Guard your heart pt 2

MEMORY VERSE: keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life, Proverbs 4:23

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 4-5, 1 Cor 15, Ezek 13, John 14

In part one of these series, we discussed on the need to guard our hearts. The heart is the most important part of the body. It controls everything that we do. The heart is like a little rudder that controls the whole ship. Pride is a thing of the heart, so also humility. The heart informs our speech, actions, decisions, and emotions. The heart is under constant attack because of its value and importance. The enemy is aware that the Lord loves holiness. Since the heart informs everything we do, he attacks the heart and suggests evil thoughts so that an individual can sin against God.

To make it to heaven one needs a pure heart. Matthew 5:8 says blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. It is obvious that if the enemy gets hold of a fellow’s heart, he can turn the fellow against his Maker. If he gets hold of a sister’s heart, he will cause her fight in public and young men will start to run from her. If he gets hold of a brother’s heart, he will cause him give up at the edge of a major breakthrough. If he gets hold of a minister’s heart, instead of the minister to work with his subordinates, he will cause him to fight them to the detriment of his ministry. 

To guard your heart, you need to check what you listen to and watch on TV or surf on the internet. The eyes and the ears are the windows to one’s heart. Romans 10:17 says so then faith cometh by hearing. Do you know that fear also cometh by hearing? Another way to guard your heart against attack is by meditating on the word of God. Psalm 119:11 says your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you. One of the advantages of meditating on the word of God is that the Holy Spirit will always bring to your remembrance words to counter the attack of the enemy with . For example if the enemy brings suicide thoughts, out of the blue I shall not die but live and declare the glory of God will (Psalm 118:17)  flash through your mind. Jesus meditated on the word of God so much that when the devil tried to tempt him, he blasted him away with the word of God, Matthew 4:1-11.When you meditate on the word of God regularly, your heart becomes saturated with the word of God to the extent that attacks will have no effect.

ACTION POINTS: Meditate on at least two chapters of the bible daily. Also meditate on one chapter of proverbs per day to increase your wisdom.

Bro Samuel - Reaching in the name of the Lord

GUARD YOUR HEART PT 1

MEMORY VERSE: keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life, Proverbs 4:23

 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 3, 1 Cor 14, Ezek 12, John 13

 No one guards a valueless item. No one put measures in place to secure a worthless item. The only part of our body the bible encourages us to guard with all diligence is our heart not our eyes or ears or tongue. Proverbs 4:23 says keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Why do we need to guard our hearts with all diligence? We need to guard our hearts with all diligence because of its importance. Why is the heart so important? It is important because thoughts are formed in our hearts and our thought defines us. Proverbs 23:7 says as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body.

 Our heart reveals our identity. No wonder the bible says the Lord looks at the heart not the outward appearance, 1 Samuel 16:7. Our heart is where we keep our dreams, goals, passion, vision and so on. It is our heart that God connects to not our brain. When Jesus wants to come into a life, He comes through the heart. This is why He knocks at the door of every heart, seeking entry, Revelations 3:20. Our heart is also where people connect to.

 Another reason why one needs to guard his heart is because it is the source of everything we do. Our heart controls our speech and determines our confession. Matthew 12:34 says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Our heart informs our action. A wise man once said the ancestor of every action is thought. 

Before a man gives to God, he must have first thought about it. Our heart informs our decision. The process of sanctification takes place in the heart. The Lord takes away the heart of stone (the unrepentant heart, heart full of evil devises and schemes) and replaces it with a heart of flesh, Ezekiel 36:26. The main reason why we need to guard our heart is because it is always under attack. The enemy is always attacking it to take possession of it and control it. The enemy knows that once you have the heart of an individual, you have the individual. He knows that once you take possession of a fellow’s heart you can determine the end of such fellow. This is why he attacks the heart and the way he does it is through evil thoughts and suggestion.

 PONDER: We need to guard our heart because the enemy wants to take possession of it though evil thoughts and suggestion.

