FEAR: A LIMITER

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. 

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 22, John 1, Job 40, 2 Cor 10

 

Anyone who will possess his or her possession in Christ must first deal with fear. Not only that, anyone who will reach the top must deal with fear. One of the tools the enemy has been using to keep the children of God at the same position year after year Is fear. Proverbs 29:25 says that the fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Despite all the measures God put in place to protect Job, he managed to get himself into trouble by engaging in fearful thoughts. Job himself said for the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me, Job 3:25. There are many who the fear of witches and wizards have prevented from making progress. They believe if they make any progress, the enemy will come after them. Have you forgotten the bible says that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world, 1 John 4:4? According to Luke 10:19, He has given you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

 

To realize one’s potential in Christ, there are two types of fear we need to deal with. Firstly – Fear of failure. This was what hindered eleven of the twelve disciples of Jesus from walking on water. Everything was set for them; Jesus himself was on the water. All they needed to do was take a step of faith out of the boat but they did not because of the fear of failure. The fear of what if robbed them of their opportunities. The next time the enemy tells you what if you fail, reply him and say what if I don’t fail or what if i succeed. Secondly – fear of responsibility. From the story of Gideon, we will notice that he was born a great man. According to the register in heaven he was a mighty man. That was why the angel asked him to go in his might to deliver his nation from the hand of the Midianites, Judges 6:4. The fact that he was the last born of his father had nothing to do with his divine assignment. He was just using it as an excuse to run away from the responsibility of leading his nation to victory. The fear of responsibilities has robbed many of great future. People suffering from the fear of responsibilities are easy to know, anytime they are sharing duties in the church you will see them running away or giving excuses. The reason why many do not want to work in the vine yard of God is because of fear of responsibilities. The question is how can you become what God has created you to be without taking responsibilities. The higher you go, the more the responsibilities. Until we deal with these fears, we will remain at the position.

 

PRAYER POINT: Father, please uproot the root of fear in me today.

GOD’S DRESS CODE

Genesis 3:21 unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 20, Luke 23, Job 38, 2 Cor 8

 

After Adam and Eve sinned, their eyes were opened and they found out that they were naked. The Lord made coats of skin for them to cover their nakedness. Let us briefly focus on what type of clothes was made for them. The bible records that He made coats of skin or tunic for them. There are three things about these coats of skin or tunic. Firstly, it was not transparent; secondly, it was not tight or it did not reveal their body shape; thirdly and most importantly it covered their nakedness. The fashion world advises otherwise but the reason why God created clothe for man was to cover his nakedness. Bible scholars have actually pointed out that the coat was from their shoulder to their ankle. This is the first occasion in the bible we see God giving humans a dress code. As a child of God, whatever we wear must satisfy at least these three: 1- not transparent; 2- not tight fitting or expose body shape & 3- must cover our nakedness.

 

God is not only interested in covering our physical nakedness but our spiritual nakedness too. The danger of been spiritually naked is that it exposes one to attack. Ephesians 6:12 says we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The question is what is our spiritual dress code? Ephesians 6:11 says put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. According to Ephesians 6:14, we should gird our waist with truth and put on a breastplate of righteousness. John 4:24 says God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 2 Corinthians 6:4-7 says but in all things approving yourself as minister of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and left. Ephesians 6:15 says we should shod our feet in peace. James 3:16-18 says where envying and strife (opposite of peace), there is confusion and every evil work. Ephesians 6:16 says our shield should be of faith. The moment our faith weaver Satan wins. Ephesians 6:17 says our helmet should be a helmet of salvation and our weapon which is the sword – a sword of the spirit which is the word of God. The bible records in Matthew 8:16 that Jesus casted out the spirits with His words. To be fully clothed spiritually one need to put on the whole armour of God. Any fellow studying the word of God but not living in peace is spiritually naked because he is not putting on the whole armour of God. Putting on the helmet of salvation without the breastplate of righteousness is as good as  naked. This is why we need to give our lives to Christ; live a life of righteousness; live in peace with everyone; study the bible regularly; build our faith by hearing by the word of God e.t.c. These are our spiritual dress codes.

 

PRAYER POINT: Father, greatly increase my faith.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTIFYING TO THE GOODNESS OF GOD PART 1

Luke 12:48b for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 19, Luke 22, Job 37, 2 Cor 7
Many of the great things the Lord is doing in the life of His children are under-reported. God has opened doors to many; He has provided through unbelievable means for countless number of people and they are yet to testify; He has healed many of terminal diseases; He has restored marriages; He has done so many wonderful things and people do not testify of His goodness. When you ask them to come and share their testimony they will begin to give excuse. The reason majority give is ‘I am very shy! I can’t talk in front of people’. The question is this; you were not shy to ask Him for your blessings, were you? So, why should you allow this to stop you from giving thanks to Him? Some say ‘my testimony is not that great.’ Sir, no testimony is too small. It may be small for some, but I can assure you there are people who are in need of exactly what you have received; and your testimony will help them. Few say ‘what if I give my testimony and I lose it later?’ If you are the type that thinks this way, you will probably lose it. Not because we want that to happen (not at all), but because you don’t really believe that God has blessed you. If He gave it to you, who can take it away from you? Definitely nobody.  Others say ‘my testimony is very private and I don’t want to share it with anyone’. This is completely understandable and in this case, you don’t necessarily need to speak in front of all, but you can still let your pastor know, so he can tell people what God has done for ‘someone ’, without mentioning who that person is or revealing your identity.
There should be nothing in this world strong enough to prevent us from glorifying God with our testimony. Luke 6:38 says give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. When you share your testimony, you are giving; and what has our Lord promised to those who give?
ACTION: The Lord has laid it on our mind, to create a Facebook page called ‘Testimony Board’. The objective of creating this page is to share testimonies of what the Lord has done and currently doing in the lives of His children. If you want to testify to the whole world about the goodness of God in your life, please send your testimony to my email address s.oluwatoki@gmail.com. As the admin of this page I will add your testimony to this facebook page and the whole world would be able to see it and praise God. You do not need to add any personal details; all that is required is your first name and the initial of your last name. We will also need the city or town you are from. An example would be Samuel.O, London, UK. The details you provide will be added to your testimony.Remember there are no small testimonies!

FOR WHO?

Proverbs 11:17 the merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 18, Luke 21, Job 36, 2 Cor 6

Ecclesiastes 9:10a says whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. Why do we have to do everything with our might? It is because whatever we do, we are doing it for ourselves. When you give a cup of water to a thirsty fellow, you are only preparing a cup of water for yourself in the day you will be thirsty. Proverbs 11:25 says he that waters shall be watered also himself. When the bible talks of been diligent, it is not because God hates us or dislikes seeing us having fun. It is because He wants us to make it to the top. God is not interested in sitting before kings as a matter of fact; it is kings that beg to sit before Him. It is me and you that needs to sit before kings, this is why He admonishes us to be diligent. Proverbs 22:29 says seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. The diligent will sit before kings, if you are diligent and you are yet to sit before kings I can assure you it will happen soon. The diligent will not only sit before kings, they will rule. Proverbs 12:24 says the hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. So if you are diligent, you are doing it for yourself and if you are not well start today.

