IS FAITH ALONE SUFFICIENT FOR SALVATION?

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ecclesiastes 4-7

The turning of water to wine in Cana of Galilee has been a subject of debate in many Christian circles. Some are saying the wine was a non alcoholic wine, others are saying we are not sure; it could have been an alcoholic wine. I have heard some school of thought say, it was actually a fruit wine – grape wine to be precise.  The bible did not tell us whether the wine was alcoholic or not and I don’t think, the author of the book of John intentionally kept that information from us to hide something. James 1:17 says every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Every gift Jesus gives is PERFECT and GOOD. If Jesus gives you a wine, you can be rest assured that the wine is not only good but perfect also. I post this question to you, is alcoholic wine good for your health? Is alcoholic beverage, perfect for your spiritual and physical growth?

Many of us have been deluded into thinking that FAITH alone can SAVE a man, we justify this with John 3:16 which says for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. A lot are easily swayed by this convenient formula of salvation, all you need is accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior and you are sure of heaven. One has only to believe in the Son of God to gain eternal life. Is that what the bible teaches?  After you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, are you allowed to tell little white lies, purposely commit sin with the intention of asking for forgiveness later, etc?

Brethren, the bible do not sanction this belief neither can faith alone save man. James 2:14 says what doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? Faith would be useless if not coupled with works. We cannot claim to have surrendered all to Christ and still be keeping malice! FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS INSUFFICIENT.  James 2:17 says  even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. We cannot say we are saved and still accept bribes, abuse public offices or allow evil practices by pretending as if you don’t see it! Faith must be accompanied by works to make it perfect. Asides our faith, we need to do the will of God. Matthew 7:21 says not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. We need to accompany our faith with good deeds and obedience to the word of God. Philippians 4:15 says let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Everyone around us must know that we are different. No one has an excuse to misbehave! If you are struggling in one way or the other, ask the Lord to help you and He will help you.  Heaven will cost you something, but it is worth it!

ACTION POINT: Pray that the Lord will help you today in your areas of weakness! Also determine from today to stand out for Christ!

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus. 

IS PURGATORY BIBLICAL?

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 31 – Ecclesiastes 3

 

The tradition of purgatory teaches that, upon death, many souls enter a spiritual realm between heaven and hell during which sins are dealt with until they are prepared for heaven. Purgatory is a place where sin is “purged” before a person can enter heaven.  Furthermore this tradition encourages the living to do works on behalf of the dead in order to improve the situation of those in purgatory. It also encourages praying for the dead, indulgences, just to mention a few. Those who practice this tradition back it up with 1 Corinthians 3:15 which Say, if any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yes so as by fire.

 

Firstly, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 uses an illustration of things going through fire as a description of believer’s works being judged.  If our works are of good quality “gold, silver, costly stones,” they will pass through the fire unharmed, and we will be rewarded for them. If our works are of poor quality “wood, hay, and straw,” they will be consumed by the fire, and there will be no reward. The passage does not say that believers will pass through fire, but rather that a believer’s works pass through the fire.  1 Corinthians 3:15 refers to the believer “escaping through the flames,” not “being cleansed by the flames.”

 

Secondly, the bible speaks clearly of two options in the afterlife in Luke 16: 19-31 (the story of Lazarus and the rich man).  When the wicked rich man died, he went straight to hell. When Lazarus died, he went straight to heaven. Jesus makes it clear that after life has two options, and that both heaven and hell are eternal.  The end of the bible also makes clear God’s plan for the end of time. Revelations 20: 12 -15 says "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."Once again, only two choices exist, heaven or hell.

 

Lastly apostle Paul says in Hebrews 9:27, and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. The doctrine of purgatory is not anywhere in the bible.

 

ACTION: Let us remember all those who are yet to give their lives to Christ in prayer, that the Lord will touch their hearts. Let us also remember all those whose hearts are broken, that the Lord will comfort them.

 

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

ARE YOU A CHILD OR VISITOR IN THE HOUSE OF GOD?

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 24 - 30

Ephesians 1:18 says the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. In your prayer closet, please ask the Lord to enlighten the eyes of your understanding. When many of us have birthday celebrations, graduation ceremonies, child dedications, house warming, marriage ceremonies, wedding anniversaries, etc, we go to extra length to invite our friends and families. We give invitation cards to everyone we come across; we send texts , WhatsApp messages , Blackberry broadcasts but when it comes to the things of God i.e. special programs in church , church anniversaries, etc, we invite one or two people, this does not speak well of us. We are willing to invite everyone we know to our birthday parties but when it comes to God’s party, where people will have the opportunity to hear the undiluted word of God and give their lives to Christ, we invite two or three people, is that how much we love God?

A wise child sees to it, that his or her parent’s house is in order. He or she will clean and arrange it so that visitors won’t come in and find the house in a mess or untidy. Even if (S) he is married, (S) he will still put measures in place to ensure that his or her parent’s house is clean at all times. Some hire a house help to do the cleaning, others pay people to go and clean once or twice a week. It is the pride of every child that his or her parent’s house is neat, tidy and everything is running as it should be. A visitor on the other hand does not care about the tidiness or cleanliness of the house. Whether there is toilet roll in the toilet or not, is not his business. Whether the lawn is mowed or not, is not his prerogative. Whether the broken light bulb is replaced or not, is not his concern.

The same thing applies in the house of God. A visitor does not care about how the church is being maintained. Whether the church members are prayed for or not, is not his headache but a child in the house will be uncomfortable doing nothing in the church. She knows the church needs to be cleaned so she will join the sanctuary keeper; He knows the church needs intercessors who will be interceding for the church and the members so he will enroll as an intercessor; he knows the microphones, speakers and other church appliances cannot operate themselves so he will join the media team. Visitors come for the blessings, but the real children come to serve.

QUESTION: Are you in church for the blessing or to server God?

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

FOR MAN LOOKETH ON THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.1 Samuel 16:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 17 - 23

One of the most MISUNDERSTOOD portions of the bible is 1 Samuel 16:7a, it says for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. A lot of us have read this and interpreted it as, all that matters is the HEART not the OUTWARD appearance. Firstly, the bible did not say that God ignores the OUTWARD appearance and focuses on the HEART.  He looks at both the HEART (1 Samuel 16:7) and the OUTWARD appearance.  1 Samuel 2:3 says talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. Secondly, what is inside will show outside. A lunatic is mad on the inside but it shows on the outside. How about demonic possession? The mad man of Gadara was mad on the inside, he had a legion demon residing in him and it showed on the outside (Mark 5:1-19). This man refused to live with humans; he chose the burial ground as his abode. He was so mad, no one could bind him. His problems were an internal one but it manifested on the outside.  

Likewise when one is filled with the Spirit of God, it will show on the outside. Saul was an aggressive Pharisee; he hated Christ with a passion, he committed a lot of his followers to prison for doing nothing but the moment he received the Holy Spirit, the whole world knew, by what they saw on the outside. Paul (former Saul) became an incurable soul winner; he went out and told everyone who cared to listen about Christ.  1 Samuel 19:7 says But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. When the Lord said for man looketh on the outward appearance, what He was saying is that, man (man and woman) judges by what they can see. The reason is that, they can’t see the heart so they look for the things they can see.  The only way, people around you will know whether you are lying or telling the truth about your salvation is by your OUTWARD appearance or what they can see e.g. the companies you keep, the way you talk, how you conduct yourself, your mode of dressing, etc.  An unsaved fellow knows he is not saved but he expects to see proofs that you have really given your life to Christ. If he is not convinced that you are saved, maybe because of the way you dress or your conduct, that means the Lord cannot use you to witness to him. What are we contributing to Christ if our lives can’t bring people to Jesus?

NOTE: If you claim that you are saved and the world cannot see the change in you, then you have work on your hands.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

BAIT YOUR HOOK

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Matthew 17:27

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 14-16

When Jesus arrived at Capernaum with His disciples, those in charge of temple tax collection approached Peter and demanded for temple tax (Matthew 17:24-27). He reported the matter to Jesus, who then instructed Him to go and fish. Matthew 17:27 says notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Anyone who knows about fishing will tell you, an EMPTY hook will catch NOTHING. To catch a fish, one needs to BAIT his or her HOOK. A BAIT is not an ordinary fish food; it is food that LOOKS, SMELLS and TASTES as attractive as possible in order for the fish to want to eat in the first place. The fish have a lot of choice out there – somehow you have to make that choice easy for them. Today, your PRAYER REQUEST is a hook, to get an ANSWER from the heavens; you need to BAIT YOUR HOOK in other words you need to make your prayer requests as attractive as possible. How do I make my prayer request attractive to the heavens? Firstly, live a life of PURITY and HOLINESS. Isaiah 59:1-2 says behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. You can’t be disobeying God and expect Him to answer your prayers. If He does that, that will mean He is encouraging sin. Secondly, be HUMBLE and MEEK. Psalm 147:6 says the Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. Many find it hard to apologize when they are wrong. One of the ways to identify a proud man is that he has DIFFICULTLY SAYING SORRY even he makes mistakes.

Thirdly, PAY your VOWS. Psalm 50:14 -15 says offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. There are many reading this devotional that are yet to pay the vows they made two years ago, there are some who are yet to redeem their pledges of 2010. Lastly, FORGIVE. Before you come to God with your prayer requests, ensure you have made peace with everyone. Matthew 5:7 says blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Psalm 18:25a sayswilt the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful. That brother has begged you, he has even invited people to beg you on his behalf, it is high time you showed mercy and forgive. That sister has apologized, it is high you forgave her!

NOTE: Unredeemed pledges hinder prayers; redeem your pledges as soon as possible.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus.

THE HARVEST SEASON OF MORDECAI

On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said what honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. Esther 6:1-3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 11-13

The story is told about an old man who uncovered the plot to assassinate a king. In Esther 2:21-23, Mordecai EXPOSED a plot by Bigthana and Teresh (two eunuchs) against the king. The traitors were hanged as they deserved, the name of Mordecai was recorded in the king’s secret book with a particular remark that Mordecai was the man who discovered the treason. One would have expected the king to reward Mordecai immediately but he didn’t. The king did not even recognize what he did at all; instead he promoted Haman (a wicked man) who hated Mordecai with passion.

There are many like Mordecai today, they have done a lot of good things, instead recognition they are faced with persecution. I want you to know that the God who kept Mordecai is still very much alive and He will protect you from your persecutors. Amen. They are a lot of ‘Mordecais’ in the body of Christ today, they have done and are still doing good things - they obeyed God, they evangelized, fasted, prayed, gave offerings, sow seeds , etc , who are yet to be rewarded for their good deeds. There a lot of brothers and sisters who have kept their bodies, they do not fornicate or indulge in any form of sexual immoralities, who are still single and the ones that are messing up themselves are getting married left, right and center. It can be depressing at times.

Mordecai’s efforts were forgotten and his labor seemed to have been in vain, but when his harvest season came, it took God just one night to change Mordecai’s story. Yes! You have prayed and fasted in your past years; you have served God in holiness and you have been faithful, I want to announce to you that your harvest hour has come and it will come as lightening (quick and sudden) this year. I pray in the name that is above every other name that your celebration will show up faster than your past years of delay!

PRAYER: Oh GOD who made the heaven and the earth, the One who can do all things, I pray that as this reader says amen, let his or her harvest season begin in Jesus name!

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

WATCH OUT FOR THIRD PARTIES

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. Genesis 3: 1-2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 7-10

God loves family. He loves children dearly. The bible records that when the disciples forbade parents from bringing their children to Jesus, He told them; “suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14)”. He loves mothers so much that He compared the way He comforts to the way mothers comfort their children. Isaiah 66:13 says as one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. He loves fathers to the extent that He associates Himself with them. Psalm 68:5 says a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

Because He loves marriage – the union of two people (man and woman) in holy matrimony, the the first institution He created was marriage. Adam and Eve had a perfect marriage. They were open to each other. They kept no secrets from each other. Genesis 2:25 says and they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. To Eve, Adam was perfect. To Adam, Eve was the most beautiful woman he had ever set his eyes on. They enjoyed the Garden of Eden (blessing of the Lord ) together. There was peace in their marriage, the bible did not record any account of Adam beating up Eve or Eve cursing Adam until Eve (the wife) started listening to the voice of a third party (serpent). Genesis 3:1-2 says now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden.

Eve ate of the forbidden fruit and offered some to her husband which he ate. From that day, they began to have problems in their marriage. First of all, they realized that they were both naked , Adam no longer felt comfortable around his wife, Eve on the other hand started keeping things from her husband. That was how they both started keeping secrets from each other. Not only that, Adam began to see faults in Eve, before they knew it , the blame game started. When the Lord asked Adam if he had eaten of the forbidden fruit, instead answering yes or no, he blamed his wife. At the end, they were both banished from the Garden of Eden. In your marriage, watch out for third party influence. If your marriage is going to succeed, you need to cut out as much as third party influence as possible. As brides of Christ, if our relationship with Him is going to blossom and grow, we need to cut out third party influence i.e. voice of the devil. Any one encouraging you to compromise or do anything outside the bible is a third party and you need to cut them out or else it will cause you your relationship with Him.

ACTION: Let us remember those that are experiencing challenges in their marriages that the Prince of peace will declare peace in their marriages.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.