“AND YE SHALL FIND THEM”

MEMORY VERSE: To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 2 Chronicles 20:16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 39-44

Wisdom, the correct application of knowledge, is profitable to direct (See Ecclesiastes 10:10).  Since wisdom is profitable to direct, knowledge, also, is profitable to direct. Wisdom, the right application of knowledge, is the principal thing (See Proverbs 4:7). Again, if wisdom is the principal thing, it then follows that knowledge is the principal thing. Knowledge is invaluable. Our lack of knowledge can lead to untimely death (See Hosea 4:6). Note: A Christian without knowledge may end up as lunch for the enemy. Divine knowledge is key to successful living (See Daniel 11:32). The lack of knowledge makes one vulnerable. Also, the lack of knowledge makes one a prime candidate for exploitation.

One may end up as a captive due to lack of knowledge (See Isaiah 5:13). The Lord wants the best for His children; you’ll agree with me that captivity or untimely death is not God’s plan for His children. As such, He invited us to call on Him with the promise to answer and show us things we don't know. The reveal things in several ways. You don’t decide how God speaks to you. He decides when, where, what, and how He wants to speak. Jeremiah 33:3 says: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” From this verse, you will observe that prayer is linked to revelation. In other words, many a time prayer precedes revelation. If you want God to show you things, you must call on Him; viz, pray. Three major countries – Ammonites, Moabites and inhabitants of Mount Seir- came together to fight Judah (2 Chronicles 20). Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, gathered his people and they prayed to God. As they prayed, the Lord revealed the location of their enemies. 2 Chronicles 20:16 says: “To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.” Victory is not too far away the moment a man knows the location of his enemies.

NOTE: The Lord releases secrets during prayer. If you talk to Him (in prayer), He will respond back with mysteries – greats things you don’t know.

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GETTING RID OF TORMENTORS

MEMORY VERSE: And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. Matthew 18:34

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 35-38

Who is a tormentor? A tormentor is he or that which torments; one who inflicts penal anguish or tortures. For instance, fear (groundless fear), anxiety, obsession, depression, marital discord, addictions, etc. Tormentors limit our lives and prevent us from living comfortably and effectively.

One of the things that open us to tormentors is un-forgiveness. Jesus illustrated this with a parable (Matthew 18:23-35). A servant owed his master 10, 000 talents ($10,000,000) and could not pay. The master ordered him to be sold, with his wife, children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made. This servant fell on his knee and begged the master and the master cancelled his debt. The same servant went out, found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii (about $20); he caught him by the throat and said, “Pay what you owe!” The servant begged him earnestly but he was unwilling and he put him in prison. His fellow-servants saw what was done and were very sorry and reported him to his master. His master went ballistic when he heard what this servant had done to his fellow servant. “I forgave your $10,000,000 and you could not forgive a fellow servant’s $20 debt”, he said (See Matthew 18:34 -35).   Asides from the fact that the Lord will hand us over to tormentors if we refuse to forgive, He will neither answer our prayers nor accept our offerings (Matthew 5:23-24).

Some sisters went to pray for a young girl who was maimed by rifle shots from a disgruntled neighbour. This girl had been hospitalized for many months and had undergone surgery numerous times to repair the internal damage done to nearly every organ of her body. When she was asked if she was willing to forgive her assailant, she replied very forcefully and very negatively against such action. This person had caused too much heartache to her and her family and she would go to her grave hating him. The sisters prayed for guidance from the Holy Spirit and the Lord impressed it on the heart of one of the sisters to ask her if she could pray to become willing to be willing to forgive the neighbour. This was acceptable and she quietly made such a request. The Holy Spirit touched her and she received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not only that, her body began to heal.

NOTE: If you are finding it difficult to forgive someone who has wronged you, pray to become willing to be willing to forgive the person.

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DESTROYING DEVOURERS

MEMORY VERSE: And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 31-34

What is a devourer? According to Noah Webster’s dictionary 1828 edition, a devourer is one who devours; he or that which eats, consumes or destroys; he that preys on. Devourers come in different shapes, sizes and forms. There are some in the form of insects; viz, locusts, cankerworms, caterpillars, palmerworms, etc (See Joel 2:24). These horrible creatures eat up herbages, corns, and fruits of the trees planted by farmers thereby impoverishing them year after year. These farmers ,at the end of the day, have nothing to show for their hard work. A devourer can be a car or machine that breaks down regularly. You spend money that could have been saved fixing the car or machine when it breaks down. Parking fines are a type of devourer in this part of the world. What is left of your salary when you spend £240 out of your £1000 on parking fines? A devourer could be things that go wrong whenever you save money for a project. Most illnesses, if not all, are devourers. The woman with the issue of blood spent all she had trying to get a cure for her illness ( See Mark 5:26).

One of the ways to put an end to devourers is tithing (See Malachi 3:11). A story that comes to mind is that of a brother who refused to tithe after giving his life to Christ. Whenever he took his car for repairs or servicing, his wicked mechanic would take out a working part and replace it with a faulty one. A week or two later, the car would break down and the brother would take it back to him for repairs. He would fix it and replace a working part with a faulty again. This he did every time this brother took his car for repair. The Lord exposed this wicked mechanic when he began to tithe. His car broke down and he decided to use another mechanic. From that day, he observed that his car stopped developing faults. Tithing drives away devourer from one’s life.

NOTE: To put an end to some devourers, you need to go beyond tithing: Discipline and wisdom need to be applied. For instance, you may need to start disciplining your children when they act like devourers; i.e., when they destroy their textbooks or home appliances. You may need to apply wisdom when certain people e.g. those who borrow and don’t pay back, come to borrow money from you.

