"AS HE WAS TELLING THE KING"

MEMORY VERSE: And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. Second Kings 8:5

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 18-20

It happened one day that the king was talking with Gehazi, ex servant of Elisha, he told him, "tell me, i pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done" (Second Kings 8:4). Gehazi began to narrate all the great things the Lord had done through the hands of Elisha. He told the king how the Lord healed the waters of Jericho through Elisha (Second Kings 2:19-22). He talked about how Elisha pronounced a curse on some children who mocked him and two she bears came out and tare forty two of them ( Second Kings 2:23-24). He spoke and spoke for a long time. As he was telling the king about the Shunamite woman whom Elisha raised her son from deathbed, the Shunamite woman walked in. Second kings 8:5 says "And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life."

I believe Gehazi must have boasted to the king about how he used to be Elisha’s personal assistant. While he was telling the king about the Shunamite woman, he must have boasted about how he used to carry Elisha’s staff and all that. Friend, what story are you telling? Is it a story of how you used to dream dreams? Is it a story of how you used to go to villages to preach when you were in the university? Is it a story of how you used to see angels when you were young? Is it a story of how the Lord used to touch people when you preach? Sister in Christ, what story are you telling? Is it one of how you used to sing and the spirit of the Lord will come down mightily? Brother in Christ, what story are you telling. Is it how used to pray all through the night?

Friend, what story are you telling? Many a time, when people tell me how they used to be this and that for the Lord, i wonder how about now? When i hear stories of how some brothers used to be fervent before they got married, i become sad. When i hear stories of how some sisters never used to miss choir practice when they were single, i become sad. Gehazi used to be Elisha’s PA, but today, he is a leper. Sir, what you used to be does not matter. You used to write powerful messages and post it on Facebook, good, but today, what do you do? You used to have time for church activities, thank you very much for that information, how about now. You used to lay hands on the sick and they recover, to God be the glory, but sir, how about now. They used to call you a brother, bravo, today what do they call you? You used to be innocent, to tell a small lie used to be a big problem, very good, how about today. Your conscience used to be very alive, the moment you think of anything bad, it will start to condemn you, nice, how about now. In the body of Christ, the story most of us are telling is what we used to do. Is your own story, how you used to fast every Wednesday or how you used to share tracts?　

PONDER: Peter said of Judas Iscariot, "For he was numbered with us" (Acts 1:17). Heaven used to recognise Judas as a disciple but later that changed. Does heaven still recognise you as a child of God?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

INTO A FAR COUNTRY

MEMORY VERSE:  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Luke 15:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Micah 7 – Nahum 1

BIBLE STUDIES: Luke 15:11-32

A young boy approached his father and requested for his own share of inheritance. Since he was of age, the father shared all he had between his two sons, and gave this young boy his inheritance.  There is nothing wrong in a son exercising his right of sonship. As far as the young man is matured, physically and mentally, the father can give him his share of inheritance. The same applies to us believers; there is nothing wrong in asking our Father in heaven to give us portion of His goods relevant to our ‘age’. Some of the portion of His goods is deliverance, healing, prosperity, breakthrough, revelations, divine wisdom, anointing, etc.

A few days after, this young man gathered all and left for a far country. Luke 15:13 says and not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Asking our Father in heaven for legitimate things is right. There is nothing wrong in asking God for a new job, spouse, baby, house, gift of the Spirit, favour and so on, but taking them away to a far country is wrong. Many of us have taken God’s goods to a far country. The moment that large pay cheque arrived, we moved from the Father’s presence. The moment we got married, we stopped praying. The moment we got the job, we started missing midweek service. One thing we must know is this, whatever we take out of God’s presence into the world will waste. It does not matter what your bank balances is, if you continue to spend without any sort of income, you will go bankrupt. The same applies to spiritual resources like anointing; it will diminish if taken away from His presence. The only ONE who does not diminish is God. It is only in the presence of God that you and I, will be continually refreshed, replenished, and refuelled. Whatever you get from the presence of God, please do not take it out of the presence of God. The young man gathered everything, went to a far country, and wasted all on extravagant lifestyle. If you are earning 1000 pounds per month, do not go and buy a shoe of 950 pounds, that is an extravagant lifestyle. The fact that your friend has it, does not mean you must have it. Must you do a big wedding because that sister in church did a big wedding? Cut your coat according to your size. There is nothing wrong in a big wedding but remember, wedding is a day but marriage is a lifetime. After this boy spent all, a mighty storm arose in that land. Everyone had deserted him. Those that were calling him a ‘big boy’ disappeared. Friends, be wise, those that are calling you a ‘big boy’ or ‘big girl’ will desert when you run into problem. Brother, there is nothing cool in being a gangster, if you die as a gangster, you will go to hell.

TO PONDER: Am i abiding in the presence of God or in far country?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

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IN SHIP WITH ‘JONAH’

MEMORY VERSE:  And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Jonah 1:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Micah 1-3

One subject, the word of God lays emphasis on is association. Proverbs 13:20 says he that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Who you walk, talk, live, invest, partner or travel with, can either make you or break you. Psalm 1:1 says blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. There are people you should not walk with, if you do not want problems. One of them is people that do evil. Psalm 34:16 says the face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 

Another one is ‘Jonah’. In Jonah 1:1-3, God sent Jonah to Nineveh, a wicked city, to preach to them. Instead of going to Nineveh, he went to Joppa and boarded a ship going to Tarshish. As they travelled, the Lord sent a mighty storm that almost broke the ship (they were travelling in) into two. Panic broke out in the ship; everyone began to run helter skelter. To lighten the ship, people started throwing their wares into the sea. You see, lightening a ship stabilizes it in rough seas. When that did not work, they cried to God. It is funny how people only remember God when they face challenges. Whilst crying to God, the Lord opened the eyes of one of the mariners. Jonah 1:7 says And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. They took Jonah and threw him into the sea. Immediately, the storm seized. Sadly, they could not recover the wares they had lost. There are many suffering today because they are in ship with ‘Jonah’. There are many, who are going through pains because they are in ship with someone, who is not supposed to be on that ship. (By God’s grace, tomorrow, we will talk about the man Jonah). As singles, pray very well so that you do not get married to ‘Jonah’. Before going into business with anyone, pray so that you will not be a business partner with ‘Jonah’. Not until the people prayed, the Lord did not reveal ‘Jonah’ and as long as ‘Jonah’ was in the ship, they will never know peace. The following, indicate the presence of ‘Jonah’ in a ship:  Presence of storms; loss of peace of heart; loss of properties; lives at risk; etc.Right from the day, that fellow moved into your house, you started having problems at work. From the day you employed that staff, your customers started complaining.  From the moment that customer started doing business with you, your business started going down. From the moment, that brother proposed to you or that sister came into your life, you have been going from one challenge to another. These are all indicators that you are in ship with ‘Jonah’.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please open my eyes, so that i can see all the ‘Jonahs’ in my life. Also, give me the wisdom needed to path ways with them.

QUESTION: Are you still keeping records of your life?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

NINEVEH OR TARSHISH?

MEMORY VERSE:  Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:2-3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jonah 2-4

God is merciful. According to Psalm 103:8, He is plenteous in mercy. Psalm 103:11 says for as heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. Many of us are alive today, courtesy of God’s mercy. If God were to mark iniquity, the sins we committed before we gave our lives to Christ – the lies, fornication, adultery, abortion, etc, none of us will be able to stand. The town of Nineveh was known for wickedness, Heaven even testifies to this. Before destroying this city, the Lord gave them a chance to repent. What have you done with all the opportunities, God gave to you to repent from that secret sin? Repent from stealing from the offering basket. Repent from cheating on your spouse. Your husband may not know, your wife may not know, your pastor may not know but God knows. The Lord called Jonah and sent him to Nineveh. Jonah 1:2-3 says Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 

Nineveh represents God’s will for Jonah. It represents God’s will for your life and my life. It stands for God’s will for our family, ministry, work, business etc. Tarshish on the other hand, represents Jonah’s will. God wanted him to go to Nineveh, but he went towards Tarshish. It also represents ‘your’ will. Which one of these two, takes precedence in your life - Nineveh or Tarshish, God’s will or ‘your’ will? Nineveh represents God’s heart desire while Tarshish represents Jonah’s heart desire. Brother in Christ, are you working in God’s will for your family and business or your own will? Nineveh represents a step in the right direction while Tarshish represents a step in the wrong direction. Are you moving towards God’s or away from God? Tarshish is in a direction opposite to the will of God for your life. It leads down and away from the presence of God. If you study the whole chapter, Jonah 1, you will observe that as Jonah moved in the direction of Tarshish, a storm arose. Storms are inevitable when one moves away from God’s presence. Challenges after challenges are inevitable when one is operating in his own will instead of God’s will. It is impossible for one to travel to Tarshish and prosper. Some of the indicators that one is travelling on the wrong path are lack of peace of heart. Another is frustration and fear. Sometimes a calamity or misfortune indicates a wrong direction. Are you considering Nineveh or Tarshish? I besiege you in the name of the Lord, stay in God’s will for your life. Have you started making your way to Tarshish? Worse still, are you already in Tarshish? Before you are stuck, why not repent today and return to Nineveh.

NOTE: The absence of peace of heart is a strong indicator that something is wrong. If you are unsure about the route you are on, go to God in prayer, and ask Him to reveal His will to you.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

AND SHE CONSTRAINED HIM

MEMORY VERSE: And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.2 Kings 4:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Amos 4-8

In 2 Kings 4:8-37, the bible talks about a great woman in Shunem. The Amplified bible describes her as a rich and influential woman. The NIV (New International Version) describes her as a well-to-do woman. Some translations of the bible, describes her as a wealthy and prominent woman. All these, point to one fact, she was a very successful woman. The bible deliberately described this woman has been great, rich and influential, wealth and prominent, (depending on the version of the bible you are reading from) for a reason. Otherwise, the bible would have described her as a woman of Shunem. As a woman, you can be great. You have the potential to be successful. As a Christian, you can be rich and influential. You can write books that will change the world. Through your character, you can put your town on the map. The great woman of Shunem, through her deed, put Shunem on the map. If not for this woman, we probably would not have heard about Shunem today. If Christ does not return in 100 hundred years, people will continue to talk about Shunem because of what this woman did. As a woman, you can make a difference. You can invent something, solve a problem, start a business and so on.

2 Kings 4:8 says And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. As great as this woman was, she was humble. She saw a prophet of God passing by, she left everything she was doing, went to him, and invited him for lunch. The prophet rejected the offer; one would have thought that, this woman would turn back and say, ‘how can an ordinary prophet reject my offer?’ She did not, the bible records that she constrained him. In other words, she did not take 'no' for an answer. I can imagine her telling the prophet, ‘sir, you must eat at our place .... i know you are not hungry but at least come in, sit down and i will wash your feet.’ This woman was stubbornly good. Are you the type that takes 'no' for an answer? When you go to God for something, if you do not get an answer after a week, do you stop asking and sort it out yourself? At times, people invite you for a meal or offer to help, hoping that you will say no. With this woman, it was not so, she really wanted to host the man of God. When was the last time you hosted a man of God? Whether you do it or not, the Lord will feed his prophets. Matthew 10:41 says He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. How you treat people will determine what you will get. If someone comes to stay at your place, treat them well because you do not know what that person will become tomorrow.

