A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT CHALLENGES 5

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

BIBLE READING: Ruth 4 – 1 Samuel 3

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

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

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

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT CHALLENGES 4

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

BIBLE READING: Judges 21- Ruth 3

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

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

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

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

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

YOUR CLASS DETERMINES YOUR OPPONENTS/ CHALLENGES

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

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Peter 4-5

In some sports especially boxing and horse-racing, there is something called “weigh-in”. Individual competitors report a day before or on the day of the competition, depending on the sports, to be “weighed-in’ first to ensure that they compete in the right class. In the realm of professional fighting, size does matter. The bigger you are, the harder you hit, the harder you are to hit, and the more your attacks exhaust your opponent. As such, it will be unfair for two competitors e.g. boxers from differing weight class to fight each other. Hence, your weight determines your class, and your class determines your opponent. If you are a heavyweight, you will get an opponent in the heavyweight category. Also, your class determines your reward. You can’t compete in the lightweight category and expect to be rewarded as a heavyweight. It is the same in life; the size of your destiny will determine the size of your challenges. You will be matched against an opposition as big as you. The higher you go academically, the tougher the exams will be. I found that as the Most High was helping me and i was being promoted, the exams i was sitting for were getting tougher. I remember a particular exam which had two sections: Section A, answer any three out of five and Section B, answer any two out of four. I had only 90 minutes. The next one was a 3 hours open book exam; 100 objective questions, answer all.

The spiritual challenges you will face will be determined by your spiritual level. The kind of attacks you will get will be determined your spiritual level. The mad man of Gadara was attacked by over 6000 demons because he was created to be a mighty evangelist. Somehow, the enemy got hold of that information and bombarded him ( Mark 5:1-20). The higher you go, in the Lord, the stiffer the opposition will be. This is not to scare you or anything, but to prepare you. The reason why you are facing unusual challenges could be because of what God created you to be. The enemy, somehow, got hold of some information about your life and is now attacking you to cancel out that plan. I want to inform you that he will not succeed. I remember a time in my life when it seemed as if as someone opened the gate of challenges at me. As i was leaving one, i was entering into another.
I now understand why. As David grew, his opposition grew. His first opposition was a lion, and then a big bear, and then Goliath, and so on.

Zechariah 3:1 says: “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” In the synagogue, the position of the chief high priest is the highest and Joshua, the high priest, was at that level. In the demonic world, the highest ranking demon is Satan himself. As you can , from our memory verse, Satan was withstanding Joshua. The reason why you are facing great challenges could be because of your level in Christ. Although you are a young man or woman, before God you are not. Although David was a small boy , he was dripping with anointing. Although , he was a young, he was king in waiting. As you grow in Him, He will give you the right weapon to fight the enemies at your level. When David’s enemies were just beast – lions and bears- He only strengthen his hands. This was why he could club a bear to death. Psalm 144:1 says:” A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:” When he grew to the level of Goliath, the Lord gave him a sling and stone. You have no reason to fear the enemy because you will always receive weapons to conquer the enemy at your level.

PRAYER POINT: Father, fortify your protection over my life.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

AND THERE WERE THREE DAYS IN GATHERING OF THE SPOIL

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

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Daniel 9-12

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

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

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

Bro Samuel| Reaching the world for Jesus.

YOUR SIZE

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

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 45 -48

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

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

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

PRAYER POINT: Father, glorify yourself in my life.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

THE GOOD IN CHALLENGES

MEMORY VERSE: say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings, Isaiah 3:10 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1Kgs 19, 1 Thes 2, Dan 1, Ps 40-41 

Pain has its advantages. Although we all dread it, the ability to feel pain or experience pain is crucial to our survival. I never knew the ability to feel pain was a favor from God until I heard the story of a sister. Her mum had challenges in the area of her health and her feet went numb. Mama lived in the country side and preferred to walk barefooted. Since most of the roads were not tarred, there were sharp stones and objects everywhere.  If she dashed her feet on a rock, she wouldn't feel anything. It was so terrible that one of mama’s toes had to be cut off because of a deep cut. No one could really explain how she sustained the cut, but she had a cut and mama did not know until people saw mama’s leg bleeding. By the time they rushed her to the hospital it was too late. Because of her condition, they had to hire a nurse to inspect her feet for any cuts or wound from time to time. Pain informs you that you are in a territory you should not be in or you are doing something you should not do. Pain at times informs our decision. The pain of failure is what motivates some to work hard and succeed. 

Do you know that challenges have its advantages? Only the living face challenges. God already knows that the challenges you are going through will not kill you or mark your end. Isaiah 3:10 says say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.  It shall be well with you. One of the reasons why God permits challenges is because He knows that those challenges will cause us to fast and pray which will in turn develop us spiritually. Years ago, I used to see dogs chasing me in my dreams. During that period I faced a major challenge which caused me to really pray and fast. The Lord dealt with the challenge and I had my peace. I noticed that after the rigorous fasting and praying, I stopped seeing dogs chasing me in my dream. By the special grace of God, when I now see leopards in my dream I chase them and they run, praise God. The Lord knew that the challenge was not going to mark my end, He permitted it to that so that I would fast and pray which helped me to develop my spiritual muscles. Challenges also help in developing one’s faith. Every time God takes care of challenges in your life, your faith in Him grows. The next time you see a man of faith, remember you are looking at man who has faced many challenges. 

SUMMARY: Without test there will not be a promotion. Without trials there will not be a testimony. You are facing that challenge because God is setting you up for a mega testimony.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus

BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS WERE BROUGHT FORTH

MEMORY VERSE: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God, Psalm 90:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Num 36, Ps 80, Isa 28, 2 Jn 1

Mountains refer to challenges or problems. Mark 11:23 says for verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. The mountain referred to in this verse is a rock physically and challenges spiritually. Who is God? According to Revelations 11:17, He is the Lord. Not only that He is the Almighty i.e. All powerful, He was in the past and He is today; He will continue to be (Hebrews 11:8). Who is God? The One who with nothing is impossible, Luke 1:37.Isaiah 9:6 says He is mighty i.e. full of power. 

Psalm 90:2 says before the mountains were brought forth, or thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Long before you were born, long before you knew your left from right; long before that situation that seems impossible came about the One who with nothing is impossible has been on the throne. This is why you need not to entertain fear when you face challenges because long before those challenges, the One whose word is like a hammer that breaks rocks into pieces has been. Because He has been existence long before that challenge, He knows the root or foundation of that challenge. All He needs to do is go to the root and uproot it so that another will not grow again.

When you face challenges all you need to do is pray to God and have faith, I guarantee you that challenges will disappear. Mark 11:24 says therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Do not allow the enemy to rob you of your sleep! The only thing God expects from you during challenges is you send Him a knee-mail i.e. go on your knees and thank Him for the things He has done in the past; tell Him about what you are going through and round it off by telling Him what you want Him to do about it. As far as there are no hidden sins, as far as you are not bearing animosity against anyone I give you this assurance that God responds rapidly to knee-mails. If there are hidden sins just repent of them and ask Him to forgive you. If there is a brother or sister you have a thing or two against, call them and settle whatever it is between you. After this go on and send your knee-mail.

ACTIONS POINTS: The time of challenges is not the time to ask questions. It is the time to send a Knee-mail.

WATER TO WINE PART 2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 39, Mark 9, Job 5, Romans 9

John 2:3 and when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they have no wine.

Bible studies: John 2:1-11

In part 1 of ‘water to wine’ series, we learnt that water symbolizes challenges and wine symbolizes celebration. Therefore water to wine simply means challenges to celebration. We touched the subject of Christians and alcohol. We also talked about one of the things that needs to be in place for water to turn into wine-for challenges to turn into celebration.