PRAYER: Father, please open my eyes to recognize devourers in my life and give me the wisdom to deal with them.

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THE PATH OF THE UNWISE

MEMORY VERSE: The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. Proverbs 3:35

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 26-30

Wisdom addresses three (3) kinds of people; namely, the simple, the scorner, and the fool. The simple believe everything. Proverbs 14:15 says: “The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well where he is going.” The Word of God says: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (1 Thessalonian 5:21).” It is not rude to ask questions especially when you are in doubt. Remember, how you ask questions matter. The simple have no understanding. Proverbs 7:7 says: “And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding.” Also, the simple cannot see the road ahead. Proverbs 22:3 says: “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

Scorners think they know everything. Proverbs 21:24 says: “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” Scorners are your typical Mr or Ms. “Know It-All”, hence, they never attain wisdom. Proverbs 14:6 says: “A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.” Also, they never profit from rebuke because they get offended when they are rebuked. Proverbs 15:12 says: “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” Scorners are great trouble-makers. Proverbs 22:10 says: “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.” A scorner that comes to mind is Ishmael. Genesis 21:9 says: “And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.” Scorners will not go unpunished. Proverbs 21:11 says: “When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.” The Bible says “when” the scorner is punished not “if” the scorner is punished.

Fools are over-confident. Proverbs 12:15 says: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” Proverbs 28:26 says: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Fools hate instruction. Proverbs 1:7 says: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:22 says: “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” Proverbs 23:9 says: “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” Fools speak proudly. Proverbs 14:3 says: “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.” Fools love to fight. Proverbs 18:6-7 says: “A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Fools meddle into matters that don’t concern them. Proverbs 20:3 says: “A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. Proverbs 20:3 says: “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.” They speak without thinking. Proverbs 18:13 says: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Fools are not helped by discipline. Proverbs 17:10 says: “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” Fools always fall. Proverbs 10:8 says: “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.”

NOTE: The simple, scorner and fool will perish (and God does not want any of His children to perish). The path to take is the path of wisdom. The wise fear the Lord (Job 28:28) and depart from iniquity (Proverbs 16:6). Proverbs 3:35 says:" the wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools."

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“OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES”

MEMORY VERSE: And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? Matthew 21:16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 23-25

It is impossible for God to be stranded. How can the Creator of the heavens and the earth be stranded? He can create something out of nothing. For instance, He created light out of darkness. Genesis 1:2 says: "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Out of this darkness, God called out light. Verse 3 says: " And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." He called land out of the water. Verse 9 says: “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so." He can make a way where there is no way. For instance, He made a way in the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Verse 21 says: "And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided." I pray that God will make a way for you where you least expect in Jesus name, amen. In 1 Kings 17, God employed ravens to feed Elijah. Anyone who knows about birds will tell you that ravens are the stingiest of God's creation – they are even stingy with their children. Job 38:41 says: "Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat." Yet, God used ravens to feed Elijah.

The Lord will never run out of options (to help you). Why? 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.” The Lord will never run out of people to use for His glory; He always has substitutes. Elijah, in 1 Kings 19, tried to brag about his love and commitment to God. "I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away," he said. The Lord responded and said, "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him (1 Kings 19:18)." He can create substitutes where there are none. Jesus, after resurrection, tasked His disciples with taking the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth . What did they do? They remained in Jerusalem because to them, gentiles are unclean. God had to literally use Saul- through persecution - to get them out of Jerusalem. Saul later became Paul, the Apostle, and was sent to the gentiles.

NOTE: Some of us are, now, too big to praise God. We are too big to dance before God or even clap our hands. Matthew 21:16 says: "And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?" If the adults refuse to praise Him little boys like us will praise Him.

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THE GOD OF ORDER

MEMORY VERSE: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 1 Corinthians 14:26

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 21-22

READ: 1 Corinthians 14:26 -36

God is a God of order. By the special grace of God, I have met one or two people who have been to heaven. These are matured Christians who are sold out to Christ and His purposes on earth, not those who claim that they went to heaven and saw baby angels. There are no baby angels in heaven. Firstly, angels are genderless and secondly, they don't reproduce. Those little creatures are demons, not angels. In addition, I have read several accounts of people who went to heaven. They all said that heaven is beautiful. This chimes with John’s revelation of heaven. Revelations 21:21 says: “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”

Also, they said that heaven is a place of order. Several portions of the Scripture allude to this. For instance, Ezekiel described the four living creatures he saw in a vision (Ezekiel 1). These creatures moved in an orderly manner. Verse 21 says: “When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.” John described the twenty-four elders he saw worshipping God in a vision (Revelations 4). Verse 10-11 says: “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Everything they did oozed of order. They knelt, took off their crowns, laid it before God and spoke at the same time. He also spoke about some angels in Revelations 15-16. These angels spoke in an orderly manner - they spoke in turns. The second angel spoke after the first angel, the third angel spoke after the second angel and so on.

God loves order. Wherever there is order, there you will find peace, love, growth, progress, happiness, fruitfulness, prosperity, spiritual growth, etc. Hence, Paul encourages orderliness during worship in the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 14). Verse 26 says: "How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." Disorderliness appals Him. No wonder He cast out Satan from paradise when he tried to break the order in heaven. Wherever there is disorderliness, there you will find hatred, rebellion, animosity, stagnancy, anger, bitterness, even at times - death.

NOTE: If you are going to enjoy a walk with God, then you must be an orderly person.

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GUARD YOUR HEART

MEMORY VERSE: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 11-20

According to Dictionary.com, the word “guard” means to keep safe from harm or danger; protect or watch over. We guard things that are precious or of value to us. For instance, wise women guard their marriages jealously. Unfortunately, some go to extreme length to guard their marriages. They go through their husbands’ mobiles when they are sleeping or check their computers/I-pads to see what they have been up to. Some foolishly employ diabolical means; i.e., charms, love portion, etc., to guard their marriages. Using diabolical means is like seeking help from your enemy. You dare not ask a lion to watch over a goat except you want to lose the goat. Women do these funny things; i.e., spy on their husbands or employ diabolical means because their marriages are precious to them. I pray that the Lord will give such women peace in Jesus name, amen. One of the reasons why I advocate looking to God for a life partner is because He takes responsibility for keeping the man and the marriage. The sister also has to submit to her head, her husband (Colossians 3:18). The primary way to guard your marriage is to pray. Many business owners employ beautiful ladies and ask them to dress in a sexy way; i.e., wear short skirts and tight blouses to keep existing male customers and attract new ones. I don’t subscribe to such practices. Only God through the power of prayer can keep your customers. Besides, your customers will be loyal to you if you render quality service to them.

Proverbs 4:23 says: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” We have to keep/guard our hearts with all diligence because it is the most important part of us. Our hearts literally control our lives. Our hearts inform our confessions. Luke 6:45 says: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Our confessions inform the quality of our lives. What you confess is what you are going to have. Numbers 14:28 says: "Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you." A brother confessed to me that he falls sick whenever he pulls a sickie. (To pull a sickie means to take a day off work saying that you are ill when, in fact, you are not.) Our hearts are so important that God asked for it. Proverbs 23:26 says: "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." God has us once He has our hearts. The human heart is like a soil. Anything you plant on it will germinate. If you plant the wrong seeds it will grow and bring forth the wrong fruits. However, if you plant the right seeds it will bring forth the right fruits. Hence, watch what you plant on it. You can guard what you listen to or read.

REMEMBER: Your eyes and ears are the windows to your hearts.

NOTE: Watch the type of books you read. Ungodly books; viz, novels with erotic contents, will pollute your heart.

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ARE YOU PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT?

MEMORY VERSE: Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Isaiah 43:4

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 11-20

Please ignore anyone who tells you that God loves everyone equally. That is not true. The Lord said concerning Esau and Jacob, long before they were born, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (Romans 9:13).” The same God who created Esau and Jacob said to Rebekah whilst she was pregnant, “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger (Genesis 25:13).” One will be deluding himself or herself if he or she thinks that God loves everyone equally. He said in Isaiah 43:4, “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” You will realize from meditating on Isaiah 43:4 that some are precious in His sight and some are not. Many years ago, some men were travelling from Okenne, Kogi State, to another part of Nigeria. As they were about to set off, one of the men who sat in the back seat requested to swap seats with a young man who sat in the front passenger seat. The young man agreed and they swapped seats. Two minutes later, their vehicle was involved in a ghastly motor accident and the man who sat in the front passenger seat died instantly because of the injury he sustained. The man who swapped seats with him (and sat at the back) escaped with a mark to the side of his face.

Isaiah 43:4b says: “therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life”. The question is this, who created the men He promised to give for your life and my life? He created them. Proverbs 11:8 says: “The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead." Whenever trouble opens its mouth to swallow a child of God, the Lord will replace him or her with the wicked. An example that comes to mind is the incident that happened to a Christian brother at his place of work some years back. Whilst he was on holiday, someone drove one of the company vehicles without signing it out and was fined for over-speeding. The police contacted the organization and when they could not produce the fellow who drove the vehicle, they decided to take the organization to court. In other to save their image, the company decided to sacrifice someone and the person they decided to sacrifice was this Christian Brother, the fleet manager. On the day they were going to sack him, the Lord delivered him and the manager, his manager, who wanted to sacrifice him was sacrificed instead. This brings us to the question, are you precious in His sight? Proverbs 8:17 says: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” Do you love the Lord? Firstly, only believers, born-again Christians, are precious in His sight. If you hate Jesus you are not precious in Lord's sight. Secondly, only those who love Him are precious in His sight. John 14:23 says: “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Thirdly, only those who fear Him are precious in His sight. Proverbs 16:6 says: “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”

NOTE: You cannot claim to fear God and accept bribe. You cannot claim to love God and fornicate.
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DID HE SEND YOU?

MEMORY VERSE: And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. Luke 10:41

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 41-42

READ: Luke 10:38-42

Luke 10:38 says: “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.” I want you to take note of this sentence - “Martha received him into her house”. Jesus didn’t force His way into Martha’s house; she opened her door to Him out of her own volition. Jesus will never force His way into your life except you open the door to Him. He said in Revelations 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” No one has ever opened his door to Jesus and regretted it. Whoever opens his or her heart to Jesus will receive everything Jesus has to offer. Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17), and He will give them to anyone who asks in faith.

Jesus sat and taught in Martha’s house. Mary, Martha’s younger sister, sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His gracious Words. I want you to take note of where Mary sat – “at Jesus’ feet”. Bro, where are you currently sitted? Mary had a teachable spirit. She sat at Jesus’ feet to learn. Martha, on the other hand, was in the kitchen preparing food. She was busy preparing food for Him without asking Him if He wanted to eat and what He wanted to eat. What if He was fasting? No wonder, Jesus rebuked her when she came to report Mary for not assisting her in the kitchen. Luke 10:41 says: “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.”

Did Martha bother to know what Jesus wanted to eat? NO! Had she asked, Jesus would have told her not to bother. Many of us are like Martha in that we are busy serving without asking the Lord what He wants us to do or in what capacity He wants us to serve. Martha wasted all that food, time and effort doing what she was not sent to do. I doubt she got a thank you from the Lord for the food. Many of us are expecting a "thank you" from God for doing what He has not sent us to do. Who sent you on that mission you are on? Don’t expect a reward for a task He has not given to you. Those unassigned tasks are “weights” and they can pull you down. Hebrews 12:1 says: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Don’t join groups in the church because your friends are part of that group. The Lord may want your friend to be part of the protocol team and you, a choir. You will know if the Lord is leading you to join a group. Many a time, the Lord will speak to your pastor who will then direct you to the right group to join.

NOTE: You must ask yourself from time to time, "Why am I doing what I am doing?" Brother, why are you in the prayer warrior group? Is it because it is convenient or because you want to stand in the gap? If you are doing it because it is convenient, you will leave once it becomes inconvenient. If you are in a group because your friends are there, if care is not taken you will leave when they leave too.

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ENROUTE TO JERUSALEM

MEMORY VERSE: Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Ecclesiastes 9:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 31-40

READ: Luke 19:1-9

A large crowd followed Jesus as He walked through the streets of Jericho. There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector. He was a wealthy man. He heard that Jesus was in town and he made up his mind to see Him. There was one little problem; he was a man of small stature. However, he vowed in his heart to do everything humanly possible to see the Lord. Whilst contemplating on what to do, an idea dropped into his heart. “Why not climb up a tree”, he thought to himself. God will inspire you today in the name of Jesus. An idea, a great one, a life transforming one, will drop into your heart in the name of Jesus. He ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a tree. The bible did not tell us how long he waited on that tree before Jesus arrived at the location. That's immaterial. What matters is he waited until Jesus arrived. People must have made fun of him as he tried to climb the tree. "Look at that short man trying to climb a tree", they must have said cheekily. Does it really matter what people say? No, it doesn't! Zacchaeus probably didn’t take notice of the people who were making fun of him; he knew what he wanted and focused on his goal of seeing Jesus. Focus on your goal this year. Finally, Jesus arrived at the location. He stopped under the tree Zacchaeus was on and looked up. Jesus, no matter how busy, always has time for people for like Zacchaeus - people who are desperate to see Him. Luke 19:5 says: “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.” I can’t imagine the look on the face of Zacchaeus when the Lord looked up and smiled at him.

The bible records, in John 2:24, that Jesus knew the heart of all men. He knew the heart desire of Zacchaeus. He knew this poor man wanted to serve Him. One would have thought that Jesus would have allowed Zacchaeus to join His train to Jerusalem just like that but He didn’t. You see, our God is a God of order. He does not do things anyhow. There are certain issues that must be dealt with, first, before He will allow any man to follow Him. You cannot follow the Lord when there are unsettled matters at home. Jesus went home with Zacchaeus. Whilst in Zacchaeus' living room, the Holy Spirit began to convict Zacchaeus of the "wrongs" that needed to be made right. The Holy Spirit convicted him of restitutions that needed to be made. The same thing with you and me, no matter how passionate we are about the things of God, Jesus will not allow us to join His "train to Jerusalem" until He literally goes home with us to settle the matters at home. Those pornographic movies have to be destroyed first before Jesus will allow you to join Him. Those books you borrowed years back needs to be returned. Those immoral acts you are involved in such as; masturbation, phone sex, fornication, kerb crawling, visiting brothels, dating married men and women, must stop. Abortion must stop. Ecclesiastes 9:8 says; “Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.” Bleaching of your skin must stop if you want to follow Jesus. Gossiping and speaking evil of brethren must stop if you want to follow Jesus.

QUESTION: Is your garment still white? Or, it has been stained by sin.

ACTION: Ask the Lord to wash you in His blood and promise Him never to return to your old ways.

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WILL HE FIND YOU? PART TWO

MEMORY VERSE: And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 21-30

There are several types of prayers; today, by the special grace of God, we will be looking at intercessory prayers. To intercede means literally to “come in between God.” The intercessor is one who comes in between God and those for whom he is praying. Intercession is one of the highest arts of a Christian life. Sadly, many of us rarely pray intercessory prayers and when we do, we spend little or no time doing it. We spend quality time bombarding heaven with our personal prayer requests – things we want God to do, household enemies we want Him to destroy, etc. – but we rarely pray for others. Many of us who claim to intercede for others only intercede for our close friends. Ezekiel 22:30 says: “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” The Bible is littered with examples of men and women who made a difference through their intercessory prayers. Abraham, in Genesis 18, stood in between God and a city. Verse 22 says: “And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.” This is the position of an intercessor. Abraham stood in front of the Lord and said, “Lord, hold on a moment. Don’t go just yet. I have something to say to You.” In a sense, he held the Lord back. And then began a time of bargaining.

Intercessory prayer is a must for all believers. One group of people the Bible enjoins us to pray for are leaders. We have a responsibility as believers to pray for Presidents, State Governors, Principals, Vice Chancellors, Police Chiefs, Head of Departments, Pastors, just name it. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says; “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” Someone asked, I want to intercede but I don’t know who to intercede for. You can intercede for judges all over the world. Pray that God will give them boldness and wisdom to judge cases correctly. Many innocent people are being committed to prisons whilst the guilty roam around the street. You can also intercede for men especially fathers. Pray that God will fill them with wisdom and give them the wherewithal to look after their families. You can pray for marriages all over the world. Pray that the Lord will still every storm affecting marriages. Pray for the police and security agencies. They need our prayers to do their jobs. There are a lot of wicked people out there and except God helps them, they will not be able to do their jobs effectively. Pray for missionaries. Many of us forget to pray for missionaries. Remember, some of them left families to do God's work. Pray for the family they left behind. Pray for those on the sick bed that God will miraculously heal them. Pray for those who have lost loved ones that the Lord will comfort them. A lot of accidents could have been prevented if only believers prayed when the Holy Spirit nudged them to pray.
NOTE: God is looking for people who will stand in the gap for the barren, singles, pastors, wives, etc. Will He find you? Your prayer in Congo can prevent a car accident in Nepal.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

IN A CLASS OF HIS OWN

MEMORY VERSE: Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? Isaiah 66:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 5-10

One of the names of God is “The Greatest” (Isaiah 66:1). The word “greatest” suggests a comparison between entities or things in the same class. God is so great there is nothing to compare His greatness with. In terms of greatness, He is in a class of His own. His arms, according to Deuteronomy 33:27, are everlastingly long. From His throne in heaven, He can touch you wherever you are in the world. Attached to His hands are His great palms – so big that the whole universe can fit into it (Isaiah 40:21). His eyes run through the whole earth (2 Chronicles 16:9). You will agree with me that a pair of eyes that runs to and from throughout the whole earth are not small eyes.

Another name of God is “The Highest”(Lamentations 3:35). The word “highest”, again, suggests a comparison between entities in the same class. According to Revelations 19:16, He is the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. David, one of the greatest warrior that ever lived, described Him as the Lord of hosts. The Lord of hosts means the commander in chief of all the hosts or armies in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth (1 Samuel 17:45). He is the Supreme Ruler. Our God is “The Strongest” (Isaiah 13:13). In terms of strength, He is in a class of His own. Comparing God to anything is simply comparing the incomparable. Describing Him is like describing the indescribable. Or, explaining His existence is explaining the unexplainable. He is bigger than the whole earth yet He can fit into you. He is far and close at the same time. He is in heaven, in UK, USA, Germany, Nepal, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, etc, all at the same time. He is present everywhere at the same time. He is listening to the worship of the angels in heaven, listening to prayer requests in Cambodia, Vietnam, Congo, etc, all at the same time. The whole world speaks to Him at the same time and He hears them all at the same time. He is speaking to me, you, to those in villages, golf courses, offices, etc, all at the same time. He is too big to measure. He is too much to count. He is too bright to look at. He is beyond human comprehension. Imagine, He created everyone –there is nothing on earth that was not created – yet no one created Him. He gave life to every living organism yet no one gave life to Him. He feeds everyone yet no one feeds Him. The whole world depends on Him and yet He depends on no one. He protects everyone and yet He needs no protection. He meets the needs of all and yet He lacks nothing. He is the only Teacher that was never taught. He is the One who can’t be made wiser. He is the rich One who cannot be made richer. He is the great One who cannot be made greater. He can change the unchangeable; reverse the irreversible; move the unmovable; break the unbreakable, etc. Indeed, He is in a class of His own!

ACTION: Meditate on the greatness of our God and praise Him.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

THE BEREAN CHRISTIANS

MEMORY VERSE: And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 3:1- End

The author of the book of Acts, Luke, compared two Jewish Christians in Acts 17 vs 10-11: The Christians in Berea and the Christians in Thessalonica. The Christians in Berea were nobler than those in Thessalonica. They received the word of God when it was preached to them. They listened with rapt attention. The brethren in Thessalonica, on the other hand, didn’t receive the word of God. They challenged everything. “Sir, you need to be born again to enter into the kingdom of heaven.” “What do you mean”, they’ll say, “how about those that died without hearing the gospel”. They literally challenged everything even when it was backed up with scriptures. Not only did the Berean brethren receive the Word, they did with it ALL readiness of mind. In other words, they received it with an open mind. They came to church with writing materials to took down notes. Whilst others were busy on Facebook during service, they listened and pondered on the Word. Many can’t receive the Word because although they are physically present in the church, their minds are far away. Some spend the whole service planning how to deal with their wives because of what happened on their way to church. You’ll be amazed to know that whilst the pastor is preaching on godly living and holiness, many are planning how to steal from the offering baskets in the same service.

Just as it was in the days of Luke, so it is today in our modern day churches. Many of us don’t receive the Word with readiness of mind because the brother teaching is an ordinary deacon. Ordinary deacon? Imagine calling the Lord’s anointed an ordinary deacon? Some only pay attention when the church pastor is preaching. Anyone doing that is proud. God can use anyone – big or small – to speak to you. “I gave my life to Christ before him so why should I listen to him”, some say. Brother, you are proud! The brethren in Berea went home after service and studied their notes. Also, they searched the scripture daily. There is a difference between reading and searching the scripture. You can read your bible anywhere even whilst standing in a crowd. You need to literally sit down to search the scriptures. You cannot search the scripture in two minutes. As you search the scriptures, you will begin to unearth nuggets that will transform your life and everything around you. The Berean brethren studied their bible daily whilst those at Thessalonica only read them on Sundays. The Berean brethren quote the bible whilst those at Thessalonica quote books and big men of God. We thank God for great men of God. We thank God for their lives. However, you still need to know the scripture for yourself. You need to know what the bible says on various issues. The bible is your standard for living not a ministry. Today, many are taking America to be “the” standard. Whatever we see them do there, we copy. That should not be so. If it is not scriptural please drop it.

