GOD ALWAYS HAS SUBSTITUTES

MEMORY VERSE: Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?, Isaiah 43:13

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Lev 2-3, John 21, Prov 18, Col 1

 

When God decides to do something on earth whether in a life or a church or a place or country, there is no one or Jupiter who can stop Him. Actually Psalm 33:9 says once He says it, consider it done. When God wants to do something, please never sit on the fence. It is very dangerous to neither be for Him nor against Him. He hates lukewarm attitude with a passion. Revelations 3:16 says so then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. That is why if you want to serve God, serve Him wholeheartedly if you don’t want to serve Him no problem with that but please, do not be a lukewarm Christian. 

 

It is unwise to be against God. The Lord told the children of Israel to go and posses the land of Canaan but they refused. The whole nation cried and said they were not going because there were giants in the land, Number 14:1-45. The Lord said no problem, I have promised to take the children of Israel to Canaan land – a land flowing with milk and honey. If you elders don’t want to go, I will take your children. Everyone from age twenty and above died but the young ones got to Canaan. If the Lord is asking you to do something and you are refusing to do it, no problem He will get another person to do it. If He is asking you to go and start a ministry or do one thing or the other for Him and you are acting like a big man or big woman to Him, He will just leave you and ask someone else. If you decide not to partake in God’s project or refuse to contribute financially to it, He will finance His projects with or without you.

 

Every time God calls a man or woman to do one thing or the other for Him, He prepares a substitute in case they misbehave or suddenly get too big for Him. When He called Moses, He had Joshua. Moses worked with God for forty years but at a point he allowed his anger to get the better part of him and the Lord decided that Moses was no longer fit to carry on so He picked Joshua. It was God that picked Saul. Saul grew too big and began to pick and choose which of God’s instruction to follow. God replaced Him with a substitute- David. I remember while I was growing up we had a young boy in the choir who was very good at playing drums. When this young man mounted the drum sets, praise and worship changed. At a point, he began to come late to church and at times he would go and play football during the service and there will be no one to play the drums. After every little thing he will get angry and people will have to beg him to play the drums. Few months later, the Lord brought a family and their son was a drummer. This boy was not as good as our drummer but the Lord so much anointed this boy that in a short while this boy took our drummers place. Our drummer will be in the field playing football but this boy will be busy playing for Jesus. Today that boy plays at concerts but our ex-drummer only sits and watches!

 

PRAYER POINT: Father, help not to be too big for you to carry.

WAITING ON THE LORD

Memory Verse: and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me, Isaiah 49:23C.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 40, John 19, Prov 16, Phil 3

 

It pays to wait on the Lord. Isaiah 40:31 says but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Asides all these, those that wait on God will not be ashamed, Isaiah 49:23c. The problem with most believers today is that instead of waiting on the Lord, they take short cuts and the sad thing about short cut is that it cuts one’s life short. Many instead of waiting on the Lord take on social networks to look for life partners. They use dating sites, match makers and all these. There is only one match maker and that is God. He knows you more than you know yourself, He will pick a partner you need not a partner you want.  

 

Don’t because of pressure result to going to Egypt for help i.e. strange places. Don’t go and take strange baths or drink strange portions because you are looking for a child. Anything you get outside God is from the devil. If the devil gives you an apple, be rest assured it is filled with worms. James 1:17 says every good and perfect gift comes from God. Proverbs 10:22 says the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Don’t because of success sell your soul to cheap to the devil. It may seem that everyone is ahead of you, just wait on the Lord because when your time comes you will be their mentors.

 

To wait on the Lord could also mean to serve in the vineyard of God. Waiters in restaurants are people who serve. When you serve God in truth and spirit, you will never be ashamed. This is guaranteed! This has been tested and tried! When you sincerely serve God with all you have, shame will be far from you. I remember the case of particular sister in church. When she started fellowshipping in our church, she joined virtually all the groups in church – choir, sanctuary cleaners, evangelism just name it. This lady just loved to serve in God’s vineyard. Do you know that she was the first sister to get married in the church? Because she made herself readily available for Christ; Jesus made Himself readily available for her. Because she didn’t let Jesus down; Christ did not let her down. We had better looking, more qualified sisters but the Lord settled her matter first. Others saved up to buy nice shoes and bags; she saved up to pay for her building funds. Today she is married with children. They said she spent too much time in church, those that said that are still single! The God who she served wholeheartedly brought her own husband.

 

ACTION POINTS: If you have not been serving God the way you should, please take Him more serious. If you have been serving God with all your strength, I can assure you joy is on your way.

GOD’S ATTITUDE TO BACKSLIDER’S OR BELIEVERS WHO MAKE MISTAKES

Memory Verse: So when they continued asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her, John 8:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 39, John 18, Prov 15, Phil 2

BIBLE STUDIES: John 8:3-11

We read a very interesting story in our bible studies. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. The interesting thing there was they left the man at home and brought the woman. At first Jesus ignored them but when they continued to probe him and ask him questions, he replied them saying “he that is without sin, let him first cast a stone at her”. When they heard that, they all left one by one leaving the woman with Jesus.

