Proverbs 11:17 the merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 12, Luke 15, Job 30, 1 Cor 16
What is wisdom? Wisdom is
simply the application of knowledge. It is founded on the fear of the
Lord. Psalms 111: 10 says the fear of the Lord is beginning of Lord. One
thing with the wise people is that they are always reflecting. They
reflect on the consequences of their actions and words. Before they
reply an email or text messages in anger they sit and think. It is very
unwise to reply or send e-mails or text messages in anger or engage in a
heated conversation with your spouse in the kitchen. The bible
admonishes us to pray and watch, Matthew 26:41. Many pray day and night
but do not watch. Applying wisdom is a form of keeping watch. God has
answered many prayer requests but the lack of wisdom has delayed the
manifestation. There are many today who have lost their advantage in
Christ by not applying wisdom.
The question is how does
one profit from wisdom? I will share a story which will shed light on
the importance of wisdom. Some police men went to arrest a young man.
Whilst trying to arrest this man, there was a bit of misunderstanding.
The senior brother of this man heard people shouting and ran out. When
he came out, he saw around four police men with his brother and instead
of asking what the problem was, he ran and grabbed an iron rod and broke
the windscreen on the police car. The police men shot him right on the
spot and he died. The case was taking to court and the police defended
their action by saying they shot him in self defence. Looking at the
damage done to the police vehicle, they were freed. The disappointing
thing was the brother of the diseased was later found innocent. Although
they paid him compensation, the senior brother lost his life because of
few moments of anger .If only he had asked what the problem was; he
could still be alive now. Proverbs 11:17 says the merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubelth his own flesh. Some
years ago myself and a member of staff engaged in a heated argument.
She stormed out and joined her colleague. Ten minutes later, I called
her colleague to check something with him and i overheard her in the
background threatening to slap me .I was angry and the fact that it was
coming from a junior member of staff in public did not help matters. I
had the option of conducting a 1-2-1 and that would have led to her
dismissal because she was threatening a management staff but I reflected
on the consequences and decided to address the issue later. I tried to
discuss the matter with her but she gave me a terrible attitude. God so
good I knew a brother who attended the same church with her so I
contacted her pastor. After a brief a chat with the pastor, the sister
apologised and we moved on. Two years later, I heard a major challenge
at work and I was suspended. During this period the only person who
called me to give me inside information of what the management were
planning against me was this lady. It was not because others did not
care, they cared but this lady was the only one who could get me this
information. God mightily used her during this period. The question is
if I had reacted in anger and orchestrated her sack, who would helped me
get during the challenge?
PRAYER POINT: Father as from now on help to profit from wisdom.
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
REWARDS OF HOSPITALITY PART 2
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ex 10, Luke 13, Job 28, 1 Cor 18
Hebrews 13:2 says be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
BIBLE VERSES: 2 Kings 8:1-6
In part 1 of these series, we discussed about one of the rewards of hospitality. In 2 Kings 4:8-17 is the story of the great Shunamite woman and Elisha. This woman took it upon herself to host the man of God every time he passed by. After a while she took her hospitality to another level by making a small upper room on the wall for Elisha so that he can also spend the night. Unknown to this woman, the God of Elisha was taking note of all these. Few weeks before a major famine broke out in Israel, the Lord sent Elisha to inform this woman that there was going to be famine in the land for seven years and she needed to leave, 2 Kings 8:1-6. She obeyed the man of God and moved to Philistine. This was how God fed her during famine. When she came back after the famine, the Lord ensured that everything that belonged to her was giving back to her. All the produce from her land for the last seven years was giving back to her all because the God of Elisha decided to repay her back for her hospitalities.
Sometimes back I had challenges at work and was out of work for almost three months. During this period, I could not keep up with some bill payments. One morning I received a letter giving me ten working days to pay a particular bill or face court action. I turned to God and began to cry to Him. The tenth working day fell on a Friday and failure to pay the bill by 3pm the next Monday would automatically result in court action. The Sunday before the Monday, a particular brother who had been promising to visit visited me. When he arrived, I went to make him a cup of tea as it was very cold. I could have offered him some hot snacks too but I had none at home and had no money to buy any. To make matters worse, I had an almost empty can of milk to make tea with. As I was about to add part of the little milk left to the tea, the Holy Spirit nudged me to add all the milk in the can. The question is if I use all the milk (little milk) in the can to make tea for him, where will I get milk for my tea? I obeyed and decided not to drink tea. The brother enjoyed the tea and we chatted. When he was about to leave, he handed me some notes. I thanked him, we prayed and he left. Later when I checked, the money he gave to me not only covered the bill but was enough to get myself some snacks and at least two cans of milk. As we discussed yesterday, at times opportunities to practice hospitality precedes a breakthrough. The opportunity to host this brother preceded the answer to my prayer request. Not only that, God used that little cup of tea to provide for me during famine.