NOTE: You need to search the scripture daily because: 1) it contains God’s standard; 2) It shows you how to get to heaven and; 3) you will be judged solely by the word of God.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

A HEART AFTER GOD II

MEMORY VERSE: ‘And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Acts 13:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 3-8

What qualified David to be king of Israel was not his military experience, his family background, his educational background, his years of service in the palace, or a special competency. What qualified him was the state and inclination of his heart. Acts 13:22 says: "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." There are some blessings that your academic qualifications, beauty, physical stature, money, experience, and achievements will not be enough to get for you- it will require a heart that is after God.

Before God, the state of your heart is more important that the state of your mind and hands. An educated mind and well-trained hands without a heart that desires after God, the things of God and building of character is nothing. As you educate your mind, acquire skills, build relationships with people, and spend even more time with God, desiring Him, knowing Him, and building Christ-like character. When you give God your heart, He will give you what man cannot give to you and qualify you for what man will not qualify you for. There are some things your educated mind and skilful hands will never get for you; it will take a heart that is leaned towards God, a heart of integrity, and character.

PRAYER POINT: Create in me a clean and pure heart.

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki

HE USES LITTLE THINGS TO ACHIEVE BIG THINGS

MEMORY VERSE: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 1:1-2:13

The story of Jesus feeding five thousand men, not counting women and children, is a popular Sunday school story (John 6:1-13). Several lessons can be learnt from this story. The Lord uses whatsoever you put in His hands for His glory. He used that little boy's lunch - five bread and two tiny fishes - to do wonders. That 'miraculous feeding of five thousand' happened over 2000 years ago but we still talk about it today. Hannah put her little Samuel in the hands of God and He used him to appoint David - one of the greatest king in Israel. Also, He multiplies/ grows whatsoever you put in His hands. That boy's lunch was multiplied to feed five thousand able men not counting women and children and there were twelve baskets left (John 6:13).   Samuel, whom Hannah put in His hands, grew up to become one of the greatest prophets in Israel. Parents, ensure your wards attend Sunday school. They need to know the Lord at a young age so they can become the Daniels, Shadrachs, Meshachs and Abednegos of this generation. The Lord not only uses and multiplies whatsoever you put in His hands, He returns them back to you. Who do you think Jesus gave the twelve remaining baskets to? I believe the boy. Why? Ecclesiastes 7:11 says: “All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.” Whatsoever you put in His hands is not lost. Actually, it is an investment. Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord and the Lord gave her five children – three boys and two girls - in return (2 Samuel 2:20). Besides, she still had Samuel. How about if you put nothing in His hands? You will get nothing back.

Another powerful lesson is God often uses little things to do big things. I am excited because I know God will use little people like me to do mighty things in this generation. I believe He will do the same with you. He used that little lunch to feed a multitude. He is doing great things with those little offerings, tithes, gifts to men and women of God, service in your church, etc. You will be amazed at the number of souls won and how His work had progressed and prospered because you gave yourself and your resources to His use. He often uses little obedient tasks to do big things. A pastor was sharing with us how a little hug saved a life. A woman wanted to commit suicide so she decided to come and see her pastor before taking her life. Before she got there, the Lord had ministered to the man of God to give her a hug. This was a strange instruction to this man especially after preaching against hugging the opposite sex . Thank God he recognised  the voice of God. He reluctantly hugged the lady when she arrived but then something happened. She burst into tears and told the pastor of her plan to hang herself. Had he disobeyed, she would have hanged herself. Is the Lord leading you to encourage anyone? Please do it, you could be saving a life. God often uses little people in little places to do big things. Goliath, the giant, was killed by little David (1 Samuel 17). God used a little girl in the house of Naaman to bring healing to a whole nation (2 Kings 5). In our bible reading, a little boy’s ordinary lunch that was obediently given to Jesus was used in an extraordinary miracle for a multitude. God can take our little efforts to do a lot. Jesus said that giving even a cup of water in His name could bring a reward which would last forever (Mark 9:41). He said even a little faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain (Matthew 17:20).

PRAYER POINT: Please make this year my best so far.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

WHAT IS THY NAME?

MEMORY VERSE: And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. Genesis 32:27-28

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Gen 9:1-28

Names are very important in the Bible because names represent the person. Take for instance, the name “Jacob”. It means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter”. If it were to be today, we would have called him a fraudster. He duped anyone dupe-able. Esau, after he was duped said to Isaac (his father),” Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? (Genesis 27:36)” Names are not just a means of identifying a man; names speak volume about a man’s destiny. The name "Ishmael" means "God hears”. This by implication means a destiny whose success and fulfillment depends on the power of prayers. No wonder when his mother, Hagar, was driven out of Abraham’s house and there was no water for him to drink, God miraculously provided water when he cried. Genesis 21:17- 18 says: “And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.” Sadly, Ishmael did not capitalize on this. He stopped praying after that day. I think his descendants must have realized his mistake, hence they pray many times a day today. My surname used to be “Fatoki” (Ifa is worthy to be adored). Ifa is a Yoruba deity. Several years back, God spoke through a minister that my dad should change his surname. He obeyed and chose “Oluwatoki” (God is worthy to be adored). Not many years after he changed his surname, he built his first house. In my personal life, God is indeed worthy to be adored.

Genesis 32:27-28 says: “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” What is thy name simply means who are you? Might i ask you the same question this morning, what is thy name? Friend, who are you? Who are you when you are not in church? Who are you when the pastor or brethren from the church are not around? What is your name at work? What is your name when you go out of town? Is it kerb crawler (a person who drives around areas known for street prostitution soliciting prostitutes for sexual activity)? What is your name when you are alone in your room? Is it pornographer? Asides the fat salary, degree, houses and properties, big church title, who are you? When the angel said to Jacob, “what is thy name”, he responded saying “Jacob”. Jacob was the name people – his father, his mother, his brother, friends and family – were calling him. Whenever his father wanted to send him on an errand, he would say “Jacob do this for me”. Whenever his beloved mother wanted him, she would say, “Jacob come here!” Whenever Esau (his brother) wanted to check on him, he would say “Jacob how was your day?” Since everyone was calling him “Jacob”, he assumed that he was indeed a "Jacob". Thank God, the angel challenged that name and changed it. Today, you must challenge the names people have been calling you. Tell them, you are not a “dullard”. You are not who others say you are. Your bank balance does not determine who you are. You may be in red but that does not mean you are poor. You are more than your finances. You are more than you past failures. You may have failed an exam but you are not a failure. You may not have a child today but you are not barren. There is something good about you. You are unique in every way. The people around may not see your uniqueness but you are unique.

NOTE: You are not worthless. You are worth dying for because Jesus died for you! Don’t allow anyone to tell you anything different.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

KNOWN BY HIS NAME(S)

MEMORY VERSE: “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name the LORD was I not known to them. Exodus 6:31

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Gen 6:9-8:22

God introduces Himself to people in different ways. One of the ways He introduces Himself is through His name. Exodus 6:31 says: “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name the LORD was I not known to them”. In other words, I introduced Myself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by My name God Almighty (the One who is able to fulfill all His purposes, promises and covenant; One whom nothing is impossible with). He introduced Himself, to Abram, as a Protector by His name “Shield”. He introduced Himself, to the Israelite, as Great Physician by His name “the One who heals” (Exodus 15:26).

He introduces Himself to people through His attributes. For instance, He introduced Himself to the Israelite through His attribute, holy (Leviticus 20). In 1 John 4:8, He introduced Himself through His attribute, love. We see Him introducing Himself to Moses through His attributes - merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6). James, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, introduced God to us through His attribute, Generous. James 1:17 says,” Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Many a time, He goes extra mile to paint a picture of these attributes to us (Psalm 103:11). To help us understand His love, He said “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:13). He goes further still to demonstrate this attribute. In John 8:1-11, He took a woman caught in the act of adultery, someone condemned to death by stoning and forgave her. To demonstrate His love, He gave His only son, His Best, for our sins (John 3:16). Jesus demonstrated His love by giving Himself (John 15:13). To demonstrate His generosity, He told Solomon “Ask what I shall give thee” (2 Chronicles 1:7). He introduces Himself to people by telling them what He loves and what He hates. When He wanted to tell us that He is pro-marriage, He said “I hate putting away (divorce)” ( Malachi 2:16). Besides telling us what He hates, He rewards some actions to inform us that He loves them and punishes some actions to tell us He hates them. After warning Nebuchadnezzar repeatedly about his pride, He turned him into an animal for seven years.

NOTE: God has warned many of us through sermons, books, audiotapes, etc, but we have refused to listen. Why not repent before He takes action against you.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please have mercy.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

SOURCES OF PROPHECY

MEMORY VERSE: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Gen 6:1-8

The gift of prophecy is manifested when believers SPEAK THE MIND OF GOD, by the INSPIRATION of the HOLY SPIRIT, and not from their own thoughts. There are three ways, the Scripture tells us, in which prophecy ministers to believers: edification (building up), Exhortation (urging on) and comfort (consoling). 1 Corinthians 14:3 says: “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”

Prophecies come from three major sources. Firstly, flesh. A lot of the “thus saith the Lord of Hosts” today emanate from the flesh or are informed by personal agendas. Prophesying from the flesh is not new; the Bible is littered with several examples of men who prophesied as led by their flesh. An example of a prophet who prophesied as led by his flesh i.e. out of jealousy can be found in 1 Kings 13.The Lord sent a young brother to Bethel to prophesy against a particular altar. He gave this brother three instructions: You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came (1 Kings 13:9). On his way back from prophesying, an old prophet met him and shouted, “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.” This naive brother said, "yes sir" and went home with him. On his way home after dining and eating with the prophet, a lion mauled him to death. Beware of any prophecy that is not in line with the Word of God. Please ignore any prophecy to do anything contrary to the Scriptures e.g. marry a second wife. A man of God, with a big financial challenge, was praying sometimes back when a "prophet" turned up at his door and said, "God said I should tell you to buy me a car!" What a prophecy! This man of God at that time was struggling to feed his family. He told the prophet, "Tell God I don't have money to buy you a car". The prophet left in shame. A prophecy to sleep with any man other than your husband before you can conceive is not from God.

Secondly, evil spirits or demons. King Ahab wanted to war against Ramoth Gilead so he gathered 400 prophets to prophesy (1 Kings 22). Verse 6 says: “Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.” Unknown to him, these prophets were inspired by lying spirits (evil spirits). Thank God for men like King Jehoshaphat - a man with the Spirit of Discernment. He asked King Ahab “is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides that we might enquire of him?” You need the Spirit of Discernment to know the sources of a prophecy. Prophecies that come from evil spirits or demons are usually not in line with the Bible. Thirdly, Holy Spirit. Prophesies from the Holy Spirit are always IN LINE WITH THE BIBLE. Prophecies from God are either strengthening, encouraging or comforting (1 Corinthians 14:3).

