OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE

MEMORY VERSE: For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrew 12:29

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 119:73-88, Proverbs 31:8, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

BIBLE STUDIES: Leviticus 10:1-2

Our God is mysterious. According to Revelation 5:5, He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Yet, He is also the Lamb upon the throne (Revelation 5:13). The question is this, how can one be both the ‘Lion’ and the ‘Lamb’ at the same time? According to 1 John 4:8, God is love. The bible says, “in this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9). He so loves us that He gave His only begotten son to die for our sins. Yet, when we read the book of Hebrews, we find out that the same God who is love is also a consuming fire. Hebrew 12:29 says this: “For our God is a consuming fire.”

That our God is a consuming fire is a very good thing. It is a good thing because He can consume whatever has bound you. In the book of Judges 15, the enemies within bound Samson and handed him over to the enemies withal. The Consuming fire came down and consumed the ropes that were used to tie him (Judges 15:14). Samson grabbed the fresh jawbone of an ass, strategically positioned in the area, and the enemy began to fall one after the other. In Luke 13:11–13, a woman who had been bound, by sickness for 18 years, encountered the Consuming fire. She came before Him bound and left loosed. The Consuming fire can also consume whatever wants to bind you. In the book of 2 Kings 1, a captain and an army of fifty were sent to bind Elijah and bring him to the king. When they got to where he was sitting, the Consuming fire consumed them right on the spot. Another batch came and the same thing happened. When the third captain with the army of fifty arrived, he saw piles of ashes. He counted it; it was 102 – two captains and an army of hundred – he knelt down and begged for mercy.

The fact that our God is a consuming fire is something to rejoice about because whatever wants to bind us or has bound us will go off in smoke. It is also a thing that should cause any wise child of God to tremble. Hebrews 10:31 says this: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The picture some of us have God is somewhat wrong. We have this notion that Christianity is a milk-and-water religion; God is too kind to judge sin. Friend, please do not toy with sin. Aaron’s son- Abihu and Nahab – tested God and did not live to tell the story. Despite the fact that they were ministers, the Consuming fire consumed them. They offered strange fire and God roasted them. Regardless of your position in the body of Christ, no one is too big to be disciplined by God. This is why we must stop offering strange fire before God. You cannot be fornicating with a brother in the choir and you take up the microphone to lead praise and worship. That is playing with fire. You cannot commit adultery and climb the altar of God to preach. That is suicide. The bible did not tell us how long Abihu and Nahab had been offering this strange fire before God. They probably have been doing it for a while and were getting away with it until that faithful day.

THOUGHTS OF THE DAY: If God did not spare Ananias and Sapphira who told a small lie, how much more an usher who steals from the offering basket or a fellow who forges invoice to claim money from the church.

ACTION: Repent and confess every unfaithfulness to God and ask for mercy.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

JESUS WAS TEACHABLE

MEMORY VERSE:　And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. Luke 2:46　

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 119:49-72, Proverbs 31:7, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Knowledge is one of the keys to living. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." When the Lord said "my people," He was referring to His children – those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savoir. 1 John 2:23 says, "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father:　(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." The Lord said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" not the lack of praying and fasting or lack of going to church or lack of giving offerings or lack of prophesying. Friend, you need knowledge in certain areas to become who God wants you to be. You need knowledge to posses your possession. One thing with knowledge is that no one knows it all. Even Paul - a man of great revelations - confessed and said, "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part" (1 Corinthians 13:9). The more you know, the more you find out that you really do not know. The way God does things is that, He gives brother ‘A’ knowledge/revelations/ideas in this area and brother ‘B’ knowledge/revelations/ideas in that area. He gives sister ‘C’ more of ‘G’ and less of ‘D’ and gives sister ‘U’ more of ‘D’ and less of ‘G’. If sister U is humble, He may even add ‘X’,’Y’ and ‘Z’. I think He does this to keep everyone in check and encourage knowledge sharing. There are revelations God has given to some people in the area of marriage and relationships that He has not given to you. Also there are revelations God has given to some in the area of deliverance that He has not given to you. Likewise, there are revelations He may have given to you, maybe in the area of business and investment or holiness and purity, which He has not given to others. To gain knowledge in a particular area, you need to go and meet those He has given knowledge in that area. This is why investing in books, seminars, tapes by anointed men of God is greatly encouraged.

