DISCERNING THE VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT PART 2

MEMORY VERSE: for with God nothing shall be impossible, Luke 1:37. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 27, 1 Cor 8, Ezek 6, John 7 

In part one of these series we learnt that the voice of discouragement will always come when breakthrough is around the corner. We also learnt that the voice of discouragement is not of the devil. The voice of discouragement can come in form of a thought as we discussed in part one. It can also come through a total stranger. An example of this can be found in 2 Kings 7:1-17. There was a terrible famine in the land. The situation was so bad. People began to eat their children. Elisha ran to the Holy One of Israel and the Lord told him that in 24 hours there will be abundance. Things will become so cheap, two measures of barley will be sold for a shekel i.e. something that used to cost ten units before the famine will now be sold for one unit. On hearing this, the man of God ran to tell the king of this great news. While speaking , one of the experts at that time – a financial analyst said it is impossible. Even if God were to open the windows of heaven, two measures of barley will never be sold for a shekel. Thank God Elisha rebuked him. This man tried to discourage Elisha that it can’t be done. 

Brethren, all around us today are voices of discouragement from strangers. The voice of discouragement could be from medical experts telling us that disease cannot be cured; it can only be managed. The voice of discouragement could be from the economists, financial specialists telling us because of the recession it will be difficult for us to get a job. 

The voice of discouragement could be from people telling us we are not good enough. Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City star (news paper) because the voice of discouragement through the editor back then said he lacked imagination and had no good ideas. Today, the whole world wants to visit Disneyland to see the work of Walt Disney. The voice of discouragement could be from experts telling us it cannot be done. A great man of God wanted to build a 50,000 seat edifice for the Most High God. When experts around the world saw the design, they said it can’t be done. They told the man of God it will take a minimum of at least three years to complete and there are no guarantees that it will be a success. With the help of God, the auditorium was built within a year. Guinness Book of Records said Faith Tabernacle is the largest church auditorium in the world with inside sitting capacity of 50,000 and outside overflow capacity of 250,000 plus.  Friends there is nothing that can’t be done as far as God is in it for with God nothing shall be impossible, Luke 1:37. 

PONDER:  With God all things are possible.

DISCERNING THE VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT PT1

MEMORY VERSE: and he spake that saying openly, and Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, Mark 8:32.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 26, 1 Cor 7, Ezek 5, John 6

BIBLE STUDIES: Mark 8:31-33

In Mark 8:31-33, Jesus called His disciples and began to brief them of the plan and purpose of God for His life. He hinted them of the rejection He was going to face while fulfilling the plan and purpose of God. He summarized the challenges and pain ahead of Him. He told them how He needed to be beaten because every stripe was going to cater for every disease known to mankind. He told them how He needed to go through pain because His pains were going to bring us joy. He told them all these were temporary because at the end He was going to get a name that is above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11). After speaking Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him in other words discourage Him from dying on the cross of Calvary. Thank God Jesus rebuked Him and carried on to please His father in heaven.

When the Lord is about to do something great in a life especially moments before the appointed time, the voice of discouragement will come. The voice of discouragement is the voice of the devil. The voice of discouragement can come through our thoughts. When the enemy knows that the Lord is about to reward a brother for his labour of love in the vineyard of God, he will use the voice of discouragement to distract him. When he knows that a particular service is going to mark a turning point in the life of a sister, he will use the voice of discouragement to ensure that the sister does not attend the service. He might tell the sister all these while you have been going to church ,why not rest this Sunday and go the next Sunday.

Friends I want you to know that the voice of discouragement will always come when breakthrough is around the corner. Few days to the submission of my final year project, the system I developed stopped working. I and the project supervisor worked on the system but all to no avail. On my way to work the voice of discouragement came through a thought that I should quit because God was not in the project. If God was in it, the system will not develop fault at the last minute. The voice advised me to inform my project supervisor of my decision to quit and re-submit a new project proposal the next year. Meanwhile my project supervisor was busy with my project trying to get the system to work but I didn’t know. Any way I decided not to give up and try again when I get home. Around ten minutes later my project supervisor called me that the system was now up and running. The enemy knew that breakthrough was close so he put pressure on me to quit. If I had informed my project supervisor of my decision to quit, he would have quit working on the system and that would have been the end but thank God I didn’t.

TO PONDER: You stand a chance of succeeding when you don’t quit.

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR PT3

MEMORY VERSE: and God saw everything that he made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day, Genesis 1:31.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 25, 1 Cor 6, Ezek 4, John 5

The devil uses everything as a leverage to perpetrate his evil work. If a fellow is from a poor background, he uses poverty mentality to destroy the fellow. If the fellow is from a rich and affluent family, he uses complacency to destroy the fellow. As we have been discussing, he uses lies and deceptions to carry out his evil agenda. To make matters worse he even provides evidences to back up his lies. One of the tactics he employs to steal, kill or destroy a fellow is that he sells them a self limiting belief and backs it up with proofs. Take for instance Gideon; the enemy knew that the Lord created this man to do great things in life part of which was to deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites. From the way the angel of the Lord greeted him, you know Gideon was born to be a mighty general, Judges 6:11-16. 

