THE GIFT OF FAITH 1

MEMORY VERSE: To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:9

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 23-24 

What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In other words, faith is believing before seeing. You have not been invited for that job interview but you already believe the job is yours. No brother has approached you for your hands in marriage but you know that you are going to be someone’s wife very soon. Faith brings substance to what you have believed. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is now. It is present tense; hope is future tense. Faith is not passive but active.

There are two basic kinds of faith: Natural faith and Supernatural faith. People have faith in the things of this world through the experience of the five senses. It takes natural faith to turn on the TV, and to believe we will see and hear something of interest. Even though the average person doesn’t understand the electronics of television, he still has a faith enough to turn it on. Natural faith is simply trusting in something or someone you can see, hear, or touch. “Seeing is believing”. Now you don’t need to be a Christian to have this kind of faith. Even atheists have this kind of faith. The other kind of faith, Supernatural faith, comes from God, or is above the natural senses. 

There are three kinds of supernatural faith. The first is “saving faith”. Might i at this point say this: “Faith is simply believing.” Just as you see something, and thus know that you have sight; you believe something; and thus know that you have faith. The bible makes it abundantly clear that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Salvation does not come from our good deeds but from our faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31 says, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” The key to Christian faith is not “seeing is believing,” but “believing before seeing.” Although Jesus is not evident to our physical senses, by the Holy Spirit we are able to experience His love and fellowship here and now. The saving faith is a gift of God not something you and i manufacture (Ephesians 2:8-9). This saving faith comes by the proclamation of God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Once we have received Jesus, the Scripture says that each Christian has been given “ the measure of faith”.  Romans 12:3 says, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

NOTE: We all start out with an equal measure of faith, yet some continue to grow in faith and some don’t, but the choice is ours.

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LET THY HEAD LACK NO OINTMENT

MEMORY VERSE: Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Ecclesiastes 9:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 108-110

The bible uses seven symbols to describe the person and work of the Holy Spirit. These symbols show the nature, character and the work of the Holy Spirit. Today, we will talk about the Holy Spirit as oil. The oil serves several purposes. For instance, it helps to keep components in an engine working smoothly together. What the engine oil does in the engine is exactly the same thing the ‘anointing of the Holy Ghost’ does in the life of the believer. In other words, the ‘anointing of the Holy Ghost’ is to the believer what the engine oil is to the engine. Just as it is literally impossible to run an engine without the oil, it is impossible to do God’s work, run a ministry or occupy a ministerial post, without the anointing of the Holy Ghost. As such, whenever God calls people into ministry or gives them an assignment, the first thing He does is anoint them with the Holy Spirit. The ‘anointing of the Holy Spirit’, which is known as the ‘oil’ on a minister’s head makes it easy for the minister to do God’s work or run a ministry. We are able to write this daily devotional because of the ‘oil’ on our head. That sister or brother who led praise and worship in church last Sunday is able to do that because of the oil on their head.

The Engine oil also serves as a lubricant. It lubricates the moving
parts of an engine. It keeps them cool by lowering friction and carrying the heat away. After a while, the heat in the engine causes the oil to become gummy so that it doesn’t lubricate properly again. The longer it is in the engine, the dirtier and drier it gets. If the oil is not changed in time, the engine may develop problems or ‘knock’. Therefore, the engine oil needs to be changed from time to time. The fresh oil lubricates and cools better. The same thing with the ‘oil’ on a minister’s head, it helps him manage the pressures involved in ministry. It helps him bear the heat, pressure and meet the demands of the ministry. However, there is a need for spiritual servicing and the Most High God is the one who does the servicing. In other to start and finish well in ministry, one’s head must never lack oil. Ecclesiastes 9:8 says, “Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.” In other to run this Christian race, one must ensure that his or her head does not lack oil. As such, one must always visit the holy hill of God regularly to get one’s head oiled. These are some of the few signs that your head may be lacking ‘oil’, firstly sweating. The moment you begin to find the work of God tedious, difficult and unbearable, it is a sign that your head is lacking oil. Another sign you need to watch out for is dryness in the spirit. For instance, you read the bible but you don’t get any revelation or insight. Anytime you lead prayers it is very dry. Your ministry is no longer impacting lives any more. These are some signs that you need oil. Another sign is the lack of ‘flow’. Maybe songs don’t flow as they normal do when you lead praise and worship. Or you observe that preparing sermons is becoming a burden. Ideas and points no longer flows as it used to. It is an indicator that your head is lacking oil. Instead of trying to make it work or forcing it, please return to the holy hill for some fresh oil.

PRAYER POINT: Father, pour your fresh oil upon me.

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HANDLING DIVINE PROJECTS

MEMORY VERSE: When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. John 6:5-6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 25-30

BIBLE READING: John 6:5-13

Psalm 115:16 says, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” As such, whenever the Lord wants to do anything on the earth He would use man. Take for instance, when He wanted to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt He used Moses (Exodus 3:10). When the spoilers spoiled them, He raised up judges for them. Judges 2:16 says,” Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.” However, there were instances in the past  where He used angels to carry out some tasks on earth. In 2 Kings 19:35-37, He deployed an angel to destroy 185, 000 Assyrian soldiers in one night. I want you to know that this  is an exceptional circumstance, majority of the time He uses human agents. This is one of the reasons why you must be friendly, respectful and humble. You don’t know who God may want to use for you. 

In John 6:5-6, the Lord physically feed 5000 thousand men not counting women and children with a boy’s lunch (five bread and two fishes). This is an example of a God-given assignment/vision/project/work. John 6:5 says, “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” Jesus was saying “I have a project or vision to physically feed these people, how do you think we can go about it?” We learn from this that all God-given vision or project are geared towards solving general human problems or specific human problems. Every task or project Jesus undertook was geared towards meeting human needs. His journey to Gadara was to solve a human problem – deliver a demoniac man (Mark 5:1-19). His coming to earth, another project, was to solve human problem i.e. save man from sin (Matthew 1:21). Every God-given vision or ministry is meant to be an answer or solution to a human need or problem.

Matthew 6:6 says, “And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.” Jesus knew how He would finance His project even before talking to Philip. I don’t know what project the Lord has committed into your hands but i want you to know this, before He committed that project into your hands, He already knew how He will fund the project. He has already set aside resources He would use to complete the project. Before the Lord gave you that child, He had already prepared what the child would eat. Before God called you into ministry, He had already arranged how to finance it and meet the needs that will arise. Whenever you share your God-given vision with people, you can expect people like ‘Philip’ to ask how you intend to finish or complete the project (John 6:7). They want to know if you have the resources to finish the project before you start. People like 'Andrew' will ask if you have enough resources to start in a grand way (John 6:8-9). What did Jesus do? He simply started His project with the little He had. He asked for the little bread, gave thanks to God and gave it to people to share. In other words, He prayed and started the God given project. 

NOTE: Sir/Ma, you don’t need to wait until you have all the resources before you start that God-given project. Pray and start with whatever you have and  trust God to complete the project. 

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A RESPECTER OF PRINCIPLES NOT OF PERSONS

MEMORY VERSE: Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NUMBER 17-20

Physical laws operate based on certain principles. Take for instance the law of gravity. Gravity is simply a force pulling together all matter (which is anything you can physically touch). The more matter, the more gravity, so things that have a lot of matter such as planets and moons and stars pull more strongly. Mass is how we measure the amount of matter in something. The more massive something is, the more of a gravitational pull it exerts. As we walk on the surface of the Earth, it pulls us and we pull back. But since the Earth is so much more massive than we are, the pull from us is not strong enough to move the Earth, while the pull from the Earth can make us fall flat on our faces. If you throw an apple up gravity (from the earth) pulls it down. Now, the law of gravity is not a respecter of persons. If a white man jumps up, the law of gravity will pull him down. Also, if a black man jumps up, the law of gravity will pull him down.