When you study the story closely, you will notice that the woman was not a harlot or a prostitute. If she was a harlot the bible would have mentioned it. For example the bible specifically mentioned that Rahab was a prostitute, Judges 2:1.Anyway for one reason or the other the woman fell into the sin and the whole neighborhood gathered to kill her. The attitude of Jesus to this woman clearly shows us God’s attitude to backsliders or believers who fall into sin. Ezekiel 18:23 says have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? Saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? God is not interested in the death or naming and shaming of backsliders or people who fall into sin, He wants them to repent!

When Jesus heard what the woman had done, he did not say “and she calls herself a Christian”. He did not call his disciples and gist them about the sister who had falling into the sin. He did not add to the story like many usually do and make it a point of conversation anywhere He goes. Instead of judging the woman, He showed mercy. He helped the woman get back into line instead of spreading the news which will further break the woman. We need to learn from this and begin to follow the footsteps of Jesus. When we hear the stories of brothers and sisters in Christ or men and women of God who make mistakes, it is not for us to judge them or spread the news. It is not an opportunity to make fun of any church. It is a time to be sober and help them back to Christ. As we celebrate Easter, let us not forget the reason why Jesus came. Jesus said “I came not call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32). Easter let us remember backsliders all over the world and ask for mercy for them.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please show mercy to all backsliders and bring them back to Christ. Also pray for our brothers and sisters who are yet to give their lives to Christ that the Lord will save their souls.

LEARN ENDURANCE

Memory Verse: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us, 2 Timothy 2:12.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 38, John 17, Prov 14, Phil 1

The new living translation says if we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us, 2 Timothy 2:12.You will gain nothing by rushing. The reason why many get into trouble today is because of lack of endurance. Eight –five percent of divorces today could have been avoided if only the parties involved in the marriage endured. It is a fact that most of what will last in life does not come easily. Do you know that sometimes the smooth walk we are expecting would not give God glory so He takes us through the rough one so that His holy name will be glorified.

Whether we like it or not, there will be challenges. At times things will not go as planned. Once In a while some of those we depend on would disappoint us. Jesus Christ even said “these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)”. The fact that something is getting harder does not mean it will break. The fact that no brother is approaching you to ask for your hand in marriage does not mean you will die single. The fact that you lost your job or lost money in a business venture or things are not going as planned does not mean you should commit suicide. The situation you are in will not kill you but it will only make you stronger.

2 Timothy 2:3 says thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Christ. To fulfill God’s plan and purpose for your life, you need to learn endurance. Failure to learn endurance could lead to permanent destruction. Where God will take you, He will take you. Don’t go and do fraud or involve yourselves in dodgey business dealings all because you want to get rich. Luke 21:19 says in your patience possess your souls. There is time for everything and time needs endurance. Do you know that the reason why God has not giving to you some of the things you have been asking is because He knows that if He gives it to you now , it might destroy you. Don’t go ahead of your time. If you persevere something will good will happen. The fellow who will reign with Christ on earth and in heaven must endure temptations, lack, sufferings, pain e.t.c. Inability to endure can frustrate the plan of God for your plan. What destroyed Gehazi and Judas Iscariot was lack of endurance; they wanted to get rich quick. What almost destroyed the life of David was lack of endurance; he could not endure sexual urge so he took someone’s wife. Inability to endure sexual urge has and is still destroying destinies. The best contraception is abstinence from sex; others fail and most sterilize women.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please help me to endure hardship that I might reign with you in heaven.

REWARDS OF EVANGELISM

MEMORY VERSE: And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever, Daniel 12:3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 37, John 16, Prov 13, Eph 6

One activity that attracts God blessings is evangelism. It is guaranteed that anyone who witnesses about Christ regularly will inherit glory. How do I know these? Proverbs 11:30 says he that winneth soul is wise. According to Proverbs 3:35 only the wise (soul winners) shall inherit glory. Not only that Daniel 12:3 says and they that be wise (soul winners) shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. Anyone who will shine for Jesus must love soul winning.
When I first began to go to attend my present church , my attendance was nothing to write home about. There was this lady from the evangelism team who kept on calling me and encouraging me to attend church. Gradually, my attendance improved I began to attend church regularly although I was still missing Sunday school service. During one of our mid week services, something just led me to look in the direction of this sister (sister that was encouraging me to come to church) and the Holy Spirit said I should empty my pockets because of her. If I am to be honest, I felt very uncomfortable with this. Not because I had much money in my pocket, but because it could lead to embarrassment. I thought this sister might think that I am trying to lure her with money or something so I almost refused but the Holy Spirit encouraged me. I did what I was told and I handed it to her in an envelope. I also begged not to open it in the church but wait till she gets home. As I got home, my phone rang and I picked it up .It was this sister crying on the phone. Immediately I knew the Lord had met an urgent need in her life. Do you know this sister was the first person to get married in that church?

When you are fond of witnessing about Jesus, He will be fond of proving Himself in your life. After I gave my life to Christ I began to witness too. There was this particular sister in my place of work who smokes. I began to encourage her and witness to her. To the glory of God she stopped smoking and began to attend services more regularly. Several months later, I left work very hungry and i had nothing to eat at home. Till today I can’t explain why I was that hungry but I was just unusually very hungry. While I was on my way home my phone rang,lo and behold it was this sister at work. She said she had just finished preparing this delicious African soup and something just kept telling her call Sam. I knew that was the Holy Spirit at work so I said no problem. As I was about to disconnect the call, she asked if I had anything to eat the soup with and I said no. Around twenty five minutes later, this lady arrived with this soup and pounded yam (African food). She said something that day I will never forget. She said she tried to ignore the voice but the voice kept coming back. She said the voice was so persistent that she could not even eat so she had to bring it first. I thanked her and she left. I descended on this pounded yam and the Lord took glory.

KEYWORD: When you are fond of witnessing about Jesus, He will be fond of proving Himself in your life

SIN BRINGS FEAR

Isaiah 33:14 the sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 36, John 15, Prov 12, Eph 5

 

MEMORY VERSE: Genesis 3:1-8

 

Sin is one thing we must do away with. According to Jeremiah 5:25, sin turns away blessings and withhold good from an individual. This is why the psalmist says that  the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon, Psalm 92:12. Asides from the fact that sin robs us of good things; sin is also a major cause of fear. Anyone who knows how fear works will fast and pray for the spirit of faith. 

 

In our bible studies Is a story we all know – the fall of man. Before Adam sinned against God, he had a good rapport with God. The Most High God would leave the heavens and visit him in the garden. Every time Adam heard God in the garden he would rush out to meet his maker and soak himself in the presence of God. The best moments in the life of this man was when the Lord visited. Psalm 16:11 says thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Immediately Adam sinned he began to dread the presence of God. He heard the voice of God in the garden and began to hide. The man that would rush to meet God every time he heard his voice suddenly began to hide due to disobedience.

 

 There was no man like Saul in the land of Israel. He was the definition of a perfect king. He stood shoulder high above everyone in Israel. He was a strong and mighty man. He was the sort of man everyone wanted to go to war with. Through the hands of Saul, God won many battles for the people of Israel. Immediately Saul sinned against God by disobeying Him, fear crept into his life. The same Saul who attacked the Philistines and the earth shook suddenly heard the voice of a Philistine soldier and began to shake. The bible actually records that he was so scared that his knees shook, 1 Samuel 17:11. Isaiah 33:14 says the sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? The God who the Israelite gladly referred to as the God of our fathers suddenly became a devouring fire to them all because of their sin. The reason why people fear the second of Jesus Christ is the presence of sin. A child who knows that he has behaved himself, clean the house and done all the assignments his parents gave to him will be happy when he hears his father’s footstep, but the child who has misbehaved or done something he should not have done will begin to panic when he hears his father’s footstep. If every time you hear of rapture you begin to panic and fear, it is a sign that you are not ready and there are one or two things you need to sort out. Not only that, it is a sign that you are lacking behind in God’s plan for your life.

 

ACTION POINT: Ask God to prepare you for rapture.

WORKING OUT YOUR SALVATION IN FEAR AND TREMBLING (Repost)

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. How does one get saved? Is it by saying the prayer of sinners? Is it by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as stated in Acts 16:31? Could it be by calling on the name of the Lord as stated in Romans 10:13? The first step to salvation is repentance. Without repentance there is no salvation. The bible says in Matthew 4:17, from that time Jesus began to preach and to say “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” After Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, the people asked him, what shall we do to be saved? He told them repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ – Acts2:38. After the healing of the lame man at the beautiful gate, people converged to the see the lame man and Peter used the opportunity to witness about Jesus. In his sermon, he said in Acts 3:18, “repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Brethren without repentance there is no salvation. 2 Peter 3:9 says The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Philippians 2:12 says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Does is it mean after I am saved I still have work to do in keeping my salvation? Yes. There are many who believes that once we are saved heaven is guaranteed. It is the biggest lie from the devil. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:22 that whoever endures to the will be saved. It is true that we saved by grace according to Ephesians 2:5 but Matthew 24:13 says it is only those who endure to the end that will be saved. Why do we have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling? The reason why we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling is because salvation can be lost. The grace that brings salvation could be abused. Romans 6:1 say what shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Romans 6:15 says what then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Certainly not! The grace that brings salvation can also be frustrated. Paul says in Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Abusing the grace of God or frustrating the grace can lead to withdrawal of grace which eventually means fall from grace of God. According to Galatians 5:4, it is possible to fall from the grace of God. It is also possible to miss the grace of God, Hebrew 12:15.
Many have argued that once we receive salvation we are sealed with the Holy Spirit according to Ephesians 1:13. It is very true but remember that Ephesians 4:30 says and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. If we grieve the Holy Spirit, He will leave.
ACTION POINT. Do everything possible not to grieve the Holy Spirit. Study Ephesians 4:25-32 and it tells us what to do to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit.