WORSHIP OR ENTERTAINMENT

MEMORY VERSE: Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matthew 5:23-24

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Corinthians 14 – Second Corinthians 3

The line between a worship session and an entertainment session is so thin that people take them for each other. Majority of our gospel artists are entertainers not worshippers. Their prime goal is to sell albums not to worship God. This is why majority of them are concerned with danceable beats not bringing down the presence of God. No wonder we see a lot of club beats in gospel albums. Fans now come first not God. Wonder why we see all sorts of collaboration between ‘so- called’ children of God and unbelievers in gospel tracks? A lot are only concerned with winning worldly awards not heavenly awards. Every award a man or woman wins on earth is useless if he or she does not make heaven. You may receive a Grammy award; will you receive the Crown of Life?

Even in our churches, what we do most of the time is entertain ourselves not worship God. During praise and worship session, you find people sending and receiving text messages. Others are busy talking and chatting away. Is this how to worship the Most High? Sister, you are meant to lead the congregation into the presence of God through praise and worship but there are people in the congregation you are keeping malice with. Can I inform you that you are not fit to lead people into the presence of God? All you will be doing is entertain the congregation not praise God. Church organist, you had a little misunderstanding with the church drummer and you have refused to greet him. Brother, let me be real with you, whatever sound that comes out of that organ will be noise unto God. The congregation, who can not see your heart, will dance as you entertain them with your piano skills but that will be it. Then, what is the point of playing instruments when the sound it produces is noise unto God? Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Before you mount the altar to offer anything to God, first of all, go and make peace with those you are not in talking terms with. We are not in church to entertain ourselves but to worship God. The kind of dresses, short skirts and tight dresses we see in our churches today, I wonder if the people wearing them are in church to worship God or seduce men or add to the figures. The kind of haircuts and jeans cut we see at times, you wonder if these brothers came to worship God or represent. The sad thing is many of them cannot wear those rag-like jeans or demonic looking haircuts to a job interview, why wear them to the place of worship? We cannot dress anyhow to the presence of God and expect Him to meet us with open hands. NO!

PONDER: If God were to be physically present in your church service, how will you conduct yourself?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

LIVING FOR THE MOMENT?

MEMORY VERSE: Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Hebrews 12:16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: First Corinthians 11-13

There are two kinds of people in the world today: those who live for the moment and those who live for the future. Those who live for the moment act hastily. They do things without thinking of the consequences. They talk without thinking. They talk without weighing their words carefully. Whether their words reduce people to tears or not, they do not care. They cannot delay gratification. They are sensual not spiritual. They only think of themselves not others. They are easily angered. They are reckless. Many of them are impulsive shoppers. People who live for the moment find it hard to apologise because they only think of their ego. They are always rude. They are always wicked. Recently, a pastor friend met his ex-boss who was very wicked to him. The ex-boss, now unemployed, could not look into his face. People who live for the moment are impatient. They cannot endure pain at all. They cannot endure pain for an hour. The moment they have a tiny headache, they take painkillers. Friend, too much painkillers leads to painkiller addiction. Why not drink more water. People who live for the moment find it hard to take no for an answer. If you tell them no, they will start to ignore you and treat you as an enemy. Friend, that fellow who could not borrow you 10 dollars today could end up dashing you 100 dollars tomorrow. Why get angry over 10 dollars and loose 100 dollars? Those who live for the moment find it hard to control their body or appetite. They drink, smoke, and humanize.

Many of those who live for the moment end up selling their birthrights for a morsel of bread. One of them was Esau. Hebrew 12:16 says, “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright”. Because Esau lived for the moment, the bible described him as a profane person. Many have exchanged their glorious destiny for five minutes of pleasure because they lived for the moment. They felt like having sex so they went to a brothel where they slept with a strange woman. Many have dropped out of school because one boy in their neighbourhood pestered them to proof their love for him by fornicating with him, without thinking of their future, they agreed, and became pregnant after the affair. A lot of fervent brothers and sisters have lost ministries and gifts of the Holy Spirit because they lived for the moment. A sister, mightily used by God, received an invitation to a program. Whilst she was praying, the Lord warned her not to go. Because she did not want to displease those that invited her, she decided to go and spend ‘only’ ten minutes. Immediately she entered into the building, she felt something leave her body. She lost the gifts of the Holy Spirit. A lot have resigned from their posts, divine assignments, because of a little misunderstanding with their heads or pastors. Unknown to them, they worked out of grace! Friends, do things with God’s plan, for your life, in mind. Do not live for the moment and indulge in exam malpractices. You may pass the exam today; will you pass the job interview in the future? Sister, i hope you have not joined the group of women who wear skimpy clothes and tight dresses. Anyone wearing such is living for the moment. Besides, men who are attracted to you today because of your tight dress and skimpy clothes will leave you for other women in skimpy clothes and tight dresses when your short and skimpy clothes begin to look funny on you because of old age.

PONDER: Are you living for heaven?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

A RESPONSIBLE FATHER

MEMORY VERSE: Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Isaiah 49:15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: First Corinthians 8 -10

God is always on time. He is never late. To you, it may appear as if He is taking forever. It may appear as if He has completely forgotten you. God has not forgotten you and He does not forget His children. He is a responsible Father. He said in Isaiah 49:15, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” Even when the bible says, “and God remembered ‘so and so’,” He never forgot ‘so and so’ in the first place. ‘And God remembered’ implies that God had been quiet about ‘a’ matter or ‘a’ person for a brief period not that He forgot the fellow or the matter. Exodus 2:24 says “and God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” Although God did not speak about the covenant for over four hundred years, He had it in His mind. When the children of Israel cried to Him, He decided to take steps regarding the covenant.

Several years ago, an ‘acting’ position, with the possibility of being made permanent after six months, was advertised in my place of work and i applied for it. Whilst praying, the Lord spoke through a pastor that He had given the job to me. I said amen! I went for the interview and was unsuccessful. The first year passed, nothing happened. The second year, nothing happened. Towards the end of the second year, the same ‘acting’ position was re –advertised because those who were acting in the position left the organisation. I could not apply as i was working part time then. Around eight months later, the 'acting' position was re-advertised again, for the third time, because the people acting up in that position were sacked. By this time, i had forgotten what God said three years earlier. Few months later, they decided to make the ‘acting’ position permanent. I applied and was shortlisted for an interview.

During this time, the establishment decided to put a freeze on employment. For the next three years, no staff would be employed into any permanent positions, but there would be secondment opportunities and temporary staffs would be brought in to fill any vacant position. The permanent position, i applied for, would be the last before the three - year freeze kicks in. I prayed and went for the interview. Two months later, the result was announced and i got the job. Friend, i do not know what God has promised you. I do not know what vision or dream he has showed to you. I do not know what He has said, through a man or woman of God, concerning your life, but one thing i know is this: God has not forgotten you and He will do that which He has promised. Friend, in that three years period, i saw horror. To make matters worse, during that period, God never spoke a word, concerning that position, either to encourage me or remind me that He has not forgotten me. Not a single prophesy or dream! The fact that God has not spoken about that matter recently does not mean He has forgotten it. You will not die single. You will not die childless. He will do it, God who said it, will do it.

NOTE: If He says it, He will do it. Remain steadfast and do not backslide.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

ADVANTAGES OF HIS PRESENCE

MEMORY VERSE: and they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. Judges 15:12

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: First Corinthians 5-7

One of the things you benefit from spending time in God’s presence is fullness of joy. When you spend time with Him, He fills your heart with joy. 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.” A lot of us are full of ‘happiness’ not ‘joy’. Happiness comes when something good happens, maybe your wife delivers a set of twins, or you are promoted at work. Joy is that exceeding gladness in your heart regardless of your situation. In the face of serious challenges and problems, you will still be smiling. The only place to get such joy is in the presence of the Lord not in smoking cannabis or consuming alcohol. I remember when i had challenges at work and people were worried because of the ‘so-called’ evidences against me, i told them, “do not worry, i will be back because Christ in me the hope of glory.” I was able to say that because of the joy of the Lord in my heart.

Another thing one benefits from spending time in His presence is unshakable confidence that all will be well. After the Lord gave Samson victory over the philistines, he retired to the top of rock Etam, a natural stronghold, to spend time with His maker (Judges 15:8). When his brethren came to bind him and deliver him into the hands of the Philistines, he did not panic because he knew that all would be well. All he was concerned about was his brethren not attacking him, because if they tried it, he would be left with no other option than to defend himself and that could result in their death. Judges 15:12 says and they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. When you spend quality time in God’s presence, what others see and run, you will see it and smile. The men of Judah saw the Philistines as the alpha and omega; Samson saw them as lunch. The men of Israel saw Goliath as an indomitable giant, but David, a man who had spent quality time praising God, saw him as a little dog (First Samuel 17:43). Do you know, when you spend quality time in His presence, how you perceive your problem changes? What others see and panic, you will see it and smile. What others see and say, “it is over,” you will see it and say, “this is just the beginning”. When you spend quality time in the place of prayer, what others call a challenge; to you it will be an opportunity. What others call threats, you will call it opportunities. When other sees blood during pregnancy, they panic but when you, who have spent quality time with our Father in heaven, see blood, you smile because you know it is the blood of Jesus not that you have had a miscarriage. A sister who recently put to bed testified how, every time she saw blood, she would confess that it was the blood of Jesus. This happened several times during her pregnancy. At the end, she gave birth to a baby girl.

NOTE: For you to spend time in His presence, you need to bring down His presence first through praises and worship. Psalm 22:3 says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”  Bring down His presence into that hospital ward by praising Him.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.       

SATANIC WISDOM, COMMON SENSE & GODLY WISDOM PART THREE

MEMORY VERSE: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: First Corinthians 2-4

There are three types of wisdom: satanic wisdom, common sense and godly wisdom. According to James 3:15, satanic wisdom descendeth not from above i.e. it comes from the pit of hell. Satanic wisdom is corrupted wisdom. It is the wisdom of Satan that propels a person to pull down a fellow being, in order to get favour. Satanic wisdom is at variance to the word of God. At last, satanic wisdom kills its seeker. Common sense is part of human wisdom. Common sense will not work with God because it will often be contrary to His will.

Then, there is godly wisdom. James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”Godly wisdom is from above unlike satanic wisdom, which is from the pit of hell, and human wisdom, which is from humans. God is the author of godly wisdom. The first thing you need to know about godly wisdom is that it is pure i.e. it is holy wisdom; it is separated from all that is evil. The wisdom of God encourages uprightness and righteousness. Human wisdom will tell you to use flattery to get your way but godly wisdom will tell you to say what you mean, and mean what you say. Human wisdom will tell you, if you want a day off from work, phone in sick, or phone in that, your child is sick but godly wisdom will tell you to use your annual leave instead. Secondly, godly wisdom is peaceable. It encourages one to live in peace with everyone. Snubbing people is not godly wisdom. Thirdly, it is gentle. Godly wisdom does not encourage violence or bullying one’s way through. It is forbearing. It makes allowances for others. Fourthly, it is easy to be intreated. Godly wisdom is compliant. Godly wisdom does not say, “I know it all” or “i am the alpha and omega.” It encourages one to listen to what others have to say. Godly wisdom will tell you, “It is true that you can see the back of head of everyone; you need someone to see the back of your own head.” It will tell you that you do not know it all. Fifthly, it is full of mercy and good fruits. It is godly wisdom to forgive and not seek revenge. Godly wisdom will tell you to respect God and man. I have heard many say, the only person they respect is God, they respect no man. That is not godly wisdom. Godly wisdom encourages one to do good things and care for the poor. Sixthly, it is without partiality. It encourages one to be fair. Godly wisdom discourages respect to persons. It will tell you, treat everyone equal. Lastly, it is without hypocrisy. Godly wisdom gives its seeker peace of mind. Human wisdom may tell you to lie about your age when you meet a brother; some have done that and gotten themselves in a big mess. They claimed they are twenty-eight years old, when they are actually thirty-three. The brother has proposed, they need to come out clean but they are confused as to how to go about it. Some brothers introduced themselves has Kelvin, now they have met the sister’s parents, they do not know how to come out to say that their real name is Billy not Kelvin.

PONDER: Are you running your life using common sense or the wisdom of God?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

BE DELIBERATE

MEMORY VERSE: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Romans 10-14

In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said:“ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Friend, our lights must shine not dimly but brightly.  Non Christians around us must know that we are different. The way we carry ourselves must be different. As lights we must be modest in our dressing not flamboyant or sexy. 1 Timothy 2:19 says, “in like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” The way we talk, our choice of words, our choice of music, must be different. How can the favourite song of a born again, regenerated, spirit filled believer be ‘sexual healing’ or ‘Mr Bombastic’? How can the ringtone of a believer be ‘Get rich or die trying?” Friend, old things must pass away and all things must become new (Second Corinthians 5:17). Astrology and palm reading must pass away. Playing lottery must pass away.

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works.”  That they may see your ‘good’ works not ordinary works. Friend, I want you to know this, letting your light shine is work. One thing with ‘work’ is that, you do it, not because it is convenient, easy or pleasant, but, because you have to do it. There are times you wake up in the morning tired, especially after night vigil, and do not feel like going to work. Despite the tiredness, you still go to work because you have to. Some times, letting your light shine before men is not easy or pleasant. If someone betrays you, letting your light shine before such fellow is not very easy. This is where the ‘work’ bit comes in. Letting your light shine before a fellow who has just testified falsely against you is not pleasant. This is where the ‘work’ bit comes in. Whether it is easy or not, whether it is pleasant or not, whether it is convenient or not, our lights must shine.

In doing good works, we must be deliberate. That fellow may not deserve it, but do good to him or her. In letting your light shine, be deliberate. Deliberately greet that sister that is keeping malice with you. Deliberately pray for that fellow who has wronged you and mean the prayer. Deliberately refuse to swear and curse when you are angry. Deliberately refuse to buy cigarette and beer for your friends. Be good to people. Deliberately refuse to be nasty to people evenwhen they are nasty to you. You have nothing to gain by being nasty and you gain everything by being nice. Deliberately refuse to pay people back in their own coin. Deliberately refuse to start a big quarrel any time that man comes home drunk or late at night. Instead of shouting and asking, “where have you been,” greet him. When he is asleep, wake up and ask the Lord to touch his heart. Instead of flaring up over petty things, deliberately smile and say, “it is well”and mean it. Be deliberately nice to fellow road users. The next time that fellow wrongs you; deliberately refuse to remind him of how he has wronged you  fifteen times in the last two weeks. The next time Angie, at work, leaves the kitchen dirty; deliberately clean it up without making fuss about it.

NOTE: You have a lot to lose by being nasty.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

HARVEST IS COMING

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 24-26

In Brother Paul’s epistle to the brethren in Galatians, he wrote this: “and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall we reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). I want you to know that it is possible for one to become weary in well doing or get tired of doing what is good. Friend, are you beginning to get tired of doing what is good or you are tired already of doing what is good? Are you beginning to consider sex before marriage and ask for forgiveness after because most of your friends who indulge in it are all married with children? I want to encourage you in the Lord, do not get tired of doing what is good i.e. saying no to sex before marriage. Are you considering fraud because your friends who do it have three to four houses and drive nice cars? Just as Paul encouraged the believers in Galatians, i want to encourage you too, please do not get tired of doing what is good. Have you , a born again sister, joined the group of 'big girls' who date sugar daddies because your room mates have the latest gadgets, they are hardly in school yet they never fail? Please repent immediately. Do not get tired of doing what is good.

The reason why you must not stop doing what is good is because, every good thing you do is a seed sown. Every time you say no to sex before marriage, you are sowing a seed. Every time you witness to that family member of yours that is yet to give his or her to Christ, you are sowing a good seed. Every time you intercede for that family friend, you are sowing a seed. Every time someone tries to provoke you and you refuse to get angry, you are sowing a seed. Every time you put the work of God first, before your personal business, you are sowing a seed. Every time you refuse to compromise whether at work or in business, you are sowing a seed. In due season, you will harvest a big testimony/breakthrough/ open door, if you do not give up doing what is good. While other young men relished the king’s meat, Daniel and co decided to say no. While everyone enjoyed the meat offered to idols, Daniel and his friends vowed that they would not touch any unclean meat (Daniel 1). They kept on sowing that good seed daily, at the end Daniel became third in command to the king and his friends became governors (Daniel 6). Mrs Potiphar kept on offering Joseph a nice time and he kept on turning it down (Genesis 39). Every time she said, “Joseph dear, what about what we discussed,” he will sow a good seed by saying “i cannot do this terrible thing and offend God.” Few years later, he became the prime minister (Genesis 41). Friend, are you under serious pressure to give up doing what is good? Are you under pressure to compromise? Harvest is coming very soon, God is about to reward you for not compromising in that place of work. Your long awaited husband is just around the corner; do not fornicate with that boy who is promising to take you to his parents once he knows you carnally. The pressure to give up is at its highest, moments before breakthrough. The pressure to stop interceding for that family member is always at its highest, when the Lord is about to answer your prayers over them.

NOTE: The pressure to stop witnessing to a difficult fellow is at its highest, when the Lord is about to convict the heart of the fellow. Do not give up today because you are very close to a breakthrough.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.