HEAT AND EXPANSION

MEMORY VERSE: and the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth, Genesis 7:17.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1Kgs 2, Gal 6, Ezek 33, Ps 20-21

Anyone who did physics in secondary school must have heard of the word thermal expansion. It is the tendency of matter to CHANGE IN VOLUME IN RESPONSE TO A CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE. In other words, getting HOTTER equals getting BIGGER. A classical example is a thermometer. The liquid in a thermometer (mercury or alcohol) is constructed to flow in one direction (along the tube) due to changes in volume brought about by changes in temperature. As the room temperature INCREASES, the liquid in the thermometer begins to EXPAND and GROW LONGER towards to the red line. The liquid CONTRACTS and becomes SMALLER when the room temperature DROPS. THINGS EXPAND WITH THE ADDITION OF HEAT AND CONTRACT WHEN HEAT IS REMOVED.

The story of Noah is a very popular one. The Lord told him to build an ark and gather all the animals in the ark because He wanted to destroy the world with water. Noah built the ark and informed everyone about the rain but they laughed him to scorn. Noah got into the ark with animals and it began to rain.The bible records that and the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift above the earth (Genesis 7:17). Many of us know the end of the story.

Water signifies big challenges spiritually. Isaiah 43:2 says when you go through waters I will be with you. The water referred to is challenges and problem. From our memory verse we see that it was the water that bare the ark up. As the water INCREASED, the ark went up HIGHER. Brethren, CHALLENGES are very good because they cause us to GROW. During challenges we pray more and fast more. THE HARDER THE EXAM, THE BIGGER THE REWARD. How does an ordinary student end up as a lawyer, doctor, accountant etc? It is through HEAT and PRESSURE. When a student goes to school, he studies hard. He subjects himself to a lot of pressure; he reads during day and at night when others are sleeping. It is this HEAT and PRESSURE that transforms this student into a GRADUATE. Spiritually the more assignments you are willing to take in Christ, the more you will expand in Him. Spiritual growth involves a lot of work. It involves a lot of fasting, praying, deep bible studies, praying in tongues etc. The reason why God allows us to face challenges at time is to expand us. The moment one refuses to be STRETCHED, that fellow will start to SHRINK. Heat represents inconvenience, stress, challenges, disappointments etc. It is HEAT that turns an ordinary STONE to into GOLD! Without heat there will be no expansion. 

WISE SAYING: It is the stress in the catapult that drives the stone forward.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus

KNOW YOUR LOCATION

MEMORY VERSE: and Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took break, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting in on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away; and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba and the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot; for she said, let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept, Genesis 21:14-16.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1Kgs 1, Gal 5, Ezek 32, Ps 19

The PLAN and PURPOSE of God for our lives is tied to certain LOCATIONS. Because of the FAMINE in the land, Isaac tried to RELOCATE to EGYPT but the Lord WARNED him against the move (Genesis 26:1-3). He remained at GERAR and the Lord PROSPERED him there. Joseph on the other hand wanted to remain in CANAAN with his father, but the Lord MOVED HIM to EGYPT (Genesis 37:28-36). By the time we get to Genesis 41:37-43, the Lord had made him a PRIME MINISTER in EGYPT. The PROMISES of God for your life is tied to a certain LOCATION, until you GET to that LOCATION  those PROMISES might not MATERIALIZE.

God divinely placed Hagar to be Sarah’s handmaid. John 3:27 says a man receives nothing except it be giving by God. It was not a stroke of luck that Hagar got pregnant for Abraham. This young woman did not APPRECIATE where God had put her ( her location) and began to cause problems. She began to teach her son to act rudely towards Sarah and Isaac. The matter got to Abraham and that one sent them packing. Hagar’s LACK OF CHARACTER caused her to be ejected from her location and she paid dearly for it.

There are one or two reasons why you need to KNOW YOUR LOCATION AND REMAIN AT YOUR LOCATION. When your LOCATION changes ; your CHALLENGES changes. When Hagar was with Abraham, she never experienced thirst but the moment she was sent away, she began to experience thirst. When your LOCATION changes the following also changes: your SUPPORT NETWORK changes; your SUPPLY changes; your RATE OF PROGRESS changes; your ACCESS TO RESOURCES  changes; your PROTECTION changes. Because her LOCATION changed, her FRIENDS  changed – the wild animals in the wilderness became her friends. Hagar who used to ride on donkeys and horses began to walk on foot because she did not APPRECIATE WHERE GOD HAD PUT HER.  David said there is but a step between ME and DEATH (1 Samuel 20:3). In other words there is but a step between LIFE and DEATH, and that step could be moving from ONE’S location or REMAINING AT THE WRONG location. There is a PLACE where God has created for you and that is your location. If you are where God wants you to be i.e. your location, you can be rest assured that HE will be there with you.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please show me my location?

 

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus. 

ATTENTION SEEKING

MEMORY VERSE: ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God, James 4:4. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 24, Gal 4, Ezek 31, Ps 18 

 Have you ever wondered, why some people turn their car stereo so loud on a busy street and turn it down on the motor way? Although it is an immature thing to do, the motive behind it is to get the attention of passersby. Why does a young lady go out of the house in a dress that exposes part of the body that is meant to be covered or in tight clothes? If some of these ladies want to be sincere, they will tell you that they feel uncomfortable wearing them. The motive behind it, is to get the attention of un-serious men like them. The number one reason why students join cults in the university is not because they want protection; all they want is just attention. They want the whole school to know they are bad, that’s all. 

One thing with attention seeking is that people seek the attention of individuals that are dear to them or individuals whose opinion they hold in high esteem. 

The bible describes Job as a perfect and upright man, who feared God and eschewed evil (Job 1:1). Why be so perfect? Job understood that one of the ways to get God’s attention is by being perfect just as God is (Matthew 5:48). Aside from the obvious fact that you can get God’s attention by loving righteousness and hating evil, by becoming the enemy of the world you attract God’s attention. James 4:4 says ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. To get God’s attention, start doing what likes. Obey Him to the letter (John 15:14). Don’t join the world to draw tattoos or get your body pierced (Leviticus 19:28); Stop attending late night parties ( Romans 13:13); Start reading your bible regularly (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3); Pay your tithes (Malachi 3:8); Start witnessing (Matthew 12:30); start bearing spiritual fruits (Galatians 5:22-23) ; regularly sing praise to God ( Psalm 34:1); start functioning in one department or the other at church ( Hebrew 11:6, Rev 22:12); give sacrificially (Luke 6:38, Proverbs 11:25). 

PRAYER POINT: Father, as I seek your attention please turn your face towards me. 

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

AROUND THE WELL AND STILL THIRSTY

MEMORY VERSE: and God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottled with water, and gave the lad the drink, Genesis 21:19.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 23, Gal 3, Ezek 30, Ps 17

BIBLE STUDIES: Genesis 21:15-20

 Water they say is the source of life. Medical science thought us that the human body is made up of over 70 percent water. Geography thought us that about 70 percent of the planet is covered in ocean, and the average depth of the ocean is several thousand feet (about 1,000 meters). Hence the value of water cannot be overstated. A well is a reservoir of water.

Whilst going through Genesis 21:15-20, the Holy Spirit brought my attention to one or two things. Firstly, a fellow can be beside a well and still thirst. In Genesis 21:15 -16, Hagar and her son were beside a well and yet they were thirsty. One could be surrounded by opportunities and still complain of lack of opportunities. Because Hagar could not see, she and her son thirst around the well. There are many of us surrounded by opportunities but we can’t see them, we need to pray for vision. Prayer Point: Father, please open my eyes to see opportunities around me.

Secondly, the fact that you can see the well is not a guarantee that you will be able to draw from it. In Genesis 24:11-15 the servant of Abraham saw a well but had to wait for Rebekah because he had nothing to draw with. You need a drawing bucket to draw water from the well. You need means or provisions to take advantage of an opportunity. A brilliant business idea with no provision to start it is as good as no business idea.  Prayer Point: Father, please provide for me so that I can take advantage of the opportunities around me.

Thirdly, a fellow who wants to draw water from the well must be ready for work. To avail one’s self of the content of the well, one must throw the drawing bucket into the well and draw water. God has presented you with a business idea and you have some money with you, start little. You are around people who can counsel you about business go and meet them for counsel. God is laying it on your mind to start a ministry and you have friends in that ministry, approach them for counsel. You have found a sister or brother you want to spend your life with, meet your pastors and ask them to pray with you. Prayer Point: Father, please give me the grace to take positive steps towards the accomplishment of your goals for my life.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

UNDERMINING THE ENEMY

UNDMEMORY VERSE: give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts, Proverbs 31:6. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 22, Gal 2, Ezek 29, Ps 15-16 

The wife of Potiphar approached Joseph and told him I want to destroy you (Genesis 39:7-12). Wait a minute… she said ‘lie with me’ not ‘I want to destroy you’. Well Proverbs 2:14 says the mouth of a strange woman (adulterous woman or immoral woman) is a deep pit and he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. Proverbs 22:22 compares anyone going after strange women to an ox taken to the abattoir for slaughter. So anyone inviting you to fornicate with them is politely offering to destroy you. The wife of Potiphar did not hide her intentions, she made it known from the start that my mission is to bring you down and Joseph did not take her serious. 

Joseph undermined her; he thought within himself ‘I carry the grace of God so I can’t fall’. When he least expected, the wife of Potiphar grabbed him and said today is today; although he escaped, he ended up in the king’s prison. Joseph had ample time to put measures in to place but he didn’t. He could have brought the attention of people to the conduct of this woman but he didn’t. He knew the wife of Potiphar was in the house, he could have brought someone along with him but he didn’t. This boy just threw caution into the wind and went inside the house when no one was at home. 

There are several believers today who are undermining the enemy. That brother or sister who always wants to be alone with you in a secluded area is an enemy. Those little white lies are enemies; the moment you are caught you become a liar. Those late night movies tagged ‘adult only’ are enemies, one can become addicted to them. Those so called bottles of beer you call source of iron e.g. Guinness are enemies. I even heard it is called blood tonic and people make punch with it. According to Proverbs 31:6 , only those who want to perish are permitted to drink. Alcohol is far more dangerous than any drug you can think of. The effect of drugs is immediate but alcohol settles in first before causing harm. Whilst sitting and consuming alcohol everything seems fine, you smile and chat as normal. The moment you stand to walk, its effect kicks in. If you are not careful, you may fall and sustain injuries. Statistics have shown that alcohol kills more than drugs and guns.  

PRAYER POINT: Father. Please open my eyes to see the enemies of my soul and give me the wisdom to deal with them.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus

‘POTIPHAR’S WIFE’ – THE STRATEGY

MEMORY VERSE: And it came to pass about this time that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.And she caught him by his garment, saying, lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out, Genesis 39:11-12.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 21, Gal 1, Ezek 28, Ps 13-14

‘Potiphar’s wife’ represents enemies whose sole objective is to destroy men and women with great potentials before they are discovered. There are one or two things we need to know about her. She is subtle and very cunning. I have always wondered how she managed to seduce Joseph day by day and no one around noticed. She is also very patient and persistent. She never takes no for an answer. Joseph would say no today, the next morning she would return with a smile saying , “dear Joseph what about what we discussed yesterday”, and this continued for days. ‘Potiphar’s wife’ never gives up until she accomplishes her mission. Despite the fact that Samson kept on saying no, Delilah kept coming back. At a point Samson got tired and gave in, before you know it he was in chains (Judges 16:4-23). 

‘Potiphar’s wife’ attacks when one is most vulnerable. She kept an eye of Joseph’s movement, she watched him for many days. The bible records that and it came to pass about this time that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out (Genesis 39:11-12).

Potiphar’s wife attacks when no one is watching. This is why the bible admonishes us to walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15). How does one deal with ‘Potiphar’s wife’? How does one deal with a brother or sister who is always pestering one to go into sin with them? The answer is flee! 1 Thessalonian 5:22 says flee from all appearance of evil. Don’t rebuke Potiphar’s wife because it is ineffective; don’t abuse her because she knows no shame; don’t threaten her because she is determined. The only solution is flee from her. If you are in a relationship where the other party is asking you to lie with them carnally , flee from them! If you remain in that relationship he or she will continue to pester you and one day you will fall. Many instead of fleeing, remain in the relationship and keep saying no. At a point they become tired and give in, few days after that the relationship breaks down and before you know it is over. If you have been in that position, I pray that the Lord almighty will heal you in Jesus name, amen.

ACTION POINT: Rebuke demons but flee from ‘Potiphar’s wife’

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus

BEWARE OF POTIPHAR'S WIFE

MEMORY VERSE: And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured, Genesis 39:6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 20, 2 Cor 13, Ezek 27, Ps 11-12

The enemy is always after individuals with great destinies – prime ministers, heads of state, presidents, kings, queens, governors, lawyers, bishops, CEOs, pastors, entrepreneurs, scientists, inventors’ e.t.c in the making. So if you are always experiencing challenges, it could be that you are a great man or woman in the making.  Potiphar’s wife represents enemies whose sole objective is to destroy men and women with great potentials before they are discovered. The wife of Potiphar recognized the potential in Joseph and began to lure him to bed in other that he might sin against God. Thank God Joseph was wiser.

Out of all the young men serving under Potiphar she picked Joseph, why? Firstly, Joseph was in a position of authority and trust. His master entrusted him with all that he had. Genesis 39:6a says and he left all that he in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not out he had, save the bread which he did eat. Potiphar’s wife is always after people (especially young men and women) who are in the position of authority or people who are holding a position of trust. She is always after youths who the Lord has entrusted great assignments into their hands. She is aware of their potential and would do anything to ensure that she destroys them before they are discovered. This is why I always warn young people occupying positions of authority to be wary of the opposite sex.

Secondly, Joseph was a goodly man, Genesis 39:6b. Portiphar’s wife is always looking for young innocent youths to destroy. They are present in the church.They are not ready to give their lives to Christ. They only come to get a brother or sister to marry. Thirdly, Joseph was well favored and things were working for him, Genesis 39:6c. ‘Potiphar’s wife’ is always invisible when one is struggling, the moment things begins to work in one’s favor they begin to appear. When Joseph was a nobody, she didn’t trouble him but immediately he became the head she tried to befriend him. I want you to know that the Lord who protected Joseph is still alive and He will protect you in Jesus name, amen.

PRAYER POINT: Father, protect me from the hunters of destiny.

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.