘And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.’

Why did Solomon’s request please God? 1 Kings 3:11 says: ‘And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;’ God used the phrase ‘asked for thyself’ three times. He was referring to the fact that Solomon did not ask anything for himself. Rather, he asked for what will enable him to serve the people better. The prayer and requests of Solomon were not all about what he wanted for himself but what he wanted for others and God was extremely pleased. A request that you make to God that has in it, a focus on how you can be a blessing to others pleases Him more than those which is focused on what only you can get. Also, Solomon’s request was from a humble heart. Psalm 51:17 says: ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.’ Solomon, in his request, acknowledged that he didn’t have what it takes; viz., wisdom, an understanding heart, etc., to lead the people. When you accept that you are weak and you ask God for strength, He is pleased. Solomon’s request was motivated by nothing but love for the people of God. His request was not motivated by hatred, greed, anger, rebellion, or jealousy.

QUESTION: What informs your prayer requests? Do you ask for things from God out of envy or jealousy? Do you ask God for things of temporal value or eternal value?

NOTE: Ask for wisdom. Ask for understanding. Ask for power to create wealth rather than wealth. Ask for more of Him rather than more of things.

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A PRAYER THAT PLEASES THE LORD

MEMORY VERSE: And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 1 Kings 3:13

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 12-15

Solomon did something no man had ever done and God responded in a way He had never responded. He offered a thousand burnt offerings to God; in return, God paid him a visit. I pray that God will inspire you and me to do something that will cause Him to pay us a visit. 1 Kings 3: 5 says: ‘In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, ask what I shall give thee.’ Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge God’s people. 1 Kings 3:10 says: ‘And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.’

There are two basic types of requests: those that please the Lord and those that don’t. An example of a request that didn’t please the Lord was Israelite’s request for a king. 1 Samuel 8:6-7 says: ‘But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.’ The Lord granted their request even though it didn’t please Him; besides, it was not in His perfect will for them to have a king. The fact that God grants a request does not necessarily mean that He is pleased with the request. I pray that you will not have what God does not want you to have in the mighty name of Jesus,amen. Israel had what God did not want them to have; and as a result, they suffered. 1 Kings 12:4 says: ‘Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.’ Adam and Eve had what God did not want them to have and they died spiritually. Whilst some requests do not please God, some bring Him joy. Solomon's request pleased the Lord because it was in line with God's will for him. Any request that is at variance with His will displeases Him. You can know God's will through revelation; and by studying the Bible,also.

NOTE: When you pray in tongues, you are praying according to His divine will; therefore, it pleases the Lord.

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YOUR PRAYER REQUEST REVEALS WHO YOU ARE

MEMORY VERSE: And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 1 Kings 3:10

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 8-11

In 1 Kings 3:4-14, King Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings to God. The Lord was very impressed and gave him a blank cheque. Verse 5 says: ‘In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, ask what I shall give thee.’ If you give God what no man has ever given to Him; He will give you what He has never given to any man in return. King Solomon was the first to offer a thousand burnt offering to God; and, he was the first to receive a blank cheque from God. I pray that God will inspire you and me to do something no man has ever done, so we can receive something no man has ever received.

1 Kings 3:9-10 says: ‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.’ Someone once said, ‘I never ask God for anything because He knows my needs.’ God knows your needs, but He wants you to ask. Matthew 7:7-8 says: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ King Solomon's request was specific. He didn’t ask for everything or anything. Be specific with your request. Don’t act like the man who said, ‘God, my name is Jimmy and I will take whatever you gimme.’ King Solomon’s request reflected his priority, personality, vision, values, goals, etc. Your request says a lot about you.

NOTE: We can tell from King Solomon’s prayer request that he was a humble man. We can also tell from his prayer request that he was not a selfish man. He was a man who put the needs of others first.

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AN IDOLATER?

MEMORY VERSE: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 4-7

Who is an idolater? An idolater is simply one who worships idols. What comes to mind when we hear the word 'idol' is a picture of a statue. An idol can be a statue; viz., the golden calf (Exodus 32:4). It can be a living thing or a non-living thing. An idol is simply anything we want more than God, rely on more than God, put before God, or look to for greater fulfilment than God. Exodus 20:3 says: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’

While we generally see them as disgraceful, evil passions, it is important to note that idols can also be ‘good’ things that we have made into ‘ultimate’ things. For instance, an idol could be one's spouse. Adam put his wife, Eve, before God. In chapter 3, his wife offered him the forbidden fruit and he ate it. He disobeyed God and obeyed his wife. An idol could be one's children. Eli's children were his idols because he put them before God. Even, when God complained about the conduct of his children, he did nothing because he didn't want to offend them. Your ambition can become your idol if care is not taken. A young man whose ambition became his idol was Absalom. He was willing to kill his father to fulfil his ambition of becoming the king. Material things can become one's idols. An example that comes to mind is Achan. He was willing to disobey God to get rich. Culture and tradition can become one's idols. For instance, the Pharisees and Sadducees put their culture and tradition before God's word. Your favourite team or sport can become an idol. Recently, I saw a brother watching a champions league match during the sermon. If you are busy checking football scores whilst the pastor is preaching, then football has become your idol.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please reveal the idols in my life to me and help get rid of them.

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A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT CHALLENGES 5

MEMORY VERSE: And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. Zechariah 3:1

BIBLE READING: Ruth 4 – 1 Samuel 3

In combative sports, your size determines your opponent. In boxing, you will get an opponent from the lightweight division if you are a lightweight; and, an opponent from the heavyweight division if you are a heavyweight. The same rule applies in the spiritual realm. Your level will determine the class of demons or the types of challenges that will come your way. Zechariah 3:1 says: ‘And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.’ In God's kingdom, the most senior person is the high priest. In Satan's kingdom, the most senior person is the prince of demons which is Satan. The only opponent in the class of Joshua, the high priest, was Satan. That was why Satan withstood him; and, as God would have it , he failed. The level of your challenges will give you an idea of your class or how much of a threat you are to the kingdom of hell. You may not rate yourself, but God rates you highly.

Asides the obvious fact that your destiny will determine the kind of challenges you will face; the grace of God upon your life will, also, determine the type of challenges you will face. In 2 Kings 1:9, King Ahaziah sent an army captain with fifty soldiers to arrest Elijah. The question is, why would a king send an army captain with fifty soldiers to arrest one old man. It was because of the grace, the anointing of God upon his life. Mind you, the captain and his fifty men were roasted. When it came to Elisha's turn, the man who had the double portion of anointing on Elijah, the kind sent a whole army. 2 Kings 6:14-15 says: ‘He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?’

NOTE: Those unusual challenges could be because of the grace of God upon your life. You many not know it, but the enemy knows it.

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A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT CHALLENGES 4

MEMORY VERSE: And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. Mark 5:21

BIBLE READING: Judges 21- Ruth 3

We have been looking at challenges from a different perspective. Whether you believe or not, challenges can be a blessing in disguise especially when you are in Christ.

The size of your challenges is a reflection of your destiny. The bigger your destiny, the bigger the challenges the enemy will throw your way. So, if you are facing unusual challenges, it could be because you have an unusual destiny. Take for instance the mad of Gadara (Mark 5:1-20). The Bible records that a legion demon took possession of him. A roman legion is between 3,000 and 6,000 troops. The question is, what is it about this man that made Satan fill him with so many demons? A demon or two would have sufficed, why that many demons? Satan somehow figured out that this man was destined to be a mighty evangelist who would cause problems for his kingdom. Mark 5:19-21 says: ‘Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.’ He knew this man had the potential to cause him trouble so he attacked him to stop him, but he failed.

Many years ago, a man had an unusual immigration challenge. He met all criteria, ticked all boxes; still, the Home Office insisted that he must return to his country. They didn't even take into consideration that his wife and children were citizens of the country. One morning, he went to sign in at the police station and they took him to the airport to deport him, but God intervened. Today, he is a pastor, an author, and a successful immigration lawyer whom God had used to deliver many from the clutches of immigration. Why was the enemy doing everything to get him out of the country? He somehow knew that this pastor was destined to deliver many, so he attacked him to prevent that from happening and failed.

NOTE: Those unusual challenges could be an indication that you have an unusual destiny. Don’t give up. God will see you through and you will fulfil destiny!

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A CALL TO SERVE LEADERS PART 3

MEMORY VERSE: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. Exodus 18:21

BIBLE READING: Deuteronomy 15-18

Whenever you are faced with a decision, big or small, seek direction from God and follow it. The reason is this, not all good counsels are good in God's sight. The centurion, who was taking Paul and other prisoners to Rome, was faced with a major decision when the weather changed (Acts 27:9-14). He could either continue on the journey or abort the journey. As he wasn’t an expert in matters relating to sea travel, he turned to the captain of the ship for advice. The captain ok'd the journey and they continued. The captain's counsel was good; besides, he was the captain, an expert. Meanwhile, Paul warned them against the journey, but they didn’t listen. They ran into worse problems and lost all their wares.

Moses’ father-in-law, after observing how he carried out the task God had committed into his hands, counselled him to appoint qualified men who would bear the burden with him (Exodus 18:13-23). Each of them had to meet the following criteria: Firstly, they must fear God; secondly, they must be men of truth; and lastly, they must be men who hate dishonest gains. As a potential leader, do you fear God? Proverbs 16:6 says: “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” Are you honest? What premium do you place on the truth? Do you like dishonest gains? Do you cheat people? Only a few are called to be General Overseers, Senior Pastors, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Bank Chairmen, etc. However, some of us are called i.e. appointed to serve under those God has called, to help them in their assignments. Moses was the one God called to lead the children of Isreal to the promise land. However, the newly appointed leaders were called to help Moses or serve under Moses. Exodus 18:21 says: “And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.” God knows why He has picked you and me to serve under some leaders. Whatever God has called us to do, please let us do it with all our hearts.

NOTE: If you want Him to give you more work, simply go to Him and ask for it.

QUESTION: Are you making life easy for your leaders or you are a thorn in their flesh?

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A CALL TO SERVE LEADERS PART 2

 MEMORY VERSE: And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Exodus 18:20

BIBLE READING: Deuteronomy 11-14

Moses’ father-in–law visited him and observed that he would sit all day judging the people, settling minor disputes, answering questions, teaching the people the statutes and law of the Lord, etc.( Exodus 18:13-23). His father-in-law counselled him to appoint qualified men, teach them the ordinances and laws, and make them rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Moses listened and did all his father-in-law advised.
There is a lot to learn from this story. Firstly, it pays to be open to criticism. No one knows it all. Nobody has a monopoly of knowledge, not even the professors at the leading universities in the world. Many of us are yet to realise our potential in Christ simply because we are not open to (constructive) criticisms. Many of us don’t like being told that we are wrong. If there is no one to tell you that you are wrong, how will you correct your mistakes? It will be difficult for anyone who rejects correction to have a breakthrough. Moses was open to criticisms. He didn’t mind being told that he could have done things better. Because Moses was opened to criticism, Jethro analysed his working methods and gave him a constructive feedback. Despite his 40 years military training in the courts of Pharaoh and 40 years at the back of the desert, there were still things Moses didn't know.

Another lesson we can learn from this story is that regardless of how close you are to God, at times, God will speak to you through people. God had been speaking to Moses all these while. On this particular occasion, He chose to spoke to him through Jethro. Please, don’t look down on anyone. Shortly before I re-dedicated my life to Christ, a friend of mine invited two ladies into my room. As we drank and they smoked "weed (marijuana)" , one of them, a non-practising Muslim, looked around my room and said, " Sam, you have a lot of books but you don't have a Bible." I bought a Bible the next day and not too long after that, I re-dedicated my life to Christ.

NOTE: Don't look down on anyone because God can speak to you through anyone.

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