TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

MEMORY VERSE: And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:15-16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrew 1-4

Matthew 18:18 says: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” There are several lessons to learn from this verse. Firstly, the power to bind and lose have been given to you. Genesis 1:26 says, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Sadly, man lost this dominion when he fell. However, when Jesus redeemed mankind He restored to us dominion through His name. Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Friend, you are not weak. You are not powerless. Jesus says, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven”. In other words, if you take the step of faith and bind something on earth today, heaven will back you up. According to Matthew 17:20 you don’t need big faith to do this. Matthew 17:20 says, “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

Secondly, you are responsible  for binding and losing. In other words, whatever you permit is what God will  permit. Whatever you allow in your life is what He will allow in your life.  All you need to do is speak the word in faith and leave the fulfilment of the word to Him.  God will not bind or lose for you.  When Moses cried to God at the Red Sea asking Him to please part the Red Sea, the Lord responded and said “Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea”( Exodus 14:15-16). Friend, why are you asking God to chase away demons He has given you authority over?It is your job to do that. You are to ask them to leave in the name of Jesus not ask Jesus to drive them away. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  Thirdly, only a genuine child of God can bind and lose. Matthew 12:30 says,” He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” You either for Him or against Him. You are either working for Him or working against Him. Not until you give your life to Christ, you are not for Him. And if you claim to have given your life to Christ and you are living with a man that you are not married to, then someone must be fooling himself or herself. Why not do the right thing and go to the altar and be joined in holy matrimony. Or if you claim to have given your life to Christ and you are fiddling with meter readings so that you don’t pay for electricity, i want you to know that Christ does not approve of that; no one who is for Him will do that. 

PRAYER POINT: I bind every spirit working contrary to the fulfillment of my destiny in the name of Jesus, under the blood of Jesus pack your bag and never return!

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

“ONLY BE THOU STRONG”

MEMORY VERSE: Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Obadiah

BIBLE READING: Joshua 1:1-9

In Joshua 1:1-9, the bible presents to us one of the most difficult periods in the life of Joshua. During this period, he was faced with two major issues. The first one was the loss of one of the most important figures in his life.  Moses was more than a master to him; he was a father. The death of Moses left him emotionally drained. He was weak and confused. Whilst mourning the loss of his father-in-the-Lord/ discipler/ teacher/ mentor the Lord spoke and said "be thou strong". What a caring God we serve! To those who have lost important figures or things in their lives. Maybe you have just lost one of your parents, or your partner. Maybe you have just had a miscarriage. It could be that you have just lost an opportunity of a life time. Maybe you were in a relationship and the other party called it off. It could even be that days before your wedding, your husband-to-be called the marriage off. And you are drained and confused, this is the Word of the Lord to you "be thou strong". Friend, be strong! What has happened to you is not the end of the world. The Lord is also saying "do according to the law", in other words, continue serving the Lord. Don't backslide. Don't turn to alcohol, or stop going to church. Don't go back into the world. This is what the enemy wants but Jesus is saying don't because all will be well.  

The second issue he faced was life after the death of Moses and leading the children of Israel to the promise land. This was even more difficult for Joshua, knowing the kind of people the children of Israel was. They were a difficult bunch to lead. He knew what Aaron went through in their hands when Moses went to receive the Ten Commandments. They put so much pressure on Aaron that he gave in and created a god for them from their earrings. Even Moses with his military background, mental toughness, anointing of the Holy Ghost, and all that still cracked under pressure. He knew their attitude,complaints,murmuring caused Moses, a man God testified to be the meekest man on the earth, to 'blow his top' and sinned against God. Not to forget how they almost killed him and Caleb for encouraging them to go and possess the promise land. If Moses with all his qualifications struggled, how much he - his servant. Joshua didn't own a 'rod of God' like Moses. He didn't bring plagues on the Egyptians. He had never parted any sea like Moses ( Exodus 14:21-31). He could not bring Manna from heaven like Moses did ( Exodus 16:14-35). He was yet to bring out water from the rock like Moses ( Exodus 17:5-7). There was nothing in his CV except he was Moses' servant and yet, God wants him to lead the children of Israel to the promise land. The word of the Lord to him was "only be thou strong and very courageous." To you who have just been promoted at work, or in church. To you who the Lord has called into ministry or asked to go and head a parish. To you who have just been asked to lead a project or about to get married. To you who have just found himself in a totally different place, the Lord is saying to you all "Be strong and of a good courage". He is also saying as i was with Moses (or those who had come before you ) so i will be with thee. I will not fail thee, not forsake thee (Joshua 1:5). 

NOTE: Be strong not because you feel like it but because the God of heaven says so. 

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

“AND THE SERVANT OF THE LORD MUST NOT STRIVE”

MEMORY VERSE: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:24-25

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 26-27

2 Timothy 2:24 says, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.” According to Noah Webster’s dictionary, to strive means “To contend; to contest; to struggle in opposition to another; to be in contention or dispute; followed by against or with before the person or thing opposed; as, strive against temptation; strive for the truth.” The man of God must not strive. He must not be found throwing punches or threatening to break people’s head. He must not be found fighting, whether in public or in private. 2 Timothy 2:24 says, “And the servant of the Lord MUST not strive....” Take note of the word “must”. This does not mean he will not be offended; oh, he will be. The enemy may use people, especially those around him, to provoke him  but he must not fight. It is not befitting for a man of God to be throwing chairs or threatening to beat people up in traffic. Even when he is provoked, and he will surely be provoked, he MUST not strive. The NIV says, “And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” (2 Timothy 2:24). According to Noah Webster’s dictionary, to be quarrelsome means “ Apt to quarrel; given to brawls and contention; inclined to petty fighting; easily irritated or provoked to contest; irascible; choleric; petulant.” The man of God must not be easily irritated. He must not be someone that people can easily push his buttons. He must not be someone that people will be settling quarrel for every time.

Why is God telling men of God not to strive? Because, He wants to personally discipline those who will strive with them. No wonder He says, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” (Psalm 105:15). The Lord does not joke with His servants. If you don’t believe me read Acts 12:20-23. God killed a king because of one of His servants. One big man strove with a man of God some years back. This man was very rich; he had over 100 houses. One day he organised a big party and invited this man of God. The man of God was meant to attend the function but due to circumstances beyond his control he couldn't attend. This big man got angry and was offended. All he said, not in the presence of the man of God, was "when i see him (the man of God) he will explain himself to me". God heard and got angry with this big man. Not too long after that, he lost all his houses and was chased out of the country. You don’t even have to say something against a man of God in his presence before God will act on his behalf. This is why i want to warn those who are in the habit of provoking God’s servant to desist from doing so. If you have ever abused a man of God to his face and he didn’t say a word, you are in trouble. If i were you, i will go and apologise. When it comes to disciplining those who strive with His servants, their assistants are not exempted. You don’t believe me ask Aaron and Miriam (Numbers 12). Even their wives are not exempted. If you think i am talking gibberish read 2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23. All Michal did was abuse her husband, the Lord shut her womb.

NOTE: Psalm 130:4 says, “But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” There is forgiveness with God. You may have, out of anger, said something you should not say to a servant of God. Ask the Lord to forgive you. Also, go and apologize to them.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

GOD CAN NEVER EVER TELL LIES

MEMORY VERSE: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Hebrews 6:18

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 114-116

God can never ever tell lies. Titus 1:2 says, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” There are several reasons why God can never ever tell lies. Firstly, He is not a man. Number 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” Whilst man call blue  'black', God will say it as it is. It is man who makes promises he knows he can't keep. When the Most High makes a promise, He keeps it. Even when man makes a genuine promise,  due to circumstances beyond his control he may not be able to fulfil his promise; that's not so with the Holy One of Israel. There are no circumstances beyond His control. As such, when He says something consider it done. Psalm 33: 8-9 says, “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” 

 

Another reason why God can never ever tell lies is because He is the "Truth". John 14:6 says, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” It is not just that God has decided He will not lie – He cannot lie. Why? His word is truth! John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” God’s word is the ultimate reality! More real, and lasting, than anything we can presently see. So, if He says it shall be well with you then it is going to be well with you. Regardless of how many mistakes you have made; regardless of how many times you have failed; regardless of your current circumstance, it shall be well with you.  