NOTE: When you offer to help, people may turn it down to see if you really want to help or pretending.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

DISGUISED AS A DISADVANTAGE

MEMORY VERSE: Therefore, also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:28

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hosea 4-6

　Romans 8:26 says and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Although, many of us know this verse by heart, deep within , we find it hard to accept. How can being sacked for a minor mistake, work to my good? Recently, a brother sent his experience to us and I will like to share it with you. Not too long ago, he went to do a job for someone. Whilst working, he made a minor mistake (something anyone would overlook) and was sacked. On his way home, sad and dejected, his phone rang. It was a particular client he had vowed never to work for due to his experience with him in the past. Because he needed a job badly, he picked the call and was given a job. After completing that job, the client gave him another job. After completing that, he gave him another. Ever since, he has been receiving jobs after jobs from this client (he vowed never to work for again). Had it been, he was not sacked from the first job, he would not have picked this client’s call and the job would have been given to another.

As I said yesterday, nine out of ten times, opportunities do not always appear as opportunities at first glance. At times, they comes disguised as a disadvantage. While other children grew up at home, Samuel grew up in the temple (1 Samuel 1:27-28). Whilst other children saw their mums and dads daily, this boy saw his parents once a year. Whilst every child was playing with toys and all, he was busy washing the temple floors and pots. At first glance, no one would count that as an opportunity, but at the end, Samuel became a national leader. That ‘temple boy’ ended up as a kingmaker. Not growing up with your parents does not put you at a disadvantage as far as God is concerned. It could actually be an opportunity for you to be trained for your future. That appointment that seems like a 'set up for failure' could be an opportunity for promotion. Before rejecting that offer, why not take it to the Lord in prayer, it could be a divine opportunity to turn things around for you. Have you been posted to an area where no one has ever recorded success? Do not fret or panic, just commit it to God. Others may go and fail, you will go and succeed.

　

PRAYER: Father, please help me to recognise opportunities around me

Bro Samuel| Reaching the world for Jesus.　

AND THERE WERE THREE DAYS IN GATHERING OF THE SPOIL

MEMORY VERSE: And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. 2 Chronicles 22:25

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Daniel 9-12

Most of us miss opportunities, not because we are lazy or unserious. We miss opportunities simply because they come disguised. As i mentioned yesterday, opportunities come disguised as hard work. Many have missed the opportunity to become a chartered accountant because of the hard work involved in preparing for ACCA. My mum will always say, ‘work does not kill, it is idleness that kills.’

Opportunities also come disguised as big challenges. It is impossible to have a great victory without a great fight. You want to make heaven? First, die to self. Big opportunities come disguised as big challenges that will frighten you. The opportunity for King Jehoshaphat (a worshiper) and the inhabitants of Judah to be mightily blessed by God came disguised as a big war. The Ammonites, Moabites and inhabitants of Mount Seir, without being provoked, decided to wage war against tiny Judah ( 2 Chronicles 20). When King Jehoshaphat heard this news, the bible records that he feared i.e. his knees shook. He was confused, perplexed, and troubled. Unknown to this king, the decision of their enemies (Ammonites, Moabites, and Inhabitants of Mount Seir) to wage war against them was a blessing in disguise. It was a divine opportunity to enrich the inhabitants of Judah. Whilst praying, the Lord spoke through one of his prophets. ‘The battle is not yours but God’s, ‘he said. Jehoshaphat prepared a choir and they began to sing. As they praised and worshiped God, fight broke out in the camp of the enemies and they began to kill each other. By the time, the people of Judah got to the battlefront; the enemies had killed themselves and left their spoils. 2 Chronicles 22:25 says And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. Those who run from battle miss the spoils of battle. That challenge you are going through, is a divine opportunity. When i received the news, that myself and some colleagues were going to be made redundant, i felt very sad. Unknown to me, it was a divine opportunity to become a PRINCE 2 Practitioner. The same week i was made redundant, God helped me and i passed both exams. Had it been, that challenge did not come, i probably would not have sat for the exam. Child of God, do not give the enemy of the gospel an occasion to say where is your God? Stand firm in Christ and face that challenge, victory is yours in Jesus name, amen.

ACTION: Develop yourself to begin to see the positive side of things not the negative side of things.

Bro Samuel| Reaching the world for Jesus.

YOUR SIZE

MEMORY VERSE: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.1 Corinthians 10:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 45 -48

In boxing, there is something called boxing weight class. They are Heavyweight, Cruiserweight, Light heavyweight, etc. Your weight determines your weight class. For example, as a boxer, if you weigh Kg 90.8 /14 st lb upward, they will put you in the Heavyweight weight class. Anything below that, they will put you in the Cruiserweight weight class and so on. In boxing, your weight determines who you can and cannot fight. The same rules applies to life challenges, the size of your destiny will determine the size of your challenges. This is why i do not envy those who do not face challenges at all. Firstly, you will never know what you are truly capable of until you face tough challenges. No one knew Jesus could raise the dead until someone died and He raised him up. David never knew he had the potential to kill a lion with his bare hands until a strange lion took one of his father’s sheep (1 Samuel 17:36). He ran after it and clubbed it to death. Secondly, stress causes expansion. There is a saying, ‘it is the stress in the catapult that drives the stone forward.’ Thirdly, if you are a threat to the kingdom of darkness, the enemy will throw challenges at you.