Anyone who wants to increase in knowledge must be teachable. One of the secrets of great men and woman is that they are teachable. Jesus whilst on earth, as a young boy, was teachable. Luke 2:46 says this: "And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions." Teachable people are always seeking an opportunity to learn. Many have stunted spiritual growth because they are not teachable. The moment they see a younger brother teaching, they switch off. Some have stunted growth because they are too big to learn from a woman. Who says a woman cannot teach you? Teachable people listen first before asking questions. Un-teachable people are always talking and arguing. By the time we get to Luke 20:21, Jesus had grown to become someone people call ‘Master.’ Only teachable people gain mastery. Another reason why many have stunted spiritual growth is that they do not listen to anyone they think they are better than or their subordinates. No matter how much you read there will be things –maybe a thing or two- your child or wife or subordinates will know that you do not know. Apollos a big teacher knew a lot about the baptism of John but had limited knowledge in the way of God. Because He had a teachable spirit, a couple – Aquila and Priscilla- took him aside and taught him. By the time we get to 1 Corinthians 3:6, Apollos had become a contemporary of Paul. Paul was planting and He was watering.　

　

QUESTION: How teachable are you? 　What is the value of knowledge to you?

　

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me a teachable spirit.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.　

THE PRUDENT DEALETH WITH KNOWLEDGE

MEMORY VERSE: Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. Proverbs 13:16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 119:33- 48, Proverbs 31:6, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

To be prudent means to be careful, aware, cautious, mindful, observant, watchful, etc. Anywhere you find the word ‘prudent’ in the bible, you can substitute it with any of the words above. As a child of God, the Lord expects you to be prudent. The word of God says this: “see then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15).  You are expected to be prudent in how you spend the resources – time, energy, money, gifts, talents ,ideas – the Lord has put into your hands. Why do you need to be prudent in spending? Every one of us shall one day give accounts to God (Romans 4:12). If you have ever been a party to aborting a baby - either you were the doctor who performed the abortion or you had an abortion yourself or you encouraged your wife or girlfriend to have an abortion or you encouraged a friend  to have one or worse still, you forced someone to have an abortion – you will one day give account to God. Not only that, if you have ever accepted bribes to pervert the course of justice, and I hope you have not done any of these terrible things, you will one day give account before the Almighty God! This is why if you are still living in sin, you need to repent now! 2 Corinthians 6:2b says this: “behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” Do it now because tomorrow might be too late.

Prudent people act with knowledge. Proverbs 13:16 says this: “Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.”  A prudent man will never invest into a business until he has made inquiries about the business. He will never go into a business because everyone in the neighbourhood is into that business. A prudent parent will first of all, make inquiries about a university before sending his children there. A prudent man does not do things just because everyone is doing it.  He has a reason for doing whatever he does. Many parents, especially Christians, do not mind their children participating in ‘Trick or Treat’ during Halloween. (Trick or Treat is a request by children as they pass from door to door asking for treats – threatening to play tricks on those who refuse to give). Many celebrate Halloween without knowing what it stands for. The Celtics, who started the Halloween celebration, believed that souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify evil and ensure that next year crops would be plentiful. This is what evolved into trick –or –treating. A prudent leader does not just promote people into position without first knowing them.  In addition, a prudent minister does not just ordain people as deacons because they speak in tongues. No! We want to know what they do or what kind business they are in to. A prudent man does not give contract to people or employ people because they go to the same church. There is nothing wrong in employing people from your church or giving out contracts to them but we want to know them before we employ them. We want to speak to their former employees or those who have given them contracts in the past.  A prudent sister does not just enter into a relationship with a man because her senior sister recommended him or because the brother attends the same church with her aunt. No Way! We need to ask the One who knows that brother inside out. The same applies to brothers too.

THOUGHTS OF THE DAY:  Some mistakes are irrevocable, some are costly and some marks the end of a man.  Before taking any decision, pray and ask questions from people who know.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please help me never to hit the self-destruct button.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

BUT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED

MEMORY VERSE: Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:15 -19

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 119:25 - 32, Proverbs 31:5, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

A curse does not come without a cause. Proverbs 26:2 says, “As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.” So also is a blessing. When you study through the bible, you will observe that just as curses are provoked, blessings are also provoked. According to Malachi 3:8-12, if a man robs God in tithes and offerings, he will receive a curse. However, if he pays his tithes, the Lord says He will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings to the fellow. Solomon did something before the Lord came to Him, by night in a dream, and said, “Ask what I shall give thee” (2 Chronicles 1:6-7). He provoked that with a thousand burnt offerings! Ephraim also did something before the Lord decided to destroy him. Hosea 4:17 says this: “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.”