The question is how come a man who was born to be a mighty general was found by the angel of the Lord hiding from his enemies? How come Gideon was running from the enemies that should be running from him? How come the sister who God created to write books on how to break free from addiction is suffering from addiction? How come the brother who God created to be a CEO is working as a messenger? How come the fellow who God created to be an employer can’t even get employment?

The enemy had told Gideon that he was born to be ordinary and backed it up with evidences. The enemy told him that he was the last person the Lord would use to deliver Israel and gave him proofs. He reminded him of his background - how he came from the weakest tribe in Israel (Manasseh); how his clan was the poorest in Manasseh. He went on further to remind him that he was the least in his father’s house. Gideon bought into this lie and stopped making efforts. This is one tactics the enemy is using to rob many of us , he sells us a lie and provide evidences. It is a lie from the pit of hell that you are not good enough or you are made to be ordinary. According to Genesis 1:31, everything the Lord created was good including you. 
Brethren don’t let him sell that lie to you that you are worthless and provide you proofs. The fact that you tried and failed does not make you a failure. He knows God created you to be an entrepreneur but he will come with a lie that it is not so and give you proofs of how many businesses you have done in the past that failed. He knows God created you to be married with children but he will come with a lie that maybe you are not destined to be married and give you proofs of how many failed relationships you have had. He knows God created you to be an evangelist, he will tell you it is not so and give you evidences of how many people you have preached to and they did not accept Jesus. 

PONDER: You are not a failure as far as you don’t stop trying.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus.

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR PT2

MEMORY VERSE: thy word I have hid mine heart, that I might sin against thee , Psalm 119:11.

 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 24, 1 Cor 5, Ezek 3, John 4 

 What is a lie? A lie is the opposite of the truth. There are no half lies or half truth, you are either telling a lie or saying the truth. Who is a liar? A liar is simply a fellow who tells lies or a fellow who has the habit of telling lies. We know the devil uses a lot of tactics to steal, kill and destroy. For those who like to feed their eyes with naked pictures and watch blue films (pornographic videos) or listen to secular music he employs lust of the flesh to get them. For those who love flashy things – latest bags, latest accessories, latest clothes, latest phones e.t.c, he uses lust of the eyes to get them. For those who love power, fame, prestige e.t.c he uses the pride of life to destroy them. For believers he uses a completely different tactics. 

  He knows that all things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Cor 5:17). He knows that we no longer keep pornographic videos in our phones again; he knows that the latest Gucci bag or belt is not our prerogative or what a celebrity is wearing is not our concern. He is aware that we are no longer interested in getting into power at all cost so he employs lies and deception .Take for instance the case of Adam and Eve, he knew that they were not into pornography; he knew that the latest blackberry handset was not their goal; he knew that they owned the whole world so the question of power does not even cross their mind. What did he do? He employed lies and deception. He told Eve, if you eat the fruit you shall not die but be like God. That one ate the fruit and gave her husband some and they both died. 

 The devil knows that we have now accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and savior. He knows that we are now baptized. He knows that we have joined the workers in our church. He even knows that we now speak in tongues but how does he perpetrate evil in our lives? He employs deception and lies. He tells us that we can’t be perfect even when Jesus himself tasked us to be as perfect as God, Matthew 5:48. It is better to try at something than not to try at all. We only stand the chance of been perfect when we try. An adage says practice makes perfection. If you try to be as perfect as God is and you make mistake, you just simply ask for forgiveness and start again. When kids are learning to walk, immediately they fall they stand up almost immediately. They never quit trying. Don’t accept the lies of the enemy that you can’t be perfect. You can be perfect, you can do without lying, you can do without cheating, you can do without fornication and adultery e.t.c. The question is how? David said thy word I have hid mine heart that I might sin against thee, Psalm 119:11. Read your bible at least two chapters a day. Pray daily for the grace to be perfect and before you know it you see yourself attaining perfection.

 ACTION POINT: Create a bible reading plan and stick to it.

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR PT 1

MEMORY VERSE: ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it, John 8:44.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 23, 1 Cor 4, Ezek 2, John 3

John 10:10 says the devil steals, kills and destroys. He employs deception when he wants to carry out his evil works. Take for instance what he did to Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:1-6. He approached her and said ‘so God told you not to eat of every tree in the garden?’ That one replied and said we may eat of every tree in the garden except the one in the middle of the garden. God has warned us not to touch it, lest we die. The devil said it is a lie, once you eat it you will be like God. Eve ate the fruit and gave some to her husband. When Adam noticed that Eve had eaten the fruit and was still alive, he too ate the fruit hoping that nothing will happen but something terrible happened. Meanwhile the devil lied to Eve. Firstly God never warned them not to eat of every tree in the garden. Secondly after eating of the fruit they died spiritually on the spot and died physically later. Thirdly after eating of the fruit they never became like God i.e. become Omnipresent, Omnipotent or Omniscience. Before Adam and Eve knew what was happening, the enemy had robbed them of their dominion, destroyed their relationship with God and brought death upon them.

The devil has a way of setting a man up for failure. At times through deception he would turn a man against his helpers or destroy his destiny. Take for instance the case of Judas who betrayed Jesus. The devil must have encouraged him to steal from the purse that no one would notice. Judas fell for it; unfortunately John caught him but kept quiet. John 12:6 says this he (Judas) said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. The devil even encouraged him to sell Jesus to the Pharisee for some cool money. He did and regretted it. As the Pharisees were leading Jesus away to kill him, his eyes opened. When he could not bear the shame he committed suicide. Judas lost his destiny and his seat in heaven. Brethren the devil comes mostly through our thoughts. He brings evil suggestions, if care is not taken the fellow may fall victim. This is why the bible encourages us to meditate on things that are true, worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, just, pure, lovely and lovable, kind, winsome and gracious, things of virtue and excellence, things worthy of praise,Philippians 4:8. This is why we must check every thought that comes to our mind.

TO PONDER: The enemy employs deception (lies) to steal, kill and destroy.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH A PROMISE

MEMORY VERSE: honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;), Ephesians 6:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 20, 1 Cor 2, Lam 5, John 1

What is honor? It is to regard with great respect or to show courteous behavior towards something. When the Lord gave the first commandment –thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3); there was no promise attached to it. When He gave the second one – thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (Exodus 20:3); no promise was attached to it. When he gave the third no promise was attached to it. When He said honor thy father and mother, He attached a promise of long life and prosperity to it. This speaks volume.

My father was never there for me, why should I honor him? My mother left my father to take care of us alone, why should I honor her? Friends, I want you to know that the commandment to honor our parents came from God not our pastors or parents. All commandments are to be obeyed. According to James 2:10 if you obey all commandments – you don’t steal, fornicate, lie, covet and offend in one, you are guilty of all. In other words a brother who does not honor his parent or a sister who is not in talking terms with her mother is in the same league with a murderer or a fornicator in the eyes of God. Another reason why we need to honor our father and mother is so that it may be well with us. When the bible says honor thy father and mother that it may be well with thee (Ephesians 6:2-3). Well with thee on earth and in the day of judgement. Not only that , it means so that it may be well with you spiritually, physically, financially, emotionally , martially e.t.c.

When we honor our father and mother, we are guaranteed long life. No one wants to die young; the recipe for long life is honoring one’s father and mother. When you study this chapter carefully, you will notice that the Lord did not say honor your father and mother only on occasions. He did not say honor them when they pay your school fees alone or when they treat you right or when they are there for you. It says honor them – regardless of whatever they may have done to you. A man of God once shared his story with us. He went through a lot of challenges as a young man, the mother had to raise five children on her own without the support of his dad. When he grew up , he served God with all his strength – he was an usher and a prayer warrior , he never missed church, he always paid his tithe, when it comes to giving he was one of the biggest giver but his life did not bare resemblance to the life of a fellow who was serving God. Despite all his efforts, there was nothing to show for it. One day he heard a message like this and forgave his dad. He went to see him and blessed him financially. Not only that, he began to honor his father. Today he is the author of three bestselling books. When you do your part to honor your parents regardless of whatever they have done to you, the Lord will activate his promise in your life.

ACTION POINT: In whatever way you may have been dishonoring parents, repent today and make amendments

 Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

ENCOUNTER VS EXPERIENCE

MEMORY VERSE: and the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man, Acts 9:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 19, 1 Cor 1, Lam 4, Luke 24

I shared the dream that changed my life forever with a brother and he said ‘I want such an experience so that my life will be changed forever’. The dream was just an experience, my life changed when I encountered Christ. It is not an experience that changes a fellow but an encounter. An encounter is deeper than an experience. 

In Acts 9:1-7, Saul and co were en route to Damascus to arrest believers and commit them to prison. Something unusual happened as they traveled, a bright light shone from heaven and Saul fell. A voice began to speak – Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? At the end of the day Saul surrendered, he gave his life to Christ and became one of the greatest apostles. Everyone who accompanied Saul saw the light. Do you know it was only Paul that fell? They all heard the same voice but only Saul surrendered and gave his life to Christ. Not only that, only Saul had a change of name. Saul and co had the same experience, but only Saul encountered the One behind the experience.

Many hear the same message of salvation but only a few responds to altar call, why? Everyone in the church had the same experience but only a few encountered Christ through the message. An experience may change how we process information but an encounter changes the information we process. An experience may change when we go to places but an encounter changes where we go to. An experience may change how we say things but an encounter changes what we say. An experience may satisfy our hunger but an encounter creates a deep hunger in us. When we talk of salvation, we are talking of encountering Christ not experiencing Christ. 

PERSONAL REFLECTION: from the day i gave my life to Christ, what are the things I used to do that I no longer do? What are the things I used to say that I no longer say? Where are the places I used to visit that I no longer visit? Who are the people I used to walk with that I no longer walk with? Since I gave my life Christ what are the things I never used to do that I now do? What are the things I never used to say that I now say? Who are the people I never used to walk with that I now walk with? What has changed in my life since I met Christ?

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus

KEYWORD: An encounter brings about a change in personality but an experience only changes one’s perspective.