GOD’S THREE MEN

MEMORY VERSE: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 3-4

BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

The bible teaches that there are three basic types of men: the natural man, the carnal man, and the spiritual man. The natural man is described in 1 Corinthians 2:14, where Paul says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The natural man is the unregenerate man; he has never been born of the Holy Ghost. He is spiritually dead and as such, he operates from his soul and body. He is sensual. In a nutshell, anyone - regardless of how principled he is or how much good morals he upholds - who has not accepted Jesus as His personal Lord and saviour is a natural man because he does not have the Holy Spirit inside him.The fellow may even observe the Christian lent yearly and answer to a Christian name because he was born into a Christian family. The natural man is at the mercy of the enemy. The natural man has a high appetite for sin, especially sexually sins. He is usually cunning and full of tricks.

The carnal man is described in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. Verses 1 says, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” The carnal man, therefore, is still a babe. Although he has given his life to Christ, he still enjoys a bit of the world. Although Christ now resides inside him, He does not posses him fully. The carnal man does not have a regular quiet time where he sits at the feet of Jesus to learn. He depends on others for spiritual food. The moment he faces any challenges he starts to blame God. He is cold today and hot tomorrow.The three marks of a carnal Christian are envy, strife and division. Verses 3 says, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? " Once in a while, he indulges in quarrels. He retaliates when offended. The image of Christ is not fully formed in him. He is impatient. There are still some parts of the bible that he has trouble with. He hardly forgives talk less of forget. Even when he forgives, he still refers to the offence from time to time to punish the offender or make him feel guilty.

However, there is the spiritual man. 1 Corinthians 2:15 says, “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” He lives by the spirit. Christ has taken full possession of him. He is more concerned about what he can do for Christ not what Christ can do for him. The spiritual man discerns. He is able to detect false doctrine and false fire. Whilst the carnal man loves to show off, the spiritual man is not a 'show off'. The spiritual man is a broken Christian. He is a man of the word. He studies the word ferociously and obeys the word. These, then, are the three types of men (and women). This brings us to the question, which are you? Are you a natural man? It is true that you answer a Christian name, are you a Christian? Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and saviour? This is not an issue of whether you go to church or not? This is not an issue of whether you went to a Christian school or not? This not an issue of whether you don't fornicate or steal. You may not steal but tell little harmless lies. Or you have given your life to Christ but you have remained at the same spot for a long time. You still don't have a place and a time where you meet with Christ daily to learn.

QUESTION : It is true that you have Christ but does Christ have you?

PRAYER POINT: Ask the Lord to help you to be a better Christian and also make up your mind to live a life that is pleasing to God.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

SEEING MEN AS TREES WALKING?

MEMORY VERSE: And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. Mark 8:24

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 13

STUDY: Mark 8:22-26

Jesus arrived at Bethsaida and they brought a blind man to Him and begged Him to touch this man (Mark 8:22-26). I hope you will beg Jesus to touch you this hour. I hope you will beg Him to touch that son that is always telling lies. I hope you will beg Him to touch that wife of yours who is not interested in the things of God. I hope you will beg Him to touch that husband of yours that is always coming home late and drunk. I hope you will beg Him to touch those that will be interviewing you for that job or visa. The bible records that “they besought Him to touch him”. Jesus took this man by the hand, led him out of the city, spat on his eyes, touched his eyes, and asked him, “do you see anything?” Mark 8:24 says, “And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.”

How you see a thing will determine how you will relate to that thing. How you see a man will determine how you will relate to the man. Also, how you see a woman will determine how you will relate to the woman. How you see your wife will determine how you will relate to her, so also how you see your husband will determine how you will relate to him. How you see your pastor will determine how you will relate to him or her, so also how you see your pastor’s wife or husband will determine how you will relate to him or her. In addition, how you see people will determine how you will treat them. There are people you will never believe what they say; i mean there are people when they say good morning to you, you check your watch to make sure it is morning indeed because they are not honest. When they tell you something costs 30 dollars, you know the price of that thing will be at most 15 dollars because of your past dealings with them. The blind man saw men as trees, in other words he saw men as something to use and dump. This brings us to the question how do you see your wife ? As trees walking? A brother who sees his wife as a help meet for him, helper sent from God, will not treat his wife as a punching bag. Someone once said, “A woman’s heaven is under the foot of her husband”. This is not biblical at all. A sister who sees her husband as her head will not treat the brother as her opponent – always competing with him. A brother who sees his wife and himself as one will not put his junior brother or parents as his next kin. If you and your wife are one then your next of kin should be your wife not your junior brother. So also a sister who sees her husband and herself as one will not build a house secretly without telling her husband. When couples begin to see their marriage as God sees it, the word ‘my’ will be substituted with ‘our’. My money becomes our money. My house becomes our house. A brother who sees his wife and himself as one will do everything possible to escort his wife to the hospital for medical check up. If you and your wife are one, how come she is always going for medical check up alone? A sister who sees her house help as someone’s child will treat her as such. She won’t treat her like an animal. Jesus knew the danger of that man seeing men as trees so He touched his eye again and everything became normal.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please touch my eyes.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

DO NOT YOUR ALMS BEFORE MEN

MEMORY VERSE: Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew 6:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 John - Jude

BIBLE STUDIES:  Matthew 6:1-4

Alms are money or goods given to those in need as an act of charity. The concept of alms-giving is so important that God incorporated it into the Mosaic Law. In Leviticus 19:9-10, God ordered land- owners to leave to the poor the corner of the fields, and every seventh year, to leave the entire field (Exodus 23:10-11). In Churches today, ‘alms’ often go by the name love offering or benevolence fund. You can give money, food items, clothes, shoes and other items as alms. When Jesus was on the earth, He and His disciples gave alms. John 13:29 says: “For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.” We are also expected to give love, respect and kindness too. Alms-giving has many advantages. Alms-giving honours God. Proverbs 14:31 says: “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.” Alms-giving attracts God’s attention. In Acts 10, the Gentile Cornelius’ faithful alms-giving brought him to the attention of God who sent Peter to share the gospel with him. Alms-giving attracts God’s blessing (Proverbs 22:9). Alms-giving attracts a quick response from God when we cry to Him (Proverbs 21:13).

Alms-giving is important but more important is how we give it. Firstly, do not give goods or materials that are meant for the bin as alms. You know that shirt is worn out, why give it to your fellow brother? You know the sole of that shoe is condemned, why give it your fellow sister in the Lord? If something is not good enough for you, do not give out to people. You know those cans of baked beans are expired; please do not give them to the homeless. You know that juice is expired, do not give it to the hungry. Secondly, when you give, do not do it before men, to be seen of them. Do not give so that people can applaud you. Do not give because you want people to sing your praise. Do not give because you want the pastor to know that you are a giver. Do not give to belittle the fellow you are giving to. If you want to assist that struggling family with food items, do it in secret. Make sure you wrap the food items properly so that no one knows what is inside the bag. Call the fellow to the side of the church and give it to him/her or better still take it to their house. Thirdly, when you give alms do not boast about it to people. Matthew 6:2 says: “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Do not go about telling people what you have done for the church. Fourthly, the alms you have given must be between you, your husband/wife (if you are married) and God. When all these conditions are met, the God who sees in secret has promised to reward you openly.  

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: We will be rewarded openly for what we do in the secret. What are you doing in the secret? What are you doing when the pastor is not there?

PRAYER: Father, please bless me so that I can be a blessing to the world.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

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DON’T CAST IT AWAY BECAUSE YOU WILL STILL NEED IT

MEMORY VERSE: But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day. Judges 15:19

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Peter 1 – 1 John 2

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:” Friend, you will have what you confess not what you want. When David stood before Goliath, a formidable enemy, he confessed the result he wanted not his feeling. He did not have a sword to fight Goliath with yet, he told him, “This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee....that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (1 Samuel 17:46).” David slang a stone and it smote Goliath in his forehead and he fell. He ran to Goliath, picked his big sword and cut off his head as he had confessed. Friend, do not worry about how your confessions will come to past. Confess what you want and leave the rest to God; He will work circumstances in your favour to make your confessions a reality. After cutting Goliath’s head with his own sword, I thought David was going to cast away the sword, and run with the head to the king. He did something wise: he kept the sword (1 Samuel 17:54). On the other hand, Samson cast away the jawbone he used to secure victory over the Philistines. Shortly after this, the bible records that “he was sore athirst” (Judges 15:18). When the thirst became unbearable, he cried out to heaven and God directed him to the ‘jawbone’ he threw away earlier. Judges 15:19 says: “But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.”

The jawbone that God used to give Samson victory was the same jawbone God used to quench his thirst. Samson’s ‘jawbone of an ass’ had a lot of potentials but he did not know it. Friend, that ‘jawbone’ that brought you victory, is full of potentials. That jawbone of an ass i.e. selfless service in the vineyard of God, zeal for the work of God, sacrificial giving, character , integrity, to mention a few, has a lot of potentials. Keep it so that you can realize its potential. Thank God Samson found the 'jawbone,' he would have died of thirst if he didn't. Your sacrificial giving has the potential to pay off your debt and prosper you. The same sword David used to cut off Goliath’s head was the same sword he used to defend himself against Saul. Had it been David did not keep Goliath’s sword, he would have left Ahimelech's house without a sword to defend himself with (1 Samuel 21:8-9). Whilst in this world, challenges are inevitable so do not throw away ‘Goliath’s sword’ that brought you victory. Do not say, “i have cut Goliath’s head, i have no need for his sword again.” No, you need Goliath’s sword to defend yourself against ‘Saul.’ Do not say, “i am married, there is no need to serve in the vineyard of God,” or “i have been promoted, i will not be zealous for the things of God again.” You still need that ‘jawbone’ to keep you in employment even after you have been employed. You still need that ‘jawbone’ even after marriage.

THOUGHT: Do not relent in what you are doing for the Lord. It is profitable now and will be profitable in the world to come.

PRAYER: Father, please give me the wisdom required to keep those you have strategically placed around me to help me.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

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OH THAT MEN WILL PRAISE THE LORD

MEMORY VERSE:  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:31

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Timothy 5- 2 Timothy 1

The Psalmist said: “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men (Psalm 107:31).” Oh that men would praise the Lord not oh that men with good jobs would praise the Lord; not oh that the married with children would praise the Lord; not oh that men with fat bank balances would praise God. The Psalmist said: “Oh that men” in other words, oh that ‘all’ – men and women, young and old, tall and short, rich and poor, literate and illiterate, single and married, landlords and tenants, car owners and non-car owners, etc – would praise God. Many of us are crying to God to reveal His purpose to us. Friend, God’s primary purpose for your life is for you to praise Him. According to Revelations 4:11, you and I are created for His pleasure. We are created to give Him pleasure, every other thing is secondary.

Why should I praise God? The bible says, “Praise the LORD for his goodness…” The reason why many don’t praise God as they should is because they don’t consider his goodness. Only few sit down to really think of God’s goodness. Not too long ago, I decided to sell my dumbbells, barbells and other gym equipment. Until recently, probably three to four years ago, I was into body building, but now I build my spirit. Besides, I was too busy for all that now and I needed the space they were occupying so I put them on a site to sell them. When the buyer arrived at my place, we got talking about body building and general health issues. He told he had not slept in 18 months. I said what! He said, “Yes, I cannot sleep. As a result of this, I am always having terrible migraine. At times, my body becomes paralyzed for several minutes.” I asked if he has a family, he said yes, wife and kids. Friend, we need to thank God for His goodness. Sleep is one of His goodness. Psalm 127:2 says: “for so he giveth his beloved sleep” Not everyone can sleep.  This man told me how doctors gave up on his case because drugs could not help. Many of us moan and complain to God when we should be thanking because we spend time looking at what He is yet to do. Friend, how about what He has done? A lot of us murmur to God because we do not have this and that, how about the ones you have? You are looking at your age mates who are married with kids, have you considered your age mates who are dead and buried? You are unhappy because you were refused visa to go and see your uncle, have you thought of those who cannot afford three square meals talk less of saving up to buy a plane ticket? You have refused to be grateful because that relationship did not work out, have you thought about those who are on the death bed, fighting for life? Thank God for His goodness. No matter what you are going through, there is a reason to thank God. There are people who are praying to be in your shoes. You are unhappy because you don’t have a shoe, there are people without legs. Because you failed an exam, you said God hates you. Have you considered those without hands? Thank God for His goodness.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: The fact that you do not have something today does not mean you will not have it tomorrow. Praise Him today for what you have.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for not thanking you as we should.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

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PURSUE PEACE WITH ALL MEN

MEMORY VERSE: pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord, Hebrews 12:14

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deut 17, Ps 104, Isa 44, Rev 14 

Matthew 5:9 says blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Why are peacemakers referred to as sons of the living God? Peace makers are referred to as sons of God because God is a God of peace, Romans 15:33. Everything that pertains to God has an element of peace. The dove is the symbol used to depict His Spirit – the Holy Spirit. His residence – Heaven is the most peaceful place. Romans 14:14 says for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Nine of ten when God speaks there is always this feeling of peace in your spirit. Anywhere peace is absent, God is absent.

How do you know a child of God? A child of God always seeks for peace. Any believer who is always fighting or quarrelling will be deluding himself if he thinks he is a child of God. Romans 14:19 says let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. As believers we are not to desire peace but pursue peace. Pursue means to go after something or run after a thing. We are not to segregate when it comes to who to pursue peace with. We need to seek peace with all men including those who do us wrong.

Hebrews 12:14 says pursue peace with everyone, and holiness-without it no one will see the Lord. We must do everything to make for peace even when we are well within our rights and the other party is on the wrong. A fellow who is pursuing after peace will not mind being the first to apologize even when the other party is at fault. When you say sorry, you are making for peace. Many will rather justify their actions than say sorry. It is pride to be at fault and still refuse to apologize. Most of the conflicts between couples could have been resolved with a simple sorry but because both party refuse to apologize and say sorry, things get out of hand if care is not taken it could lead to divorce. It takes a loving husband to say sorry when he is wrong. It takes a submissive wife to say sorry when at fault. In the course of pursuing peace you could be insulted but don’t worry because your heavenly father will reward you. For the sake of peace say sorry when you are at fault. Even when you are not at fault, so that the glory of God will be visible in your life, say sorry.

PRAYER POINT: Father , help me to leave in peace with all men.