IF GOD ALLOWS IT, THEN IT IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD

MEMORY VERSE: Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. First Samuel 17:36

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 21-23

There is no coincidence in God. Nothing happens by chance or without reason. Nothing, and again i repeat, nothing happens in this world without God’s knowledge. According to Isaiah 46:10, long before something happens, He knows it. The cause of many problems is sin. The Lord said in Jeremiah 5:25: “your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” Bribery and corruption withholds good things from us. When terrible thing happens, and we call the Lord, and He refuses to act, according to Isaiah 59:1-2, it is because of our sins. Our sins cause Him to hide His face from us and not hear our cries. Sin causes separation between God and us. What is separating some us from God is fornication and adultery. For some, it is pornography and masturbation. God does not like that separation, and that separation will not benefit you either, this is why the Lord is saying this morning, repent, turn to Me and I will turn to you ( Zechariah 1:3).

However, if you are serving God in spirit and truth, and God allows some challenges in your life, i want you to know it is for your own good. The Lord intentionally permit some things on our way, either to reveal the hidden faults in our life, to build us up for a glorious future, to promote us, to display His power, to break us so that the beautiful things inside us can flow out or to keep us from trouble. In Daniel 3, the Lord permitted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be cast into fire because He wanted to firstly, display His power and secondly, promote them. Friend, the Lord may have permitted that challenges you are facing in your relationship, marriage, ministry, place of work, or business, to display His power and to promote you. Before problem, Peter said to Jesus, “even if i must die with you, i would not deny you” (Matthew 26:35). When the slave girl confronted him, he denied Jesus: the hidden fault was revealed. I thought i was a loving person until some people cooked up some stories and got me suspended. I found myself asking the Lord to strike them down. It was until then i discovered that the love of Christ was yet to be fully shed abroad in my heart. Thank God, i discovered that and went back to the prayer room. Wait until things do not go the way of some sisters, it is then you discover that they are not humble. Wait until someone mistakenly steps on some brother’s toes, it is then you discover that the brother is a thug. Friend, God may have permitted those circumstances to reveal the hidden faults, grudges, and wrong motives in your life.

The Lord permitted a lion and a bear to attack the flock, David was looking after, to train, and get him ready for the ‘Goliath’ that will appear in the future. No wonder when the king said he was incapable, he told him,” Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God”  (First Samuel 17:36). Friend, what you are facing may be some sort of training clutch for your future challenges. Anyone with great destiny must be ready for great challenges. The Lord may have allowed the present challenges to train your hands to war and your finger for battle. He knows the problem will not finish you, that is why He allowed it.

PONDER: Has the Lord revealed any weakness in your life recently? Do not hide it; instead, ask Him to help you overcome that weakness.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

"AS HE WAS TELLING THE KING"

MEMORY VERSE: And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. Second Kings 8:5

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 18-20

It happened one day that the king was talking with Gehazi, ex servant of Elisha, he told him, "tell me, i pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done" (Second Kings 8:4). Gehazi began to narrate all the great things the Lord had done through the hands of Elisha. He told the king how the Lord healed the waters of Jericho through Elisha (Second Kings 2:19-22). He talked about how Elisha pronounced a curse on some children who mocked him and two she bears came out and tare forty two of them ( Second Kings 2:23-24). He spoke and spoke for a long time. As he was telling the king about the Shunamite woman whom Elisha raised her son from deathbed, the Shunamite woman walked in. Second kings 8:5 says "And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life."

I believe Gehazi must have boasted to the king about how he used to be Elisha’s personal assistant. While he was telling the king about the Shunamite woman, he must have boasted about how he used to carry Elisha’s staff and all that. Friend, what story are you telling? Is it a story of how you used to dream dreams? Is it a story of how you used to go to villages to preach when you were in the university? Is it a story of how you used to see angels when you were young? Is it a story of how the Lord used to touch people when you preach? Sister in Christ, what story are you telling? Is it one of how you used to sing and the spirit of the Lord will come down mightily? Brother in Christ, what story are you telling. Is it how used to pray all through the night?

Friend, what story are you telling? Many a time, when people tell me how they used to be this and that for the Lord, i wonder how about now? When i hear stories of how some brothers used to be fervent before they got married, i become sad. When i hear stories of how some sisters never used to miss choir practice when they were single, i become sad. Gehazi used to be Elisha’s PA, but today, he is a leper. Sir, what you used to be does not matter. You used to write powerful messages and post it on Facebook, good, but today, what do you do? You used to have time for church activities, thank you very much for that information, how about now. You used to lay hands on the sick and they recover, to God be the glory, but sir, how about now. They used to call you a brother, bravo, today what do they call you? You used to be innocent, to tell a small lie used to be a big problem, very good, how about today. Your conscience used to be very alive, the moment you think of anything bad, it will start to condemn you, nice, how about now. In the body of Christ, the story most of us are telling is what we used to do. Is your own story, how you used to fast every Wednesday or how you used to share tracts?　

PONDER: Peter said of Judas Iscariot, "For he was numbered with us" (Acts 1:17). Heaven used to recognise Judas as a disciple but later that changed. Does heaven still recognise you as a child of God?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

DO NOT GET TIRED

MEMORY VERSE: and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. GALATIANS 6:9

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 13-17

In Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, he wrote, “and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Friend, i do not know what you are facing in your marriage or relationship but i want to encourage you, do not get tired. Do not get tired of that stubborn child. His teachers are always reporting him for bad behaviour. Other parents have warned their children not play with him because of his unruly behaviour. You have prayed and fasted, but nothing seems to be happening. As Paul encouraged the Galatians, i want to encourage you in the Lord, do not get tired. Over that child that is always sick, do not get tired. I join my faith with your faith, that child is healed permanently in Jesus name, amen.
Over that marriage, do not get tired. No matter what you do, your husband never appreciates it. He complains at every little opportunity, even when you cook and intentionally do not add salts, he complains that the food salty. I want to encourage you in the Lord, do not get tired. You are trying to lose weight, you have tried different weight loss plans, and nothing seems to be happening. You go to the gym twice a week, but it is taking forever to notice any changes in your outlook, i want to encourage you, do not get tired of trying. You have applied for several jobs, but no one has invited you for an interview, i want to encourage you, do not get tired of making applications. This is the fourth time you have failed your driving test, do not get tired of trying. Register and book for it again. This is the sixth time you have sat for F6 Taxation, ACCA Qualifications, do not get tired of trying, read, and book the exam again. In the name that is above every other name, your next effort will be the last time you will sit for that subject, Amen.

Do not be weary in showing love to that nasty family member. Do not get tired of interceding for that friend, family member, or colleague at work, who is yet to give his or her life to Christ. Do not get tired of praying for that husband of yours that is always returning home drunk at night. Do not get tired of witnessing to your colleagues at work about Jesus. Do not get tired of interceding for your nation. It may seem as if you are wasting your time praying for your country and the leaders. Friend, your prayer is keeping your nation. The prayer of the righteous is keeping this world. Let us not become weary in interceding for the leaders, kings, princes, head of states, presidents, founders and general overseers, pastors, leaders, etc. Do not become tired of life. Suicide is not the way out. Do not become tired of committing that relationship to God. It is true that you committed it to Him at the beginning, keep on committing it to Him. A man of God once said this, “if you remember to say it, God will remember to do it”

PRAYER POINT: Father, Help of the helpless, please help every one of us in the might name of Jesus.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

INTO A FAR COUNTRY

MEMORY VERSE:  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Luke 15:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Micah 7 – Nahum 1

BIBLE STUDIES: Luke 15:11-32

A young boy approached his father and requested for his own share of inheritance. Since he was of age, the father shared all he had between his two sons, and gave this young boy his inheritance.  There is nothing wrong in a son exercising his right of sonship. As far as the young man is matured, physically and mentally, the father can give him his share of inheritance. The same applies to us believers; there is nothing wrong in asking our Father in heaven to give us portion of His goods relevant to our ‘age’. Some of the portion of His goods is deliverance, healing, prosperity, breakthrough, revelations, divine wisdom, anointing, etc.

A few days after, this young man gathered all and left for a far country. Luke 15:13 says and not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Asking our Father in heaven for legitimate things is right. There is nothing wrong in asking God for a new job, spouse, baby, house, gift of the Spirit, favour and so on, but taking them away to a far country is wrong. Many of us have taken God’s goods to a far country. The moment that large pay cheque arrived, we moved from the Father’s presence. The moment we got married, we stopped praying. The moment we got the job, we started missing midweek service. One thing we must know is this, whatever we take out of God’s presence into the world will waste. It does not matter what your bank balances is, if you continue to spend without any sort of income, you will go bankrupt. The same applies to spiritual resources like anointing; it will diminish if taken away from His presence. The only ONE who does not diminish is God. It is only in the presence of God that you and I, will be continually refreshed, replenished, and refuelled. Whatever you get from the presence of God, please do not take it out of the presence of God. The young man gathered everything, went to a far country, and wasted all on extravagant lifestyle. If you are earning 1000 pounds per month, do not go and buy a shoe of 950 pounds, that is an extravagant lifestyle. The fact that your friend has it, does not mean you must have it. Must you do a big wedding because that sister in church did a big wedding? Cut your coat according to your size. There is nothing wrong in a big wedding but remember, wedding is a day but marriage is a lifetime. After this boy spent all, a mighty storm arose in that land. Everyone had deserted him. Those that were calling him a ‘big boy’ disappeared. Friends, be wise, those that are calling you a ‘big boy’ or ‘big girl’ will desert when you run into problem. Brother, there is nothing cool in being a gangster, if you die as a gangster, you will go to hell.

TO PONDER: Am i abiding in the presence of God or in far country?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

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JONAH

MEMORY VERSE:  Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. Jonah 1:5

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Micah 4-6

Christ did not save you, to live your life as you please. He does not save for the fun of saving. He saved us, so that you and i, can live a life pleasing to Him. After He saved the woman caught in adultery, He gave her an instruction. John 8:11 says she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. That instruction, ‘go, and sin no more,’ is for all of us. Go, and fight no more, quarrel no more, curse no more, disobey your parents no more, accept bribe no more, participate in exam malpractices no more,  commit adultery/ fornication no more , steal no more , beat your wife no more. Christ is saying, ‘I have saved you, go, and do those things i saved you from no more.’

Yesterday, we saw what happens when a fellow boards a ship with a ‘Jonah’. At first, everything will be fine, after a while, a storm will arise. If the fellow is not prayerful, he may lose his wares and other valuable possessions. Today, we will look at the character of Jonah .The first thing, i want you to know is, anyone can exhibit these characters even Christians. God sent Jonah to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, to a people despised by the Jews. Jonah would rather that Nineveh be destroyed than that city have an opportunity to repent and be spared. The Assyrians were a cruel people who showed no mercy to their enemies, and Jonah wanted them out of the way. This man, Jonah, thought he had a choice or say in the will of God for the people of Nineveh. He forgot that the will of God is not an option: it is an obligation and an opportunity. Anyone who thinks (s) he has a choice in the will of God for his or her life or the life of others is a ‘Jonah.’ When we run from God’s will, we always go down. We may end up sacrificing safety for danger and peace for storm. Jonah is also a sleeping Christian. Whilst everyone prayed, Prophet Jonah snored. Jonah 1:5 says then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. Are you awake? Do you observe the growing darkness on earth? Things that used to be an abomination 30 years ago are now what we celebrate today.  Twenty years ago, if a brother should fornicate, maybe he was at the wrong place at the wrong time, he will start to cry. Today, the same brother will pat himself on the back and gist his friends. The goal of every believer used to be heaven, but today, it is blackberry phones and the latest Range Rover. Can you tell the season we are in? Do you know we are at the end of the world? Do you still fast? Do you still have your quiet time? Do you still witness? Do you still give to the poor? Does your heart still prick you when you tell little white lies?