LAY HANDS NO SUDDENLY

MEMORY VERSE: lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure, 1 Timothy 5:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 2, 1 Cor 13, Ezek 11, John 12

Timothy was a young evangelist full of zeal. One thing with zeal is that it needs to be accompanied with knowledge. Proverbs 19:2 says zeal without knowledge is not good; a person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way. Paul (Timothy’s mentor) noticed that this young man was full of zeal. He observed that the young and inexperienced Timothy wanted to touch the world for Jesus; he observed that Timothy wanted to excel in the ministry; he noticed that this young man wanted to be a force to reckon with in his career so he wrote to him to warn him of certain things.

One of the things he warned him of is recorded in 1 Timothy 5:22 - lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins; keep thyself pure. Paul was warning Timothy to desist from acting on impulse. He was encouraging him to reflect on decisions before taking them. He was telling him to think twice before taking an action. Some mistakes define one’s life; some are almost impossible to correct; some can do damage to one’s career so he was telling this young man to think before acting or think before speaking. I pray you will never make such mistake in your life in Jesus name.

A wise man once said a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. A team is as strong as its weakest member. What Paul meant by lay hands no suddenly was know the people you put into positions in the church. Study people before considering them for any position within the ministry. Ask questions about them before ordaining them. Don’t just ordain a brother because of his zeal or a sister because of her gifts. Before ordaining people ensure they have integrity. How faithful are they in the payment of their tithes and vows. A fellow who can rob God of tithes can do and undo. What is their church attendance like? Not only that, how do they relate with other members of the church? Is the fellow a friendly person? Is he approachable? Is he discreet? What Paul was also telling his mentee his don’t form an opinion about people you have not met. Don’t judge people before personally meeting them. Don’t see sister A has a bad person because Sister B said so. Sister B could be saying Sister A is bad because she tried to borrow some money from her and Sister A refused because she is yet to pay the ones she borrowed in the past. Lastly Paul was telling his mentee to desist from making hasty judgment about people. Hear what people have to say first before making your mind on them.

ACTION POINT: Don’t ordain strangers

WONDERS OF WAITING ON THE LORD

MEMORY VERSE: 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 wear; and they shall walk, and not faint, Isaiah 40:31

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 1, 1 Cor 12, Ezek 10, John 11

Failure to wait on the Lord can be very costly. A Christian couple decided to pray before setting out for an engagement. While committing the journey into the hands of the Lord, the Lord told them to wait for a few minutes before leaving. For one reason or the other they became impatient and left. While travelling, they had a ghastly motor accident which rendered the wife paralyzed for life. At times people wonder why the righteous get into situations like this; it could be because the righteous failed to wait as instructed by God. If a single sister thoroughly waits on the Lord, she won’t fall into the hands of a wife beater.

A fellow who refuses to wait might have his way or get what he wants, but that thing might him hunt for the rest of his life. Sarai got what she wanted ;Hagar became pregnant. Immediately she conceived Sarai became despised in her eyes (Genesis 16:1-6). She became a thorn in her flesh and almost destroyed her marriage of over twenty years.

The life of a fellow who waits on the Lord can be compared to a planted seed. At first the seed will die and decompose. In the first few days or weeks, it looks as if nothing is happening but in actually sense the seed is taking root. After taking root it will start to grow. At first you see a little flower. Before you know it, that little flowers turns into a big tree that bears many fruits. Not only that, it grows branches where birds can build their nests. The leaves from this tree can also act as a shade from the hot sun. 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 wear; and they shall walk, and not faint. The life of a fellow who waits on the Lord takes the same course. It will first go down to take root before coming up. At first their life looks dull with no resemblance of greatness but after a while things begin to get better little by little. Before you know it, mighty things begin to happen and people start  asking how did you do it? The lives of those who wait on the Lord are always a wonder. A man of God once shared with us how he used to wear his wife’s belt to work because he could not afford a belt. The man waited on the Lord and today he is the author of three bestselling books.  

