HE TWISTS GOD’S WORDS

MEMORY VERSE: 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? Genesis 3:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 1-3

Genesis 3:1 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?”There were many serpents in the Garden of Eden; there must have been Cobras, Pythons, Rattlesnakes, Mambas, etc – all harmless. In Genesis 3:1, the bible talks about a particular serpent, ‘the serpent,’ which devil entered into and deceived Eve. The bible records that this particular “serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field.” One of the things you need to know about the devil is that he is subtle. The devil rarely approaches man in the form of a man-like figure with two horns and a tail. He is too wise for that. He knows people will run if they see such figure so he comes disguised. At times, he disguises himself like an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He comes talking about A when he means B. He appears as if he is caring when he is actually the opposite.

“And he said unto the woman,” implies that the devil spoke through the serpent. Another attribute of the devil is that he speaks through things. In the case of Eve, he spoke through a snake but in the case of Jesus, he spoke through Peter. Matthew 16:23 says: “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Contrary to popular belief that Jesus called Peter - Satan, no He did not. Jesus was referring to the devil, who took the advantage of Peter’s weakness and ignorance; and put him upon dissuading Christ from suffering, for the salvation of His people.

“Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Here we see the devil twisting God’s words. Firstly, at no point did the Lord tell them not to eat of any tree in the Garden. What God said was, “of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die (Genesis 2:16-17).” Do not be fooled into thinking that the devil does not know the scripture. He knows it by heart. He knows God’s words but he twists it to confuse people. The fact that someone counsels you and backs it up with the scripture does not mean it is from God. Sometimes last year, someone approached me and told me that smoking marijuana or cannabis is biblical. He said God gave us every seed-bearing plant and tree that has fruit with seed in it has food (Genesis 1:29). According to him, cannabis or marijuana has seeds hence no problem consuming them. I said no problem that means castor bean - poisonous plant with seed – must be edible then, he said no. The devil twisted Genesis 1:29 to mean that cannabis smoking is a godly thing since cannabis or marijuana has seeds. Why will God permit His beloved children to smoke cannabis when it affects their mental health? Christians must not smoke cannabis! Someone also told me that God forbids intermarriage – marriage between two races or tribes. He backed it up with “to your tent o Israel (1 Kings 12:16)” meaning everyone should go back to their tribes and marry from there. Another instance of God’s words being twisted by the devil. God is not against intermarriage – marriage between two races or tribe because there is neither Jew nor Greek in Christ for we are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 5:28).

ACTION: Take time to meditate on scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit for its application.

PRAYER: Father, please rid your church of wrong doctrines.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

DO NOT YOUR ALMS BEFORE MEN

MEMORY VERSE: Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew 6:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 John - Jude

BIBLE STUDIES:  Matthew 6:1-4

Alms are money or goods given to those in need as an act of charity. The concept of alms-giving is so important that God incorporated it into the Mosaic Law. In Leviticus 19:9-10, God ordered land- owners to leave to the poor the corner of the fields, and every seventh year, to leave the entire field (Exodus 23:10-11). In Churches today, ‘alms’ often go by the name love offering or benevolence fund. You can give money, food items, clothes, shoes and other items as alms. When Jesus was on the earth, He and His disciples gave alms. John 13:29 says: “For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.” We are also expected to give love, respect and kindness too. Alms-giving has many advantages. Alms-giving honours God. Proverbs 14:31 says: “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.” Alms-giving attracts God’s attention. In Acts 10, the Gentile Cornelius’ faithful alms-giving brought him to the attention of God who sent Peter to share the gospel with him. Alms-giving attracts God’s blessing (Proverbs 22:9). Alms-giving attracts a quick response from God when we cry to Him (Proverbs 21:13).

