THINK LONG TERM

MEMORIZE: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Romans 1-2

Hebrew 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Why is Apostle Paul, author of the book of Hebrews, encouraging us to look unto Jesus? Only a free man can set others free. If a twelve years old boy promises you a brand new car, you know the young man is only prophesying. Where on earth will he get a brand new car from? Jesus is the author of all meaningful achievements. This Apostle is encouraging us to look unto Jesus because only Jesus can give a man meaningful achievements. He, Apostle Paul, is encouraging us to look unto Jesus because He alone knows the way. Only the fellow who knows the ‘way’ can point you to the ‘way’. Jesus said, “....And if the blind lead the blind, both shall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). Not only does He know the way, He is the way (John 14:6).

When we look unto Jesus, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see some of the secrets behind His meaningful achievements. For instance, Jesus tarried in the place of prayers. He would wake up very early in the morning and talk with His Father in heaven (Mark 1:35). Asides His prayer life, Jesus thought in long terms. You see, there are short term thinking or myopic thinking and long term thinking. A fellow with short term thinking only considers his present circumstances. He is motivated by events currently happening. The ‘present’ is what informs his decision. But, a fellow with long term thinking considers the future. Although he is aware of the present, the ‘future’ informs his decisions. He is motivated majorly by events that are going to take place in the future. A fellow with short term thinking sees only his problems, disappointments, how people around are behaving towards him, and so on. But, a man with long term thinking sees the future. He sees the end result of his efforts. He sees the finish line. He sees the rest that comes after labour. He sees the rewards of not giving up. This is exactly how Jesus thought – in long terms. Hebrew 12:2 says, “................................ Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.......” Jesus set His heart on the joy that was set before Him i.e. the future glory. He was able to endure the present pains i.e. cross of Calvary, because His mind was set on the joy that awaited Him. Had it been He set His mind on the cross i.e. the present not the future, He probably would have been discouraged. It is very tasking to work full time and prepare for professional exams. Where i get my strength to read and prepare from, after i must have prayed, is that i set my heart on the opportunities that will open up to me when i pass the exam and strength automatically comes. Thinking long terms also help build relationships. Jesus was able to accommodate the weaknesses of His disciples – Thomas’ doubts, Peter’s denial, John and James’ violence and many others, because He thought in long terms. At that time, the spiritual lives of His disciples were nothing to write home about but Jesus did not look at that. Instead, He focused on their future – Peter’s sermon leading to 3000 souls saved, John and James book on love, Thomas’ ministry in India, and so on. This was why after Peter denied Him thrice He still forgave him. The reason why God is giving many second chances is because of the future He has for them. However, His ‘second chances’ are not to be abused.

 WISDOM NUGGETS: Those who think short term always want quick fixes while those who think long term goes after spiritual development.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me the strength needed to finish the race set before me.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

THINK & THANK (T& T)

MEMORY VERSE: i will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High, Psalm 7:17 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 10, Rom 1, Jer 47, Luke 15

The reason why many of us do not give thanks to God as we should is because we focus on where we are going not where we are coming from. We forget how far the Lord has taken us, we forget where he took us from, and we forget His faithfulness in the past. Friends , instead of complaining about your current situation – you are yet to be married , yet to get a job, yet to be give birth ,yet to own a house or a car , yet to speak in tongues , yet to have one gift of the spirit or the other ,yet to start your own business , yet to get a breakthrough in ministry , take time out and think about where you are coming from. Let us compare where we were ten years ago and where we are today.

Anyone who knows how to reflect on his past will definitely know how to thank God. David was a thankful man because he reflects on his past i.e. where he came from. Bible scholars told us that he was an embarrassment to his father. The old man had an affair and David was the product of the affair. Because he was an embarrassment the old man preferred to keep him away from the house when he had guests. No wonder when Samuel asked Jesse to bring out all his sons, the old man purposely left him in the field because he didn’t want the prophet to know about the product of his illicit affair. Despite the past of David, the Lord anointed him king over Israel. This was why David was always thankful, even when he had challenges he still praised God. As long David as gave thanks, the Lord kept on lifting him above his challenges.

Part of been grateful is to acknowledge our past (some of which was terrible – talking about before we gave our life to Christ). If only we will think back, we will have cause to praise God. The same route we take to work every day, some take it and have accidents. One of the biggest causes of type 2 diabetes is the consumption of sugary drinks i.e. soft drinks. Many of us rarely drink water; we consume an average of eight to nine soft drinks a week. Some after eating don’t bother with water; they substitute water with sprite or coke. Many of our bodies should have broken down and stop functioning because of the consumption of fizzy drinks but yet we are hail and hearty. This is a reason to thank God. Those that are sick with wasting diseases or other incurable diseases are not sinners; it is by the mercy of God that we are alive. We sleep and wake up every morning not because of our alarm clock but because of God’s mercy. There are many who own alarm clocks that sleep and do not wake up.

ACTION POINT: Reflect back and give thanks.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus