ENDING WELL

MEMORY VERSE: Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 13-14

It is one thing to start (at all); it is another thing to finish. It is one thing to begin a journey; it is another thing to complete the journey. It is one thing to start a course; it is another thing to finish the course. It is one thing to be joined together in Holy Matrimony; it is another thing to die at a ripe old age still married to the same person. It is one thing to become a champion; it is another thing to die as a champion. It is one thing to be zealous for the Lord now; it is another thing to be zealous for the Lord in forty years time or zealous for the Lord until death. It is one thing to be known as a child of God today, it is another thing to be known as a child of God on one’s death bed. It is one thing to be relevant today; it is another to be relevant in fifty years time (if Jesus tarries).

The ‘beginning’ of a thing is immaterial. The fact that you started small does not mean you will end 'small'. Job 8:7 says, “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” Many of the great people, we read about in the bible and in history books, started very small. Take for instance Elijah the prophet. The Jews are  proud of their heritage. When they want to write about a great figure e.g. Jesus, they will start with the family genealogy. This is why we have a lot of genealogies in the bible. When they want to write about people especially influential people or an important personality, they will start by mentioning the person’s name followed by the father’s name (for men) or husband’s name (for women). For instance, the bible introduced Elisha the prophet as Elisha the son of Shaphat (1 Kings 19:19) and Deborah the prophetess as Deborah, the prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth (Judges 4:4). Elijah’s father must have been so poor and insignificant in their community that the author of 1 Kings did not even bother to mention his father’s name. Yet this man ended as one of the greatest prophet in the Old Testament.

Starting big does not guarantee ending 'big'. According to Ecclesiastes 7, it is possible for one to start as a slave and end up as a wealthy prince. It is also possible for for one to start as a wealthy prince and end up as a slave. Verse 7 says, “I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” There is nothing wrong in starting well; actually starting well in life is advantageous. What matters is not how one starts but how one ends his or her race on earth. Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” The Most High God is not so much interested in how a brother or a sister starts. He is not so much interested in where you are today, or what you are currently doing in the body of Christ - as of now. What He is interested in is how you end. No wonder He says, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). In other words, he that finishes well. It is not unusual to be talented or gifted. There is nothing new in starting well. There is nothing spectacular about being the head at the beginning. Many started very well. Many started shining. Many started very hot for the Lord. Many started as terror to the kingdom of darkness. Many started winning a lot of souls for Christ. Many started operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The truth is this, not many finished ‘well’. Not many finished ‘shining’. Not many finished their race on earth as a terror to the kingdom of darkness. Actually, many who started as terror to the kingdom of darkness ended up as victims because of their carelessness. Not many finished as they started. Many, many champions ended up as ex-champions.

NOTE: To finish well, one must be determined. Secondly, one must be hard working. Thirdly, one must embrace a life of holiness and purity. Lastly, one must ask for the grace of God.

PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to finish well in life.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

CALL TO INFLUENCE

MEMORY VERSE: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 9-12

Christians all other the world, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Catholic, Pentecostals, etc, are called, by Jesus, to influence the world. Jesus said to His disciples: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).” We are called to be different i.e. to live a radically different lifestyle from the world, so that we may be effective as salt and light in it.

How are we to influence the world? Firstly, by being the salt of the world. There are several uses of salts, but today we will look at the use of salt to prevent decay. Many centuries back before refrigeration was invented salt was used to keep meat wholesome, and to prevent decay. As Christians, we are called to stop society going bad. One way to go about this is by our words. We need to speak out about moral standards, and moral issues. Some of the things that used to be a taboo twenty years ago are now normal today. It used to be a shameful thing several years back to be caught fornicating, or committing adultery, but today people fornicate, or commit adultery and even record it on their mobile phones to share it with their friends. It used to be a shameful thing to go to prison years back. Actually people used to dread prison but now, it is normal. Especially amongst our youths, once you go to prison you become a celebrity. We can also use our influence to bring about God’s standards in society around us. As we play our part as citizens aiming to create better social structures, working for justice, freedom, and dignity for the individual, and by helping to abolish discrimination, we can stop society going bad.

