A HEART AFTER GOD II

MEMORY VERSE: ‘And when he had removed him, he
raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Acts 13:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 3-8

What qualified David to be king of Israel was not his military experience, his family background, his educational background, his years of service in the palace, or a special competency. What qualified him was the state and inclination of his heart. Acts 13:22 says: "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." There are some blessings that your academic qualifications, beauty, physical stature, money, experience, and achievements will not be enough to get for you- it will require a heart that is after God.

Before God, the state of your heart is more important that the state of your mind and hands. An educated mind and well-trained hands without a heart that desires after God, the things of God and building of character is nothing. As you educate your mind, acquire skills, build relationships with people, and spend even more time with God, desiring Him, knowing Him, and building Christ-like character. When you give God your heart, He will give you what man cannot give to you and qualify you for what man will not qualify you for. There are some things your educated mind and skilful hands will never get for you; it will take a heart that is leaned towards God, a heart of integrity, and character.

PRAYER POINT: Create in me a clean and pure heart.

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki

A HEART AFTER GOD

MEMORY VERSE: But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 1-3

Acts 13:22 says: ‘And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.’ ‘I have found' implies that a search had already taken place; and, David was the product.

What qualified David to be the king of Israel was not his military experience. Saul said to David when he volunteered to fight Goliath, ‘Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth (1 Samuel 17:33)’. In other words, you lack military experience. What qualified David to be the king of Israel was not his (family) background. Bible scholars told us that David was a product of fornication. David (himself) confessed and said, ‘Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me (Psalm 51:5)’. It was definitely not his educational background or his years of service in the palace or a special competency. What qualified him was the state and inclination of his heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: '...the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.'

QUESTION: What is the state of your heart? Is your heart after God or things?

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki

A CHRISTIAN REBEL?

MEMORY VERSE: And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 26-30

Who is a lord? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a lord is one who has power and authority over others. An example of a lord is a ‘landlord’. Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). Isaiah 9:6 says: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, ‘all power is given to Me in heaven and earth.’ Jesus is not only the Lord; He is the Lord of lords. All other lords bow down to Him. Revelations 19:16 says: ‘ And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’

Jesus must be obeyed because He is the Lord. Luke 6:46 says: ‘And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?’ Anyone who does not accept the lordship of Jesus is a rebel. Any intelligent person who does not accept the lordship of Jesus is an intelligent rebel. So also, a rich person who does not accept the lordship of Jesus is a rich rebel. We reject the lordship of Jesus when we disobey Him. Therefore, anyone who deliberately disobeys Jesus is indirectly rejecting His lordship, and such a person is a rebel. When a Christian deliberately or knowingly disobeys Christ, such a Christian is a Christian rebel.

QUESTION? Are you a Christian rebel? In what ways are you disobeying Christ? Which of the Ten Commandments do you struggle with? Ask the Lord to help you today.

 Samuel Oluwatoki

USELESS UNLESS DOMESTICATED

MEMORY VERSE: Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.Matthew 21:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 21-25

Domestication is the process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use. Domestic species are raised for food, work, clothing, medicine, and many other uses. Domesticated plants and animals must be raised and cared for by humans. Domesticated species are not wild (National Geography Society).

Below are some characteristics of a wild donkey (Job 39:5-8). It is free (verse 5). It does what it pleases when it pleases and where it pleases. It resides in the wilderness (verses 6). It is independent i.e. it belongs to no-one and is responsible to no-one (verse 7). Wild animals are unwilling to serve (verse 9). They are not teachable (verse 10). They are cannot be trusted (verse 11) and are unreliable (verse 12). A wild donkey is full of potentials. It can be used to cart things over a great distance. It can become a great guardian to herds of cattle, goats, and sheep. It can offer companionship to other animals. It can also be used to nanny other animals. A wild donkey has to be domesticated before it can realize its God-given potentials. A man has to be domesticated i.e. discipled/mentored before he can realize his God-given potentials.

NOTE: You must take the yoke of Christ if you want God to use you for His glory. Also, you must be humble and be ready to be discipled/mentored.

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki

KNOWING JESUS IV

MEMORY VERSE: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. Ephesians 1:17

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 15-20

In Luke 24:13-21, two disciples of Jesus, whilst on their way to Emmaus, talking about the death of Jesus and the news of His resurrection, were joined by Jesus and they couldn’t recognise Him. Luke 24:15 says: ‘And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.’ I wonder if we can blame these disciples for not recognising Him. When in the 31st verse their eyes were opened, they recognised Him.

There are one or two lessons we can learn from this story. Firstly, a personal revelation of who Jesus is and all that He is comes from God alone. Matthew 16:15-17 says: ‘He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.’ Secondly, knowing Jesus does not come through simply reading the Bible. It comes through prayer and the spirit of wisdom and revelation. No wonder Paul the Apostle prayed: ‘That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him (Ephesians 1:17).’ Friend, you can be a Christian but lack the spirit of wisdom and revelation and therefore not know the fullness of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation that I may know all about Jesus.

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki

KNOWING JESUS III

MEMORY VERSE: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 13-14

After the death of Jesus, two disciples were on their way to a village known as Emmaus and were talking about the death of Jesus and the news about His resurrection. Jesus joined them and talked with them on the seven miles journey but we are told that they were kept from recognizing Him (Luke 24:13-31). Verse 16 says:’ But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.’

Who is Jesus? Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. 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.’ Firstly, these disciples were kept from recognizing the way because Jesus is the way. A man who is kept from recognizing the way will definitely miss the way. Also, such a man will waste his resources and fall into the hands of thieves. Secondly, they were kept from recognizing the truth because Jesus is the truth. A man who is kept from recognizing the truth will definitely fall for lies. Worse still, such a man will end up in chains, his progress hampered, because the truth sets one free. John 8:32 says: ‘And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ Lastly, they were kept from recognizing ‘the life’ because Jesus is the life. As death is the opposite of life, a man who is kept from ‘the life’ will end up in the cold hands of death.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me a deeper revelation of Jesus.

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki

KNOWING JESUS II

MEMORY VERSE: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Matthew 16:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 9-12

Why is it important to know who Jesus is? How you see Jesus will determine what He will do for you and through you. Jesus asked His disciples, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? ( Matthew 16:13-20).’ Some said, ‘a great teacher, prophet,….’ If you see Him as one of the prophets only, you will not be able to taste of His salvation. If you see Him as your saviour only, so will He be to you.

Jesus first asked His disciples what the people thought about Him. After that, He then asked what they thought about Him. You see, your personal revelation of Jesus is more important than what people say or think about Him. Your personal revelation of Jesus attracts a blessing. Matthew 16:15 says: ‘He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.’ The more you know about Jesus, the more blessed you will be. Also, your personal revelation of Jesus brings about elevation. Peter was elevated after he caught this revelation of Jesus because there is elevation in revelation.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I pray that I will grow in my personal relationship with you through knowledge.

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki