MAKING IT UP

MEMORY VERSE: lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds, Colossians 3:9.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Num 29, Ps 73, Isa 21, 2 Pet 2

A lie is a lie no matter how you paint it. As far as it is void of the truth, it is a lie. There is nothing called half truth, it is either a lie or the truth. No matter how you phrase it or put it, as far as it is not the whole truth it is a lie. If there is a tiny bit of a lie in a story, the whole story is a lie. Galatians 5:9 says a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. One aspect of lying is making things up i.e. when something is not there and you say it is there, it is a lie. No liar will make heaven. Why? According to John 8:44 the devil is the father of lies or liars and no child of the devil will be permitted in heaven. Proverbs 12:22 says a lying lips are abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are His delight.

When we talk of making things up, it does not necessarily have to be telling a lie. There are many who without opening their mouth make things up. All they need to do with their pen is add two extra zeros and 500 becomes 50000. Another example is found in many CV’s today. People want to sell themselves to their prospective employers so they begin to come up with experiences they do not have or funny references. If it is not true then it is a lie! There are some who are still living a life of lies. An example of this is acting holy. Holiness is not an act but a lifestyle. You can fool men into believing anything but you cannot fool God who sees inside and out. To be pure outside you need to be inside first. This is why the holy word of God says that blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God, Matthew 5:8.

There are many who who make things up with their actions.There many today who dye their hair immediately they begin to notice grey hair coming out. Whether you believe it or not this is a form of lie. You give people an impression that your hair is dark when it is actually grey! One of the biggest lie in the church of God today is the use of make-up. As the name implies you are making things up i.e. you are making something that is not there appears as if it is there. This is all what ‘make up’ is all about; giving people false impression. As brothers you should not be attracted to ‘make-up’ but character, besides what is the point of engaging with someone who is not sincere with basic things like the length of her hair or her nails. It is better to know that a sister has pimples before marriage than to find out next morning after marriage when the ‘make-up’ is all gone. Sisters be wary of a brother who wants you make-up first before he falls in love with you. The reason why he wants you to make-up first is because he does not like the real you and honestly immediately that make-up goes off that brother will run away. Sisters be careful of a brother who loves to be told a lie because such brother do not value the truth and the chances are he will tell you a lie.

KEYWORD: A lie is a lie regardless of who is saying it and how it is presented.

 

PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT

MEMORY VERSE: But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Lev 6, Ps 10, Prov 24, 1 Thes 3

What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? You see many equate praying with the spirit to praying in the Spirit. To pray with the spirit simply means to pray in tongues, for example Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:15, ‘what is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.’ Praying in the Spirit means to pray by means of the Holy Spirit or with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is praying according to the Spirit’s leading or praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for. Romans 8:26 says we likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.

When we pray in the Spirit we are praying according to the will of God. The Holy Spirit searches the mind of God and brings prayer points for us to pray on. When the Holy Spirit leads you to pray for a particular brother or sister, or leads to pray about a particular matter please pray about it. Most of the mishaps that happen in the body of Christ could have been avoided if only people prayed when the Holy Spirit asked them to pray. When you pray in the Spirit you are destroying the plans of the enemy. Not too long ago I shared the story of a man of God who the Holy Spirit led to pray against the loss of huge amount of money. At the point when the Holy Spirit was leading him to pray, he was not involved in any business dealings so the prayer point made little or no sense to him but he prayed. Several weeks later some men introduced him to some business, the men wanted to dupe him of his life savings but the Holy Spirit destroyed the plan and exposed these men because he prayed when the Holy Spirit led him to.

Ephesians 6:13 says wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye maybe able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Do you know that when you pray in the Spirit, what you are doing is you are putting on one of the armour of God? Ephesians 6:18 says praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watch thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
When you pray in the Spirit you get more results from your prayer life. I remembered a sister told me she was going for an interview and the Holy Spirit led me to pray with her. I asked her if she didn’t mind if a common church cleaner prayed with her and she said no problem. We said a very short prayer and she left for the interview. An hour later or so she called saying she got the job. What really amazed her was the interviewer did not really ask her any question aside when she was available to start. Instead of spending hours praying and binding the devil, losing and casting demons, the Holy Spirit led us to pray for favor and we did just that and the Lord took control.

PRAYER POINT: Father, as from now on help me to pray more in the Spirit.

GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT

Ephesians 4:30 -And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The Holy Spirit is a personality. He is not a ‘power’ or a ‘force’ like electricity. The Holy Spirit speaks and hears; thinks and reasons; feel and has emotions; and decides, has a will, and self-determination. The Holy Spirit is God. Since He has emotions, He can be grieved or vexed. Ephesians 4:30 says and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. This brings us to the question of how does one grieve the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit can grieved in the following ways: Making Him sad by behavior contrary to the fruit of the Spirit –anger, hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc ; Quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) – putting out of the fire of the Spirit by refusal to pray and be on fire for the gifts and anointing of the Spirit to work through you; insulting the Spirit (Hebrews 10:29)-Living a life of continual deliberate sinning after receiving the knowledge of truth; Resisting the Spirit (Acts 7:51)-Going in the opposite direction to the definite guidance of the Spirit; Vexing the Spirit-(Isaiah 63:10)-Living in deliberate rebellion against the leadership of the Spirit; Lying to the Spirit (Acts 5:3)-Telling intentional untruths and half-truths to anointed men/women of God with the intention of deceiving God’s people; Tempting/Testing the Spirit (Acts 5:9)-Teaming up to provoke God’s Spirit to do things he would not normally want to do; Blaspheming the Spirit (Matthew 12:31, 32)-Attributing the works and words of God’s Spirit to Satan and demons when you have a clear witness within yourself; Striving with the Spirit (Genesis 6:3)-Walking in the flesh continually against the promptings of the Spirit; Rebelling against the Spirit (Psalm 106:33)-Refusal to do what God’s Spirit expressly commands.We can also grieve the Holy Spirit by entertaining vain and sinful thoughts .

The fact that the Holy Spirit can grieved or vexed suggests the possibility of the Holy Spirit to be pleased too. Acts 15:28 says for it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. How does one please the Holy Spirit? By avoiding the sins against the Spirit and majoring in the character traits that reflect the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Another way to please Him is by avoiding grieving Him through our thoughts - vain and sinful thoughts. Philippians 4:8 says whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are good report; if there be any virtue , and if there by any praise, think on these things.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please sanctify me today and help to bring to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

HOLY SPIRIT & PURITY

1 Peter 1:16 - be ye holy for I am holy.

The Holy Spirit gives power. Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit performed mighty signs and wonders, Acts 10:38. The Holy Spirit gives strength. In Judges 14:5-6, a lion roared against Samson and the Spirit of God came mightily upon him. He grabbed the lion and tore it apart as if he was tearing an ordinary piece of paper. Also in the strength of the Holy Spirit, Samson was able to catch three hundred foxes, Judges 15:4. Anyone who knows foxes will tell you they are extremely smart and quick moving. To catch a fox alive is a miracle talk-less of catching three hundred foxes .The Holy Spirit gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Daniel full of the Holy Spirit was found to be ten times better than all the geniuses around, Daniel 1:20. The Holy Spirit is able to protect. Isaiah 59:19 says when the enemy shall come in like a flood; the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Also the Holy Spirit impacts unshakeable confidence. The early disciples found it difficult to witness about Jesus because they lacked boldness but immediately they were filled with the Holy Spirit they began to evangelize with boldness, Acts 4:24-31.

One aspect of the Holy Spirit we do not often discuss is the purity aspect. There is no way we will discuss about the Holy Spirit and not talk of purity. One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit is the dove. The dove is an emblem of purity and innocence. The Holy Spirit will only dwell in a clean vessel. He will only dwell in a body that has been kept pure. The Holy Spirit can do a lot in the life of a man but He expects such man to keep himself pure. By purity we mean without spot or sin. We do not need to be pure to receive the Holy Spirit but purity is essential to keep Him or else He will take His leave. When we study the lives of men who attained their potentials in God, they kept themselves pure. Daniel, Shadrach, Mishael and Abed-Nego kept themselves pure by not defiling themselves with the portion of the king delicacies, Daniel 1:8. Jesus kept himself pure by not bowing down to Satan. Jesus was tested in every way and yet did not sin, Hebrew 4:15. The mother of Samson was advised to keep herself pure by not consuming wine or unclean food while pregnant with Samson, Judges 13:3-4. To keep ourselves pure we need to appreciate a life of holiness. We need to do away with sins like masturbation, fornication, lying, backbiting, adultery, gossiping and so on, so that the Holy Spirit dwell in us. We need to keep our hearts pure; no malice, no hatred; no unforgiveness, no dirty thoughts. We need to do away with things that pollute our minds and body.

PRAYER POINTS: Father, please purify my heart, lip, life and conversation.

HOW TO CULTIVATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Amos 3:3-can two walk together, unless they agree?

There was a man who owned a small farm. He worked on this farm year in year out and got very little out this farm just to feed himself and his family. Unknowingly or knowingly to this man, underneath this farm was oil. If only he will dig deeper, he will become very rich and would be able to afford good things of life. This man represents many believers today, and the farm represents the Holy Spirit. The oil represents the riches in Christ. If only we will dig deeper, instead of been Christians in poverty we will be Christians with the riches of God. The Holy Spirit is God, acting like God, been Himself God, always is God. He has the same attribute as God. He is God the Spirit; Jesus is God the Son and the Father is God the Father. He is not a force or power but a personality. He speaks and hears; thinks and reasons feel and has emotions; and decides, has a will, a self –determination. Because He is a personality a relationship with Him can be cultivated. The mistake we make is we think one experience of been filled with the Holy Spirit is sufficient and that is enough to know Him. Just like it is impossible to know a man just by shaking hands with him. It will be true if the man is a tree or lamp post but since he has a personality a relationship can be developed to know him. The same thing happens with the Holy Spirit, We can know the Holy Spirit better every day of our life.

Amos 3: 3 asks a rhetorical question; can two walk together except they agree? No. For two people to walk together, they need to agree on certain things. There needs to be agreement on direction, destination and route. If a man is going north and the other is going south it is obvious they cannot walk together or if they are going to the same location but each of them prefers to use different routes. To walk with the Holy Spirit we need to go the direction He is going. Not only that we must ready to go to His destination following His route. The Spirit filled way must be a holy way. A spirit filled life must be a holy life. He will not dwell in an unholy life. The good news is the Holy Spirit does not require a holy place to come in but He requires you be willing that the place should be made holy after He comes. The Holy Spirit does not come to a life to make him famous or make a celebrity out of him. He comes to make a man holy, give him gifts and enable him to witness, Acts 1:8. The greatest gift of the Holy Spirit is a meek, docile heart. He will transform you to a meek, humble, trusted, domesticated person. The result of this relationship is oneness with Him. One in outlook, hope and thought. Two people cannot walk together if they do not have anything in common. Once we become one with Him, He begins to release the riches of God to us. To achieve this oneness with Him , we must surrender to the Holy Spirit to transform us .

PRAYER POINT: Father, I want to be one with you, I surrender my life to you please transform me.

WHEN MOVED TO PRAY

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

A prayer-less Christian is a powerless Christian. It is impossible to conquer the world as a child of God without a life of prayer. Praying has so many advantages. It brings deliverance - while Paul and Silas prayed in the prison their bands were loosed, Acts 16:26. We receive un-shakeable confidence through prayers – the disciples received boldness to preach the gospel while they prayed, Acts 4:31.Through prayers we receive the keys to either open or shut the windows of heaven- Elijah through prayers shut the heaven for three and a half years and opened it back. Prayers usher us into the presence of God and God’s glory rubs on us – whilst Moses was praying he saw the glory of God and his face began to shine, Exodus 34:6-8 & 30. Prayer paves the way for transfiguration – while Jesus prayed with his disciples he was transfigured, Luke 9:28-29. When we pray it should not only be in understanding but in tongues also. Praying in tongues should not only be on Sundays or night vigils. One of the keys to spiritual growth is praying in tongues daily. There are a lot of advantages in praying in tongues. While praying in tongues,our spiritual life is edified, 1 Corinthians 14:4; also when we pray in tongues we are speaking to God directly, 1 Corinthians 14:2 and by praying in tongues we magnify God, Acts 10:46.

Most importantly when you are led by the spirit to pray, stop what you are doing and start praying. While singing or praying, if a particular prayer point comes to mind immediately start praying on the prayer point. Most of the challenges in the church today could have been avoided if only we prayed when moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. The Holy Spirit woke a pastor up at night to intercede for a pregnant lady in the church. Unknowingly to him, the sister was in labour and was having complications. The pastor began to pray; two hours later she put to bed safely. The pastor only found out the next morning when the husband called to inform the pastor that his wife put to bed in the early hours of that morning. There are many accidents and mishaps that could have avoided if only people pray when moved by the spirit. Many would have received the answers to their prayers, if only we prayed when moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. A particular sister had a dream, and in that dream she saw a young boy destroy her glasses. From that moment onward she lost her gift of dreams. When she came to us we advised her to pray and if possible conduct a night vigil. Few days later while we were praying at night, the Holy Spirit led us to intercede for her which we did. The next morning she informed us that she dreamt the night before. The Lord needed someone to join her in prayer for her restoration. What if we had refused, unknowingly we would have hindered her restoration. When led by the Holy Spirit to pray, immediately start praying, a life could be in danger and your prayer at that time could save the life.

KEY POINT: When moved to pray please stop everything you are doing and begin to pray, if you do not know what to pray about just pray in tongues.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

1 Thessalonians 5:17: pray without ceasing

In 2 Kings 13:14- 19, a king was given an opportunity to permanently deal with his enemies –the Syrians. Elisha told him to strike the ground with an arrow; each time he struck the ground stood for a victory over the Syrians. The foolish king struck the ground three times and began to look. Even when he was rebuked, he did not even make any more attempts. The attitude of this king could be compared to our attitude in prayers. God inspires the pastor to lead a particular prayer point, after praying for five minutes, we stop. At times we pray for two or three days over a matter ,if we do not get a response we stop praying. 1 Thessalonian 5:17 says pray without ceasing. John 16:24 says we should ask until our joy is full. If your joy is not full over a matter please do not stop praying. At times when ask God for one or two things and we do not get an answer within days we get angry at God. The truth is if we petition the president of our country, he is not obliged to answer immediately and we have no choice than to exercise patience. How much more God? He is not our servant or our employer. He can decide not to answer and nothing will happen but thank God He is merciful and He has promised in Isaiah 65:24 that while you are praying, He will answer Hallelujah.

How do I make request known to God? Acts 4:24-30 shows us how to do this. The early Christians had challenges in the area of boldness and evangelism. They went to God in prayers. They started by praising the name of the Lord – Acts 4:24. After that they proceeded to thank Him for the things He had done in times past – Acts 4:25-27. After this they reported what was disturbing them to Him – Acts 4:28. They concluded by telling Him what they wanted Him to do for them – Acts 4:30. By the time they finished praying, the bible records in Acts 4:31 that there was an earth quake. If anyone will go before Him in prayer and start by spending time to exalt His holy name, calling Him the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Most High, other lovely names. Then spend time again to thank Him for the things He had done in past. Then proceed to report everything disturbing them to Him and conclude with what they want to Him to do there will be an earthquake. Also when we make requests to Him, it should be in the name of Jesus. John 14:13 says and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. And also when we ask let’s do so through the spirit of God (i.e. speak in tongues) .Romans 8:26 says for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. When God sees our prayer request in heaven signed by Jesus (when ask in the name of Jesus, we are stamping our request with the signature of Jesus) and our requests packaged by the Holy Spirit (when we pray in the spirit), He will say yes! I pray that the Lord will say granted to all your petitions in Jesus name.

ACTION POINT: Start your request by praising God, then thank Him for the things He has done in times past , bring to His attention everything disturbing you and ask Him what you want Him to do with them.

BE AN EAGLE

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I have always told people that out of all birds, the Lord loves the Eagle the most. Why? Well, the Eagle is the most favored bird. When you look at God’s favor, it is always directed at those He loves. For example the Lord loves the righteous – Psalms 33:5, and surrounds them with favor – Psalm 5:12. Because of His love for the Eagle, He ensured that out all the birds, only the Eagle is permitted to fly close to the sun. When we talk of flying close to the sun, we are talking real close. While flying around and hunting, debris gathers around the Eagle and this weighs it down. To get rid of th

is debris, the Eagle flies so close to the sun so that the heat from the sun melts the debris weighing it down. Also from time to time the Eagle goes so close to the sun so that the rays and heat from the sun can burn off the films that develops over its eyes and its vision is renewed .Any other bird that tries to go as close to the sun as the Eagle will either lose its eyes sight or something worse will happen. Asides flying close to the sun, the Eagle flies at an altitude that other bird can only dream of. Proverbs 23:5 says the Eagle soars to the heavens. While normal birds lay their nest on trees, according to Job 39:27-28 the Eagle lays its nest on very high mountains where no prey can reach.

Why does the Lord love this breed of bird specially? How come they are the only bird enjoying special favors? Firstly, the eagle does not touch dead animals or unclean things. The vulture eats anything but the Eagle will never go near dirty thing or unclean thing. Secondly, the Eagle depends on the wind to soar. Once the Eagle sees a storm coming from afar instead of running like other birds it simply uses the wind of the storm to lift itself high above the storm. Brethren anyone who wants to enjoy special favors from God must do away with unclean things i.e. sin. Anyone who wants to operate at altitude others can only dream off must depend on the Wind which is the Holy Spirit according to John 3:8. Without these two, enjoying favors will be impossible, and also achieving what people can only dream off will be impossible too. Daniel excelled so much in His endeavor because the Holy Spirit was operating at full blast in his life. The bible records in Daniel 6:3 that Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent Spirit was in him.

Prayer Point: Father, fill me with the Holy Spirit that i might be able to fulfill destiny.

Perpetual servant

Thursday 23 August                          Bible in one year: Joel 1-3

Memorise: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?Be not deceived : neither fornicators,nor idolaters,nor adulterers, nor effeminate,nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 1 Corinthians 6:9

Read: Exodus 21:2-6

It is love that can make a man to wait for fourteen years to get married to the lady of his choice like Jacob did for Rachel( Genesis 29:18-28). A lady once told me that nobody was asking for her hand in marriage. We prayed and few months  later, she had six suitors on line. Then she came to me to ask how she will know the one that is her husband. I asked her to tell them that they should wait for fourteen years, by that time she would be through with her PhD programme and would have worked for some years. Not one of them stayed after hearing that.If there is love, there is strength to wait. Love can be very costly. It can cost a man his freedom.From Exodus 21:2-6 we understand that any servant that is Hebrew is expected to serve for six years and on the seventh, he should be freed.If however he marries and because of love he refuses to go, he would receive a mark so that anybody who sees him will know that he is a slave forever. Occasionally , i hear some people give God conditions before complying with certain divine requests or instructions. This shows that they do not love God, or that they have forgotten they were supposed to be His servant forever.

True love gives you super human strength. When somebody is truly in love, he could survive any adversity for the sake of that love( Romans 8:35-37). Being more than conquerors is a height in love which many do not yet know. If you are truly in love with God,you will gladly die for Him like Stephen( Acts 7:54-60). Today , because many church leaders are afraid for their lives, they cannot go to certain countries or certain parts with their native land to preach Christ. Death is no big deal  but the big deal is what you go through before you die. In the days of communism , it was the torture that a Christian went through that gave him pleasure; today , the reverse is the case. A Christian was arrested and thrown into prison. He began to witness Christ to the inmates so they took him  and gave him the beating of his life until he was bleeding all over. By the time he was returned he asked those he was preaching to , “where did i stop before the interruption?” Loving God can be expensive. How cheap or otherwise is your love for God?

ACTION POINT: Take this confession: Lord Jesus, I confess and acknowledge you as my Lord. I am your servant. You own all i have. And I will worship you with all that You have me until you take me to glory.
Excerpts from Open Heavens by Pastor E.A Adeboye

DOUBLE PORTION: WHERE FROM ?

Tuesday 17 July                                 Bible in one year : Judges 19-21

Memorise: Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights , with whom is no variableness,neither shadow of turning . James 1:17

Read : James 1:16-18

In the story about Elijah’s rapture recorded in 2 Kings 2;11-14 , you will notice the repetition of the phrase: “The mantle of Elijah that fell from him”. This tells us that even when Elisha had paid the price in serving him for some years and in accompanying him on his last assignments, and had even crossed the Jordan with him, Elijah still took his mantle with him until the cry of Elisha’s was heard. This shows the need for patience in God’s kingdom , particularly when you are trusting God for something very precious. If you are not ready to persist until you get it, you may be denied at the very point when you should have had it. Similarly, we learn that every good gift comes from above (James 1:17). When Elijah was taken , he went into heaven then the mantle was sent down with a double portion of the anointing on Elijah. Many people think it was Elijah who delivered Elisha’s request to him. No! There was no way he could give what he did not have which was why he told Elisha he asked a hard thing. He simply took the mantle with him and God released the double portion of the anointing on Elijah upon it for Elisha. Even when the anointing oil is poured on you, the power is released from above.

Also, when the Holy Spirit descended in Acts 2:1-4 , He sat on the heads of the disciples as cloven tongues of fire. This shows the importance of your head. This is why when it is time to ordain people, we go for their heads. The implication of this is that whatever you are , you owe to God. You have no reason to be proud. No wonder David acknowledged his help as being from God (Psalms 121:1-2). When God uses a vessel of His to bless you and you thank the fellow, do not forget that he or she is only a vessel;let your greater thanksgiving go to God who is the giver of the blessing. It is wrong to thank the vessel but forget the One who used the vessel to channel your blessings to you. This season, the Lord will bless you abundantly. How patient are you ?How much do you give God thanks ? Have you paid the price for a higher lever of God’s anointing on you?

KEY POINT: If you want any definite blessing from Heaven, look up to God.