WHO YOU KNOW MATTERS

MEMORY VERSE: And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Daniel 11:32

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 120-121

BIBLE READING: Mark 5:25-34

In the secular world, it is not what you know but who you know. For instance, if there is a request for tender (a formal, structured invitation to suppliers, to bid, to supply products or services) in an organization, and you happen to know one high ranking officer in that organization, you could end up being awarded the contract. Or, if there is a job vacancy in an organization and you happen to know someone who knows the chairman of that organization, you can be rest assured that you will automatically get an interview; if you perform well you will get the job. I have heard many say the concept of 'it is not what you know but who you know' only happens in poor countries;it is a lie. It happens everywhere even in the so-called advanced nations. Hence the need to always pray for divine connection. If you know the right people – men of timber and caliber – and you are humble, the sky is your limit. The Lord will use them to help you.

When it comes to spiritual matters, who you know matters. Daniel 11:32 says, “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” It is possible to have a PhD and still be jobless. There are instances of people with ordinary ‘O’ level result employing PhD holders. It is possible to be a medical doctor and be barren. It is possible to be a General Practitioner (GP) and still fall sick. So it is not what you know, but who you know. I don’t think the woman with the issue of blood was a novice when it comes to general health and wellbeing. She had spoken to several top physicians and she had lived with that condition for over twelve years so she must know a lot about her condition and other issues relating to health. Even the so-called doctors who knew a lot about blood hemorrhage could not help her. Thank God she met Jesus Christ. She made contact with Him by touching Him and her condition of twelve years was healed.

Not only was the woman with the issue of blood sick, she was poor. Mark 5:26 says, “And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.” This woman was poor not because she was wasteful or because she didn't have financial intelligence. She was poor because she was too weak to work and she had spent all her savings trying to get a cure for her sickness. After Jesus made her whole, she was able to seek employment or start a business and tithe and enjoy expansion. Asides from the fact that she was sick and poor, she was also lonely. She neither had a husband nor a child. She was lonely for several reasons. Firstly, she had a flow of blood which rendered her unclean and as far as a woman is unclean, no one especially men will come near her. Even if a man came near her, she couldn’t conceive because she kept on bleeding. However, one day she heard about Jesus and came to Him. After He made her whole, loneliness became a thing of the past in her life. She could now marry and have children. Who you know matters. The word of the Lord says Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). If you know Christ, you are assured of a great tomorrow. How does one know Christ? Accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Spend quality time at His feet studying and meditating on scriptures. Also spend time praying and fasting. The more time you spend with Him in the closet, the more revelation He will give to you. Revelation will set you apart in this generation.

QUESTION: Do you know God? If you know God, do you things that He loves?

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EXPECT A CHANGE OF NAME

MEMORY VERSE: Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. Isaiah 62:4

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 21-24

Names are very important. They are so important, the word of God says if you are asked to pick between a good name and great riches; pick a good name. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Why are names so important? Your name can either make your or break you. Bro Jabez – whose name means pain – suffered from pain all his life until he cried unto the Lord (2 Chronicles 4:9-10). His life, from the day he was born, was synonymous with pain. On the other hand, Solomon also known as Jedidah (Beloved of the Most High) enjoyed God’s attention and love all through his life. When he asked God for one thing, the Lord game him two. He asked for wisdom, the Lord gave him wisdom and great riches. Just by changing your name, your lot in life can change. Not until God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, and Sarai’s name to Sarah, the promise of a child did not materialze. What you call yourself matters. This is why you must never call yourself a failure because you failed one exam. Thomas Edison failed several times before he invented a light bulb.If names were not important, the Lord would not have bothered to give Jesus a name.

We live in a world where people prefer to address one by his challenges not name. Everyone knew Elizabeth’s name yet they called her “barren” because she had no child. Luke 1:36 says, “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.” Everyone knew Bartimaeus’ name. His name was Bartimaeus Timaeus, yet people referred to him as blind Bartimaeus. Jesus healed him over 2000 years ago, yet, many of us still refer to him as blind Bartimaeus. Whilst we were in high school, there was one of our classmates who was nicked name “Egbon Jebete” because he was very short.(Mind you he didn't like the name ). Although he was very short, he was very tough. Most of the junior students who were taller than him could not bully him. Several years after we graduated from high school, he came to the UK and we decided to meet up. When I saw him, he had changed. We were almost the same height. I could not call him by his nickname anymore because he had grown so tall. He is now taller than most of those who referred to him as Egbon Jebete back in high school. Isaiah 62:4 says, “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.” I don’t know what name people are calling you but the Most High God will change your situation, and people who used to call you funny names will no longer be able to do so. God turned my short friend's -now very tall - life around so much that we don't even remember "the" nick name. Expect a new name because in this season God will grant your petition and those who have been calling you barren will now be forced to call you a mother. In this season, God will work wonders in your life and those who have been regarding you as Ms 'so and so' will begin to refer to you as Mrs. 'so and so'. In this season, God will change your name from a borrower to a lender.

PRAYER POINT: Father, remember me oh Lord.

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BUT BY MY SPIRIT

MEMORY VERSE: David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 1 Samuel 17:37

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 1-3

BIBLE READING: Judges 14:5-6

Zechariah 4:6 says, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” There are several facts we can draw from this popular text. Firstly, with human strength - synonym for might - you are limited. For instance, no matter how strong you are, you will experience tiredness from time to time especially after a hard day’s work. Even the youths (symbol of strength) grow tired and become weary (Isaiah 40:30). You will accomplish very little with your human strength. Hence, the word of God says: “Not by might”. When it comes to dealing with the issues of life and challenges, human strength will avail you nothing. 1 Samuel 2:9 says, “He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” Secondly, with human will /influence /talent /skill -synonyms for power- you are limited. The centurion whom Jesus healed his servant had power /authority /influence /connection but could not heal his servant (Luke 7:1-10). That centurion, despite all he had, was limited. You will accomplish very little with your human power. If you don’t believe me, speak to people who make New Year resolutions at the beginning of each year. With all their power (physical, mental and emotional), five weeks into the New Year they would have broken their New Year resolutions. Might i add to it, you will accomplish very little with your boldness. The enemy is not intimidated by your boldness. It is only by the Spirit of the Lord that you will emerge as a victor! It is only by the Spirit of the Lord that you will start a project and complete it.

You will only defeat Goliath by the Spirit of the Lord not by swords or Saul’s armour. 1 Samuel 17:37 says, “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” David couldn’t have killed the lion and the bear by his power or might. An average adult lion weighs 190kg. The average height of a fully grown lion is 4ft tall and 6ft long. How can a boy, under the age of 16, kill a lion? The average weight of a fully grown bear is 365kg; average length is 7ft long. David stood no chance with a bear talk-less of a 9ft giant. But by the spirit of God, he defeated the lion, the bear and Goliath. Samson couldn’t have killed the lion by his strength. Judges 14:6 says, “And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.” Without the Spirit of the Lord, you cannot defeat Goliath. (A goliath is simply anything that is standing between you and God’s plan for your life). Only the Spirit of the Lord can help you defeat that fellow who is standing between you and your promotion at your place of work. Without the Spirit of the Lord, you cannot destroy those lions that are harassing you and roaring at you. Your human strength has yielded no results, why not try Jesus. He saves – not only from sin but - from everything!

NOTE: Human power may fail but Jesus never fails.

PRAYER POINT: Father, deal with every lion harassing me in Jesus name.

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LAZARUS SLEPT

MEMORY VERSE: These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. John 11:11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 7- 8

Someone once said, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”. What a true statement. There is a need to change the way you look at things. Not until you change the way you look at that situation, it may not change for the better. Firstly, how you see that situation you are facing will determine your confession. Luke 6:45 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Jesus saw Lazarus as one that slept not a dead man. No wonder He told His disciples that He was going to wake him out of sleep. Your confession matters. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Your confession will determine how that challenge will end. Numbers 14:28 says, “Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you.” What God hears you say is what you will have. Joel 3:10 says, “Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” What you confess is what you will have. When David confessed that he was going to kill Goliath and cut off his head, he did not have a sword talk-less of a knife on him. Actually, all he had on him that day was a sling and some stones. But God heard that young boy on that day and granted his confession. David slung a stone and Goliath went down. He ran to him, grabbed Goliath's sword, the only available sword big enough to cut Goliath's head, and cut off his head with it. 

