"CAUGHT UP TO THE THIRD HEAVEN "

MEMORY VERSE: I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 21-24

BIBLE READING: 2 Corinthians 12:1-4

Paul in his second epistle to the Corinthians wrote thus: “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2). There are one or two truths we can glean from this verse. Firstly, there is more than one heaven. Several verses in the scripture bear testimony to this fact. 1 Kings 8:27 says, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the ‘heaven and heaven of heavens’ cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” Isaiah 55:9 says, “For as the ‘heavens’ are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” If there is a third heaven, then there is a first heaven and a second heaven. You cannot a have third without having the first ‘two’. One thing we are sure of is that there are at least three heavens ( and some call it three levels of heaven). Some have taught about seven heavens; this view has no basis in scripture.

Secondly, the third heaven is the highest point or the top heaven. It is the location of Paradise and the place of God’s personal dwelling, the most sacred place in the universe. The third heaven is the ultimate destination of all sinners who have truly repented and who have persevered in the life of faith. The second heaven could be the mid heaven or midst of heaven. Revelations 8:13 says, “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” The second heaven also known as the mid heaven is where spiritual warfare takes place. Ephesians 6:12 says,”For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” It was in the mid-heaven that angel who was sent to Daniel was withstood (Daniel 10:13). Finally, the visible heaven – the heaven that is visible to our natural eyesight – is the first heaven. Genesis 1:8 says, “And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.” This is where planes fly or birds fly. All earth’s inhabitants are familiar to some degree with this heaven. The teaching of three different levels of heaven, a level for “super-committed Christians” or Christians who have obtained a high level of spirituality, a level for “ordinary” Christians, and a level for Christians who did not serve God faithfully has no basis in Scripture.

QUESTION: How ready are you for the Master? Remember He is coming to take us home. Hope your garment is not soiled with sins. The Master is coming!

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

WORSHIPING THE HOST OF HEAVEN

MEMORY VERSE: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. Deuteronomy 4:19

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 22-24

There are certain things that Christians must not indulge in and one of them is astrology, horoscope reading, etc. Contrary to what many Christians think and believe, horoscope reading is dangerous. Firstly, what is astrology? It is the belief that stars, planets, sun, and moon have a mysterious influence over human beings, establishing their personalities and characteristics, and affecting the event of their lives. Astrology is different from astronomy. Astronomy is the scientific study of the heavens, naming and identifying objects in outer space, and trying to understand their nature.

Astrology is a very big business in the world. In fact, a lot of people pay to have their stars read, some even subscribe to daily horoscope. In some instances, young people have been encouraged to select their wives or husbands by their astrological sign, and there are actual cases of marriages breaking up and the parties marrying other people whose horoscopes are more favorable. One of the excuses people put up for believing in astrology is that God put the stars and the other celestial body in the sky for ‘signs’. Genesis 1:14 says, “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.” Although, God may use an unusual activity or manifestations in the heavens to convey a message to man like we find in the case of the Wise Men who came to visit the child Jesus because they saw His star. Firstly, the Wise Men were ‘Magi’, the nearest thing to scientist in that day not astrologers. They detected from their study of the heavens that God was about to perform some great action upon earth. This is not astrology. The Star of Bethlehem did not cause the birth of the Savior nor have any influence on His life. It was a sign only. God may, for His purposes, cause there to be a correlation between events in the heavens and events upon the earth. Astrology is erroneously saying that the activity in the heavens influences and causes the events upon the earth. Astrology is erroneously saying for example because i was born between September 23 and October 22, known as a Libra, i will be an argumentative person. How can my date of birth determine my character or nature? Astrology is a concealed form of idol worship – what the Bible calls the ‘worship of the hosts of heaven’. Deuteronomy 4:19 says, “And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.” Astrology ascribes personality and power to the heavenly bodies, often under the very names of the ancient gods and goddess who were and are themselves fallen angels who have been working for the destruction of mankind for millennia. Astrology claims that these things have power to influence human lives.

NOTE: You can read your horoscope day after day and treat it as a joke, but a day will come when it will get your attention by coming true, or working out, causing you to take it a little more seriously. It will not be long before - if one is as unfortunate as many have been – one is reduced to total dependence on horoscope reading. As such leave Horoscope!

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

IS PURGATORY BIBLICAL?

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 31 – Ecclesiastes 3

 

The tradition of purgatory teaches that, upon death, many souls enter a spiritual realm between heaven and hell during which sins are dealt with until they are prepared for heaven. Purgatory is a place where sin is “purged” before a person can enter heaven.  Furthermore this tradition encourages the living to do works on behalf of the dead in order to improve the situation of those in purgatory. It also encourages praying for the dead, indulgences, just to mention a few. Those who practice this tradition back it up with 1 Corinthians 3:15 which Say, if any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yes so as by fire.

