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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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

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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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

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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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

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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SEXY CHRISTIANS

MEMORY VERSE: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 22

What does it mean to be sexy ? To be sexy means to be sexually appealing, attractive or exciting (Merriam Webster dictionary). There is this new trend, although it is not so new, of Christians wanting to serve God in spirit and truth (as advised by Jesus in John 4:24) and also wanting to be worldly. They want to be spiritual but not too spiritual. They want to be worldly but not too worldly. They want to be associated with Christ and also with the world at the same time. They want to be accepted by Christ and also by the world at the same time. They want to be Christ-like and world-like at the same time. Firstly, Christ and the world don't mix just as light and darkness don't mix . The bible categorically states that "they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:8). Unfortunately appearing sexy is nothing but being worldly. It is impossible for one to serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). You will either serve one and hate the other, or hold one and despise the other. You cannot be a Christian and be worldly at the same time. Am i encouraging people to appear scruffy and unkempt? No! Although i was not there when Jesus walked on the face of the earth, i am sure He didn’t appear scruffy. Few brethren who have seen heaven (either in a vision or a dream) told us that heaven is a very beautiful place. Everything thing there, they said, is sparkling clean and tidy.

I hear people say that they are modern day Christians or civilised Christians. I don’t know what that means but God is not modern or civilised. No wonder the bible refers to Him as the Ancient of Days. The Lord Himself said in Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not.” The argument that many put up is we now live under grace and as such all those things do not matter. Are you trying to say Christ died so that we can throw modesty into the bin? Christ died to restore our relationship, which was broken as a result of sin, with God. Sin causes (and will always cause) separation between us and God (Isaiah 59:1-2).

The line between gospel songs and secular songs have now become so thin that we no longer know the difference. Gospel songs have now become so worldly that people now rock it in clubs. The line between a gospel artist and secular artist is so thin, now , that we no longer know the difference. Unfortunately, some of our Christian gospel artists are the ones promoting looking sexy as a Christian. Not all Christian songs help people get closer to God. Here is how you can test actually if a song is inspired by God, the flesh or Satan as describe by Bro Mack Major. When you hear your favorite gospel song being played, what does it make you feel like doing? Does it inspire you to worship God with all your heart and soul or are you really just moved to dance and gyrate? When you see your favorite gospel artist on stage performing or ministering, are they dressed in a way that speaks to holiness and godliness? Or do they awaken and excite feelings of lust, sensuality and worldliness? Appearing sexy as a Christian will only lead to sexual sins. We are to present our bodies holy and acceptable to God not sexy (Romans 12:1).

NOTE: If it won’t draw people to Christ then don’t indulge in it.

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THE TIME TO FAVOUR

MEMORY VERSE: Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. Psalm 102:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 105-107

Psalm 102:13 says, “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.”  Someone once defined favour as when a single brother goes out in the evening and returns with a wife; i couldn’t agree more. Isaac went out one evening, as a single man, to meditate and returned with a wife ( Genesis 24:63-67). Proverbs 18:22 says, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” Favour is simply getting what you have not worked for. There are several lessons to learn from our memory verse. For instance, there is a time for divine favour. Psalm 102:13 says, “.........for the time to favour her.....” Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” This (time of divine favour) has been set. “........yea, the set time ...” By who? God. Psalm 31:15 says, “My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.” All an individual needs to do, then is exercise patience and continue to serve the Lord in spirit and truth until his set time .

Two things usually happen when an individual's  time of favour comes. Firstly, according to Psalm 102:13, God arises on behalf of the individual. Before your time of favour, it may appear as if God has forgotten you. You may have prayed, fasted, sown seeds, served, lived a righteous life, worshiped and yet, nothing seems to happen. During this time, you may even be subjected to abuse, ridicule and all that. When God arises (from His throne) on behalf of an individual, the individual becomes unstoppable. Let the whole world gather against such an individual , they will fall flat. When God arises on behalf of a man, things will suddenly begin to work in His favour; those who have not taken notice of him will start to take notice of him. When David’s time of favour came, God commanded Samuel, a great prophet, to go and visit him at home and anoint him as king (1 Samuel 16). When Samuel told Jesse to bring his children out, he didn't bother to get David from the field where he was tending sheep.You see when your time of favour comes, men's opinion of you would not matter. Even evil schemes against you will fail. 

Secondly, also according to Psalm 102:13, God  shows mercy to the individual who is to be favoured. What is mercy? It is not getting what you deserve. David by birth didn't deserve to be a king. He was not the son of a king and he didn't come from a royal family. Asides this, according to bible scholars, David was a product of adultery. He himself even confessed and said:  “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. ( Psalm 51:5)”.  This better explains why the old man didn't bring him out when he was told to bring out his children. The law of Moses states that no bastard should be allowed in the temple (Deuteronomy 23:2). When David's time of favour came, God had mercy on him. A bastard who was not allowed anywhere near God's house was suddenly anointed king over Israel. God poured His oil on this boy and his cup ran over. When your day of favour comes, God's mercy will cancel out all the points against you. 

NOTE: Whilst you are waiting for your time of favour, you need to be patient.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

“BUT THE FEARFUL”

MEMORY VERSE: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelations 21:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 20-24

Bible scholars have told us that ‘fear not’ is repeated 365 times in the bible. I suspect it is so because God wants to daily remind us to live every day being fearless. This is what God has to say to those who are living in fear, “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). He continued and said, “Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.” (Isaiah 41:11). He went further still and said, “Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought” (Isaiah 41:12). However, the Lord is not speaking to everyone through the text, Isaiah 41:10-12, that we have just read. No, No, No! For example, if you have just fornicated and you have missed your period, you need to worry. The text, Isaiah 41:10-12, is not for you if you are single and you are in a relationship with a married man or woman, No! Also, the Lord is not speaking to you through Isaiah if you are into fraud whether internet fraud or spam emails. If you don’t repent, very soon you will be exposed. If you are a drug dealer, you need to worry because if you refuse to repent the long arm of the law will soon get hold of you.

The Lord was speaking through Isaiah, in Isaiah 41:10-12, to His own children. Are you a child of God? Have you accepted the Lord as your personal Lord and saviour? There are several reasons why you and i must not entertain fear in our hearts. For example, fear is one of Satan’s greatest weapons which he uses against children of God. According to 1 Peter 5:8, he goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He roars to cause fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Fear causes stagnancy and regression. It leads to indecision. It causes one to loose battle. Fear is contagious. Fear hinders one from entering into Canaan land. God has a Canaan land for every of His children but right inside Canaan land, there are giants who must be dislodged first before one can occupy the land. The bigger the breakthrough, the bigger the opposition you will face. This is why in boxing, a cruiser-weight boxer is matched against cruiser-weight boxer and a heavyweight boxer against heavyweight boxer. If you are a heavyweight, expect a heavyweight opposition. The fearful can never be a friend of God. Why? Fear is the opposite of faith and the bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrew 10:38a says, “Now the just shall live by faith”. Fear causes doubt and the Lord says, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord ”( James 1:6-7). Fear can cause a man to deny God or disobey God. Fear can push a man to do the unthinkable. Fear, if not dealt with, can lead a man to hell. It is fear that causes a man to lie. No wonder the bible says, the fearfully will not make heaven. Revelations 21:8 says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please rid me of fear.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world