Secondly, how you see that situation you are facing will determine how you  will react to it or tackle it. When Jesus got to the tomb of Lazarus, He called him out like one who was calling a friend who was fast asleep. He didn’t ask them to bring the corpse of Lazarus and lay hands on it. The reason why a lot of us cry when we face challenges is because we think it is over or we think it is beyond God. When Herod threw Peter into prison, what did Peter do? He slept (Acts 12:1-12). He slept because of his confidence in God. He slept so deep that the angel of the Lord had to punch him at the side before he woke up. Even at that, he wasn't fully awake until the angel led him out. In Matthew 8:23-27, Jesus was fast asleep when the storm arose and beat against the boat He was in. Friend, it is not over. Why did Saul and his men run from Goliath? They saw him as an indomitable lion. David on other hand saw him as a dog. Hence, he charged at him with a sling and a stone. The reason why you are running from that project is because you think it will crush you. Others who did the same project and completed it are not in any way better than you. The difference between you and them is how you see the project.Some brothers are afraid of approaching some sisters to propose to them despite the fact that they have prayed and gotten a go ahead from heaven. Maybe because they think the sister is too good for them or they are not in her level. If God is leading you to her then you must be in her level. Brother, don't be afraid to approach that sister. You will be shocked that God has already spoke to her and she is only waiting for you to make the move. 

 

PRAYER POINT: Father, i receive boldness to take on my Goliaths.

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THE WORD OF WISDOM

MEMORY VERSE: For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrew 8-10

What is wisdom? Wisdom is the application of knowledge. Just as there are four kinds of knowledge, also there are four kinds of wisdom. Firstly, there is the “natural human wisdom” which is simply naturally applied knowledge. This kind of wisdom is obviously on the increase, since knowledge is so much on the increase. Of course, compared to God’s wisdom, man’s wisdom is foolishness. The wisdom of the natural man will one day pass away. 1 Corinthians 1:19 says, “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Secondly, there is the “fallen world’s supernatural wisdom.” The enemy in Genesis 3 used the fallen world’s supernatural wisdom and knowledge to tempt the first man and woman to disobey God's commandments. Genesis 3:6 says, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and ‘a tree to be desired to make one wise’, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” This kind of wisdom was, and continues to be, forbidden by God. Man already had natural wisdom, which was good, but now he opened himself up to supernatural evil knowledge, and the application of it, evil wisdom, which until then existed only among the fallen angels. Astrology is an example of counterfeit wisdom today.

Thirdly, there is the true intellectual wisdom. The Book of Proverbs and King Solomon’s wisdom are good examples of this. We are told to get this kind of wisdom (Proverbs 4:7). This wisdom comes by respecting the Lord and the Word of God. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” This wisdom also comes by studying God’s word which can be understood only as it is revealed by the Holy Spirit. In other to do this, you must first receive Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). The fourth kind of wisdom is the supernatural gift of the “word of wisdom”. It is the sudden and miraculous giving of wisdom to meet a particular situation, or answer a particular question, or utilize a particular piece of knowledge, natural or supernatural. This kind of wisdom is not a human ability, but the sheer gift of God. An example of the “word of wisdom” is found in Genesis 41. Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream was not natural wisdom or wisdom through study and preparation;he was given an immediate supernatural answer. Joseph was on the spot. He had been let out of prison just long enough to be given a chance to interpret this dream. However, the wise counsel – the need of appointing a wise leader and officers, and how to store the needed food for the time of famine- was true intellectual wisdom that God had given Joseph, and which he used continually. Another example of the “word of wisdom” is found in Matthew 22:15-22 where the Pharisees tried to entangle Jesus in His words by asking if men should pay tributes to Caesar or not. Jesus answered with a word of wisdom: "Render therefore unto Caesar which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” There are other examples in the scriptures. For instance, Apostle Paul was certainly not trained in seamanship, yet when he was involved in a shipwreck, he so took command of the situation that even though he was a prisoner being taken to Rome, the Roman officer listen to him with respect ( Acts 27:21-35).

PRAYER POINT: Father, please fill me with Your wisdom

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DON’T BE UNEQUALLY YOKED WITH UNBELIEVERS.

MEMORY VERSE: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Micah

We make important decisions every day. Majority of them affect others and the impact can last for a lifetime and on through eternity. The most important decision you will ever make is salvation. Why is it the most important decision? That decision will determine your future. The word of the Lord clearly says: “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him” (Isaiah 3:10-11). Not only that, it will determine what your expectation will be. According to Colossians 1:27, Christ in you, the hope of glory. The Most High God will see to it that none of His children is put to shame. Most importantly, that decision to give your life to Christ will determine where you will spend your eternity. John 3:3 says, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The second most important decision is who you marry (if you are yet to marry). Asides the obvious fact that marrying the wrong person can make one’s life hell on earth, marrying the wrong person drastically reduces one’s chances of making it to heaven. According to Mark 10:8, you are one flesh with whoever you are married to. It will be difficult for one to make heaven without the other.

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?” To those who have been asking how to know God’s will in marriage, your answer is right there in 2 Corinthians 6:14. There is the general will and specific will in marriage. The general will is highlighted in our memory verse – "be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers". As a single Christian brother or sister, you must not marry an unbeliever. God will never lead any of His children into courtship with an unbeliever. No! Some have deluded themselves into thinking that they can marry the fellow and change him or her later. You are making a big mistake. Don’t do it. The first question i will expect any child of God to ask a brother who proposes is are you born again. If a sister is not born again, she is not God’s will for you. No matter how well mannered and how well behaved she maybe. It does not matter how caring a brother is, if he is not saved he is not God’s will for you. There is no need asking God if you can marry an unbeliever because the answer is already no even before you pray. Someone asked how about the so-called brothers and sisters who claim they are born again but indeed they are not. The bible says “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles” (Matthew 7:16). The bible did not say you will know them by their Facebook posts or bible quotation. The devil knows the bible and he quotes them regularly. It is not even by parent’s position in the church. Hophni and Phinehas were sons of the prophet, yet they were sleeping with women in the church. One important thing, make sure you carry your pastors along in the process as they will be praying for you. Also, let your pastors know what is happening especially when you enter into any relationship.

NOTE: Anyone who marries an unbeliever will have the devil as an in-law.

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THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

MEMORY VERSE: For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:8

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 29-30

It is important that you know about spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:1 says, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” Today, we will look at the “word of knowledge”. There are four basic types of knowledge in the world today. Firstly, there is the "natural human knowledge". This type of knowledge is on the increase today. Daniel 12:4 says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” There is so much knowledge out there that supercomputers are being  employed to store and process the tremendous stock-pile of facts, since it has gone beyond the human mind to do so in any reasonable length of time. As important as the natural human knowledge is, it often creates so much pride – it has even led many scientists and think tanks to believe there is no God. According to 1 Corinthians 8:1, knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. Not only that, it has kept a lot of people from entering into the knowledge of our God.  1 Corinthians 2:14 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.” Secondly, there is the “fallen world’s supernatural knowledge”. This is the natural mind’s attempt to gain information by supernatural means either through the occult, psychic or metaphysical investigations which Satan is using to ensnare an increasing number of people today. Please note, the fact that something is supernatural does not mean it is from God. Fortunetelling, clairvoyance, mind reading, astrology, witchcraft, spiritism, etc, all come under the fallen world’s supernatural knowledge. 

Thirdly, there is the true intellectual knowledge. This comes from knowing God personally through Jesus Christ ( John 17:3, Philippians 3:10), being filled with the Holy Spirit, and through studying the Word of God, which brings the knowledge of God’s will and His ways, for which there is no substitute ( Psalms 103:17; Exodus 33:13). Just as the natural human knowledge is growing, the true intellectual knowledge is also growing. Isaiah 11:9 says, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Whilst man’s knowledge will one day pass away, the knowledge of God is permanent and will last through eternity. The fourth is the “word of knowledge”. It is the supernatural revelation of facts past, present, or future which are not learned through the efforts of the natural mind. It maybe described as the Mind of Christ being manifested to the mind of the believer, and is given when needed in a flash of time (1 Corinthians 2:16).  This gift is used to protect the Christian, to show him how to pray more effectively, or to show him how to help others. This spiritual gift is not a human “ability” at all, but sheer gift of God. It is manifested as a result of staying close to the Lord. If a believer suddenly became aware, without receiving the knowledge through any natural channels that a friend was in trouble, and needed his prayers and help, that would not be “extrasensory perception, but rather God manifesting the gift of the “word of knowledge” The gifts of the Holy Spirit come from and through the Holy Spirit to our spirit, and not from or through the soul or physical senses. 1 Corinthians 12:8 says,” For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit.” The “word of knowledge” was used to expose Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27).  It was used to recover lost persons or property, as in the case of Saul and the lost donkeys (1 Samuel 9:15-20; 10:21-23).  The “word of knowledge” can give information in seemingly very prosaic matters. God is concerned about every human need.

NOTE: These gifts are given to profit and benefit one another. They must not be misused. When God chooses to share His knowledge with us, it is for a purpose. It is not given just to make us feel “spiritual” or clever!

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world