It does not matter, how rich your parents are, if you are going to be great in life, you will face big challenges. Actually, great challenges are inevitable for anyone with a great destiny. For instance, Joseph, at a tender age, God showed him his future. This boy saw his brother’s sheaves bowing down to him, meaning he will be ahead of his brothers (Genesis 37:7-10). He saw the sun and the moon bowing down to him. Before his dreams came to pass, he saw horror in the hands of his brothers. Firstly, they tried to kill him, when they did not succeed at that, they sold him to slavery. The route to Egypt was through Sahara desert, Joseph and other slaves had trek on foot through this hot desert in chains. Great testimonies come from great trails.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. The size of your challenges speaks volume. Great men face great challenges. A husband has only his family to worry about but the president has the whole nation to worry about. Goliath’s size clearly reveals how God saw David. Men saw him as a young boy, but by God’s standard, he was a champion! The fact that you are facing challenges does not mean that God hates you. On the contrary, your destiny is so big; the enemy knows you will touch many lives, that is why, he is throwing all those challenges at you to break you. Before God permitted that challenge to come your way, He first gave you enough strength to stand in the midst of it. Do not backslide because of that challenge. Do not compromise because of what you are going through at work or in marriage.

PRAYER POINT: Father, glorify yourself in my life.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

THE WIDOW GAVE MORE

MEMORY: And he said, of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. Luke 21:3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 42-44

BIBLE STUDIES: Luke 21:1- 4

God does not see things as men see them. Isaiah 55:8 says for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. Whilst men look at the outward appearance – the suit, smell of cologne, stature, professional qualification, etc, God looks at the heart. This is why He picked David over his brothers. If God were to look into your heart right now, what will He find? Eye service? Lip service? False humility? Selective humility? God prefers quality to quantity. He would rather work with two serious individuals than waste His resources on 100 others who are not ready to take on responsibilities. When He wanted to defeat the Midianites in Judges 7, He picked 300 out of the 30,000 available. As far as He is concerned, the 29,700 were not ready.

There are a lot to learn from the story in Luke 21:1-4. Although this widow gave the least in monetary terms, according to Jesus, she gave the most. Luke 21:3 says and he said, of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. There are several reasons why Jesus said she gave the most. First of all, while some gave grudgingly, she gave cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. Some may ask, how do you know she gave cheerfully? If she had not given cheerfully, Jesus would not have said she gave the most. Secondly, her gift cost her something. Luke 21:4 says for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all that living that she had. When was the last time you gave God a gift that cost you something? Thirdly, her gift reflected her faith in God. On a normal day, she would have saved her last for the rainy day but she gave it because she believed that God will provide for her. Lastly, she gave all.

TO PONDER: The services you render in the house of God, do you do them grudgingly or out of necessity or with a cheerful heart? What has your service in the house of God cost you? Do you give your best when given an assignment or act as if you are doing the pastor a favour?

Bro Samuel| Reaching the world for Jesus.

THUS THEY WERE FINISHED

MEMORY VERSE: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. Genesis 2:1 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 39-41

Genesis is popularly known as the book of beginnings. This book gives us an idea of how God works. The Most High God is very organized and meticulous. He does not work anyhow or haphazardly. Maybe i should add this; He is excellent at keeping records too. Psalm 56:8 says thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? He has a record of our labour of love and He will reward. He also has records of unredeemed pledges too, so if you have made a pledge, please redeem it or put plans in place to redeem your pledges. Our God works according to a plan, first He forms, and then fills. He formed the earth and then filled it with plants and animals. He formed the firmament and filled with stars and planets. He formed the seas and then filled them with living creatures. Has God laid it on your mind to form something, please form it and watch Him fill it? Has He laid it on your mind to start a business? Do not wait until you have customers before starting. Start the business first, and the customers will follow. Is God leading you to start a drama group or music band? Do not wait until you have everyone, start with whatever you have and He will bring the rest. If you and I will yield to Him, He will form and fill our lives.

Whatever God starts, He finishes. Genesis 2:1 says thus the heavens and the earth were finished, all the host of them. Whatever God has started in my life and your life, He will not stop until He finishes it. Philippians 1:6 says being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Have you stopped paying your tithes because you are trying to build a house or get a mortgage? In other to save up to pay for a holiday, have you stopped tithing? Please repent immediately. Whatever He starts, He finishes. Therefore, every child of God must desist from starting something and not finishing it. It is not a good practice. There are many who have abandoned projects. An abandoned project is not useful to anyone and it does not give God glory too. Are you the type that picks up a book, reads it for a while, dumps it, picks another one and dumps it half away? This not a good practice, once you start a book, do everything in your power to finish it. Once you start a course, do every thing in your power to finish the course. Do not start a course and stop mid way, it is not good. Have you started learning to speak a new language or musical instrument, finish it. If you are struggling to complete something you have started, take it to the Lord in prayer. Do not abandon that Masters Program you are on, it may be tough but continue, at the end you will rejoice. Have you started writing a book and you are under pressure to quit? Receive the divine strength in Jesus name, amen. God wants every of His children to finish whatever project they have started. Are you under pressure to quit your apprenticeship? Finish it, the experience will be useful somewhere else in the future.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me the grace to finish everything i have started.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

WHO IS THE BUILDER?

