KNOWING JESUS III

MEMORY VERSE: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 13-14

After the death of Jesus, two disciples were on their way to a village known as Emmaus and were talking about the death of Jesus and the news about His resurrection. Jesus joined them and talked with them on the seven miles journey but we are told that they were kept from recognizing Him (Luke 24:13-31). Verse 16 says:’ But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.’

Who is Jesus? Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6 says: ‘Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ Firstly, these disciples were kept from recognizing the way because Jesus is the way. A man who is kept from recognizing the way will definitely miss the way. Also, such a man will waste his resources and fall into the hands of thieves. Secondly, they were kept from recognizing the truth because Jesus is the truth. A man who is kept from recognizing the truth will definitely fall for lies. Worse still, such a man will end up in chains, his progress hampered, because the truth sets one free. John 8:32 says: ‘And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ Lastly, they were kept from recognizing ‘the life’ because Jesus is the life. As death is the opposite of life, a man who is kept from ‘the life’ will end up in the cold hands of death.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me a deeper revelation of Jesus.

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki

THE BLESSING IN REVELATION

MEMORY VERSE: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 21-24

What is a revelation? When something hidden is revealed, we call it a revelation. There are few things you need to know about revelation. Firstly, revelation can bring about (spiritual) blessings. Jesus asked His disciples, in Matthew 16:13-20, ‘Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?’ Verse 16 -19 says: ‘And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, BLESSED ART THOU, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’

Revelation can bring about financial blessings. In Genesis 31:10 -12, Jacob had a particular dream, a revelation, on how to breed livestock. Jacob did what he was shown in the revelation and became a very prosperous man. A story that comes to mind is that of a man called George Washington Carver. The Lord revealed one hundred (100) uses of peanut to him. That revelation changed his life. Revelation can bring about elevation. In Revelations 2, Nebuchadnezzar forgot a dream he had. As no one could interpret the dream, he decided to kill all the wise men in the land. The Lord gave Daniel a revelation of the dream and its interpretation. On interpreting the dream, King Nebuchadnezzar promoted Daniel. Daniel 2:48 says: ‘Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.’ One of the keys to receiving revelations from God is praying.

PRAYER POINTS: (Ephesians 1:18 says: ‘The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.’) Father, please let the eyes of my understanding be enlightened.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

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WHAT LEVEL OF REVELATION?

MEMORY VERSE: And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. Exodus 33:18

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 27-28

There are different levels of knowledge. Take for instance, the knowledge of a particular brand of car called ‘Mercedes Benz’. There are different levels of knowledge of a Mercedes Benz car. Firstly, there are people who have no knowledge of Mercedes Benz at all. Some have never heard that name before in their life. You may find it hard to believe but there are some indigenous tribes in the Amazon rain-forest who don’t wear clothes. They have never seen a car in their life talk-less of know a Mercedes Benz car or any car whatsoever. Secondly, there are some of us who know Mercedes Benz. Although, we may not be opportuned to see them every day like those who live in big cities but at least, we can tell the difference between a Mercedes Benz and Toyota or BMW. Thirdly, there are some who own or drive a Mercedes Benz car. These people know Mercedes Benz at least better than some of us who don’t own a car and definitely, far better than our brothers and sisters in the Amazon rain-forests. Lastly, there are people who make Mercedes Benz cars. These are the people, who we can say, truly knows Mercedes Benz. If a Mercedes Benz develops fault, they know what is wrong with it and can fix it.

This applies to humans too. Take for instance the Prime Minister (PM). There are people who have never heard of the PM in their life. They don't even know if a country called England exists. These people don’t have any knowledge of him. Secondly, there are people who have seen his picture, probably in the newspaper or poster. These people know the PM to some extent. Thirdly, there are people who went to the same school or worked with the PM. These people know the PM better than those of us who see him on TV, and definitely far better than those good people in the Amazon rain-forests. Fourthly, there are the PM's family and friends. These people, especially parents, know the PM better his colleagues. They raised the PM. They watched him grow from a boy to become a man. Fifthly, there is the wife. She knows a lot about the PM especially intimate things. This is because they share the same bedroom. But God, who created the PM, knows the PM more than himself. He knows the PM's future.

Just as our knowledge of people or things are in levels, so also our knowledge of God. Firstly, there are people who don't believe in God. Secondly, there are people who believe in God’s existence, they may or may not practice any religion. To some extent, these people know God. Thirdly, there are people who have read the bible or go to church. These people know God and they can say a thing or two about God e.g. they know God is love. Fourthly, there are people who have experienced God's power, maybe they had a serious challenge and God came through for them or they received a miracle. These people know God at least better than people who believe God exists. Fifthly, there are people who have walked with God for several years e.g. Enoch, Moses, etc. They are regularly led by the Spirit of God. They even hear the audible voice of God once in a while. The bible records that Moses spoke to God face to face like a man speaks to his friend ( Exodus 33:11). That is a very deep knowledge of God. Beyond this very deep knowledge of God is yet a deeper knowledge of God. Exodus 33:18 says, “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.” Except God, Himself, reveals His glory unto us, we have not truly known the Lord.

NOTE: Although, there are still more revelations that awaits us in heaven, but whilst we are here on earth, we must yearn to behold the glory of the Lord.

PRAYER POINT: Father, show me your glory.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.