God is not of a respecter of persons. Job 34:19 says, “How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.” Acts 10:34 says, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” Romans 2:11 says, “For there is no respect of persons with God.” However, He is a respecter of Principles. They way up is ‘down’. John 12:24 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Unless a corn of wheat falls to the ‘ground’, it will not germinate and grow. Not until you humble yourself, the Lord will not lift you up. James 4:10 says,“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Jesus descended 7 steps before He ascended 7 steps back ( Philippians 2:6-9). Firstly, He made himself of no reputation. Secondly, He took upon Himself the form of a slave. Thirdly, He was made in the likeness of men. Fourthly, He was fashioned as a man. Fifthly, He humbled Himself. Sixthly, He became obedient unto death. Seventhly, He became obedient even to the death of the cross, the death of a slave. On reaching rock bottom, He ascended 7 steps up to Glory. Firstly. He was given a name that is above every name. Secondly, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. Thirdly, of things in heaven. Fourthly, of things on earth. Fifthly, of things under the earth. Sixthly, every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Seventhly, finally His image returns to God the Father so that God is again, all in all to the glory of God the Father. This brings us to the question, how low are you willing to go just to humble yourself ? The reason is that the more humbler you are, the higher God will lift you.

NOTE: John 3:5 says, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” This is another principle. It does not matter how much offerings a man give on Sundays or during mid week services. Except he gives his life to Christ he will not enter into the kingdom of God. The fellow may be as harmless as a dove. He may be as cool as a cucumber. It does not matter how many charity work he does or how much he gives to the poor, if he is not born again he will not enter the kingdom of God.

QUESTION: Are you born again? Are you saved? If you are, then from what where you saved from? Is it anger, malice, unforgiveness? Are you humble? How humble?

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ITCHING EARS

MEMORY VERSE: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 2 Timothy 4:3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 16-18

In Paul’s second letter to his son-in-the-Lord, Timothy, he warned him of certain things that will happen in the last days. 2 Timothy 3:1-4 says, “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, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” We do not need anyone to tell us that we are in the last days because all of these are happening around us. It has gotten to the point where our sisters are now being persecuted for covering their hair in church or during prayer. If you, as a lady, have decided not to cover your hair during prayer, there is no problem with that, but why persecute those who cover their hair during prayer? Or worse still, why make it your duty to make life difficult for sisters who don’t use jewelries?

Paul went on further to warn him of a time - like the one we are in at the moment- where people would no longer want to hear the truth. 2 Timothy 4:3 says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” He warned him of a time where sound doctrine would become a taboo. He warned him of a time where certain portion of the bible would be discredited by the so-called religious leaders. We have heard of "men of God" who said that some of what Paul said is not relevant in 21st century. Some even said Paul was sexist; he was always asking women to keep quiet in church and all that. To say that Paul, the apostle, was sexist is to say that God is sexist. The bible clearly states thus: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

What did Paul mean when he spoke about itching ears? To have an itching ear means to desire massages rather than messages – sermons that charm rather than challenge, entertain rather than edify, and please rather than preach. People with itching ears love sermons that excite not the unadulterated word of God that pierces a man’s heart causing him to repent. They want to hear about God’s promises not sin and repercussions of sin. They love to attend seminars where nothing is said about sin or holiness. They love talks where nothing is said about submitting to one’s husband as the church submits to Christ. They love sermons where nothing is said about honoring one’s parents. They love sermons where nothing is said about enduring suffering as a soldier of Christ. They love single meetings where nothing is said about fornication and abortion.

QUESTION: What kind of messages do you enjoy? Is it ‘preach-it-pastor’ type or the ones that causes you to reflect on your way of life? Is it those that leads to brokenness or those that excite? Great man and woman of God, what type of messages do you preach? Popular messages that people embrace or those that cause people to bow their heads to God and ask for mercy and grace to live a life that is pleasing to Christ.

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GOD’S THREE MEN

MEMORY VERSE: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 3-4

BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

The bible teaches that there are three basic types of men: the natural man, the carnal man, and the spiritual man. The natural man is described in 1 Corinthians 2:14, where Paul says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The natural man is the unregenerate man; he has never been born of the Holy Ghost. He is spiritually dead and as such, he operates from his soul and body. He is sensual. In a nutshell, anyone - regardless of how principled he is or how much good morals he upholds - who has not accepted Jesus as His personal Lord and saviour is a natural man because he does not have the Holy Spirit inside him.The fellow may even observe the Christian lent yearly and answer to a Christian name because he was born into a Christian family. The natural man is at the mercy of the enemy. The natural man has a high appetite for sin, especially sexually sins. He is usually cunning and full of tricks.

The carnal man is described in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. Verses 1 says, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” The carnal man, therefore, is still a babe. Although he has given his life to Christ, he still enjoys a bit of the world. Although Christ now resides inside him, He does not posses him fully. The carnal man does not have a regular quiet time where he sits at the feet of Jesus to learn. He depends on others for spiritual food. The moment he faces any challenges he starts to blame God. He is cold today and hot tomorrow.The three marks of a carnal Christian are envy, strife and division. Verses 3 says, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? " Once in a while, he indulges in quarrels. He retaliates when offended. The image of Christ is not fully formed in him. He is impatient. There are still some parts of the bible that he has trouble with. He hardly forgives talk less of forget. Even when he forgives, he still refers to the offence from time to time to punish the offender or make him feel guilty.

However, there is the spiritual man. 1 Corinthians 2:15 says, “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” He lives by the spirit. Christ has taken full possession of him. He is more concerned about what he can do for Christ not what Christ can do for him. The spiritual man discerns. He is able to detect false doctrine and false fire. Whilst the carnal man loves to show off, the spiritual man is not a 'show off'. The spiritual man is a broken Christian. He is a man of the word. He studies the word ferociously and obeys the word. These, then, are the three types of men (and women). This brings us to the question, which are you? Are you a natural man? It is true that you answer a Christian name, are you a Christian? Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and saviour? This is not an issue of whether you go to church or not? This is not an issue of whether you went to a Christian school or not? This not an issue of whether you don't fornicate or steal. You may not steal but tell little harmless lies. Or you have given your life to Christ but you have remained at the same spot for a long time. You still don't have a place and a time where you meet with Christ daily to learn.

QUESTION : It is true that you have Christ but does Christ have you?

PRAYER POINT: Ask the Lord to help you to be a better Christian and also make up your mind to live a life that is pleasing to God.

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THE WORKING OF MIRACLES

MEMORY VERSE: To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joel

1 Corinthians 12: 1 says, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” As such, we will be looking at one of the spiritual gifts called ‘the Working of Miracles’. 1 Corinthians 12:10 says,” To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” What is a Miracle? A miracle is an event that seems to override or contradict the laws of nature. There is a difference between healings and miracles. If a person has a condition called otitis media which is inflammation of the middle ear, one can pray for it and it can be healed. But if a person has had the middle ear removed by surgery, you cannot heal a middle ear that is not there. A miracle, however, can restore the middle ear. Another difference (as stated by Derek Prince in his book titled: ‘Secrets of a Prayer Warrior’) is this, Miracles are often instantaneous and often visible, whereas healings are often invisible and gradual. Some of the typical miracles of the Old Testament are: the dividing of the Red Sea for the escape of the children of Israel (Exodus 14:21-31); the sun and moon standing still for Joshua (Joshua 10:12-14); the widow’s cruse of oil and barrel of meal that did not run out through the time of famine (1 Kings 17:8-16).

Jesus also performed a lot of miracles, and apparently not of all of them are recorded. John 21:25 says, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” Some examples of His miracles found in the scriptures include: turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), walking on water (Matthew 14:25-33), causing the storm to cease (Mark 6:45-52). Jesus’ miracles were performed primarily out of His compassion to meet human needs, and for practical purposes. When He miraculously fed the multitudes, it was because food was not available otherwise. When He turned water to wine, it was because there was a need at the wedding reception. It is well to note, too, that the miracle were not done to force or frighten unbelievers into believing – they were done to encourage those who already believed or wanted to believe. John 14:12 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” After the death of Jesus, Peter and Paul performed miracles. For instance, Paul miraculously struck Elymas the Sorcerer with a temporary blindness in order to keep him from opposing the Gospel (Acts 13:8-12). Evangelist Philip was transported bodily from Gaza to Azotus by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:39-40). I will like to point out that this wasn’t astral projection. As believers, the Holy Spirit can manifest the working of miracles through any of us as far as we are yielded to Him. Christians do not expect miracles for the sake of miracles, but because God promised that they meet human needs and lead others to Jesus.

NOTE: What Jesus meant when He said that those who believe in Him would do “greater things” is that believers would do new miracles, they would be according to the pattern already set by the Lord, and would be according to the Scripture. There are plenty of weird events taking place these days, as men and women experiment with the occult and the Psychic, that is to say with the powers of Satan, and the Christian must not be deceived by them. The scripture tells us that the followers of the enemy will do “great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22).

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