POINT: The life of a fellow who waits on the Lord will first go down to take root, before coming up.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus

VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT PART 4

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 29-30, 1 Cor 10, Ezek 8, John 9

As discussed, the voice of discouragement is inevitable. The voice of discouragement is from the enemy whose sole aim is to steal, kill and to destroy, John 10:10. The voice of discouragement can come at any time.

It can come from a total stranger. It can come in form of a thought going through our minds. It can also come from confidants, family and friends and from people who we hold their opinions in high regard. It is easy to dismiss the voice of discouragement coming through our thoughts. It is very easy to turn deaf ears to the voice of discouragement coming from a total stranger but it is almost impossible not to give second thought to the voice of discouragement coming from close friends. In the case of Jesus, it was Peter – one of His disciples, Mark 8:31-33.

What are the voices of discouragement? Whatever destroys your faith is the voice of discouragement. Whatever causes fear is the voice of discouragement. Whatever causes you to look down on yourself is the voice of discouragement. Whatever encourages you to give up on your dream or vision is the voice of discouragement. What do I do with the voice of discouragement? The only way to deal with the voice of discouragement is rebuke it right on the spot. What we tend to do is keep quiet when the voice of discouragement comes. Plato once said your silence gives consent. If the voice of discouragement is trying to discourage a fellow or destroys his faith and he keeps quiet. It means such fellow is in agreement with the voice of discouragement. When the voice of discouragement came through Peter, Jesus didn’t keep quiet. He did not smile and say stop it because I don’t like it. Immediately Peter tried to discourage Him from pleasing God, He rebuked him right on the spot. The next time someone says there are no jobs; right on the spot tell him or her there are jobs for you. If they say it is impossible, right on the spot tell them for you it is possible.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please make all impossibilities become possibilities in my life.
Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus

DISCERNING THE VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT 3

MEMORY VERSE: 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

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 28, 1 Cor 9, Ezek 7, John 8

In these series we have learnt that the voice of discouragement is inevitable for anyone who wants to succeed. Not only that, we have to come understand that the voice of discouragement is not from God. God is not a discourager but an encourager. Isaiah 41:10 says 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.

Before we look at another source of voice of discouragement, I want you to know that the voice of discouragement can come at any time. It can come weeks before breakthrough like we saw in Mark 8:31-33. Jesus told His disciples about the plan of God for His life, how He had to die and save the world. Peter called Him aside and began to rebuke Him in other words discourage Him. Immediately Jesus rebuked him and he kept quiet. The voice of discouragement can also come days before a major breakthrough like we saw in 2 Kings 7:1-17. There was famine in the land; the only food available in the market were dove dungs (feces or excrement) and only the rich could afford it. The poor started eating their children. The Lord spoke through Elisha that in 24 hours, there is going to be abundance of food. People will have so much food to the extent that the prices of food stuff will drop. An item that was sold for 10 units before the famine will now be sold at 1 unit of the currency. As Elisha was relaying this message to the king, one of the personal advisers to the king – an economist said it was impossible. Even if God were to open the windows of heaven, things cannot get that better. Elisha told him you will see it with your eyes but shall not partake of it.

The voice of discouragement can come moments before breakthrough.
Friends the enemy is most active moments before breakthrough. I have shared my experience of how the voice of discouragement came an hour to my breakthrough (completion of my final year project). The voice of discouragement can come minutes before breakthrough, an example of this can be found in 2 Kings 5:1-19. Naaman had everything money can buy but he was a leper. Not only that, he was lonely and willing to do anything to get his life back. He heard about Elisha and decided to pay him a visit. On his way the prophet sent a servant to instruct him to go and wash in river Jordan seven times. The voice of discouragement began to tell him why river Jordan when there are better rivers in Damascus. As he turned to leave in anger, one of his servants begged him not to give up and do what the prophet had commanded. He washed himself seven times and was healed. If not for the mercies of God, the voice of discouragement would have robbed Naaman of his breakthrough. It takes only the grace of God, to overcome the voice of discouragement moments before breakthrough.

PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to stand to the end.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus

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.