One of the most quoted verses of the bible is Philippians 4:19, which says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” It is a prayer we all love to pray especially when we are in need of something. Frankly speaking, that prayer is not for everyone of us. There is a condition attached to that prayer i.e. before you can say, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” you are expected to have met certain criteria. Philippians 4:15-19 says this: “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Whilst other churches did not bother about Paul’s welfare, especially catering for his personal needs, the church in Philippi took it upon themselves to provide for Paul’s ministerial needs. Paul said, “when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.” Because they made it a point of duty i.e. they took it upon themselves to meet Paul’s need wherever he went to, Paul prayed that prayer- But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus - for them.

QUESTION : What is your attitude towards giving to God? Are you a cheerful giver? What Is your attitude towards blessing ministers of God?

PRAYER POINT : Father , as I support your ministry and ministers, please supply all my needs according to your riches in glory.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

THE ATTIRE OF AN HARLOT

MEMORY VERSE: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. Proverbs 7:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 119:19-24, Proverbs 31:4, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

The words in the bible are not the words of drunken men or someone hallucinating. 2 Peter 1:21 says this: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (Maybe one of these days, if the Lord permits, we will discuss about how the bible was written and you will see the process involved. God instructed prophets – when to start writing, when to stop writing, what they should write, etc.) However, for the purpose of our studies today, I want you to know that “all scriptures is given by the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16),” even the book of Songs of Solomon. Every single word was given by God’s inspiration. There is a reason for every illustration, example, parable, etc, used in the scriptures. Because it was given by the inspiration of God, it “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

In Proverbs 7: 6-23 is a story, inspired by the Holy Spirit, of a young boy who lost his life on his way to fornicate with a woman. Today i want us to focus on a thing or two about this woman. Proverbs 7:10 says this: “And, behold, there met him a woman.............”There met him a woman implies she was not a girl but an adult. The author did not tell us her name, which meant that she could have been anyone - someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, someone’s wife, someone’s aunt, etc. The author was silent about her background, which meant that she could have come from any background. The author also did not talk about her race or the church that she attends, which meant that she could have come from any part of the world. In addition, she could have been a Baptist, catholic, protestant or anything. The bible says, at first, a woman, which meant that she could be single or married. It is safe to assume at this point that the bible could have been talking about any woman.

The bible then proceeds to tell us that she had the attire of a harlot. Proverbs 7:10 says, “And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot....” I want you to know at this point that this woman was not a harlot. If she were a harlot, the bible would have said so. Although, she was not a harlot, she wore the attire of a harlot. This implies that, clothes do not make a person but they speak for the person. I thought the next thing after “there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot” would be a detailed description of what she wore. Although, the bible did not tell us what she wore, we were told of the condition of her heart – “and subtle of heart” I.e. crafty heart. These points out to us that the ‘attire of an harlot’ is not really about the clothes, it is the totality of how one presents his or herself which is definitely informed by one’s heart. Because she wanted the attention of the opposite sex, she presented herself in a way that will attract the attention of the opposite sex and recommend her to them for sex. Am i advocating that women should wear drab, dark or dull clothes and strive to be unattractive always? NO! Actually, the virtuous women in Proverbs dressed quite nicely and dressed their family so as well (Proverbs 31:21-22). Despite the fact that this woman was married (Proverbs 7:19-20), her clothes revealed her heart i.e. what was inside was revealed through her dressing. Luke 6:45 says this: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

THOUGHTS OF THE DAY: Outward beauty does not always equate inward beauty.

QUESTION: What does your attire say about you?