Whatever God says in His Word is the truth! When God said the earth was sphere in His word – Isaiah 40:22 says, “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in” -  many big scientist argued against it. Some at that time even said the earth was on the back of some massive elephant. Today, the whole agrees that the world is sphere. If He says something is white take it as white. It may appear as yellow today but with time, you will find that it is indeed white. Hebrews 6:18 says, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” This is what makes the foundation of our relationship with God so solid – God has given us His Word – which cannot fail. If we are ever presented with evidence contrary to what God says, we can know we are being presented with a lie. For it is impossible for God to lie.

NOTE: God cannot lie because it is not in His nature, and because whatever He speaks will happen.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

MEMORY VERSE: Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:14

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 6-10

Sometimes back,  a friend invited me to a restaurant. Because we were busy with a thing or two, he placed an order over the phone whilst we finish what we were doing. We arrived at the restaurant twenty minutes later expecting  our order to be ready ; unfortunately it wasn't. We waited patiently for another twenty minutes; still, it wasn't ready. So we checked with the waiter to know what the problem was. After speaking to the chef, she assured us that our orders will be ready shortly. My friend's order arrived and he began to eat. Five minutes later, my order was yet to arrive. Looking around the whole place, some of those who  placed their order after us have already been served. My friend had almost finishing eating; we had a lot to do, and i was yet to receive my order.  I decided to cancel my order as it seemed to me that the chef was too busy dealing with other customer's order. As i contemplated on cancelling the order politely, the waiter appeared with my order. The food tasted so nice that i forgave the chef for taking so long. The assorted meat was on point - exactly how i wanted it. 

There is always a waiting period between when you place an order and when the order arrives. Also, there is a waiting period between when you place an order to heaven and when your order arrives. The waiting period varies depending on the other. Meals with ordinary meat probably take around thirty minutes but meals like mine i.e. with assorted meat takes longer,  as such you must be prepared to wait a bit longer. If all you want is a man - just any man - you can meet one under six months. But, if you want a genuine child of God who is going places for Christ , you may need to wait longer.  Daddy Zechariah and Mummy Elizabeth had to wait till they were very old before God gave them John the Baptist - a man, greater than all the prophets of the Old Testament (Luke 7:28). If you want a child like John the Baptist you must be prepared to wait a bit. 

A lot will happen during your period of waiting. Some of your friends will receive their orders before you. Some will get jobs or life partners before you. Some of those who placed their orders after you may receive their orders before you. At times, your resolve will be tested. You will be pushed around. You will be frustrated. It may even appear as if our heavenly Father has forgotten your order. During this time, your brethren, like the brothers of Joseph, may sell you into slavery. The wife of Potiphar may even promise you heaven and earth if only you will lie with her. During this time, Saul may cast javelins at you. He may even give you impossible tasks just so you can fail. Don’t cancel your order because it is taking too long. Don’t cancel your order because those who placed their order after you have received their orders. Don’t compromise as it appears as if God has forgotten you. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” God will surely visit you and make all things perfect in His own time.

NOTE: This is the word of the Lord to us this day: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:3). The Lord has not forgotten you.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT

MEMORY VERSE: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 25-28

Ezekiel 44:17-18 says, “And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within. They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.” One thing is very clear from studying this verse; God does not want His laborers (1 Corinthians 3: 9) i.e. ministers, to sweat whilst carrying His work. As such, whenever He calls people into service, He anoints them for the task ahead. Not only that, He makes their burden light so they can bear it without sweating. Matthew 11:30 says, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” What a caring Master we have.

Sadly, His light burden i.e. work, has become so heavy that many are now struggling. Actually, many now have high blood pressure as a result of His burden. Why is this so? Why is it that many who were very zealous for the Lord at the beginning now secretly wish they hadn't sign for so much. They are now envious of many who do less. Many ministers want their children to be professionals not ministers as a result of their experience. One of the reasons why the burden has become so heavy is because we are the one bearing the burden instead of Christ. We don't trust Him enough to truly cast all our cares on Him, and leave it there. How sad that many of us bring our burdens to His feet, and instead of leaving it at His feet, we take it back with us after praying. The burden becomes lighter the moment we throw up our hands up and say "let thy will be done." Stop worrying about how God’s work will be done. It is His work not your work. Ever since I stopped worrying about what to write daily,  preparing the daily devotional has become so easy. All i need to do is listen to what He has to say. Stop worrying for Him. Stop doing His job for Him. You are not built to do it.

Many worry if they are the right person for the job. The Master-workman surely has a right to use any tool He pleases for His own work, and it is plainly not the business of the tool to decide whether it is the right one to be used or not. He knows; and if He chooses to use you, of course you must be fit. And in truth, our chief fitness is in our utter helplessness. Remember, His strength is made perfect not in our strength, but in our weakness. Our strength is only a hindrance. Many worry about results. The work is His, so is the responsibility. Commit everything to Him and ask Him to guide you from moment to moment. Trust Him completely for each moment's needed supplies of wisdom and of strength. Remember, you are not responsible for all the work in the world but a small share. Also, not every act of service is a perpetual obligation. Let the Lord guide you to do the things He wants you to do. Because it was right for you to give tract to one person on the bus, for instance, does not mean you have to always give tracts to everybody. There are times the Lord may want you to speak to people. Besides it is an impossible task to give tracts to everyone you meet. This applies to every other work. The fact that the Spirit of the Lord laid something on your mind does not make it a perpetual obligation. Put yourself under the Lord’s personal guidance as to your work, and trust Him to point out to you from time to time what He wants you to do.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I cast all my cares at your feet by faith.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

LORD, HELP!

MEMORY VERSE: To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. Psalm 12:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 1-2

Psalm 12:1 says, “To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” What is drastically reducing in the world today is not the number of Christians. There are a lot of Christians who are pornographers. Oh Yes! A lot of them watch pornographic films. The sad thing is we now find this trend amongst Christian couples. Just yesterday, i was reading about a youth minister who needed to look at magazines of naked women before he can have sex with his wife. There are a lot of Christians who gamble. They go to church every Sunday, even minister but they buy lottery tickets and participate in raffle draws. Some of them bet on horse races or premier league teams. There are a lot of Christians who smoke and drink. There are a lot of Christians who are celebrities. It is their life that is celebrated not Christ. Also, we have Christians who are deceptive. Not to forget Christians who beat their wives or husbands. Or, Christians who steal from their parents. Personally, these people are only church goers to me not Christians. Christian means someone who is like Christ and a man who is always beating his wife is not like Christ in any way, shape or form. 

What is lacking today is not people who go to church, or people who pay offerings. It is not people who scream “amen... preach it pastor... common now...” when the pastor is preaching.  It is not people who have several versions of the bible on their Ipads or people with big bibles; the moment you see them you say here comes the man of God. What is lacking today is godly men and women. Men like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who would rather displease Nebuchadnezzar to please God. Men who will say to Nebuchadnezzar, “But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:18). Men like Peter who will say to people who want to buy the gifts of God with money “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20). Men whose response will be “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20), when rebuked for talking about Jesus. Men who will tell Araunah “but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). Fathers like Joshua who will say “but as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord “(Judges 24:15). Women like Esther who will fast for the will of God to be done in their lands. Mothers like Hannah who will say to God "if you give me a child i will give him back to you". Brothers like Joseph who will say to Potiphar’s wife “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Brothers like Daniel who will purpose in their heart not to defile themselves with the king’s meat (Daniel 1:8). Honest men like Zacchaeus who will stand before the Lord and say, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Men like the four lepers who would say “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household (2 Kings 7:9)”. Men who will tell the king’s household i.e. their supervisors, managers about Jesus. Men and women like this are lacking in the land. The godly man ceaseth! There is nothing anyone can do except cry to heaven and say Lord, Help! 

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give each and every one of us a new heart.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world