KEY WORD: Hospitality feeds during famine.
Hebrews 13:2 says be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
BIBLE VERSES: 2 Kings 8:1-6
In part 1 of these series, we discussed about one of the rewards of hospitality. In 2 Kings 4:8-17 is the story of the great Shunamite woman and Elisha. This woman took it upon herself to host the man of God every time he passed by. After a while she took her hospitality to another level by making a small upper room on the wall for Elisha so that he can also spend the night. Unknown to this woman, the God of Elisha was taking note of all these. Few weeks before a major famine broke out in Israel, the Lord sent Elisha to inform this woman that there was going to be famine in the land for seven years and she needed to leave, 2 Kings 8:1-6. She obeyed the man of God and moved to Philistine. This was how God fed her during famine. When she came back after the famine, the Lord ensured that everything that belonged to her was giving back to her. All the produce from her land for the last seven years was giving back to her all because the God of Elisha decided to repay her back for her hospitalities.
Sometimes back I had challenges at work and was out of work for almost three months. During this period, I could not keep up with some bill payments. One morning I received a letter giving me ten working days to pay a particular bill or face court action. I turned to God and began to cry to Him. The tenth working day fell on a Friday and failure to pay the bill by 3pm the next Monday would automatically result in court action. The Sunday before the Monday, a particular brother who had been promising to visit visited me. When he arrived, I went to make him a cup of tea as it was very cold. I could have offered him some hot snacks too but I had none at home and had no money to buy any. To make matters worse, I had an almost empty can of milk to make tea with. As I was about to add part of the little milk left to the tea, the Holy Spirit nudged me to add all the milk in the can. The question is if I use all the milk (little milk) in the can to make tea for him, where will I get milk for my tea? I obeyed and decided not to drink tea. The brother enjoyed the tea and we chatted. When he was about to leave, he handed me some notes. I thanked him, we prayed and he left. Later when I checked, the money he gave to me not only covered the bill but was enough to get myself some snacks and at least two cans of milk. As we discussed yesterday, at times opportunities to practice hospitality precedes a breakthrough. The opportunity to host this brother preceded the answer to my prayer request. Not only that, God used that little cup of tea to provide for me during famine.
KEY WORD: Hospitality feeds during famine.
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Like Jesus
Saturday 1 September Bible in one year: Esther 1-3
Memorise: Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth unrighteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 1 John 3:7
Read: 1 John 3:7
The call to salvation is a call to holiness. After you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour, it does not end there; the journey to heaven as only just began. Before you were saved, you manifested the works of flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). But now that you have encountered Jesus Christ at salvation, the fruit of the Spirit is expected from you (Galatians 5:22-23). Every attempt at righteousness before your salvation was equal to self righteousness which is as filthy rags to God ( Isaiah 64:6);hence Paul says his self –righteousness no longer counts but the righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9). God has not only saved us and given us the spirit of righteousness, He also expects us to live a life in agreement with His standard. Today, some people think that it is enough to be born again and that nothing else is required. No! It is not enough! The truth is your new birth gives you the platform on which to build on, having secured God’s righteousness through your faith in Christ Jesus.
We are called to be like our Saviour Jesus Christ. In 1 John 2:1, Jesus is called the righteous, and verse 29 says
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of him
This means that the fruit of righteousness that you bear will be used to determine whether you are born of God or not. 1 John 3:7 says
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
God is not saying you should be holier than Jesus. Even Jesus says it is enough for a servant to be like his master (Luke 6:40). If God expected works or righteousness from Jesus, He expects the same from you. If you look at the letters the Lord wrote to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, you will notice that He kept repeating that those who will qualify for those wonderful rewards are only the believers who overcome as he also over came. In every point Jesus overcame, you too should. You must live a life that manifests that victory Christ has given you over the flesh, Satan and the world. You must allow Him to live His righteous life through you. Are you daily living a life of righteousness?
KEY POINT: Jesus is God’s unchangeable standard for man. Be like Him in everything including living righteous living.
Excerpts from Open Heavens by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
Memorise: Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth unrighteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 1 John 3:7
Read: 1 John 3:7
The call to salvation is a call to holiness. After you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour, it does not end there; the journey to heaven as only just began. Before you were saved, you manifested the works of flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). But now that you have encountered Jesus Christ at salvation, the fruit of the Spirit is expected from you (Galatians 5:22-23). Every attempt at righteousness before your salvation was equal to self righteousness which is as filthy rags to God ( Isaiah 64:6);hence Paul says his self –righteousness no longer counts but the righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9). God has not only saved us and given us the spirit of righteousness, He also expects us to live a life in agreement with His standard. Today, some people think that it is enough to be born again and that nothing else is required. No! It is not enough! The truth is your new birth gives you the platform on which to build on, having secured God’s righteousness through your faith in Christ Jesus.
We are called to be like our Saviour Jesus Christ. In 1 John 2:1, Jesus is called the righteous, and verse 29 says
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of him
This means that the fruit of righteousness that you bear will be used to determine whether you are born of God or not. 1 John 3:7 says
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
God is not saying you should be holier than Jesus. Even Jesus says it is enough for a servant to be like his master (Luke 6:40). If God expected works or righteousness from Jesus, He expects the same from you. If you look at the letters the Lord wrote to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, you will notice that He kept repeating that those who will qualify for those wonderful rewards are only the believers who overcome as he also over came. In every point Jesus overcame, you too should. You must live a life that manifests that victory Christ has given you over the flesh, Satan and the world. You must allow Him to live His righteous life through you. Are you daily living a life of righteousness?
KEY POINT: Jesus is God’s unchangeable standard for man. Be like Him in everything including living righteous living.
Excerpts from Open Heavens by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
REWARDS OF HOSPITALITY PART 1
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ex 9, Luke 12, Job 27, 1 Cor 13
Hebrews 13:2 says be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares
When we talk of success keys, we mention things like diligence, vision, goal setting, patience, e.t.c. One key you never hear people talk about is hospitality. The truth of the matter is a fellow who is good at hospitality stands a better chance of reaching the top before a hardworking fellow. The bible says a man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men, Proverbs 18:16. Revelations 3:20 says 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. The question is why will Jesus stand at the door and knock if not that He yearns for hospitality? I pray the Lord will open our eyes in Jesus name.
Hebrews 13:2 says be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Asides from the fact that you stand a very good chance of entertaining angels when you host people; there are others rewards for practicing hospitality. When you search through the scriptures, you will find out that an opportunity to host guests precedes major breakthroughs. The opportunity to host four thousand men not counting women and children with seven bread and a few little fish preceded the breakthrough of seven large baskets of breads and fish, Matthew 15:32-39. The opportunity to host men of God also precedes major breakthrough. When I said men of God, I am referring to all ministers of gospel, all children of God – both men and women. I am not talking of people who preach A and do B, I am talking of real children of God. In 2 Kings 4:8-17 is the story of the great Shunamite woman. She was very wealthy but had no child and to make matters worse her husband was very old. An opportunity to host a prophet preceded her breakthrough. She started by inviting the man of God for lunch from time to time. She took her hospitality to new level by making a small upper room on the wall for the man of God to rest after eating lunch. One day while Elisha was sitting in the room she made, he called her and asked her for what she wanted. Nine months later, she became the mother of a baby boy. The widow of Zarapheth had been crying to God for provisions during the famine but nothing seems to be happening, 2 Kings 17:8-16. The more she cried, the more her situation got worse because her food supplies kept on going down. An opportunity to host a man of God with her last meal presented itself. She took the opportunity and what was meant to be her last meal became the first of many. Abraham and Sarah waited patiently for twenty five years for the promise of a child. They did everything they knew how to do but there was no result. They must have prayed, fasted, sown special seeds and nothing seems to be happening. On a faithful day, an opportunity to host three strangers presented itself. As they would normally do, they welcomed and fed them. They took very good care of them .Unknown to them, right in there living room was the Most High God sitted and enjoying their hospitality, Genesis 18:1-18. A month later Sarah conceived and nine months later, the promise of a male child materialized.
PRAYER POINT: Father, please open my eyes so I will not miss the opportunity that will precede my long awaited breakthrough
Hebrews 13:2 says be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares
When we talk of success keys, we mention things like diligence, vision, goal setting, patience, e.t.c. One key you never hear people talk about is hospitality. The truth of the matter is a fellow who is good at hospitality stands a better chance of reaching the top before a hardworking fellow. The bible says a man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men, Proverbs 18:16. Revelations 3:20 says 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. The question is why will Jesus stand at the door and knock if not that He yearns for hospitality? I pray the Lord will open our eyes in Jesus name.
Hebrews 13:2 says be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Asides from the fact that you stand a very good chance of entertaining angels when you host people; there are others rewards for practicing hospitality. When you search through the scriptures, you will find out that an opportunity to host guests precedes major breakthroughs. The opportunity to host four thousand men not counting women and children with seven bread and a few little fish preceded the breakthrough of seven large baskets of breads and fish, Matthew 15:32-39. The opportunity to host men of God also precedes major breakthrough. When I said men of God, I am referring to all ministers of gospel, all children of God – both men and women. I am not talking of people who preach A and do B, I am talking of real children of God. In 2 Kings 4:8-17 is the story of the great Shunamite woman. She was very wealthy but had no child and to make matters worse her husband was very old. An opportunity to host a prophet preceded her breakthrough. She started by inviting the man of God for lunch from time to time. She took her hospitality to new level by making a small upper room on the wall for the man of God to rest after eating lunch. One day while Elisha was sitting in the room she made, he called her and asked her for what she wanted. Nine months later, she became the mother of a baby boy. The widow of Zarapheth had been crying to God for provisions during the famine but nothing seems to be happening, 2 Kings 17:8-16. The more she cried, the more her situation got worse because her food supplies kept on going down. An opportunity to host a man of God with her last meal presented itself. She took the opportunity and what was meant to be her last meal became the first of many. Abraham and Sarah waited patiently for twenty five years for the promise of a child. They did everything they knew how to do but there was no result. They must have prayed, fasted, sown special seeds and nothing seems to be happening. On a faithful day, an opportunity to host three strangers presented itself. As they would normally do, they welcomed and fed them. They took very good care of them .Unknown to them, right in there living room was the Most High God sitted and enjoying their hospitality, Genesis 18:1-18. A month later Sarah conceived and nine months later, the promise of a male child materialized.
PRAYER POINT: Father, please open my eyes so I will not miss the opportunity that will precede my long awaited breakthrough
Thursday, 14 March 2013
SPIRIT OF FEAR
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ex 8, Luke 11, Job 25-26, 1 Cor 12
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
From our memory verse we conclude fear is a spirit. Faith is also a spirit. The difference between fear and faith is that fear is of devil and faith is of God. According to Hebrews 11:6, without faith it is impossible to please God. Fear is like a thief. John 10:10 says the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. Fear also steals, kills and destroys. It can either rob one of his or her peace; cause one to worry unnecessarily which might lead to the development of some terrible disease or cause one to take an irrational decision one might live to regret for life. Fear at times could lead to impatience and the price of impatience is very costly. Impatient people always live to regret their impatience. Faith on the other hand leads to peace and life.
God is not a God of fear but of faith. He does not put fear in people’s heart. God never comes with a message of fear but of courage and faith. In Acts 27:8-24, a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon rose against the ship Paul was sailing in. This wind tossed the ship everywhere; for fourteen days they neither saw the sun nor the stars. As terrible as the situation was, the first thing the angel of the Lord said when he appeared was fear not Paul. When the children of Israel found themselves in trouble and began to fear for their future, the Lord sent his word through His prophet telling them fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness, Isaiah 41:10. When you search through the Holy Scriptures, most of the time when God sends an angel or messenger to people, they will always start with ‘fear not’. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, angel Gabriel appeared to him and he was very troubled. The first thing angel Gabriel said to him was fear not Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard, Luke 1:12-13. When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant with child of the Holy Ghost, he was scared and he began to consider putting her away privily. The angel of the Lord appeared to him in the dream and said ‘fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, Matthew 1:18-20. The bible says for God hath not giving us the spirit of fear but of love and sound mind. If there is any one giving you messages of fear, be wary of them. Any prophesies or messages that bring fear rebuke them because it is not of the Lord. Most of the time people use messages of fear to con you out of money. They ask you to bring money so that they can pray or fast for you to prevent something terrible from happening to you. Fear indicates the absence of love and anywhere love is missing, God is missing because God is love, 1 John 4:8. As you begin this week, do not allow fear in your heart. Do not give room to the spirit of fear. Do not entertain fear thoughts – thoughts that something terrible will happen to you; thoughts that you will not get what you want; thoughts that you will fail or suffer shame e.t.c. All these thoughts are from the devil.