When you show mercy, you are not doing it for the other party but for your own self. Proverbs 11:17 the merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. When you decide not to forgive because you are hurt, you are only inviting tormentors. The bible says love your neighbor as yourself, Mark 12:31. Many consider it robbery and unfair to love their neighbor as themselves. When you love your neighbor as yourself, it is for your own good. Why? Galatians 5:6 says faith works by love. Faith without love is the equivalent of unbelief or doubt.  Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God. When the bible talks of living a life of holiness, it is for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 says for God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. The main reason why we have to live holy is so that we can see God after death. Hebrews 12:14 says follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Whatever you do for God, it is for your sake. When you join the sanctuary cleaners or workers in the church, to you it might seem as if you are helping the church but in all sincerity it is for your sake and good. What you do is what you will get rewarded for. You can not be a bench warmer in the vine yard of God and expect the reward of a worker. You cannot be serving in the vine yard of God with a carefree attitude and expect the reward of those that are diligent. God does not work that way. When they say come to weekly services, it is not because of offerings it is because of your own good. Everything we do is a seed and whether we like it or not, the seed will grow.

KEYWORD: EVERYTHING WE DO IS A SEED.

PROFITTING FROM WISDOM PT2 – WISDOM SETTLES MATTERS QUICKLY

Ephesians 4:26 be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 17, Luke 20, Job 35, 2 Cor 5

Proverbs 24:3 says through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established. The house referred to in this passage is not only a physical house but relationships. One thing you cannot avoid in relationships is disagreements and misunderstandings. When these come up, it is better to settle them quickly and move on. A wise person would settle matters before they get out of hand but an unwise person would allow it to get out of hand before settling. Not settling matters or issues or disagreements quickly can destroy a marriage that has been built over the years. What most people do not know is that when they settle misunderstanding or disagreements quickly they move on and are able to benefit from the relationship. One thing I will advise is never grow to an extent where you will say I will never need a particular brother or sister. There is no one the Lord cannot use to open doors for you even those people you look down on or believe you will never need their help. Ephesians 4:26 says be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  The problem with not settling matters quickly is that you might need the help of the other party and you will not able to approach them for help.

I once heard the testimony of a pastor. Two years into the ministry he invited a great man of God to come and minister at their second year church anniversary. The man of God gave him his word so he added his name to the list of guest ministers. He put this man’s picture and name on flyers, radio jingles even in advertisements in Christian magazine. Few weeks to the anniversary, this great man of God called the pastor and told him to take his name of the guest list that he was not attending. After spending several thousands of pounds in advertisement and printing flyers, this pastor had no choice than to withdraw all the flyers and reprint them. He also cancelled the radio jingles and made a new one. The anniversary came and went. Instead of deciding never to contact this great man of God again or begin to nurture thoughts that the man of God did that to humiliate him or make him fail, he went to greet him at home. They talked as usual and things moved on from there. Five years later, when this pastor was looking to buy a church property, it was this great man of God that gave him the needed contact. Today, this pastor has a church building of his own courtesy of the contact this great man of God gave to him. The next time you have a disagreement or a misunderstanding, before doing anything ask yourself this question, is this matter enough to destroy a life-long relationship or is this matter enough to destroy all the opportunities I could get from this relationship. By not settling matters quickly in that relationship you complicate things. What most people do not realize is that a bad person today can become a good person tomorrow. There are many who have put themselves in unnecessary problems as a result of not solving matters easily. The next time you are stopped by the police instead of arguing with them, apologize if need be. At work settle matters quickly with your managers and colleagues.

PRAYER POINT: Father as from now on help to profit from wisdom.