 

Firstly, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 uses an illustration of things going through fire as a description of believer’s works being judged.  If our works are of good quality “gold, silver, costly stones,” they will pass through the fire unharmed, and we will be rewarded for them. If our works are of poor quality “wood, hay, and straw,” they will be consumed by the fire, and there will be no reward. The passage does not say that believers will pass through fire, but rather that a believer’s works pass through the fire.  1 Corinthians 3:15 refers to the believer “escaping through the flames,” not “being cleansed by the flames.”

 

Secondly, the bible speaks clearly of two options in the afterlife in Luke 16: 19-31 (the story of Lazarus and the rich man).  When the wicked rich man died, he went straight to hell. When Lazarus died, he went straight to heaven. Jesus makes it clear that after life has two options, and that both heaven and hell are eternal.  The end of the bible also makes clear God’s plan for the end of time. Revelations 20: 12 -15 says "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."Once again, only two choices exist, heaven or hell.

 

Lastly apostle Paul says in Hebrews 9:27, and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. The doctrine of purgatory is not anywhere in the bible.

 

ACTION: Let us remember all those who are yet to give their lives to Christ in prayer, that the Lord will touch their hearts. Let us also remember all those whose hearts are broken, that the Lord will comfort them.

 

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

HOW TO REMAIN HEAVEN CONSCIOUS

MEMORY VERSE: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also, Matthew 6:21

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Num 27, Ps 70-71, Isa 17-18, 1 Pet 5

The single and the most important goal of every believer must be to make heaven. Whether you believe it or not heaven and hell are real. All other goals are secondary. Matthew 16:26 says for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? The only way to achieve this goal is by living holy. You are also expected to focus on this goal or else one might get carried away and lose his salvation. To focus on this goal, you need to be heaven conscious at all times. Not only that you need to live your life as someone who is expecting the second coming of Christ. The chances of achieving a goal you do not think of every day is very slim.

A fellow who is heaven conscious will live in peace with everyone. Hebrews 12:14 says follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. A brother who is heaven conscious will not rob God in tithes because no thief will be allowed in heaven. The main reason why many are not heaven conscious today is because they have no treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:21 says where your treasure is, there will you heart also be. What are treasures? They are those things which we value most like our resources – time, money, energy e.t.c. Where you channel these resources to, there will your heart be also. The reason why you hardly hear anyone talk about heaven is because their heart is not there. As our memory verse suggests, their heart is not there because they have stored their treasures somewhere else.

There are mansions, palaces, sky scrapers in heaven. John 14:2 says in my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Every resource you channel to the things of the kingdom of God is converted to materials that are used in building your heavenly homes. Every time you evangelize, work in the vine yard of God, do follow up or feed the poor and needy, the angels covert these efforts into materials used in building your homes. This is why every believer must be found doing something for Christ. The key to becoming heaven conscious is start channeling your resources to things of the kingdom e.g. evangelism, feeding the poor, taking care of the widow e.t.c. It will be a shame for a brother to have a house on earth and not have home in heaven. 

ACTION POINT: Commit to building your heavenly homes now because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

WALKING BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT

2 Corinthians 5:7 – (for we walk by faith; not by sight)

Contrary to popular belief, seeing is not believing. We cannot see ultraviolet rays, but we know it gives sunburn. We cannot see the wind, but we must have seen it uproot a tree or flatten buildings. We cannot see electricity but we know that it is dangerous to hold a live hot wire. We cannot see carbon monoxide but we know it can kill. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of thins not seen. Faith is a thing of the heart not of the head. Faith is taking God at His word. It is confidence in God’s words and power to turn a situation around.A man that walked by faith with God was Abraham. Despite the age of Sarah and deadness of his body, when the Lord told him that Sarah was going to conceive he believed God. He did not look at what medical science had to say. He did not dwell on the fact that Sarah had not menstruated in over thirty years; he took God’s word for it and he held on it.

2 Corinthians 5:7 admonishes us to walk by faith; not by sight. Why? According to Hebrews 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please God. Also faith in God is a righteous thing, Galatians 3:6. Another reason why we should not walk by sight is because the things which we see are temporal, but the things which we see not are eternal, 2 Corinthians 4:18. The things we see are challenges and enjoyments. The riches, honors, pleasures, profits e.t.c are temporal and they endure but for a time. So also the pain, sorrow and tears. All that we enjoy, and all that we suffer here are temporal. Every visible thing in this world is temporal but the things which we see not are eternal. God is eternal, the joys and the glories of heaven are eternal. The question today is what are you striving for? Things which are seen or things which are not seen? All your efforts today, are they directed at the things of this world or heaven? Are you currently investing in a property on earth or investing in your heavenly homes and palaces. Whether you believe it or not there are palaces in heaven for everyone winning souls, helping the poor, working for God in one capacity or the other. All your labor of love in your churches are not in vain .For every single thing you do for Jesus, there is a small reward on earth and bigger reward in heaven. Do everything to make it to heaven and not only that put more efforts into whatever you are doing for Jesus today because there is a reward waiting for you. As you labor for the kingdom of God on earth, there are angels building homes for you in heaven.

KEY QUESTION: are you working for the things which are temporal or eternal?

What is in your record ?

Psalm 56:8 - You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book.

Several years ago I had an experience that changed my life forever. I saw myself in something that looked like a room but there were no walls. I was there waiting to go before God for Judgment. While I was there I had the opportunity to go through my records. I saw all I had done and I was very disappointed. I saw when people evangelized to me and I made fun of them. I saw many other terrible things I did like fornication and clubbing and all that. I also saw when I gave my life to Christ and how I was still not fully committed. Although I had stopped fornicating ,stopped having girlfriends , started going to church more often but my standing with God was still funny. I never witnessed because I was too shy, never participated in church activities because of one flimsy excuse or the other. I was very disappointed in myself. I saw one or two good deeds I did like help an elderly lady carry her bag and others but it was almost zero compared to the wrongs I had done. I knew myself that if I attended judgment that day the decision will not be in my favor so I began to cry and begged God for a second chance. Thank God He answered.

Sir /Ma there is a record in heaven for everything we do on earth. Matthew 12:36, Jesus said “But I say to you that every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment.  A day is coming when we will stand before God to answer. A day is coming when our records will be read back to us. Might I ask you this question today, have you ever considered what is in your record? There are many who say there is no heaven or hell, it is a big lie! There is a heaven and a hell. Many who postpone the day of their salvation will see the number of times they have postponed the day of their salvation on that day. Many who do not evangelize will see on that day. After I saw my record, that day I decided the contents must change. I decided I have to put my records in other. You can do the same too friend.

Today why not re-commit your walk with God .Pray the prayer of repentance again and commit to putting things right with God.

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.

PRAYER POINT: Father , as from today give me the grace to please You and do Your will.

Divine Advocate

1 John 2:1 says My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Many who are yet to give their lives to Christ do not know what are they are missing.Asides from the fact that the only way to the Father in heaven is Jesus -John 14:6,only the friends of Jesus will be allowed in Heaven.Who are His friends? According to John 15:14 ,His friends are those who does what He commands. What are His commands? Isaiah 60:1 says Arise and shine! ;Mark 16:15 says Go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature;Mark 12:30-31 says love the Lord your God ,with all your heart,soul and mind and also love your neighbor as yourself.

Aside from all these , Jesus is also an advocate before the Most High God.An advocate is the one who speaks,plead or argue in one’s favor.From time to time the enemy gathers evidences and prepares a case against us before the Father in heaven.Revelations 12:10 calls him the accuser of the brethren.The Father either throws away the case like He did in the case of Moses in Jude 1:9. He brought an accusation against Moses and it was thrown out,no wonder Micheal the archangel told him the Lord rebuke you.The Father can also hear the case while Jesus acts as our advocate.

Jesus is not only our advocate before the Father alone, He is our advocate before men.In John 8:1-11 , He acted as an advocate for a woman caught in adultery and she was set free. Jesus is present to advocate for you today. While the enemies are presenting a strong case why you should not be promoted in that place of work, why the decision should not go in your favor,why you should not receive mercy  , why you should not be favored Jesus is also present advocating for you. One thing we need to note is this , He is not only an advocate but the Judge too according to 2 Timothy 4:1. Give your life to Jesus today and all decisions will go in your favor because your advocate is the Judge.Remember His services are free.

PRAYER POINT: Call on Jesus to speak for you before the Father concerning your heart desires.

Vanity of Influential people

VANITY OF INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE

Monday 3 September                              Bible in one year: Esther 8-10

Memorise: The Lord is good,a strong hold in day of trouble;and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7

Read : Hosea 10:13-15

Due to the nature of man,placing your hope on associates can cause the death of your expectations. The reasons some are hopeful of getting a job or a particular contract is because a friend or close associate has assured them of assistance. Never allow any associate take the place of God in your life!In Jeremiah 9:2-4,Jeremiah warned the Israelite that they should not put their trust in their brother or neighbor because their lifestyles was replete with lies.Jesus did not commit Himself to man because He could see how vain they were(John 2:24-25). For those living in these last days, the Bible paints a bleak picture of their character even believers are not spared because,commitment to the truth is ebbing fast. It is increasingly difficult to really have someone to trust among professing Christians today because many have adopted and retained some level of falsehood. Before you enter into partnership with fellow believers, be led of God to the specific believer or else, you would be thoroughly disappointed by the actions of some Christians whose lives have been taken over by the love of money and falsehood.

Similarly , any expectation build on influential people such as those in government ,family,church , academia,trade unions,etc., can easily disappoint because those making the promises are ordinary men. How many people who voted into public offices have truly kept their promises? Basing your hopes on such people could cause a heart attack when they disappoint you.God raised the nation of Israel through the ranks; from humble beginnings with inexperienced soldiers to a greatly fortified nation with mighty warriors . But what did the people do? They took their trust from God and placed it in their mighty men. No wonder God told them they would fail (Hosea 10:13-15). The  confidence of some Christians has shifted from God to their prayer contractors. Even some church leaders now put their trust in their prayer band members forgetting that when men pray, it is left to God whether to answer or not. If He refuses to answer, you cannot take Him to court. Let your trust be in the Lord.

KEY POINT: It is either you trust in God or in man. Who trust determines whether you are blesses or not.

Excerpts from Open Heavens by Pastor E A Adeboye

For your attention !!!!

Attention:

While studying Luke 16:23-26 , the Holy Spirit brought my attention to things present in hell . They are
1-Torments through flame
2-Thirst
3-Lack of mercy
4-Rememberance of past and Regrets
5-Tears
6-Cries and
7-Pains .

Also He reminded me of what is present in Heaven as written in Revelations 21:4

1-Tears been wiped away
2-Absence of pain
3-Absence of death
4-Absence of Sorrow
5-Absence of regrets

You have now been informed. The decision is up to you. Deuteronomy 30:19 says I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you , that i have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing;therefore choose life , that both you and your descendants may live ;

Heaven and Hell is real! If you have not giving your life to Christ please do so now . If you have backslidded please return to him now. There is no shame in been a christian. We came to the world alone and we will go alone. We will receive judgement alone. Confess your sins and depart from sinful lifestyle now.

The trumpet maybe sounded in anytime from now!

If you want to give your life to Christ .

Pray this prayer from your heart today!

Dear Jesus , I believe that You died for me and rose again on the third day. I confess I am a sinner. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my heart . Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm You love by giving me peace, joy and supernatural love for others, Amen.

Welcome to Christ brethren, Please join a bible believing church.

Copy and paste this so that your friends and family may see it. I pray that you will not be held accountable for their sins in Jesus Name.

Samuel Oluwatoki

VICTIM OF PEER PRESSURE?

Friday 13 July Bible in one year Luke 18-21

Memorise:and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of you mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable , and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

Read : 2 Timothy 4:9-11

Undue peer pressure is an enemy to watch our for. Many times when we discuss peer pressure, our minds go to teenagers. Peer pressure is pronounced in that circle but not exclusive to it. Peer pressure exist with every group and assembly of people. Increasingly, and most unfortunately , many ministers of God are yielding to peer pressure. You will hear someone say : ” Pastor X has just moved to his house, i too must move to mine immediately” , or Pastor Y said he prophesied into the life of a member of his church and the fellow brought him a car, i too must prophesy to my members so that they can equally buy me a car”. Beware; peer pressure distorts vision and reorders priorities.

If you must forward and be what God wants you to be, you must overcome this pressure. Peer pressure makes a particular individual your standard instead of Jesus Christ. Whenever you hear that he has just added another feather to his cap, you become restless until you perform the same feat. The one who yields to peer pressure may never achieve his or her God giving goal or destiny because he will have no goal of his own, but only shift the goal posts in relation to the fellow he is copying. Peer pressure puts material things above spiritual things. The one who yields to peer pressure cannot set his or her affections on heavenly things. Such a person will be carnally minded. Peer pressure is all about “measuring up” and making people see that you are conformed . The one who yields to peer pressure can never please God. Like King Saul, he will strive towards pleasing men. While yielding to peer pressure, many have found themselves stealing, lying ,defrauding and dabbling into things they would not normally do. Peer pressure augments the works of the flesh, making a yielded soul wallow in lust , covetousness, envy, jealousy,greed, pride, arrogance, undue comparison, etc. Demas just wanted to be like other people so he yielded to peer pressure and he went out of the faith. Out of greed, some have turned the Bible upside down to support their intention of being rich overnight via the altar. Remember their elder Gehazi tried the same idea and he ended up with leprosy.

ACTION POINT: Peer pressure causes you to conform to the world instead of walking in Christ’s Victory over it.

Pastor E.A Adeboye