NOTE: It is still present today, Christians are certainly given words for one another “in the Lord”, of knowledge or wisdom, and such words can be most refreshing and helpful, but there must be a WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT on the part of the person receiving the words, and extreme caution should be used in receiving any alleged directive or predictive prophecy. Never undertake any project simply because you were told to by presumed prophetic utterances or interpretation of tongues, or by a presumed word of wisdom, or knowledge. Never do something just because a friend comes to you and says: “The Lord told me to tell you to do thus and thus!” If the Lord has instructions for you, He will give you a witness in your own heart, in which case the words come from a friend, or through the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a meeting, will be confirmation to what God has already been showing you.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

THE AUTHOR OF PEACE

MEMORY VERSE: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Gen. 4:16- 5:32

One of the names of our Lord Jesus Christ is 'Lord of Hosts' (Revelations 19:11-20). The 'Lord of Hosts' simply means the Commander in Chief i.e. the Supreme Commander of all the forces in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth. Philippians 2:10 says: "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth." Even, Satan, the head of demons, bows at the mention of the name of Jesus. Another name of our Lord Jesus is the 'Prince of Peace'. Isaiah 9:6 says: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” The word 'Prince' means 'Ruler'. Therefore, Jesus is the Ruler of Peace or the Author of Peace.

The moment Jesus steps into a man's boat, peace steps into the man's boat. The moment Jesus departs from a man, peace departs from the man. What is peace? Peace is the absence of disturbance. In Mark 5:21-43, a woman with the issue of blood met Jesus. Not only was she sick, she was disturbed. She was of marriageable age and no brother had come to propose to her. Also, she was poor and had no food to eat. She didn't even know where her next meal was going to come from. Mark 5:26 says: “And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was noting bettered, but rather grew worse. bettered, but rather grew worse.” To make matters worse, her disease was incurable. One day, she met Jesus (Author of Peace) and she breathed a sigh of relief.

The impotent man at the pool of Bethesda was sick,sad, weak and stressed (John 5:1-15). The pool of Bethesda was like a war zone. The angel of the Lord comes once a year to stir the water. Anyone who steps into the pool first after it has been stirred will automatically be healed. As a result, people will start rushing to get into the pool when it is stirred.  This man had done this for 38 years;  someone stronger, faster and more powerful had always jump into the water first. John 5:7 says, “The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” What really disturbed him was he had no helper. There were opportunities but no means of taking advantage of the opportunities.  One day, he met Jesus (Author of Peace) and peace came. Nicodemus was not only confused, he was troubled ( John 3:1-5). He wanted to know about how to get to heaven. One night, he came to Jesus and that questioned was answered . Friend, only Jesus can give you peace. All you get outside Jesus is a temporary peace.

QUESTION: What is troubling you? What is causing you sleepless night? Take it to Jesus.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

THE STRIFE MUST CEASE

MEMORY VERSE: And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward. Genesis 13:14

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 4:1-25

In Genesis 12:1-3, God gave Abram three instructions: “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee”. The instructions were simple and basic. Obedience to these three instructions will bring about seven blessings: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Abram left his country, his relatives but did not leave his father’s house because he took Lot with him. He partially obeyed the Lord's instruction. Partial obedience is disobedience. God actually prefers disobedience to partial obedience. Revelations 3:15 -16 says: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” You are either a believer or an unbeliever. Don't try to be in the middle because God hates that. If you want to fornicate, go ahead and fornicate. If you want to abstain from sex, go ahead and abstain from sex. Don't kiss and touch the opposite sex in a way you shouldn't and say, " I am keeping the marriage bed undefiled." No ! The marriage bed is already defiled. If you want to be a polygamist, go ahead and be a polygamist. If you want to be a monogamist, go ahead and be one. Don't commit adultery.

Later Abram began to reap the reward of his partial obedience. Genesis 13:7 says: “And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.” Lot became a thorn in Abram’s side. What did you do when you were told to fast and pray before you embark on that journey?  You prayed for two minutes and hopped on the bus; that's partial obedience. Maybe that's why you misplaced your wallet on your way back. Before the strife got out of hands, Abram called a meeting. Friend, you need to do something about that misunderstanding that keeps occurring between your wife and the neighbor's wife. Problems don't just go. Someone has to take responsibility and resolve the misunderstanding once and for all. Genesis 13:14 says: “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward.” God stopped speaking to Abram when Lot's herdsmen and Abram's began to quarrel.  Anyone who regularly hears from God knows what it is to stop hearing from God; It is very frustrating. Not until the strife was resolved, God did not speak a word. Sir, God will not speak to you as long as you keep malice with your wife. Actually, there is no point praying because God will not answer. Make peace first and He will turn to you. Our God is a God of unity not a God of conflict. He takes His leave the moment strife begins. Once He leaves, the devil takes over and torment the people involved. He is a gentle Spirit. Sister, there is no point going to minister in songs when you have not resolved that conflict with your husband. Bro Prayer warrior, there is no point going to prayer warrior meetings when you have just beaten  your wife. Make peace. Ask God to forgive and she must forgive you too. If you and the brother/sister you are courting are always striving and quarreling, you better end the courtship and pray again.

NOTE: Strife will destroy your spiritual life. It will leave you deeply hurt and at times, it may leave you with an emotional scar. As such, it is better to avoid strife. You may even need to separate yourself from certain people. It could be your blood brother or sister. It could even be your big uncle or big aunt. If the strife is with your husband or wife, you know you can't divorce but you can seek counseling.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world