THE TURNING POINT Pt3 – UNFORGIVENESS AND TORMENTORS

Matthew 18:34-35 and his master was very angry, and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him .so My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 16, Luke 19, Job 34, 2 Cor 4
BIBLE STUDIES:  Matthew 18:23 -35
In our bible studies is a parable we all know. A servant owed his master ten thousand talents (around six hundred thousand dollars in modern day currency).When the master called him to pay up; he could not so the master commanded that everything belonging to him should be sold including his wife and children. This man begged for mercy and his master forgave all his debt. Another servant owed this servant (the fellow whose debt was forgiven) a hundred denarii (around 0.05 cents). Since that one could not pay up he threw him into jail despite all the pleas and begs for mercy. The master of this servant heard the wicked thing he had done and cast him into jail for the tormentors to deal with him. Because this wicked servant refused to forgive, tormentors began to torture him.  
To experience a positive turning point, forgiveness is highly essential. Unforgiveness is a prevalent plague that causes unnecessary pain to people, even God’s people. The reason why many find it difficult to forgive is the presence of the spirit of unforgiveness. The enemy has been using this spirit to rob many of their joy, peace, progress, breakthrough to mention a few. When an individual refuses to forgive he begins to suffer from resentment, contention, strife and rejection. Not only that, he begins to experience intimidation and condemnation. According to Luke 11:24 -26, when an evil spirit is in a life, he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and the last state of that man is worse than the first. When the spirit of unforgiveness is present in a life , he brings no less than thirty three other demons some which are hate, anger/rage , vendetta, lying spirit, blindness, deafness, loneliness, addictions, illness ,rejection, abandonment, un-correctability, un-mercifulness, discontentment, contempt, coveting, hoarding, animosity, accusation to mention a few. These demons are known as tormentors. Sometimes they will bring unnecessary fear or anger or hatred without cause. When you chose not to forgive you give room to hate, anger, loneliness, abandonment e.t.c. By refusing to forgive, you turn your life to a habitation for tormentors. The question is how can a man experience a positive turning point when under mercy of the spirit of tormentors? Today I want to appeal you, regardless of what people have done to wrong you; they may not deserve your forgiveness but for your own mental health and for you to rid yourself of the spirit of tormentors please forgive. You may have been raped or abused as a child or let down or disappointed or taken advantage of. The only way to get rid of the anger or hatred or the spirit of tormentors is forgiveness.
 PRAYER POINT: Father, please rid me of the spirit of unforgiveness.

THE TURNING POINT Pt2

James 1:22 but be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 15, Luke 18, Job 33, 2 Cor 3

In part 1 of these series, we defined a turning point as the point at which everything changes either for good or bad. There are three major things that mark the beginning of every turning point in a man’s life. Firstly, what he hears. What a man hears can either make him happy or sad. It can either motivate him or de-motivate him. It can either propel him forward or drive him backwards. Secondly, how he responds to what he has heard. Today we will be looking at the different types of responses and their results.

 James 1:22 says be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 
There are three types of responses. The first type of response is no response. An example of this is found in Matthew 14:22-33. A major turning point was about to take place in the life of the disciples of Jesus. Prior to that day, no man had ever walked on water. The twelve of them heard Jesus say ‘come’ but eleven of them decided to remain in the boat. Heaven had already initiated their turning point but they decided not to respond at all. Since there was no response, there was no turning point. They remained at the level they were, sadly they never had the opportunity again. The second type of response is opposite or negative response. An example of this is found in the life of Uzziah, 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. Uzziah prospered in everything he laid his hands on. One day he decided to go and burn incense on the altar of incense which was improper for kings. On his way, Azariah and eighty other priests of God met him and appealed to the king not to burn incense on the altar of incense. The king did the exact opposite of what he was told and right in the temple he became a leper. A turning point was also initiated in the life of Uzziah; he heard and did the complete opposite. Uzziah became the first king in Israel to become a leper. The third type of response is positive response. An example of this is found in the life of Isaac, Genesis 26:1-13. There was famine in the land and Isaac decided to go to Egypt. The Lord told him not to go and he responded positively by staying in Gerar. Whilst in Gerar, the Lord made him so prosperous to the extent that a whole nation envied him. Isaac heard and he responded positively to what he heard. Mark 4:24 says And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. Thirdly, the outcome of his response. If a man responds positively to what he has heard, he will experience a positive outcome which leads to a positive turning point. The question is what are your responses to what you have heard? You have heard that smoking is bad for your health, what is your response? You have heard that when you pay your tithes the Lord opens the window of heaven and rebuke the devourers on your behalf, what is your response?

PRAYER POINT: Father, give me the grace to respond positively to everything I have heard and will hear from you.