PRAYER POINT: Father, please wake your church up from her slumber.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

IN SHIP WITH ‘JONAH’

MEMORY VERSE:  And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Jonah 1:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Micah 1-3

One subject, the word of God lays emphasis on is association. Proverbs 13:20 says he that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Who you walk, talk, live, invest, partner or travel with, can either make you or break you. Psalm 1:1 says blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. There are people you should not walk with, if you do not want problems. One of them is people that do evil. Psalm 34:16 says the face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 

Another one is ‘Jonah’. In Jonah 1:1-3, God sent Jonah to Nineveh, a wicked city, to preach to them. Instead of going to Nineveh, he went to Joppa and boarded a ship going to Tarshish. As they travelled, the Lord sent a mighty storm that almost broke the ship (they were travelling in) into two. Panic broke out in the ship; everyone began to run helter skelter. To lighten the ship, people started throwing their wares into the sea. You see, lightening a ship stabilizes it in rough seas. When that did not work, they cried to God. It is funny how people only remember God when they face challenges. Whilst crying to God, the Lord opened the eyes of one of the mariners. Jonah 1:7 says And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. They took Jonah and threw him into the sea. Immediately, the storm seized. Sadly, they could not recover the wares they had lost. There are many suffering today because they are in ship with ‘Jonah’. There are many, who are going through pains because they are in ship with someone, who is not supposed to be on that ship. (By God’s grace, tomorrow, we will talk about the man Jonah). As singles, pray very well so that you do not get married to ‘Jonah’. Before going into business with anyone, pray so that you will not be a business partner with ‘Jonah’. Not until the people prayed, the Lord did not reveal ‘Jonah’ and as long as ‘Jonah’ was in the ship, they will never know peace. The following, indicate the presence of ‘Jonah’ in a ship:  Presence of storms; loss of peace of heart; loss of properties; lives at risk; etc.Right from the day, that fellow moved into your house, you started having problems at work. From the day you employed that staff, your customers started complaining.  From the moment that customer started doing business with you, your business started going down. From the moment, that brother proposed to you or that sister came into your life, you have been going from one challenge to another. These are all indicators that you are in ship with ‘Jonah’.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please open my eyes, so that i can see all the ‘Jonahs’ in my life. Also, give me the wisdom needed to path ways with them.

QUESTION: Are you still keeping records of your life?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

NINEVEH OR TARSHISH?

MEMORY VERSE:  Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:2-3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jonah 2-4

God is merciful. According to Psalm 103:8, He is plenteous in mercy. Psalm 103:11 says for as heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. Many of us are alive today, courtesy of God’s mercy. If God were to mark iniquity, the sins we committed before we gave our lives to Christ – the lies, fornication, adultery, abortion, etc, none of us will be able to stand. The town of Nineveh was known for wickedness, Heaven even testifies to this. Before destroying this city, the Lord gave them a chance to repent. What have you done with all the opportunities, God gave to you to repent from that secret sin? Repent from stealing from the offering basket. Repent from cheating on your spouse. Your husband may not know, your wife may not know, your pastor may not know but God knows. The Lord called Jonah and sent him to Nineveh. Jonah 1:2-3 says Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 

Nineveh represents God’s will for Jonah. It represents God’s will for your life and my life. It stands for God’s will for our family, ministry, work, business etc. Tarshish on the other hand, represents Jonah’s will. God wanted him to go to Nineveh, but he went towards Tarshish. It also represents ‘your’ will. Which one of these two, takes precedence in your life - Nineveh or Tarshish, God’s will or ‘your’ will? Nineveh represents God’s heart desire while Tarshish represents Jonah’s heart desire. Brother in Christ, are you working in God’s will for your family and business or your own will? Nineveh represents a step in the right direction while Tarshish represents a step in the wrong direction. Are you moving towards God’s or away from God? Tarshish is in a direction opposite to the will of God for your life. It leads down and away from the presence of God. If you study the whole chapter, Jonah 1, you will observe that as Jonah moved in the direction of Tarshish, a storm arose. Storms are inevitable when one moves away from God’s presence. Challenges after challenges are inevitable when one is operating in his own will instead of God’s will. It is impossible for one to travel to Tarshish and prosper. Some of the indicators that one is travelling on the wrong path are lack of peace of heart. Another is frustration and fear. Sometimes a calamity or misfortune indicates a wrong direction. Are you considering Nineveh or Tarshish? I besiege you in the name of the Lord, stay in God’s will for your life. Have you started making your way to Tarshish? Worse still, are you already in Tarshish? Before you are stuck, why not repent today and return to Nineveh.

NOTE: The absence of peace of heart is a strong indicator that something is wrong. If you are unsure about the route you are on, go to God in prayer, and ask Him to reveal His will to you.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.