Secondly, by being the light in the world. Jesus calls us to be light – to allow the light of Christ to shine through us. We do this by what Jesus calls ‘your good deeds’ – everything that we do or say because we are Christians. Living out the Christian life is the most appropriate way of passing on the good news to those who live in very close proximity to us. This certainly applies to our family, colleagues at work, and flatmates. If they know we are Christians, that fact alone puts them under a degree of pressure. To be continually speaking about our faith may backfire. They are more likely to be affected by our genuine love, and concern. At work people should notice our consistency, honesty, truthfulness, hard work, reliability, avoidance of gossip, and desire to encourage other people. At home, parents, family and flatmates will be influenced by our service to others, our patience, and our kindness, far more than our words. Being ‘lights in the world’ does not just involve our lifestyle. It also involves our lips. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

QUESTION: Are you promoting decay or preventing decay by your speech, conduct and lifestyle?

PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to be light and salt in this world.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

WISE BUILDERS

MEMORY VERSE: Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 26-31

Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman.......” The phrase ‘every wise woman’ informs us that there are foolish women, or unwise women. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus talked about five wise virgins, and five foolish virgins. Who is a wise woman? Firstly, she is a builder not a destroyer. Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” A wise woman knows the difference between her needs, and her wants. She knows that a good education for her children is a need, and the latest fashion bags,shoes,Chanel earrings, etc are just wants, and she puts her needs before her wants. A wise woman will not use her children’s tuition fees to buy bags, or shoes. Neither will she use the money meant for her children’s upkeep to buy gold bracelets, or plait hair. A wise woman prioritizes her needs. She knows that just as it is important for her children to get to school early in clean uniforms, so also her children needs to get to Sunday school early. No wise woman promotes division in her household. Luke 11:17 says, “But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.” No wise woman will report her husband to her children. Neither will she put down her husband in front of her children, family, friends, etc. Also on the subject of knowing-her-priorities-and-putting-them-in-the-right-order, a wise woman puts her children before her career. In addition, a wise woman puts her family before her ministry. A wise woman knows these three things: building a thing takes time, it involves a lot of work, and patience is required.

Secondly, a wise woman recognizes that God is the main builder. Hebrews 3:4 says, “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.” She recognizes that without God she cannot build anything. Psalm 127:1 says, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Thirdly, a wise woman builds on the Rock which is Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). Matthew 7:24 says, “therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” Christ is the foundation of her household.  She does not build on emotions or feelings. She builds on the sound doctrines of Christ. Fourthly, a wise woman builds according to God’s  pattern. Hebrews 8:5 says, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” It is unfortunate that many are building their household according to the patterns they see in soap operas, or reality shows on TV. There is a pattern for marriage in the bible. Ephesians 5:22-23 says, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” A wise woman trains up her children. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” She trains them in the fear of God. She trains them up to be diligent, and hardworking. She trains them on how to keep things. She trains them to respect the elderly. She trains them to have integrity.

QUESTION: Are you a builder? Are you a wise builder? Are you building according to God's own pattern?

PRAYER POINT: Father, the Great Builder, help me build my household.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

BELIEVERS AND TONGUES

MEMORY VERSE: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.Mark 16:17

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 9-12

Mark 16:17 says, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;” What are tongues? The word for ‘tongues’ is the same word as that for ‘languages’, and it means the ability to speak in a language you have never learned. It may be an angelic language (1 Corinthians 13:1) which presumably is not recognizable or it may be a recognizable human language (as at Pentecost). The gift of tongues has brought many great blessings to many people. Not all Christians speak in tongues nor is it necessarily a sign of being filled with the Spirit. It is possible to be filled with the Spirit and not speak in tongues. Nevertheless, for many, both in the New Testament and in Christian experience, it accompanies an experience of the Holy Spirit and may be the first experience of the more obviously supernatural activity of the Spirit.

Speaking in tongues is a form of prayer (one of the many different forms of prayer found in the New Testament). Paul says, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:2). Every one of us is limited by language. There are times we experience frustration in that we cannot truly express what we really feel when we talk to people. We feel things in our spirit but we don’t know how to put them into words. This is often true also in our relationship with God. This is where the gift of tongues can be a great help. It enables us to express to God what we really feel in our spirits without going through the process of translating it into our native language.

There are three areas in which we will find the gift of tongues very useful. Firstly, in the area of praise and worship. In our praise and worship of God we can often find language limiting. We long to express our love, worship and praise of God, particularly when we are filled with the Spirit. The gift of tongues enables us to do this without the imitation of human language. Secondly, it can be a great help when praying under pressure. There are times in our lives when it is hard to know exactly how to pray. It can be because we are burdened by many pressures, anxieties or griefs. A brother was in a staff meeting in church, some years ago, when he received a message that his mother had a heart attack and was in hospital. Whilst in the taxi, he desperately wanted to pray but felt too shock to form any sentence. He didn't know where to start and what to say, so he began to pray in tongues and the situation was brought under the control of God. Lastly, the gift of tongues can be a help when praying for other people. It is hard to pray for others- especially if you have not seen them or heard from them for some time. The gift of tongues can be a real help when praying or interceding for pastors, church members, our singles, the unemployed, people looking for the fruit of the womb, students, people who are yet to give their lives to Christ and so on. Also, the gift of tongues is a gateway for one to receive other gifts of the spirit. If you have the gifts of tongues, pray in tongues daily as it awakens other gifts of God that are lying dormant in you.