KEY WORD: Fear is of the devil. In the presence of God, there is fullness of Joy not fear.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
From our memory verse we conclude fear is a spirit. Faith is also a spirit. The difference between fear and faith is that fear is of devil and faith is of God. According to Hebrews 11:6, without faith it is impossible to please God. Fear is like a thief. John 10:10 says the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. Fear also steals, kills and destroys. It can either rob one of his or her peace; cause one to worry unnecessarily which might lead to the development of some terrible disease or cause one to take an irrational decision one might live to regret for life. Fear at times could lead to impatience and the price of impatience is very costly. Impatient people always live to regret their impatience. Faith on the other hand leads to peace and life.
God is not a God of fear but of faith. He does not put fear in people’s heart. God never comes with a message of fear but of courage and faith. In Acts 27:8-24, a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon rose against the ship Paul was sailing in. This wind tossed the ship everywhere; for fourteen days they neither saw the sun nor the stars. As terrible as the situation was, the first thing the angel of the Lord said when he appeared was fear not Paul. When the children of Israel found themselves in trouble and began to fear for their future, the Lord sent his word through His prophet telling them fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness, Isaiah 41:10. When you search through the Holy Scriptures, most of the time when God sends an angel or messenger to people, they will always start with ‘fear not’. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, angel Gabriel appeared to him and he was very troubled. The first thing angel Gabriel said to him was fear not Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard, Luke 1:12-13. When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant with child of the Holy Ghost, he was scared and he began to consider putting her away privily. The angel of the Lord appeared to him in the dream and said ‘fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, Matthew 1:18-20. The bible says for God hath not giving us the spirit of fear but of love and sound mind. If there is any one giving you messages of fear, be wary of them. Any prophesies or messages that bring fear rebuke them because it is not of the Lord. Most of the time people use messages of fear to con you out of money. They ask you to bring money so that they can pray or fast for you to prevent something terrible from happening to you. Fear indicates the absence of love and anywhere love is missing, God is missing because God is love, 1 John 4:8. As you begin this week, do not allow fear in your heart. Do not give room to the spirit of fear. Do not entertain fear thoughts – thoughts that something terrible will happen to you; thoughts that you will not get what you want; thoughts that you will fail or suffer shame e.t.c. All these thoughts are from the devil.
KEY WORD: Fear is of the devil. In the presence of God, there is fullness of Joy not fear.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
SPIRITUALITY VS CARNALITY
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ex 7, Luke 10, Job 24, 1 Cor 11
Romans 8:6 for to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
BIBLE STUDIES: GENESIS 19:1-12
In our bible studies, we read an account of a man who paid dearly for choosing carnality over spirituality. Lot was a man who had the knowledge of God. He knew there was a God because he must have watched his cousin- Abram offer sacrifices to God. In the life of Abram, he must have seen evidences that it pays to serve God. He saw how Abram profited greatly from been spiritual. The bible says God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth, John 4:24. Lot himself profited from Abram’s spiritual walk with God because he started with nothing and became wealthy in the process. When the time came for Lot to choose between spirituality and carnality, he chose carnality because of what it offered; Sodom represented carnality. The bible records that he lifted up his eyes and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar, Genesis 13:10. Lot been aware of the evil practices in Sodom chose Sodom for what it offered. Sodom offered wealth, prestige, fame just to mention a few. In Sodom he prospered; he was made the judge, he was even given a sit at the gate. The family prospered greatly from doing business with the inhabitants of Sodom.
Many of us today are like Lot. We know what the Lord expects. We know He hates sin with a passion. We know Romans 8:6 by heart, to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Yet because of what Sodom offers we choose carnality over spirituality. Because we want to be accepted amongst friends and family we choose carnality. So that people will not say we are too spiritual or make fun of us, we choose carnality. Because of the extra profits and benefits, the friends and connections, the fame and prestige, we choose carnality over spirituality. There is one end for carnality and it is death. The question is what are the practices at work, school or in business that God disapproves of but brings extra profit and extra favor with man? Despite the fact that Lot was fully aware of the abominable things that were going on in Sodom, he remained there. The Lord’s judgment came on Sodom and Lot lost all. Whether we like it or not, a day is coming when the son of man will return like a thief in the night. I pray that we will not lose all in Jesus name. It does not matter what any practices offer, as far as it feeds carnality please depart from it. Been spiritually minded may not bring a huge network of friends; it brings peace and eternal life.
PRAYER POINT: Father, open my eyes to see myself as You see me.
Romans 8:6 for to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
BIBLE STUDIES: GENESIS 19:1-12
In our bible studies, we read an account of a man who paid dearly for choosing carnality over spirituality. Lot was a man who had the knowledge of God. He knew there was a God because he must have watched his cousin- Abram offer sacrifices to God. In the life of Abram, he must have seen evidences that it pays to serve God. He saw how Abram profited greatly from been spiritual. The bible says God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth, John 4:24. Lot himself profited from Abram’s spiritual walk with God because he started with nothing and became wealthy in the process. When the time came for Lot to choose between spirituality and carnality, he chose carnality because of what it offered; Sodom represented carnality. The bible records that he lifted up his eyes and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar, Genesis 13:10. Lot been aware of the evil practices in Sodom chose Sodom for what it offered. Sodom offered wealth, prestige, fame just to mention a few. In Sodom he prospered; he was made the judge, he was even given a sit at the gate. The family prospered greatly from doing business with the inhabitants of Sodom.
Many of us today are like Lot. We know what the Lord expects. We know He hates sin with a passion. We know Romans 8:6 by heart, to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Yet because of what Sodom offers we choose carnality over spirituality. Because we want to be accepted amongst friends and family we choose carnality. So that people will not say we are too spiritual or make fun of us, we choose carnality. Because of the extra profits and benefits, the friends and connections, the fame and prestige, we choose carnality over spirituality. There is one end for carnality and it is death. The question is what are the practices at work, school or in business that God disapproves of but brings extra profit and extra favor with man? Despite the fact that Lot was fully aware of the abominable things that were going on in Sodom, he remained there. The Lord’s judgment came on Sodom and Lot lost all. Whether we like it or not, a day is coming when the son of man will return like a thief in the night. I pray that we will not lose all in Jesus name. It does not matter what any practices offer, as far as it feeds carnality please depart from it. Been spiritually minded may not bring a huge network of friends; it brings peace and eternal life.
PRAYER POINT: Father, open my eyes to see myself as You see me.
Friday, 8 March 2013
PARENTS OR SPONSORS
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ex 6, Luke 9, Job 23, 1 Cor 10
Proverbs 22:6 train up a child in the way he should go: when he is old, he will not depart from it.
There are two types of parents; real parents and sponsors. The sponsors are the parents who cater for only the financial needs of their wards. They pay the tuition fees, buy books, give out pocket money, get personal tutors for their wards, arrange after class lessons e.t.c. They ensure the children have all they need, just name it but when it comes to mentoring they are unavailable. The real parents go a step further than the sponsors. They not only cater for the financial needs of the children, they cater for the spiritual needs and emotional needs. They have a personal relationship with the child. Their children can approach either Dad or Mum to discuss any subject. They monitor the type of friends the children keep. Bad company spoils good morals. They are interested in the child’s daily activities. They ask questions not just swallow everything the child says. They ensure the child does his or her homework. They attend Parents Teacher meetings. They even take it a step further by visiting the school to check the child’s performance with the teacher- they check test results, home work results, conduct at school and all. The sponsors on the other hand does not even know the number of hours their children spend watching TVs, they have no clue of what sites the children visit on the internet at home. Some cannot even remember the last time they saw their child reading or spent time with their child talking about life.
Many a time when a child begins to misbehave or we begin to hear bad reports about them we blame the devil, nine out of ten times it is not the devil. Most of the time, this is as a result of us not having time for them. This is rampant with ministers of the gospels; they are busy organizing this seminar, doing this and that and have no time for their children. Do you know that if your child knows you come to school from time to time to check on him or her, he will sit up? Many have passed the full responsibility of training their children to the teachers at school. Many even leave it to the TV or the Holy Spirit. It is your responsibility as parents to teach your wards about sex education and chastise them when they misbehave. The Holy Spirit will only bring to remembrance what you have taught them not teach them about sex education or discipline them for you. If you do not talk to them about sex education, they will get it from outside sources which could be their friends or magazines and that is very dangerous. A wise parent will never curse his or her child. How can you build a house and out of anger set it on fire? Instead of cursing them, call them early in the morning ask them to kneel down and begin to prophesy good things in their life. Tell them it shall be well with you. Before they go out spend time saying good things into their life. A wise parent never compares his or her child with other children. Doing this never improves a child; all it does is make that child feel unappreciated. There are many parents who have never appreciated their child over one good thing they did in their life. Many children are even scared of talking to daddy or mummy. If your child is scared of talking to you, you are not a parent but a tyrant. One way to mend the relationship between you and your children is to call them and pray for them. Everyone loves prayer. The moment you tell a child my son or daughter it shall be well with you, the attitude of that child we will change for good towards you. If you abhor bitterness against anyone of them and you want to rid yourself of it, call the child and begin to prophesy good things into their life. Before you know it that bitterness will vanish. Also children, call your parents from time to time and tell them to say good things into your life, it helps!
Proverbs 22:6 train up a child in the way he should go: when he is old, he will not depart from it.
There are two types of parents; real parents and sponsors. The sponsors are the parents who cater for only the financial needs of their wards. They pay the tuition fees, buy books, give out pocket money, get personal tutors for their wards, arrange after class lessons e.t.c. They ensure the children have all they need, just name it but when it comes to mentoring they are unavailable. The real parents go a step further than the sponsors. They not only cater for the financial needs of the children, they cater for the spiritual needs and emotional needs. They have a personal relationship with the child. Their children can approach either Dad or Mum to discuss any subject. They monitor the type of friends the children keep. Bad company spoils good morals. They are interested in the child’s daily activities. They ask questions not just swallow everything the child says. They ensure the child does his or her homework. They attend Parents Teacher meetings. They even take it a step further by visiting the school to check the child’s performance with the teacher- they check test results, home work results, conduct at school and all. The sponsors on the other hand does not even know the number of hours their children spend watching TVs, they have no clue of what sites the children visit on the internet at home. Some cannot even remember the last time they saw their child reading or spent time with their child talking about life.
Many a time when a child begins to misbehave or we begin to hear bad reports about them we blame the devil, nine out of ten times it is not the devil. Most of the time, this is as a result of us not having time for them. This is rampant with ministers of the gospels; they are busy organizing this seminar, doing this and that and have no time for their children. Do you know that if your child knows you come to school from time to time to check on him or her, he will sit up? Many have passed the full responsibility of training their children to the teachers at school. Many even leave it to the TV or the Holy Spirit. It is your responsibility as parents to teach your wards about sex education and chastise them when they misbehave. The Holy Spirit will only bring to remembrance what you have taught them not teach them about sex education or discipline them for you. If you do not talk to them about sex education, they will get it from outside sources which could be their friends or magazines and that is very dangerous. A wise parent will never curse his or her child. How can you build a house and out of anger set it on fire? Instead of cursing them, call them early in the morning ask them to kneel down and begin to prophesy good things in their life. Tell them it shall be well with you. Before they go out spend time saying good things into their life. A wise parent never compares his or her child with other children. Doing this never improves a child; all it does is make that child feel unappreciated. There are many parents who have never appreciated their child over one good thing they did in their life. Many children are even scared of talking to daddy or mummy. If your child is scared of talking to you, you are not a parent but a tyrant. One way to mend the relationship between you and your children is to call them and pray for them. Everyone loves prayer. The moment you tell a child my son or daughter it shall be well with you, the attitude of that child we will change for good towards you. If you abhor bitterness against anyone of them and you want to rid yourself of it, call the child and begin to prophesy good things into their life. Before you know it that bitterness will vanish. Also children, call your parents from time to time and tell them to say good things into your life, it helps!
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