MEMORY VERSE: For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. Hebrew 3:4

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 30-35

There are several types of buildings all round us. Some are bungalow, duplex, storey building, mansions, palaces, etc. In big towns, we have estates, skyscrapers and so on. Every building (tangible and intangible) has a purpose. Libraries are built to keep books and Car Parks are built to park cars. Just by looking at a building, you can deduce the class, taste, status, wealth, etc, of the owner/builder. Kings and Queens do not live in ordinary houses; they reside in palaces and mansions. Billionaires prefer to live on private islands. All these reflect class and status. If you will accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour today, your class will change. You will join the class of those who will reside on the streets of gold in eternity (Revelations 21:21). Today, i may not have an island but something is very certain, i am going to live on the streets of gold in heaven and that is more important than a palace or island on earth.

Just as we have tangible buildings all around us, we also have intangible buildings all around us e.g. ministries, families, homes, relationships, lives. No building exists without a builder. Hebrew 3:4a says for every house is builded by some man. As i mentioned earlier, every “building” has a purpose or every “building” was erected for a reason. For all the possible reasons, please do not build due to pressure either from your peers or parents or relatives. Do not study a particular course because your friends studied it or because it is lucrative. It may be lucrative today, what of tomorrow? Also, do not build because of fear. Many “buildings” are the product of fear (not godly fear). Before i gave my life to Christ, i met several people who built due to fear. Because they wanted to keep a particular brother, they fornicated and became pregnant. Ninety nine percent of the cases i saw, despite the fact that they got pregnant, the brother still left them and married some else. That will not be your portion in Jesus Name. They all ended up raising the child alone. I plead to you in the name of God, do not fornicate talk less of get pregnant for any man because you want to keep him. If God brought him, God will keep him. Your life is very precious.

According to Psalms 127:1, except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Friend, is God the builder of your life? Are you building with human knowledge or God’s words? Before you laid that foundation, did you get a go- ahead from the Most High? For a brief period, a "building," built without God or with human reasoning may appear fine. People may even appreciate the “building” but wait until the storm comes. Storms of life are inevitable, if the house is not built on God’s words, am afraid it will fall. Please do not compete with anyone. Let everyone build his or her own way, but i beseech you child of God, let God be your builder. The Most High does not build in a rush and whatever He builds, last forever.

ACTION: Pray that the Lord will build your life.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

CAN YOU SEE WHAT GOD IS DOING?

MEMORY VERSE: Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. John 5:19

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 25-30

One of the secrets behind Jesus’ success in ministry and all He laid His hands on is prayer. This is not the two minutes ones, we say before going to bed at night. Such prayer lasts for at least an hour. When Jesus found His disciples sleeping when they should be praying, He turned to Peter and said, can you not pray for at least an hour (Mark 14:37)? Before making a move, Jesus would first put it to God in prayers. Please do not do things first and then consult God later. Anytime Jesus wanted to take a life changing decision, He would set out time for serious prayers. When He wanted to choose His disciples, He went to a mountainside and prayed all night. The next morning, He picked twelve men. Those men (except Judas Iscariot) took the gospel to every part of the world. No decision is a small decision so pray before any decision. Learn to pray for yourself. There is nothing wrong in asking brethren in Christ or your pastor to agree with you in prayer but do not leave the business of prayers especially about your life to people. Let us learn to pray for ourselves, our families, business, etc. A lot of us rely on our parents to pray for us instead of praying for ourselves. Some do not want to pray at all, all they want to do is give tithes, offerings, and go. The pastor obviously prays for everyone, but you must also go on your knees and pray too.

In John 5, we see another secret behind Jesus’ success. John 5:19 says then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. Jesus only invested time and effort in whatever God was interested in. Jesus did not visit all the cities of the earth. He did not eat at everyone’s house. He did not do everything; He only did what He saw God doing. He saw God trying to heal a man, He prayed for the man and the man was healed. He saw God trying to save a sinner (Zacchaeus), He said to Zacchaeus, this day salvation is come to your house (Luke 19:9). What do you see God doing in that ministry? A lot are unknowingly working against God because they are trying to destroy what God is building. Success only comes when we invest time, effort, skill, etc, in what God is doing. No wonder the bible says, except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain they that build it (Psalm 127:1). We need to see what God is doing in the lives of our children so that they will not go and study Law when they should have studied Economics. We need to see what God is doing in our lives. He may be setting up a house fellowship or a cell group that will trigger your long awaited promotion in that place of work.

ACTION: Pray that the Lord will open your eyes to see what He is doing in your life.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

BROKEN?

Memory verse: And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. Genesis 2:21-22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 22-24

As i mentioned yesterday, Eve in the life of Adam represents a good thing and a favour from God. Proverbs 18:22 says he who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour from the LORD. A good thing can be a brand new car, promotion at work, success in exam, answer to prayer, mercy, etc. The first thing God did, when He wanted to give Adam (the first man) a good thing was He administered a divine anaesthetic to him. Genesis 2:21-24 says And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (Yesterday, i explained why He caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam).

After God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, He then proceeded to break Adam. He went to his side, opened it, and took a rib with which He formed Eve. Just as Adam had to be broken, before he could receive Eve (a good thing and God’s favour), you and I will need to be broken before we can receive a good thing and God’s favour. Before God gave Adam a wife, He first broke him. Friends being broken means, we are to DIE TO SELF. Single brothers, before God brings that sister, He needs to break you first. A broken man will never beat up his wife, talkless of abuse his in-laws. A broken man cherishes his wife and in-laws. Sisters, before you say, “i do,” make sure the brother is broken. Before God gave Adam a good thing, He first broke him. Friend, are you broken? Has God destroyed pride in your life? Has He broken your self-will? Has He broken your stubbornness? Psalm 51:17 says the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Until God breaks us, we will not receive those good things. A broken fellow is not wicked. A broken fellow is not prone to anger. Some of us get very angry at little provocation. A broken fellow is not touchy. A broken fellow is not critical. One way to know a fellow who has been broken is that he forgives easily. A broken fellow is neither jealous nor self-seeking. You will never hear that a broken fellow is envious or keeps malice. One way to know a fellow who is yet to be broken is that he focuses on his rights a lot. A truly broken fellow will yield his rights, he has no problem sacrificing. How patient are you? How easy is it for you to forgive those who wrong you? A broken fellow loves to serve. Are you always looking for an opportunity to boss over people or serve?

TO PONDER: Do you find it hard to forgive? Do you find it hard to let go? Are you irritable and touchy? Are you a critical person, always finding fault in people and everything? Do you only care about yourself not others ? If your answer to any of these is yes, you need to ask God to help you become broken.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

ADAM SLEPT

Memory verse: And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. Genesis 2:21

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 20-21

We find an account of how God created Eve in Genesis 2:21-22. Eve is Adam’s wife, and she is God’s favour. The bible says in Proverbs 18:22, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour from the LORD.” When God wanted to favour Adam i.e. give him a good thing, He caused a deep sleep to fall upon him. While he slept, the Lord took one of his ribs and formed Eve. When God wants to work in a life, He loves to be given free hand. Had it been Adam was awake, he would have had his way. While God was creating Eve, he would have dictated his specification to God. “ Oh please, i want her head to be like that of a rhinoceros; i want her neck to be like that of a giraffe; i want her legs to be like that of a mouse ; etc...” I cannot imagine how Eve would have looked with such a specification. To do a perfect job, God administered an anaesthetic to Adam. When God later brought Eve to him, he was speechless: she was a perfect creation.

If you want a good and a perfect gift from God, you need to ask Him, first, and then go to sleep.(By going to sleep, i do not mean,live a careless life or become idle). By going to sleep, i mean, put everything in His able hands, and leave it there. The reason why God has not started work in the life of many today is because they are still awake. Some of us are still in the habit of forcing our will into His will. It will not work; it is either His will or our will. Every wise man and woman knows that His will is always perfect, because what informs their will, is wants instead of needs. Over that matter, take it to Him in prayer and leave it there. Many are yet to receive what God has in store for them because of the idols they have set up in their hearts. By idols, i mean , images and ideas of the perfect contract, perfect job, perfect life partner; perfect ministry; perfect business; perfect organisation to work for. Do you know what will become of that organization you are dying to work for now? Only God knows the future, that brother that is struggling today may become a billionaire tomorrow.

As i said yesterday, there many reading this piece (and there are many who will read this piece), God is at work trying to give them His best, but because they are awake, they are giving God problems. Friend, that thing you want by all means, have you for a second asked yourself, is this what God wants for me? Many are wrestling with God, God is trying to take some things out of their hands, and they are doing everything to keep hold of those things. Do not with wrestle with God; there is a reason why He wants you to hand over that thing to Him. Until we all get to that point where we will say, “ Lord , take over the affairs of my life, what you want is what i want”, we will not receive God’s best.

PRAYER POINT: Father, i hand over the affairs of my life to you, please do as you please and give me Your best.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

ADAM SLEPT (TO THE SINGLES)

Memory verse: And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. Genesis 2:21

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 17-19

In Genesis 2, we see the first instance of an anesthetic being administered. (An anesthetic is a form of drugs administered to facilitate surgery). Depending on the type, it can relieve pain, give you amnesia to knock out your memory of the procedure or how it felt, reduce anxiety (because who doesn't have anxiety when undergoing a medical procedure?) and paralyze your muscles. Without an anesthetic, it will be difficult to perform an operation because the fellow (being operated upon) will cause problems. The moment he sees the surgeons, trying to cut off something from his stomach, he will protest. Not only that, if the operation will last for 16 hours, it will be impossible to keep the fellow still for that long, as such, an anesthetic will be needed to knock out the fellow for the period of operation. In summary, an anesthetic gives the doctor an opportunity to do his job without interference from the patient.

When the Lord wanted to create Eve, the first thing He did was, He administered a divine anesthetic to Adam .Genesis 2:21 says and the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. Eve represents a good thing and God’s favor in the life of Adam. (Proverbs 18:22 says whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD). Had God not administer an anesthetic to Adam, he will not have allowed God to open him up, talkless of take out a rib. Had it been that, God did not cause a deep sleep to fall upon Adam while creating Eve; God would not have been able to create a perfect female. He might have asked God to make her head look that of a lion; her neck like that of a giraffe; her leg like that of a rat, etc. Imagine how Eve would have looked with Adam's specification. To give him His best, He caused him to sleep and formed a perfect female from the rib He took. The reason why God is yet to work in some of our lives is because we are still awake i.e. we are yet to commit everything into His hands and go to sleep. (By sleeping, i do not mean backslide or live a careless life). Unless we “sleep” and allow Him to work on our life, we will never get His best. There are many reading this devotional, God is trying to build things and give them His best, but because they are awake, they are giving God problems. This applies especially to the singles, God brought a brother or sister to complement them, because the sister or brother does not fit the image they have created in their heart, they reject it. You do not marry for the present but for the future. If you want God to provide a man or woman for you, please, first of all, destroy that idol you have set up in your heart i.e. erase that “ideal”, that image of how your future partner should look. Forget about height, stature, look, beauty, ability to preach or sing. Keep on asking God to bring the man or woman and go to bed over how he or she looks, what he or she does for a living, the educational background of the brother or sister. Even while you are in a relationship, do not try to force things, just commit everything in His hands and go to sleep. A lot try to force things, at the end they marry the wrong person. Do not sleep in his house because you want the relationship to work. Do not start cooking for him because you want the relationship to work.

PRAYER POINT: Father, whatever it is that You are not building that I am trying to build, please collapse it immediately.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

MICAIAH OR THE “FOUR HUNDRED”?

Memory verse: And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. 1 kings 22:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 5 -10

Jehoshaphat came down to Israel to celebrate three years of peace between Syria and Israel. Whilst celebrating this anniversary, a thought came to Ahab, Ramoth in Gilead belong to us, let us go and take it out of the hand of the King of Syria. He told Jehoshaphat about it and that one agreed to go with him on one condition; they must get God’s approval before leaving. King Ahab gathered four hundred prophets and asked: “shall i go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall i forbear?” In unity, they told the king to go because the Lord had delivered Ramothgilead into his hand. Jehoshaphat sensed in his spirit that these prophets were fake. For a reason or the other, he was not comfortable with this prophesy so he asked if there was any other prophet they could enquire from aside the "four hundred". 1 Kings 22:8 says And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

I want us to take a close look at this comment, “there is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” Ahab knew deep within himself that Micaiah was a genuine prophet of God. He knew that this man was an oracle of God but he hated him because Micaiah always speaks the truth and the truth is bitter. He preferred the “four hundred” because they told him what he wanted to hear not what God had to say. There are many of us like Ahab today, when we hear a sermon that touches us or reveal parts of our life that we need to change, instead of repenting, we get angry at the preacher. Many have changed churches because of this; they heard their pastor preach a sermon that hit them, instead of crying for mercy, they take an offence with the pastor. Pastor is preaching against me, they will say. That sister preached against sex before marriage, you got angry and changed church. That minister of God preached on submission to one’s husband, you got angry and left claiming that the minister is encouraging wife bullying. You heard a sermon about tithing, instead of repenting; you said all that these modern day pastors talk about is tithes. The problem with many is that they do not like to hear what God has to say. You heard a message on holiness and you frown. Oh that pastor is too strict, you said. Many who have stolen from the government, the moment they hear about restitution, returning the money they embezzled from the government, they stopped coming to church.

QUESTION: Which do you prefer, words of encouragement or the unadulterated word of God?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

FOR THEY HAVE SOWN THE WIND

Memory verse: For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. Hosea 8:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 22-24

We have been looking at the subject of sowing and reaping recently. As a Christian, you must be sowing; no amount of praying and fasting can make a fellow reap what he has not sown or reap from where he has not sown. Start your day with prayers , pray for yourself, your husband, your wife, your children, your family (close and extended), your neighbours, your colleagues at work, your managers, the state you live in, your country, your church, your church pastors, your leaders (church, state, country), missionary, just pray for everyone. Let us always remember to pray for our leaders, the enemy is working ceaselessly, he wants them to get it wrong so that you and i can suffer. Let us also pray for those running our financial institutions, if they get the policies right, it is you and i who will benefit.
One truth about sowing and reaping, all things being equal, harvest is always greater than the seeds sown. This is why you and i must be careful about what we are sowing. Hosea 8:7 says for they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

Let us take a look at two bible characters that sow wind and reaped whirlwind. For a long time, Esau had been sowing venison and other types of games into the life of his father (Isaac). When the day of reaping came, Rebecca and Jacob schemed and ended up with the harvest of Esau. They both sow wind and reaped whirlwind – trouble and heartache. This minute Jacob was safe, the next minute his life was at risk because Esau swore to kill him the moment his father (Isaac) passed away. This minute Rebecca’s mind was at rest, the next minute she was panicking because her first born had decided to kill his junior brother for robbing him of his harvest. Both (Rebecca and Jacob) did not know peace all because they took what did not belong to them. Do you know that for over twenty years, Rebecca did not set her eyes on her beloved son? Jacob had to flee to another location, as far as Esau was concerned, he was a dead man walking. Every parent knows what it means not to set eyes on their favorite child for a year; Rebecca went through that for over twenty years. The same way, Jacob caused Isaac emotional pain by tricking him; his own sons caused him emotional pain. They sold Joseph to slavery and lied to him that a wild beast had torn him apart. Friends, is it really worth it? That thing does not belong to you, why take it? That project work was prepared by another colleague, why rub off his name and put your name there, everyone is praising you for someone else’s effort and you are feeling big. A friend borrowed you some money, when it was time to pay back, you denied borrowing money from him. They gave you money to make a dress; you spent the money and did not make the dress. Now, the owner of the dress is calling you and you are ignoring her calls.

NOTE: The word of God cannot be broken, to avoid reaping whirlwind, every wind we may have sown, lets us begin to make restitution immediately.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

WHY TITHE? (RESPONSE TO A LETTER)

Memory verse: Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 19-21

Sometimes back, a brother wrote to me asking for my views on tithes and offerings. I have no personal views on tithes and offerings. My view on tithes and offerings is the biblical view on tithes and offerings. There are one or two things; we need to know about tithing . Firstly, tithing honours the Old Testament principle of how God provided for the ministers He called and the expenses of their ministry. Out of the twelve tribes of Israel, God called the Levites out into temple and tabernacle ministry. You will recall that when the land was shared between the eleven tribes of Israel, the Levites were not given a portion of land. Instead of giving them a portion of land, the Lord said that these vocational ministers of the tabernacle should live off the tithes of the other eleven tribes (Numbers 18:20-21). When you and I tithe, we honour this principle found here. Some of God’s people are called not to do moneymaking business in the ordinary ways i.e. called to full time ministry. The rest of God’s people are to be gainfully employed and support the “vocational ministers” i.e. full time ministers – and the cost of that ministry. Many people ask about tithing in the New Testament. Jesus endorsed tithing as we see in Mathew 23:23 so do not neglect it. Although He said, it is not as essential as justice, love, and mercy; but it is to be done. Apostle Paul also echoed the same thing in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 when he said even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. The church of God needs my tithes and your tithes to pay full time ministers and run the ministry,pay rents, bills, etc.

Secondly, when we release a tenth of our income and give it over to the ministry and mission of Christ in the world, we honour the Creator rights of God who owns everything, including all our income. We all know that the world belongs to God (Psalms 24:1); by tithing, we are proving it. Take for instance, a wife accuses her husband for not giving her any time. The man may argue that he gives all his time to her and the kids, he spends all his time at work trying to earn a living for her and the children. That may be correct to an extent , but to proof that he gives time for her; he needs to spend evenings with her and from time to time, take her on a date. Giving God a tenth of our income does not deny that all our money is God’s, it proves that we believe it. Lastly, our giving (tithes and offerings) prove and strengthen our faith in God’s promises. There is an absolute correlation between faith in the promises of God and peace of mind in giving to God. Tithing is a faith issue. If you and i really have faith in the promises of God, that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus ( Philippians 4:19), we will not have problems giving a tenth of our earnings and much more to God.

NOTE: A fellow who truly has faith in the promises of God, the least he will give will be a tenth of his earnings.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

AND THOU SHALT ANOINT ME HIM WHOM I NAME UNTO THEE

And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom i name unto thee. 1 Samuel 16:3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 41-43

The Amalekites were a wicked set of people. For no just reason, they attacked the Israelites and killed some of them (Exodus 17:8). God was not happy with this, when Saul became king, He instructed him through Samuel to wipe out the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:1-35). When Saul got there, he and his men destroyed the worthless things and kept the valuable things for themselves. The next morning when Saul met Samuel, he told him that he had destroyed everything as God commanded. Oh really, what is the noise of sheep and goats am hearing, the old man asked. They are the animals we brought to offer sacrifice to God, he responded. The Lord saw that Saul was unserious so He told Samuel to go and anoint his replacement. 1 Samuel 16:3 says And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom i name unto thee.

On reading 1 Samuel 16:3, one may wonder why God did not tell Samuel who he was going to anoint before he left home. Why wait until Samuel got to Jesse’s house before telling him who to anoint? God withheld that information from Samuel to teach him some life lessons. Firstly, God does not see as man sees. Men always look at the outward qualities, the stature, the suit, the degree, but God looks at the heart. Samuel was looking at Eliab’s stature but God was looking at his heart. Secondly, a man’s heart is far more important than his outward appearance. Eliab and Co’s outward appearance was great but their heart was not right with God. The Lord rejected them all and selected a young boy whose heart was right with Him. Thirdly, not all that glitter is gold. Eliab and Co were shining; they looked every part like the perfect candidate but they were rotten inside. This is one lesson all singles must learn. The fact that a sister can sing does not make her an angel and the fact that a brother wears a nice suit does not make him a gentleman.

Fourthly, failure to wait on God results in mistakes. God categorically told Samuel, anoint who i will show you in other words do not anoint until i show you. If Samuel had waited on God to speak before making a move, he would not have made the mistake of trying to anoint Eliab. Fifthly, mistakes are inevitable when you and i choose by the flesh. Samuel chose by the flesh at least twice and got it wrong. Just as Samuel experienced God’s silence, we are going to experience His silence too. He does that, not because He hates us but to teach us life lessons. Mistakes are opportunities to learn, Samuel learnt from his mistakes, have you and i learnt from ours? Mistake is inevitable for anyone who tries to walk ahead of God.

PONDER: In what ways are we moving ahead of God? Let us repent now and wait.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

TEST OF TRUST

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee. Genesis 12:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 37-40

BIBLE STUDY: Genesis 12:1-3

In Genesis 12:1-3, God told Abram to pack his bag and baggages and leave town for a place He will show him. A lot of us have read this story but not really grasped what God was asking Abram to do. Imagine for a second, whilst busy at work reading your emails, God told you to go home, pack your bags , pick a bus going out of town and drop at a station He will show you. Ordinarily , people don’t like changing their enviroment. One thing I dread most is moving house, it takes a week to pack everything , 2 – 3 days to move , another week or two to unpack and rearrange stuffs and forever to settle into the new enviroment. Asides the fact that God is asking you to move from a familiar enviroment – friends and family, He is asking you to go to an unknown place. At least if you know the place , you will be able to prepare for the new town. If it is a warm area, you will buy some T-shirts . If it is a cold area, you will buy some sweaters and jumpers. More over you will be able to arrange for an accomodation in advance, but in this case , God is saying leave all - your work, family and friends, support network ,everything familiar to you to a place He will tell you. You agree it is a hard one. This was what God was asking Abram to do. His case was harder because he had to go with his family. In every way we look at it, emotionally , mentally, financially, it wasn’t an easy one for Abram.

The question is why did’t God tell him the location before leaving .God did this to check if Abram would trust Him with his life and family. He did that to see if Abram would obey His instruction without arguing. God wanted to see if Abram would depend on His word not his knowledge. Because Abram trusted God with his life and family , God gave him seven blessings. Firstly, He made him a great nation. Secondly, He blessed him. Thirdly, He made his name great. Fourthly, He made him a blessing. This is why today we say Abraham’s blessing are ours. Fiftly, He blessed all those that blessed Him. Sixtly , He cursed all those that cursed him and Seventhly, He ensured that through Abram all the nations of the world are blessed.

TO PONDER: In our walk with Christ, we will be faced with situations and circumstances that will demand that we trust God’s word with all.Can you trust God’s word with your life and family?

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.