The fact that you love God does not mean there will not be challenges or problems. Problems and challenges are part and parcel of life - believers and non believers. The believer is only at an advantage because right in his boat is the Prince of Peace and a word from Him will still the storm. If anyone tells you that once you give your life to Christ there will not be challenges it is a lie. The bible says that many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all, Psalm 34:19. Jesus even told His disciples that in the world they will have tribulations but they should be of good cheer because He has overcome the world for them, John 16:33. The Most High God says in Isaiah 43:2 that when you pass though the waters, He will be there. He did not say if you pass through waters, He said when you pass through waters.Jesus was in the boat when a great windstorm arose and the waves began to beat into the boat, Mark 4:35-41. When Jesus is in your boat, there could be storms but be rest assured that the boat will never sink. Jesus was at the wedding in Cana of Galilee and when the wine finished, John 2:1-11. When Jesus is at your wedding or function, the wine may finish but be rest assured that He will provide a better wine in excess. The fact that you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior does not exempt you from trials of faith. Several years ago I was about to close from work when the manager called three of us into his office. He told us the department was overstaffed and our services were no longer required. Our contracts were terminated right on the spot ; no notice period was given. Since we were temporary staffs, there was nothing we could do except leave. Today in that same place of work I have been made permanent, received recognitions, been promoted, participated in several recruitment e.t.c. The wine finished on that day but the Lord provided a better wine at the same place work. Whilst serving the Lord in spirit and truth, the enemies may attack and your wine finishes. I want to tell you the God you serve will provide a better wine. In that endeavor of yours, things might go wrong unexpectedly, I want to tell you there is God on the throne and you will not suffer disgrace. Anytime I am facing any challenges, i will tell people please do not pity me because Christ in me is the Hope of glory, Colossians 1:27. The wine may finish one hundred times but I very confident that Jesus will produce a better wine one hundred and one times.

KEYWORD: Challenges are part and parcel of life. When going through any challenges remember Christ in you is the hope of glory not of shame.

WATER TO WINE PART 1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 38, Mark 8, Job 4, Romans 8

John 2:3 and when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they have no wine.

Bible studies: John 2:1-11

Water is a symbol of calamities and challenges. Isaiah 43:2 says when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. Wine on other wine is a symbol of potency, joy, celebration, bounty, banqueting e.t.c. Isaiah 25:6 says in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full or marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. The summary of the story in John 2:1-11 is Jesus turned calamities and challenges to joy and celebration.

I have heard many Christians argue that there is nothing wrong in consuming alcohol, after all Jesus turned water to wine. They will round it up with 1 Timothy 5:23 where Paul advises Timothy to take little wine for his stomach problems. In Proverbs 31:4 -5, we see the mother of a King –to- be advising her son that it is not for kings to drink wine ,lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. One thing I know for sure is that Jesus did not and will never offer wines that will cause people to forget the law and the wine Paul referred to was not the type that helps pervert the justice of all the afflicted. There is nothing wrong in consuming fruit wines but wines containing alcohol even 0.5 percent is not to be touched by believers. Proverbs 23:29 -30 says who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Proverbs 20:1 says wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Isaiah 5:11 says woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! Not only that our body is the temple of the living God not a beer pub or alcohol storage facility. The organizers of the wedding at Cana in Galilee did one very wise thing; they invited Jesus to the wedding. One thing the devil hate is joy. He hates to see celebration and shouts of joy. That is why you would never see the devil around places where they are always shouting Hallelujah! He hates that word with a passion. The wedding planners planned the wedding to the best of their abilities but they still invited Jesus just in case. The One who can turn water into wine is Jesus. He only can turn challenges into celebrations. You may have had it all planned up, you have put measures into place, you have done all that needs to be done, dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's ,despite all that you still need Jesus. He only can keep the devil away or turn situations around. You may have everything in the world; once Jesus is missing you have nothing. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and savior today and begin to enjoy a life full of celebrations.

KEY WORD: The only One who can turn water to wine is Jesus.