CONFESSIONS: Father, i thank you for the gifts of the Spirit in my life.

ACTION: Set out time to pray in tongues daily.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

FEAR THOU NOT; FOR I AM WITH THEE

MEMORY VERSE: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 11-12

Isaiah 6:3 says, "and one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." What does it mean to say the Lord is holy? (Permit me to quote from a wonderful Sunday school manual I read). "The basic idea of the word ‘holy’ is that of being separate or set apart. When God is declared to be holy, the word expresses all that sets him apart and makes him different from his creatures. The threefold ‘holy, holy, holy’ in Isaiah 6:3 is a Hebraic way of emphasizing that God is very holy." In addition, when we say the Lord is holy, it means He is morally upright, just, transparent, pure, sinless, etc. Asides His purity, He has integrity. He says what He means and means what He says. If He makes a promise, He will do everything possible to fulfill the promise.

Because of His holiness, once He says ‘I will do something’, be rest assured that He will do what He has promised to do. Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness". If the Lord says He is with you, be rest assured that He is with you. The fact that you don’t feel it does not mean He is not with you. The fact that the hair at the back of your neck don’t stand does not mean He is not with you. Actually, He is closer to you than the cloth on your neck. If He says in His holy bible that He is with you, then He is with you. That fact that God is with you does not mean you will not face challenges. No! In Mark 4:36-39, Jesus was in a ship with His disciples when a mighty storm arose and threatened to destroy the ship. The fact that the Lord is with you does not mean the enemy will not come after you. The pillar of fire and cloud that hovered above the children of Israel everywhere they went was visible for everyone to see and know that God was with them, yet the Egyptians chased after them ( Exodus 14). The fact God is with you does not mean you will not experience lack. No! No! No! In Mark 6:30-44, five thousand men not counting women and children were with Jesus and they experienced lack. The fact that the Lord is with you does not mean you will not face challenges. No! The good news is storm may arise, but Jesus will ‘still’ the storm. The enemy may come after you to harm you but they will not be able to do you any harm. Jeremiah 15:20c says, "for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord." In your walk with God, you may experience lack but it will be a temporary thing. The five thousand men not counting women and children ate and there were left- over. Although the journey may be rough, the Lord will see you through. It does not matter how tough the battle is, He will see to it that you come out victorious.

NOTE: If He is grieved, He may leave. If one continues to live in sin and refuses to repent, He will leave.

ACTION: Thank the Lord for being with you and pray that He will never leave you.

GOD’S WORD IS A SEED.

MEMORY VERSE: But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 12-16

READ: Luke 8:4-8

To help us appreciate the word of God, its potential and what we stand to benefit when we spend quality time reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on it, Jesus likens the word of God to a (viable) seed. Luke 8:11says, “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” (Viable simply means that the seeds can germinate and sprout i.e. they are ‘live’ seeds that will grow.) The word of God is alive. Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63)”. Just as (viable) seeds have potentials, the word of God has potentials. Because of the life in the seed, it has the potential to grow into a tree that can serve as a ‘wind-breaker’; a tree that can bear fruit for food; a tree that can serve as shelter or shade from heat; a tree that can produce other fruits that can be planted; a tree whose wood can be sold or used to build houses and so on. Also, because of the life in the word of God, it has the potential to grow and bear fruits in our lives. One of the fruits it bears is good success (Joshua 1:8).

However, a seed does nothing until planted. The word of God will not do us any good if we don’t open our bibles and study, read, memorize or meditate on what is written in there. Not until we plant the Word in our heart and mind, it will not produce any results in our lives. Putting our bibles underneath our pillows or beds and sleeping on them will not benefit us in anyway. Actually doing so will only destroy the bible cover. Not until we speak the Word to our situations, the changes we are praying for may not come. Not until we learn to use the Word as a sword, we will not be able to confront the enemy. Jesus used the Word as a sword to finish the devil in Matthew 4:1-11. Just as a seed is powerful, the word of God is also powerful. Hebrew 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful...” As a seed begins to grow, it will push up dirty, rocks, etc. So also, whatever the obstacles are, God’s Word planted in our heart will push them out of the way. A seed needs a good soil to germinate and produce fruits. A seed planted in the Sahara desert will be a waste. The word of God will not germinate and produce result unless planted on a good soil. The soil where the word of God is planted is our hearts. It will not grow on hard ground i.e. heart hardened by sin. It will not grow on stony ground i.e. the heart of a fellow who professes delight in the Word but whose heart is not changed. Neither will it grow on a thorny ground i.e. heart that is full of riches, pleasures, and lusts.

A seed takes time to grow and bear fruit, so also the word of God. You will not reap results the day you plant it in your heart. It will take time. The growth of the seed is in the secret (underground). When the Word starts to grow in one’s heart, it is not immediately obvious but with time the results will show. Also, the seed grows from within and shoots out. The Word grows from your heart and manifests outside. A seed is small than what is produces. The problem you face may seem huge. In comparison, a scripture may seem very small. But when planted, that Word will grow in you and overcome that problem. A seed will stop growing without nourishment. The same with the Word of God, quote it, speak it to your situation, pray on what you have read, etc. The seed thrives on heat underneath the soil to grow. So also, challenges are part of the heat required to hasten the growth of the Word you have stored in your heart. A seed produces after its kind. Whatever you need, or desire, find scriptures relating to that. Then plant those scriptures inside you in abundance. Those seeds will grow up and produce a harvest of what you need or desire. A seed is not affected by other seeds. The more seeds you plant, the larger your harvest will be. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

QUESTION: How much time do you dedicate to the study of the word of God?

ACTION: Get a bible reading plan and add the Word of God to your daily diet.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION?

MEMORY VERSE: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 29-30

What individuals experience after giving their lives to Christ or after rededicating their lives to Christ vary greatly. Pastor Willie Mullan in his book ‘Tramp after God’ said he felt a tremendous urge to tell someone what had just happened to him – how the Lord had just saved a tramp like him. He was very excited and could not keep still. Another fellow said he was so full of love that he felt like hugging everyone. I remember when I gave my life to Christ, all I felt like doing was praying. The urge to pray was so great. Some immediately know a difference in their life. For others it is more gradual. I want you to know that what matters is not so much the initial experience but the start of a new relationship with God. The fact that you didn't feel anything, probably a tingling sensation in your tummy after saying the sinner’s prayers or after confessing your sins and asking the Lord to come into your life, does not mean you are not saved. No! If we were to rely on our feelings we could never be sure about anything. Our feelings go up and down depending on all sorts of factors, such as the weather or what we have had for breakfast. They are changeable and deceptive. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

The assurance of our relationship stands on these three things: the word of God, the work of Jesus and the witness of the Holy Spirit. Firstly, the word of God. The promises in the Bible, which is the word of God, do not change and are totally reliable unlike our feelings. There are many great promises in the bible that assures us that once we open the door of our hearts to Jesus, He will come in and dine with us (Revelation 3:20). In addition, He has promised to be with us until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). He went on further to promise us eternal life (John 10:28), which is a quality of life that comes from living in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ (John 17:3). Secondly, the work of Jesus. What Jesus did on the cross enables Him to give us eternal life as a gift (John 10:28). We do not earn a gift. We accept it with gratitude. On the cross, He took all our wrong-doings upon Himself. This had been clearly prophesied in the Old Testament in the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” What the prophet was saying is that we have all done something wrong and those wrong-doings have caused a separation between us and God (Isaiah 59:1-2). This is why at times God can seem remote. On the other hand, Jesus never did anything wrong. There was no barrier between Him and His Father. On the cross, God transferred our wrong-doings onto Jesus. That is why He cried out on the cross, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' ( Mark 15:34). At that moment He was cut off from God – not because of His own wrong-doings but because of ours. This made it possible for the barrier between us and God to be removed. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Lastly, the witness of the Spirit. When someone becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit comes to live within them. When the Holy Spirit comes in, He transforms from within. He produces the character of Jesus in our lives which are also known as the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We become more loving, more joyful, more peaceful, etc. Also there will be changes in our relationships- both with God and with other people.Asides these changes which can be noticed in our lives, the Holy Spirit also brings an inner experience of God. He creates a deep, personal conviction that we are children of God. ( Romans 8:15-16). This is the third way in which we are assured of our relationship with God, and that we are forgiven and have eternal life.

NOTE: It is one of the privileges of being a child of God: to be able to be absolutely confident about our relationship with our Father, to be sure of the fact that we are forgiven; to be sure that we are Christians , and to know we have eternal life.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.