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

                

PERSECUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS VS JUDGMENT FOR WICKEDNESS

MEMORY VERSE: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 119:13-18, Proverbs 31:3, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

If anyone tells you that once you give your life to Christ you will never face any challenges, they are telling you a big lie. Jesus, whilst on earth, said to His disciples, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).” (In the world, ye SHALL have tribulation not ye MIGHT tribulation). It is a guarantee that you will face challenges in your walk with Christ; it is also a guarantee that you will be victorious every time a challenge arises, as far as you remain in Him. You have no reason to fear challenges because the One who can solve all problems is with you. (Long before the challenges arrives; He would have prepared a way of escape.) You see in John 16:33 that almost immediately after He said “ye shall have tribulation,” the next thing He said was, “but be of good cheer; i have overcome the world.” One of the things that will come your way, as you consecrate yourself for the use of the master and live holy, is persecution for righteousness. Even as you witness about Jesus Christ in your offices or colleges, people will challenge you. Sometimes back, a sister was sharing with me how her managers, at work, were persecuting her for not dressing sexy. They wanted her to wear tight clothes and expose parts of her body that is meant to be covered and she said no. They started calling her names. When that did not work, they began to threaten to move her to another department. We thank God for not permitting the enemies to have their way over her job. The moment you decide to really take your Christian life serious and obey God to the letters, people – friends, family, colleagues – will persecute you. What are you expected to do? Endure it. Matthew 5:10 says this: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Something very similar to persecution for righteousness is judgment for wickedness. Whilst persecution for righteousness comes upon the righteous from the wicked, judgment for wickedness comes from God, who is righteous, upon the wicked. We, believers, are all called to endure persecution. None of us who are believers, however, should ever endure God’s judgments upon the wicked. Luke 21:36 says this: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Jesus indicated that it was the will of God for His disciples – you and I - to escape the judgments of God that were coming upon the wicked earth. However, His disciples – you and I- better watch and pray, otherwise we will not qualify to escape. Were we worthy to be saved? No, we were saved by grace. You and I neither merit it nor deserve it. However, now that we have been saved, we are required to lead such a life of righteousness that it would be unrighteous of God to judge us with the wicked.

QUESTION: Are you still leading a life of righteousness?

PRAYER POINT: Father, please keep my household from evil.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.                    

ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED

MEMORY VERSE: To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 119:7-12, Proverbs 31:2, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

READ: Ephesians 1:3-6

One of the conditions for answered prayer is that we must pray in the name of Jesus. John 16:23-34 says this: “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” When we pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ, three things are implied. Firstly, when we pray in the name of Jesus we are coming to God based on what Jesus has done on our behalf. What did Jesus do on our behalf? He took our place on the cross i.e. He died for our sins. 1 Peter 3:18 says this: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” Jesus paid the penalty for our sin when He died in our place. He also took our guilt and our condemnation, which open the way for us to come to God without feeling guilty or ashamed. We now have the right of access to God. According to Ephesians 2:13, the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross of Calvary brought us near to God. The blood of Christ is the visible and eternal evidence of His sacrifice. When we come in the name of Jesus, we come in the merits of the blood that He shed on our behalf.

Secondly, when we pray in the name of Jesus we are coming to God based on who Jesus Himself is, not who we are. Jesus is our High Priest. Hebrews 4:14 says this: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Jesus is also our advocate before the Father. 1 John 2:1 says this: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;” Hence, when we pray in the name of Jesus, we are coming to the presence of God with Him as our High Priest and Advocate. As our High Priest, He offers up our prayers to God on our behalf- and because they are offered by Jesus, we know that they reach God. As our Advocate, He speaks directly to God on our behalf. He pleads our case better than we could ever do ourselves. When we make mistakes and errors and even sin, we do not need to stay away from God and feel ashamed. We can come freely because of Jesus. Lastly, when we pray in the name of Jesus we are recognizing the relationship that we have with God through Jesus. According to Ephesians 1:3-6, God foreknew us and determined that through Jesus Christ He would adopt us into His family as His Children. All this was worked out in time and human history when Jesus came and died on our behalf. When we come to God in the name of Jesus i.e. in the Beloved (John 3:16), we are accepted by God. We are not accepted because of what we were but because of what Jesus is.

THOUGHTS OF THE DAY: When we come to God in Jesus, we are not rejected. God never rejects His children. We are accepted in the Beloved, and that makes all the difference in the way we come to God. Romans 8:32 says this: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things.” With Him, with Jesus, God will freely give us all things.

TO DO: Go ahead and ask Him something in the name of Jesus (in faith). In the name of Jesus, before the end of the week you will testify.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.