YOU CAN BE AN ‘ANDREW’

MEMORY VERSE: And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. John 1:42

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Corinthians 1-3

BIBLE READING: Matthew 28:18-20

Why should we talk about our Christian faith to our unsaved friends, families, work colleagues, etc? First, it is a command of Jesus himself. Mark 16:15 says,” And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Secondly, we tell people because there is a desperate need for people to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. If we were in the Sahara Desert and had discovered an oasis, it would be extremely selfish not tell the people around us who were thirsty where their thirst could be satisfied. Jesus is the only One who can satisfy the thirsty hearts of men and women. As a race we feel empty. Many have tried to fill that void unsuccessfully with alcohol, dress, sex, or money. Only Jesus can feel that void. Thirdly, we tell others because, having discovered the good news ourselves, we feel an urgent desire to pass it on. If we have received good news we want to tell others. Recently a sister shared with me that her younger sister had been cured of cancer. She was bubbling with joy hoping to share this testimony with anyone that cared to listen. This same applies to sharing the good news with our friends and family.

One of the most effective ways of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ is bringing people to hear the gospel explained by someone or invite them to Jesus. Many of us who have come to faith in Christ have lots of friends who have little or no connection with the church. This provides an excellent opportunity for us to invite them to church. There is no greater privilege and no greater joy than enabling someone to find out about Jesus Christ. A brother who stood out when it comes to inviting people to church was Brother Andrew. John 1:42 says, “And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.” We don’t hear much about Andrew except that he was always bringing people to Jesus (John 6:8; 12:22). But Simon Peter his brother went on to be one of the greatest influences in the history of Christianity. 

Albert McMakin was a twenty years old farmer who had recently come to faith in Christ. He was so full of enthusiasm that he filled a truck with people and took them to a meeting to hear about Jesus. There was a good-looking farmer’s son whom he was especially keen to get to a meeting, but this young man was hard to persuade – he was busy falling in and out of love with different girls, and did not seem to be attracted to Christianity. Eventually Albert McMakin managed to persuade him to come by asking him to drive the truck. When they arrived,  Albert’s guest decided to go in and was ‘spellbound’ and began to have thoughts he had never knew knowing before. He went back again and again until one night, he went forward and gave his life to Jesus Christ. That man, the driver of the truck, was Billy Graham. The year was 1934. Since then Billy Graham has led thousands to faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot all be like Billy Graham, but we can all be like Albert McMaken- we can all bring our friends to Jesus.

NOTE: We cannot all be Simon Peters, but we can all do what Andrew did – we can bring someone to Christ.

PRAYER POINT: Father , make me an incurable soul winner.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

RIGHTEOUSNESS VS SACRIFICE

MEMORY VERSE: To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 11:25

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 22-26

BIBLE READING: Matthew 5:23-24

Lovers love giving gifts to each other. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” He did not give because He was held to ransom, No! His decision to give His son for our sins was motivated by love. Everything He does for us is motivated by love and mercy. So whenever we give back to Him, although we give out of the much He has given to us, no matter how small it is, He appreciates it. All Abraham did was host Him for few hours (Genesis 18). While He was there, He ate bread, meat and milk, and He said “thank you”. Abraham gave a meal and He received a son! Whenever you give to any child of God, I want you to know that it is God you have given to (not man) and He will say thank you no matter how small. When we give something big to Him, He responds and says ‘a big thank you’. Oh yes! King Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings to Him and He said thank you by giving the young man a blank cheque (1 Kings 3:3-13). Verse 5, “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.” It is not so much the size of the gift but the cost of the gift. That poor widow in Luke 21:1-4 gave the least, yet the Lord said she gave the most. Why? All the big men in the church gave out of their abundance, but this poor woman gave all she had which was two mites. Regardless of the cost of the gift, one must give cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

God loves generous people. Proverbs 11:25 says, “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” The key to financial prosperity is giving. When you look at countries that are prospering, e.g. England, although they are small in population, they give foreign aids to so many countries. Not only that, they give to the elderly and look after their citizens. While most of the countries that receive foreign aids from them  are struggling financially, they are wallowing in riches. The secret to their prosperity as a nation is giving. They give to charity a lot. Proverbs 21:3 says, “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” The Lord is more interested in Christians living a life of purity and holiness than giving big offerings. No wonder He says peradventure whilst giving an offering, we remember a brother or sister who we are not in talking terms with, we should drop the offering, run to the person and be reconciled with the fellow. One cannot keep malice and expect God to accept his offering, No! One cannot fornicate and expect God to accept His service in the church, No!

NOTE; Obedience to the word of God is better than fat donations.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please bless me so that I can be a blessing to others.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

HOW GOD GUIDES PART 4

MEMORY VERSE: Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. Proverbs 15:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 33-34

There are some very important points I will like to remind you of. Firstly, guidance springs out of our relationship with God. He has promised to guide those who are walking with Him. Before you look up to Him for guidance on any issue, first of all check your walk with Him. Secondly, His guidance is always in line with scriptures. He will not guide one to do something contrary to scriptures. As mentioned yesterday, one of the ways God speaks is through prophets. We find examples of this both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament (e.g. Agabus- Acts 11:27-28). He also speaks through pastors. Several months back I had a serious challenge at work. With the way things were back then, it was obvious that I was on my way out so I reported the matter to God. One evening I sat back to watch a live program over the internet. Whilst the man of God was preaching, he quoted Isaiah 41:10 - 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. Then he said, “God says I will help you, I will strengthen you and uphold you with my right hand.” Immediately he made that statement, something snapped in my spirit. I knew God was speaking to me. Several minutes later he repeated himself and said “God says i should i tell you, I will strengthen you and uphold you with my right hand.” I held onto it and God confirmed the word of His servant. As He promised, He helped me and i didn't lose my job.

He also guides through the counsel of the saints. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.” While seeking advice is very important, we need to remember that ultimately our decisions are between us and God. They are our responsibility. We cannot shift that responsibility onto others or seek to blame them if things go wrong. The ‘counsel of saints’ is part of guidance – but it is not the only part. Sometimes it may be right to go ahead in spite of the ideas of others. If we are faced with a decision where we need advice, whom should we consult? The best advisors are usually godly Christians people with wisdom and experience whom we respect. (It is also wise to seek the advice of parents whom we are to honour, even if we are past the age of being under their authority. Even if they are not Christians, they know us very well and can often have important insights into situations).

The people whom we ask for advice should not be chosen on the basis that they will agree with what we have already planned to do. Sometimes one sees a person consulting countless people in the hope that they will eventually find somebody who will endorse their plans. Such advice has little weight and simply enables the person to say, ‘and I consulted X and he or she agreed.’ We should consult people on the basis of their spiritual authority or their relationship to us, regardless of what we may anticipate their views to be. Another way God guides is through circumstantial signs. God is in ultimate control of events. Sometimes God opens doors (1 Corinthians 16:9) and sometimes He closes them (Acts 16:7). Sometimes God’s guidance seems to come immediately it is asked for (e.g. Genesis 24), but often it takes much longer: sometimes months or even years. Sometimes we hear God correctly, but we get the timing wrong. Sometimes, like Abraham, we try to fulfill God’s plan by our own wrong methods and get it into trouble.

NOTE: God is able to restore you to the years which the swarming locust has eaten (Joel 2:25). He is able to make something good out of whatever is left of our lives – whether it is a short time or a long time- if we will offer what we have to Him and co-operate with His Spirit.

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HOW GOD GUIDES PART 3

MEMORY VERSE: After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. Acts 16:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 48-50

In Acts 16, Paul and his companions wanted to enter Bithynia to preach the good news but the Holy Spirit would not allow them to. So they went a different way. Verse 7 says, “After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” The Bible did not tell us how exactly the Spirit spoke to them, but it may have been in one of a number of ways. Yesterday, we discussed one of the ways the Spirit speaks to us. He often speaks to us as we pray through a thought coming into our mind. Obviously such thoughts need to be tested (1 John 4:1). Is it in line with the Bible? Does it promote love? If it does not, it cannot come from a God who is love (1 John 4:16). Is it strengthening, encouraging and comforting? (1 Corinthians 14:3)? When we have made the decision, do we know God’s peace (Colossians 3:15)?

God sometimes speaks to us by giving us a strong desire to do something. Several years back, during one of our mid-week services in church, I had a very strong desire to bless a particular sister financially. Fortunately, I had some money on me (although not much) so I put it in an envelope, gave it to her and left. Several minutes later, my phone rang and I picked it up. It was the sister, crying and thanking me for allowing God to use me. It was then I knew God had just used me to meet her needs. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” As we surrender our wills to God, He works in us and often changes our desires. Sometimes people try to imagine the thing that they would least like to do and then assume that God will ask them to do exactly that. I do not believe God is like that. So don’t be frightened and say, “If i become a Christian, God will make me be a missionary.” If that is what God wants you to do, and your will is surrendered, He will give you a strong desire to do that.

God sometimes guides in more unusual ways. There are many examples in the Bible of God guiding individuals in dramatic ways. He spoke to Samuel as a small boy in a way in which he could hear with his physical ears ( 1 Samuel 3:4-14). He guided Abram (Genesis 18), Joseph (Matthew 2:19), etc, through angels. He often speaks through prophets both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament (e.g., Agabus – Acts 11:27-28). He guided through visions. For example, one night God spoke to Paul in a vision. He saw a man in Macedonia standing and begging him, “come over to Macedonia and help us”. Not surprisingly, Paul and his companions took this as guidance that God had called them to preach the gospel in Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10). There are also examples of God guiding through dreams (eg, Matthew 1:20; 2:12-13, 22). When we become Christians we are not called to abandon common sense. Psalm 32:9 says, “Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.” It is true to say God’s promises of guidance were not given so that we could avoid the strain of thinking. Common sense is vital when considering God’s guidance about our jobs, careers, choosing a partner for life and so on.

NOTES: It is common sense to look at at least three very important areas when choosing a partner for life. Are we spiritually compatible? A Christian should only marry another Christian. Secondly, are we personally compatible? Obviously, our marriage partner should be a very good friend and someone with whom there is a great deal in common. Thirdly, are we physically compatible? By this i mean we should be attracted to each other.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me a hearing heart.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

HOW GOD GUIDES PART 2

MEMORY VERSE: After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. Acts 16:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 1-4

We learnt yesterday that guidance springs out of our relationship with God. He has promised to guide those who are walking with Him. Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” We also learnt that one of the ways God guides us, His children, is through ‘commanding scriptures’. God’s general will for all people, in all places, in all circumstances, is revealed in Scripture.

Another way God guides us is through ‘controlling spirit’. Guidance is very personal. When we become Christians, the Spirit of God comes to live within us. When He does so, He begins to communicate with us. We need to learn to hear His voice. Jesus said that His sheep, His followers, would recognize His voice (John 10:4-5). We recognize a good friend’s voice immediately on the telephone. If we do not know the person so well, it may be harder and take more time. The more we get to know Jesus (through regular study of the Word, praying in the Holy Spirit, spending time with Him in fasting and praying and so on), the easier we will find it to recognize His voice. Paul and co planned to go to Bithynia, but the spirit of Jesus would not allow them to (Acts 16:7). So they went different ways. The bible did not tell us how exactly the Spirit spoke to them but it could be a number of ways.

Briefly, let us look at some of the ways in which God speaks by His spirit. Firstly, He often speaks to us as we pray. Prayer is a two-way conversation. After praying, tabling our requests or bringing issues to Him, we must take time to listen to what He has to say. One of the common ways He speaks after prayer is through a thought coming into one’s mind. This thought may come as ‘impressions’ or ‘feeling it one’s bones’. To feel something in one’s bone simply means to be certain that something is true or will happen, without having no proof. I remember the weekend before the Monday I was suspended from work several years back. I felt it in my bones, throughout that weekend, that something was about to happen to me but I didn't know what it was. Please know that such thoughts and feelings need to be tested. 1 John 4:1 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Is it in line with the Bible? Does it promote love? If it does not, it cannot come from a God who is love. 1 John 4:16 says, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him". Is it strengthening, encouraging and comforting? 1 Corinthians 14:3 says, “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” When we have made the decision, do we know God’s peace? Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” God also speaks to us by giving a strong desire to do something but we will look at that tomorrow if the Lord tarries.

NOTE: As you pray, pay attention to the thoughts that come into your mind. As you lead prayers in a group, pay attention to prayer points, verses of the scripture or thoughts that come into your mind. It is better to also have a pen and paper at hand to jot down things and review them after prayer.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me a hearing heart.

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HOW GOD GUIDES

MEMORY VERSE: I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 13-14

One of the basic differences between living things and non living things is that living things make decisions whilst non living things don’t. Even plants make decisions – they bend towards light. This is called Phototropism. (Phototropism is the growth of a plant as response to a stimulus, and Phototropism occurs when a plant responds to light bending in the direction of light). We, human beings, have to make decisions in life. We are faced with small decisions and big decisions. In many cases, it is of the utmost importance that we make the right decisions – for instance in our choice of a marriage partner. To make the right decision we need God’s help.

Guidance springs out of our relationship with God. This is why we must run from anything that could soil our relationship with Him. This is why we must do away with everything called sin. The Most High God has promised to guide those who are walking with Him. Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” God has a plan for each and every one of us. According to Jeremiah 29:11, He plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Not only that, He plans to give us hope and a future. If we are to find God’s plan for our lives, we need to ask Him about them. God guides us when we are prepared to do His will rather than insisting that our own way is right. According to Psalm 25:9, He guides the ‘humble’.

Given that we are willing to do what God wants us to do, in what ways should we expect God to speak to us and guide us? There are various ways in which He guides us. Sometimes God speaks through one of the ways set out below; sometimes it is a combination especially if it is a major decision. The first way He guides is through ‘commanding scripture’. God’s general will for all people, in all places, in all circumstances, is revealed in Scripture. He has told us what He thinks about a whole range of issues. From the bible we know that certain things are wrong. Therefore, we can be quite sure that God will not guide us to do these things. God will not lead any man to leave his wife or any woman to leave her husband to start a new relationship with another man or woman. God has already made His will clear on that when He said “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). In many other areas God has revealed His ‘general will’. We do not need to ask His guidance; He has already given it. If we are not sure, we need to ask someone who knows the bible better than we do whether there is anything on that issue. Once we have discovered what the Bible says, we need search no further. Please note that although God’s general will is found in the Bible, we cannot always find His particular will for our lives there. The Bible tells us that it is His general will for people to get married. Although singleness is a high calling, it is the exception rather than the rule (e.g. 1 Corinthians 7:2). God’s general will is that Christians are only free to marry other Christians. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” God still speaks today through the scriptures. He may speak to us as we read. Psalm 119:24 says, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellers.” That is not to say we find God’s will by opening the Bible anywhere at random and seeing what it says. Rather, as we develop the habit of regular, methodical Bible study we begin to find it quite extraordinary how appropriate each day’s reading seems to be for our own particular circumstances in which we find ourselves.

NOTE: Sometimes a verse seems to almost leap out of the page at us and we sense God speaking through it. This was certainly my experience, for example, when i had a big challenge at work some years back. 'Christ in me the hope of glory', Colossians 1:27, leaped at me in the midst of this challenge and i knew that was God’s word for me. I held unto it and God gave me victory.

QUESTION: Do you still have time for regular bible study? When was the last time you sat before the Lord with your pen and paper, waiting for Him to speak to you through His word?

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

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.