Alms-giving is important but more important is how we give it. Firstly, do not give goods or materials that are meant for the bin as alms. You know that shirt is worn out, why give it to your fellow brother? You know the sole of that shoe is condemned, why give it your fellow sister in the Lord? If something is not good enough for you, do not give out to people. You know those cans of baked beans are expired; please do not give them to the homeless. You know that juice is expired, do not give it to the hungry. Secondly, when you give, do not do it before men, to be seen of them. Do not give so that people can applaud you. Do not give because you want people to sing your praise. Do not give because you want the pastor to know that you are a giver. Do not give to belittle the fellow you are giving to. If you want to assist that struggling family with food items, do it in secret. Make sure you wrap the food items properly so that no one knows what is inside the bag. Call the fellow to the side of the church and give it to him/her or better still take it to their house. Thirdly, when you give alms do not boast about it to people. Matthew 6:2 says: “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Do not go about telling people what you have done for the church. Fourthly, the alms you have given must be between you, your husband/wife (if you are married) and God. When all these conditions are met, the God who sees in secret has promised to reward you openly.  

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: We will be rewarded openly for what we do in the secret. What are you doing in the secret? What are you doing when the pastor is not there?

PRAYER: Father, please bless me so that I can be a blessing to the world.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

HELP, LORD;

MEMORY VERSE: Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. Psalm 12:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 John 3-5

Paul, in his letter to Timothy, wrote these: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.( 2 Timothy 3:1-7)” What Paul wrote is now happening today. There is a high level of moral decadence especially among the teens and youths. In some parts of the world, children as young as twelve are now becoming mothers. A few days back, i saw this young girl, between the age of twelve and fourteen, with two children – one was in the buggy and the other one by her. What some of these teens, especially those in the west, get up to these days is unbelievable. You hear of websites were teens go to share their nude pictures with other teens. Friend, i hope you regularly check your children’s computers and phones to see what they have on it. I pray you will not cry over them in Jesus name. Amen

Amongst the adults, it is worse. Many now love money to the extent that they can do anything to get it even if it involves killing. They are ready to do anything to anyone that stand in their way of getting money. The fear of the Lord is no longer preached in many of our churches. A life of holiness is gradually becoming a taboo. Every attempt to live holy will be met by an attack. Sex before marriage is now acceptable. It is openly practiced; i mean you see people joining a man and a pregnant woman in holy matrimony. How can we join a man and a pregnant woman in holy matrimony? The wedding bed is already defiled, so where is the holiness in such matrimony? Godliness is now a strange word. Godly men and women are fast becoming extinct. Even in our churches, those who put God first are very few. Yes, the church is packed on Sundays but how many are there to serve God? A fellow that is coming to serve God will not arrive in church at11am when the service finishes at 12pm. How many of us go to our place of work an hour to the close of the day? None of us. Just as it was in the days of the old, so it is now. Fornication and adultery are now normal. You hear stories of ‘men of God’ impregnating members of their church. Bribery and corruption is now ok. To raise godly children in this generation requires a lot of prayer. When things get to this level, there is nothing anyone can do except cry to God for help. Psalm 12:1 says: “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” I am of the opinion that believers are also to be blamed because we have failed to carry out the great commission. If we were winning souls, as we should, things will be a lot different. Unfortunately, we have left the great commission to pursue our selfish goals.

THOUGHT: When was the last time you told someone about Jesus? When was the last time you won a soul for Christ?

PRAYER: Father, please help the body of Christ to unite and pursue the great commission.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

DON’T CAST IT AWAY BECAUSE YOU WILL STILL NEED IT

MEMORY VERSE: But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day. Judges 15:19

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Peter 1 – 1 John 2

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:” Friend, you will have what you confess not what you want. When David stood before Goliath, a formidable enemy, he confessed the result he wanted not his feeling. He did not have a sword to fight Goliath with yet, he told him, “This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee....that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (1 Samuel 17:46).” David slang a stone and it smote Goliath in his forehead and he fell. He ran to Goliath, picked his big sword and cut off his head as he had confessed. Friend, do not worry about how your confessions will come to past. Confess what you want and leave the rest to God; He will work circumstances in your favour to make your confessions a reality. After cutting Goliath’s head with his own sword, I thought David was going to cast away the sword, and run with the head to the king. He did something wise: he kept the sword (1 Samuel 17:54). On the other hand, Samson cast away the jawbone he used to secure victory over the Philistines. Shortly after this, the bible records that “he was sore athirst” (Judges 15:18). When the thirst became unbearable, he cried out to heaven and God directed him to the ‘jawbone’ he threw away earlier. Judges 15:19 says: “But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.”

The jawbone that God used to give Samson victory was the same jawbone God used to quench his thirst. Samson’s ‘jawbone of an ass’ had a lot of potentials but he did not know it. Friend, that ‘jawbone’ that brought you victory, is full of potentials. That jawbone of an ass i.e. selfless service in the vineyard of God, zeal for the work of God, sacrificial giving, character , integrity, to mention a few, has a lot of potentials. Keep it so that you can realize its potential. Thank God Samson found the 'jawbone,' he would have died of thirst if he didn't. Your sacrificial giving has the potential to pay off your debt and prosper you. The same sword David used to cut off Goliath’s head was the same sword he used to defend himself against Saul. Had it been David did not keep Goliath’s sword, he would have left Ahimelech's house without a sword to defend himself with (1 Samuel 21:8-9). Whilst in this world, challenges are inevitable so do not throw away ‘Goliath’s sword’ that brought you victory. Do not say, “i have cut Goliath’s head, i have no need for his sword again.” No, you need Goliath’s sword to defend yourself against ‘Saul.’ Do not say, “i am married, there is no need to serve in the vineyard of God,” or “i have been promoted, i will not be zealous for the things of God again.” You still need that ‘jawbone’ to keep you in employment even after you have been employed. You still need that ‘jawbone’ even after marriage.

THOUGHT: Do not relent in what you are doing for the Lord. It is profitable now and will be profitable in the world to come.

PRAYER: Father, please give me the wisdom required to keep those you have strategically placed around me to help me.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

WITH THE JAW OF AN ASS HAVE I SLAIN A THOUSAND MEN

MEMORY VERSE: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Peter 1 – 5

I thought Samson was going to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to God immediately he secured victory over the Philistines. I expected Brother Samson to return home and testify of the Lord’s goodness. What did he do? He started praising himself. He started telling people how he singlehandedly killed a thousand men with an ordinary jaw bone of an ass. Judges 15:16 says: “And Samson said, with the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.” Instead of praising God, Samson began to boast about his great strength. Friend, are you beginning to boast about your strength? Are you beginning to boast about your ability to pray for 3 hours non stop? Are you boasting about your driving skills? Are you boasting about your good handwriting? Are you beginning to boast about your writing skills? Are you beginning to boast about your ability to read and comprehend things easily? 1 Corinthians 4:7 says: “…. What do you have that you do not receive...?”

Friend, have you started sharing God’s glory with Him? When some want to testify after passing their professional exams, they will say, “I thank God for passing my exams, I read and read and read, sometimes I slept in the library…” All they talk about is how they read and read as if those who failed did not read. We know you read for the exam, you did not pass only because you read or because you were brilliant, you passed simply because God showed you favour. Testify about His favour not how you finished the syllabus before the exam. Some parents even do this too. When their wards or children behave well or receives scholarship, they pat themselves on the back and boast about their parenting skills to their friends. Friend, you can make the effort, except God crowns it with success, it will be an effort in futility. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 says: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

Instead of thanking God, Samson began to boast about his good health; how he could jump up and down, how he could dodge blows and all, how he could hit a man at once and the man would drop dead. He boasted to the extent that he threw away the jawbone that brought him victory. 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, I hope you have not cast away that fellow God used to counsel you when you were struggling. I hope you have not destroyed those relationships that brought you where you are now. Those you meet when going up are the same people you will meet when coming down. Samson never thought he was going to need the jawbone again so he threw it away. When he began to thirst, it was the Jawbone he cast away that God brought water from. Shamefully, he had to pick the jawbone and drink from it.

THOUGHT: Watch how you treat people because you may need to go back to them for help in the future.

PRAYER: Father , please send help to all your children all over the world

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

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