HE CAST AWAY THE JAWBONE OUT OF HIS HANDS.

MEMORY VERSE: and it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi. Judges 15:17

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: James 3-5

In Judges 15:11-16, the enemies ‘within’, grabbed Samson, bound him and handed him over to the enemies ‘without.’ Three thousand men of Judah, his brothers, went to his place, tied him with new cords and brought him to the Philistines. As they were about to deliver him into hands of his enemies, the Philistines, the fire of Holy Ghost fell and consumed the cords that was used to tie him. He found a jawbone of an ass, strategically positioned by God in that area, picked it and the Philistines began to fall one after the other. The jawbone literally became a Sub Machine Gun (SMG) in the hands of Samson, within an hour; he killed a thousand men with it.

After the battle, Samson threw away the jawbone. Judges 15:17 says: “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi.”  Friend, where is the ‘jawbone’ with which you secured victory? You were always in church and on time when you were seeking employment. You would attend mid-week service, Sunday school, family service and all. Now that you have secured a permanent employment, you come to church when you like. Friend, do not throw away the ‘jawbone’, your zeal for the house of God, which brought you victory. Sister, you were part of the Sanctuary keepers, drama group and choir. Now that you are married, you no longer serve in the vineyard of God. You come only on Sundays to listen to the sermon and go home. Please, do not throw away the ‘jawbone,’ your selfless service in the vineyard of God, which brought you victory. Sir, you used to have time for the things of God. You lead mid-week services and officiate during special programs at church. Today, you no longer do that. When you were a junior staff, you served like Bro Urbane. Now that you are a senior manager, you no longer have time for the things of God. Sir, do not cast aside the ‘jawbone,’ zeal for the work of God, which brought where you are.

Some of us used to be generous to God. Asides from tithing, we sowed cheerfully into the God’s work. Now that God has established and prospered us, we have now become stingy to God. Your sacrificial giving was the ‘jawbone’ that gave you victory over poverty, why cast it away?

When you were seeking that office, you were humble and down to earth. You proved to us that you had integrity and good character. Sir, do not cast away your good character i.e. ‘jawbone’ that gave you victory during the elections. When you were an ordinary brother, before the ‘Man of God’ title, you used to spend quality time with God. You never used to miss your quiet time. You used to set out time to minister to God in fasting and praying but you now that you are a MOG, you no longer minister to God. All you care about is the ministry, not the One who gave you the ministry. The ministry has now taken the place of the owner of the ministry.

THOUGHT: Where is that jawbone - sacrificial giving, humility, diligence, praying and fasting, life of holiness, character, integrity with which you secured victory over the enemy?

PRAYER: Father, please help me not to become complacent.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

"AND HE FOUND"

MEMORY VERSE: And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.Judges 15:15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrew 13- James 2

BIBLE STUDY: Judges 15:9-16

The Philistines gathered themselves and went up to Judah to capture Samson. At that time, the Philistines ruled over Judah and Samson was a problem to them. When they arrived at Lehi, they instructed the men of Judah to fetch Samson. Three thousand men of Judah went to top of the rock Etam, bound him with two new cords and brought him from rock Etam to Lehi. When the Philistines saw him, they began to dance and rejoice. “Oh, Samson is finished,” they must have thought. They rushed towards him and shouted; fire came from nowhere and consumed the cords that were used to bind Samson. Judges 15:15 says: “And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.” “And he found …,” implies that Samson was searching for something. Matthew 7:8 says: “….and he that seeketh findeth....”

God was miles ahead of the Philistines (Samson’s enemies). He prepared and strategically positioned a jawbone for Samson, days before the Philistines arrived at Judah. Friend, God has prepared a solution long before that problem started. He has prepared a way out of that unfortunate incident long before it occurred. He had made ready the points you are going to argue with long before the hearing. He has already prepared the tools you will fight that battle with long before the enemy attacked. You can never be stuck in Christ.

Samson searched and found the Jawbone God had prepared to conquer the enemy with. Except you seek the face of God over that challenge, you may not find what He has prepared for you to use. Except you go on your knees and pray you may not find the solution to that problem. Samson was probably looking for a sharp sword or strong bow and arrow to use when he found a jawbone of an ass. God knows the best tools needed to conquer an enemy or a situation. Many of what you consider as likely solutions may not be the right solution. What you are considering as a way out of that problem may not be the way out. After (prayerfully) searching, Samson found his ‘jawbone of an ass’. Your own ‘jawbone of an ass’ could be a bible verse to pray with and confess. In the middle of a particular challenge, several years back, the Holy Spirit laid “Christ in me the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)” in my heart. I began to confess it and pray with it, at the end God gave me victory. Your ‘jawbone of an ass’ could be a song of deliverance. A sister’s shipping container was impounded at a port for no good reason. After praying, the Holy Spirit gave her a song of deliverance. The lyrics of the song was “In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far removed (Micah 7:11).” She started to sing, twelve hours later, the container that had been impounded for over two months was miraculously released. Your ‘jawbone of an ass’ could be a counsel in the mouth of a friend. The moment you hear the counsel, something inside you will say, "That’s it". Samson used what God provided and became victorious. Friend, use whatever the Lord has provided for that battle and victory will be yours.

NOTE: God has provided sacrificial giving as the ‘jawbone of an ass’ to conquer poverty. He has provided forgiveness as the ‘jawbone of an ass’ to conquer tormentors. Use them and victory will be yours.

PRAYER: Father, as I give sacrificially to your work, prosper me.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

ANGER HINDERS PRAYERS

MEMORY VERSE: And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab. 2 Kings 3:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrew 7-9

The number one hindrance to prayer is sin. 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.” God loves man, but He hates sin with a passion. The fact that we are saved does not give us the liberty to sin. Romans 6:1 says: “what shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” Another hindrance to prayer is unforgiveness. Mark 11:25 says: “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Friend, it is high time you forgave that fellow. Except you forgive, there is nothing any one can do to help you. Forgive that fellow, that in-law, that colleague at work, that husband or wife, not because they deserve it, but because you want God to answer your prayers. Besides, Christ forgave your sins not because you deserve it. Luke 12:48 says: “………. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required....” Because you have been forgiven, you are expected to forgive others.

 Another hindrance to prayer is doubt. James 1:6-7 says: “but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Anger is another hindrance to prayer. In 2 Kings 3, three kings – King of Judah, King of Israel and King of Edom – ran into problems and they called unto Elisha. When He arrived at scene, he went ballistic. 2 Kings 3:13 says: “And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” After reacting angrily, he could not pray. He had become weak in the spirit. He had to request for a minstrel because his spirit was down. 2 Kings 3:15 says: “But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.” Elisha had every right to tell off both kings - king of Edom and king of Israel -for they worshiped idols, yet his anger made it impossible for him to pray or prophesy.  Friend, if you are always getting angry with your children, you will not be able to pray. If you are always shouting at your wife or arguing with your husband, your family prayer altar will become cold. Once you are angry that is it, praying becomes an uphill task. The Holy Spirit is a loving Spirit not an angry Spirit. He takes His leave once anger comes in and without the Holy Spirit, you cannot pray effectively.

TO DO: If you are suffering from the spirit of anger, I recommend fasting.

PRAYER: Father, please rid me of anger.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

PRACTITIONERS OF THE WORD

MEMORY VERSE: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrew 4- 6

The world is where it is today because a lot of us are hearers of the Word not doers of the Word. Statistics show that the population of Christians in the world today is over 2 billion, which means, 31.0 % of the world population are Christians. Out of this 2 billion, over a million are born again, spirit filled, tongue speaking, Christians. They, the million, have been Christians for over twenty years. They go to church at least ten times a month – two to three times week. In the last twenty years, each of them have listened to nothing less than 2080 sermons. They have heard sermons on Forgiveness, Evangelism, Repentance, Justification, Heaven and Hell, Crowns and Heavenly Rewards, Sowing and Reaping, Holy Spirit, Baptism, etc. If this group of people had done 15 % of what they have heard in sermons, the world would have been a better place. In fact, if this million were committed to winning a soul to Christ each month, within 10 years, more than 75 % per cent of the world would have given their lives to Christ.

Friend, the point i am trying to make is this, most of us only go to church, listen to sermons and make notes, but we do not put to use what we have heard or read. Many of us have heard sermons about praying. We sing Choruses about praying. For example, Prayer is the key x 2, Prayer is the master key, Jesus started with prayer, and ended with prayer, Prayer is the master key. Many of us can preach a full sermon on prayer, yet we do not pray. An average Christian spends only 5 minutes praying to God daily. Most of us only pray on Sundays. Even when we pray, all we ask God to do is kill our enemies – people we are not in talking terms with. If we are not praying to God to kill our enemies, we are asking Him to do A or B. We rarely ask for His will to be done in our lives. Many of us have heard sermons on forgiveness, and yet, some of us are yet to forgive. Some wives are yet to forgive their husband because of a comment he made during their honeymoon in 1982. Some pastors are yet to forgive their workers. They claim to have forgiven the brother, but they are hostile to him. The moment he raises his hands to contribute, the pastor will shut him up and yet the brother has been forgiven. We all know the importance of love, why are some of us still keeping malice. Why is that you cannot stand that sister? Friend, are you a practitioner of the Word? Are you practicing what you are preaching? As the wife of a pastor, you teach women to submit to their husbands, are you submissive? As a marriage counselor, you advise men to “dwell with their wife according to knowledge, giving honour unto their wife” but you give your wife physical counseling. At any slight provocation, you give her a dirty slap. If Christ should slap you, will you live to tell the story? Despite the fact that the Lord says, “Do not be afraid” 365 times in the bible, many of us still live in fear. Some of us are expert worriers. We worry for the sake of worrying. When there is nothing to worry about, we look for something to worry about. Friend, be a practitioner of the Word. Unless we practice what we have heard and read, our situations will not change.

TO DO: Practice casting your ‘cares’ on Jesus.

PRAYER: Father, please help me to be a hearer and doer of the Word.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

DON’T PERSONALIZE IT

MEMORY VERSE: Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Numbers 14:28

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Titus 3-Hebrews 3

In our daily devotional titled: ‘Don’t feed the pigeons,’ we said, “Whatsoever a man feeds, grows, and whatsoever he starves of food, dies.” If you want something to grow or die, firstly identify its food i.e. what makes it grow and then feed it, if you want it to grow or starve it, if you want it to die. Take for instance, our human spirit. Its food is praying in tongues, studying the word of God, meditating in the word of God, obeying the word of God, and obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit. To grow your human spirit to hear from God, you must pray in tongues regularly, study the word of God daily, do the word of God, and obey promptly the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you starve your human spirit of its food, it will literally die. Faith and fear are two entities. If you feed one, the other will automatically die. If you feed your faith through hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), your fear will automatically die. In addition, if you feed your fears by listening to the doctor’s report, your faith will automatically die. Friend, listen to God’s report.

Whatsoever a man strengthens becomes strong and whatsoever he does not strengthen becomes weak. Take for instance your immune system - your body’s system for fighting off disease and illness. If you strengthen it by regularly washing your hands, quit smoking and avoid the company of smokers, avoid alcohol, exercise regularly, eat vegetables, avoid processed food, cut down your sugar consumption and all, it will become strong. If you do not strengthen it, by doing the above, it will become weak. This principle, applies to our relationships with people and God. You can strengthen your relationship with God by regularly talking to Him. The more you pray to Him, the closer He will be to you. In human relationships, communication is a key. If you want to be close to your children, find time to sit and chat with them.

The best way to end a fight is to say sorry. Many marriages would have remained i.e. not end in divorce, if only the parties involved learnt to say sorry. As a husband, learn to say sorry. As an employer, learn to say sorry. Recently, i read in a business journal that apologies aid in the resolution of a variety of legal cases, including wrongful firings, injury cases, and malpractice lawsuits. As a leader, learn to say sorry. Lastly, do not personalize a medical condition or challenges. I hear people say, “Oh my back pain… my head ache has started again… I can’t walk properly because of my dodgey knee…” Friend, that back pain is not yours but the devil’s. That headache is not from God neither is the dodgey knee. Stop claiming what is not yours. Whatsoever you say is what you will get. Numbers 14:28 says: “Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:” It is not your fever but the devil’s fever. Good health is your inheritance. Whatsoever is short of good health is not of God. Confess good health not your back pains. Stop saying “my problems,” it is the devil’s problems; he brought it to afflict you and frustrate you, command him to take his problems and leave your life.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Watch your confessions because what you say is what you will have.

PRAYER: Father, please uproot every tree you have not planted in my life.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

HUMBLE PEOPLE PRAY

MEMORY VERSE:  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 2 – Titus 2

One thing I have found from studying through the scriptures is God wants us to be like Him. In showing mercy, He wants us to be like Him. Luke 6:36 says:” be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” In our conversations, He wants us to be holy just as He is holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 says: “but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Just as God loves the world (John 3:16), He expects us to love everyone even our enemies. Matthew 5:44-45 says: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

God is humble. Psalm 113:6 says: “Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” Just as He, the Highest, is humble, He expects us to be humble. What is humility? Humility means submitting to the will of God even when it is inconvenient. It is also means putting one’s self in a lower position, than he or she is, for the will of God to be done. The most humble man the world ever knew was Jesus Christ. Despite the fact that He created the world, He humbled Himself to be like man and died a very shameful death so that we might have eternal life. Colossians 1:16 says: “ for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

2 Chronicles 7:14 says: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  It takes humility to pray to God. In a world where no one cares about the will of God especially for their life, humble people go on their knees and pray for the will of God to be done in their life. Jesus, whilst on earth, was always praying for the will of God to be done (Luke 22:42). Before taking any major decision, he would pray seriously. Sometimes, He would spend several hours praying to God. Before choosing His disciples, He went to a mountain and prayed throughout the night (Luke 6:12). The next morning, the bible records that:” he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles ;( Luke 6:13).” Jesus knew without God He could do nothing, that is why before doing anything, even eating, He would first pray ( Luke 9:16). Many of us are so proud we do not even bless our food before eating. Only a proud man will make a life changing decision without first consulting God. Humble people know they have no power of their own; they will not do anything unless they have prayed. Your prayer life reveals your level of humility before God. Your prayer life reveals your level of dependency on God. Jesus prayed a lot because He depended on God for everything. A lot of us trust so much in our cars that when we want to travel, we do not even commit the journey into the hands of the Lord.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: How often do you pray? How much do you depend on God?

PRAYER: Father, I come against the spirit of slumbering in the place of prayer.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

OH THAT MEN WILL PRAISE THE LORD

MEMORY VERSE:  Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:31

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Timothy 5- 2 Timothy 1

The Psalmist said: “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men (Psalm 107:31).” Oh that men would praise the Lord not oh that men with good jobs would praise the Lord; not oh that the married with children would praise the Lord; not oh that men with fat bank balances would praise God. The Psalmist said: “Oh that men” in other words, oh that ‘all’ – men and women, young and old, tall and short, rich and poor, literate and illiterate, single and married, landlords and tenants, car owners and non-car owners, etc – would praise God. Many of us are crying to God to reveal His purpose to us. Friend, God’s primary purpose for your life is for you to praise Him. According to Revelations 4:11, you and I are created for His pleasure. We are created to give Him pleasure, every other thing is secondary.

Why should I praise God? The bible says, “Praise the LORD for his goodness…” The reason why many don’t praise God as they should is because they don’t consider his goodness. Only few sit down to really think of God’s goodness. Not too long ago, I decided to sell my dumbbells, barbells and other gym equipment. Until recently, probably three to four years ago, I was into body building, but now I build my spirit. Besides, I was too busy for all that now and I needed the space they were occupying so I put them on a site to sell them. When the buyer arrived at my place, we got talking about body building and general health issues. He told he had not slept in 18 months. I said what! He said, “Yes, I cannot sleep. As a result of this, I am always having terrible migraine. At times, my body becomes paralyzed for several minutes.” I asked if he has a family, he said yes, wife and kids. Friend, we need to thank God for His goodness. Sleep is one of His goodness. Psalm 127:2 says: “for so he giveth his beloved sleep” Not everyone can sleep.  This man told me how doctors gave up on his case because drugs could not help. Many of us moan and complain to God when we should be thanking because we spend time looking at what He is yet to do. Friend, how about what He has done? A lot of us murmur to God because we do not have this and that, how about the ones you have? You are looking at your age mates who are married with kids, have you considered your age mates who are dead and buried? You are unhappy because you were refused visa to go and see your uncle, have you thought of those who cannot afford three square meals talk less of saving up to buy a plane ticket? You have refused to be grateful because that relationship did not work out, have you thought about those who are on the death bed, fighting for life? Thank God for His goodness. No matter what you are going through, there is a reason to thank God. There are people who are praying to be in your shoes. You are unhappy because you don’t have a shoe, there are people without legs. Because you failed an exam, you said God hates you. Have you considered those without hands? Thank God for His goodness.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: The fact that you do not have something today does not mean you will not have it tomorrow. Praise Him today for what you have.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for not thanking you as we should.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki