BUILT ON SAND

MEMORY VERSE: And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:26-27

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 4

Jesus, in Matthew 7:24-27, likened everyone who heard Him to a builder. Verse 24 says: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock”. Verse 26 says: “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.” He likened those who built their lives, marriages, ministries, homes, etc, on the Word to a man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:25). He likened those who ignored His teachings to a man who built his house on the sand.

What type of builder are you? Are you building on the rock or on the sand? Many lives / marriages / ministries / businesses / relationships / homes are built on the “sand of human wisdom and philosophy”. Apostle Paul warns against building on human wisdom / common sense and philosophy. Colossians 2:8 says: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Anything built on human wisdom or philosophy will crumble when the storm of life blows. Any marriage or relationship that is built on love-at-first-sight may crumble when the storm of life blows. Any ministry that is built on intellect, positive thinking and psychology will crumble when the forces of darkness attack. Apostle Paul built his ministry on the spirit of power (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). There is also the “sand of tradition of religion”. Over the years, the church has built up traditions which people base their lives on without asking whether they are scriptural or not. The Pharisees accosted Jesus several times about His disciples violating the “tradition of the elders”. Matthew 15:2 says: “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.” What are some of the traditions of the elders we still practise today? Burning of candles and incenses. Other popular “tradition of the elders” is widows wearing black cloth and shaving their hair for life. All these are not scriptural. Friends, check whether what you are practising is the “tradition of the elders”  or God’s commandment. There is the “sand of fables”. Fables are stories and tales cleverly invented by the human mind. Paul, in his letter to his son-in-the-Lord Timothy, wrote: “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.”

QUESTION: Are you building your life on the Word or philosophy? Are you building your life on the Word or nice phrases like “heaven help those who help themselves”?

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

THE BEREAN CHRISTIANS

MEMORY VERSE: And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 3:1- End

The author of the book of Acts, Luke, compared two Jewish Christians in Acts 17 vs 10-11: The Christians in Berea and the Christians in Thessalonica. The Christians in Berea were nobler than those in Thessalonica. They received the word of God when it was preached to them. They listened with rapt attention. The brethren in Thessalonica, on the other hand, didn’t receive the word of God. They challenged everything. “Sir, you need to be born again to enter into the kingdom of heaven.” “What do you mean”, they’ll say, “how about those that died without hearing the gospel”. They literally challenged everything even when it was backed up with scriptures. Not only did the Berean brethren receive the Word, they did with it ALL readiness of mind. In other words, they received it with an open mind. They came to church with writing materials to took down notes. Whilst others were busy on Facebook during service, they listened and pondered on the Word. Many can’t receive the Word because although they are physically present in the church, their minds are far away. Some spend the whole service planning how to deal with their wives because of what happened on their way to church. You’ll be amazed to know that whilst the pastor is preaching on godly living and holiness, many are planning how to steal from the offering baskets in the same service.

Just as it was in the days of Luke, so it is today in our modern day churches. Many of us don’t receive the Word with readiness of mind because the brother teaching is an ordinary deacon. Ordinary deacon? Imagine calling the Lord’s anointed an ordinary deacon? Some only pay attention when the church pastor is preaching. Anyone doing that is proud. God can use anyone – big or small – to speak to you. “I gave my life to Christ before him so why should I listen to him”, some say. Brother, you are proud! The brethren in Berea went home after service and studied their notes. Also, they searched the scripture daily. There is a difference between reading and searching the scripture. You can read your bible anywhere even whilst standing in a crowd. You need to literally sit down to search the scriptures. You cannot search the scripture in two minutes. As you search the scriptures, you will begin to unearth nuggets that will transform your life and everything around you. The Berean brethren studied their bible daily whilst those at Thessalonica only read them on Sundays. The Berean brethren quote the bible whilst those at Thessalonica quote books and big men of God. We thank God for great men of God. We thank God for their lives. However, you still need to know the scripture for yourself. You need to know what the bible says on various issues. The bible is your standard for living not a ministry. Today, many are taking America to be “the” standard. Whatever we see them do there, we copy. That should not be so. If it is not scriptural please drop it.

NOTE: You need to search the scripture daily because: 1) it contains God’s standard; 2) It shows you how to get to heaven and; 3) you will be judged solely by the word of God.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

A HEART AFTER GOD II

MEMORY VERSE: ‘And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Acts 13:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 3-8

What qualified David to be king of Israel was not his military experience, his family background, his educational background, his years of service in the palace, or a special competency. What qualified him was the state and inclination of his heart. Acts 13:22 says: "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." There are some blessings that your academic qualifications, beauty, physical stature, money, experience, and achievements will not be enough to get for you- it will require a heart that is after God.

Before God, the state of your heart is more important that the state of your mind and hands. An educated mind and well-trained hands without a heart that desires after God, the things of God and building of character is nothing. As you educate your mind, acquire skills, build relationships with people, and spend even more time with God, desiring Him, knowing Him, and building Christ-like character. When you give God your heart, He will give you what man cannot give to you and qualify you for what man will not qualify you for. There are some things your educated mind and skilful hands will never get for you; it will take a heart that is leaned towards God, a heart of integrity, and character.

PRAYER POINT: Create in me a clean and pure heart.

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki

A HEART AFTER GOD

MEMORY VERSE: But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 1-3

Acts 13:22 says: ‘And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.’ ‘I have found' implies that a search had already taken place; and, David was the product.

What qualified David to be the king of Israel was not his military experience. Saul said to David when he volunteered to fight Goliath, ‘Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth (1 Samuel 17:33)’. In other words, you lack military experience. What qualified David to be the king of Israel was not his (family) background. Bible scholars have told us that David was a product of fornication. David (himself) confessed and said, ‘Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me (Psalm 51:5)’. It was definitely not his educational background or his years of service in the palace or a spatial competency. What qualified him was the state and inclination of his heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: '...the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.'

QUESTION: What is the state of your heart? Is your heart after God or things?

Bro Samuel Oluwatoki

HE USES LITTLE THINGS TO ACHIEVE BIG THINGS

MEMORY VERSE: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 1:1-2:13

The story of Jesus feeding five thousand men, not counting women and children, is a popular Sunday school story (John 6:1-13). Several lessons can be learnt from this story. The Lord uses whatsoever you put in His hands for His glory. He used that little boy's lunch - five bread and two tiny fishes - to do wonders. That 'miraculous feeding of five thousand' happened over 2000 years ago but we still talk about it today. Hannah put her little Samuel in the hands of God and He used him to appoint David - one of the greatest king in Israel. Also, He multiplies/ grows whatsoever you put in His hands. That boy's lunch was multiplied to feed five thousand able men not counting women and children and there were twelve baskets left (John 6:13).   Samuel, whom Hannah put in His hands, grew up to become one of the greatest prophets in Israel. Parents, ensure your wards attend Sunday school. They need to know the Lord at a young age so they can become the Daniels, Shadrachs, Meshachs and Abednegos of this generation. The Lord not only uses and multiplies whatsoever you put in His hands, He returns them back to you. Who do you think Jesus gave the twelve remaining baskets to? I believe the boy. Why? Ecclesiastes 7:11 says: “All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.” Whatsoever you put in His hands is not lost. Actually, it is an investment. Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord and the Lord gave her five children – three boys and two girls - in return (2 Samuel 2:20). Besides, she still had Samuel. How about if you put nothing in His hands? You will get nothing back.

Another powerful lesson is God often uses little things to do big things. I am excited because I know God will use little people like me to do mighty things in this generation. I believe He will do the same with you. He used that little lunch to feed a multitude. He is doing great things with those little offerings, tithes, gifts to men and women of God, service in your church, etc. You will be amazed at the number of souls won and how His work had progressed and prospered because you gave yourself and your resources to His use. He often uses little obedient tasks to do big things. A pastor was sharing with us how a little hug saved a life. A woman wanted to commit suicide so she decided to come and see her pastor before taking her life. Before she got there, the Lord had ministered to the man of God to give her a hug. This was a strange instruction to this man especially after preaching against hugging the opposite sex . Thank God he recognised  the voice of God. He reluctantly hugged the lady when she arrived but then something happened. She burst into tears and told the pastor of her plan to hang herself. Had he disobeyed, she would have hanged herself. Is the Lord leading you to encourage anyone? Please do it, you could be saving a life. God often uses little people in little places to do big things. Goliath, the giant, was killed by little David (1 Samuel 17). God used a little girl in the house of Naaman to bring healing to a whole nation (2 Kings 5). In our bible reading, a little boy’s ordinary lunch that was obediently given to Jesus was used in an extraordinary miracle for a multitude. God can take our little efforts to do a lot. Jesus said that giving even a cup of water in His name could bring a reward which would last forever (Mark 9:41). He said even a little faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain (Matthew 17:20).

PRAYER POINT: Please make this year my best so far.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

HOPE FOR THE REJECTED

MEMORY VERSE: The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. Psalm 118:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Gen 10-11

BIBLE READING: John 1:43-50

Nathanael’s response when Philip (his friend) witnessed to him about Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ) was, “can anything good thing come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael,although from Galilee, despised Nazareth. The Pharisees (religious leaders), at that time, disdained it. They rejected Jesus Christ as the Saviour because He came from Nazareth. According to them, no prophet had ever risen out of Galilee (Luke 7:52). Even outsiders called Nazareth a land of Cabul. Hiram King of Tyre, on returning from the twenty unnamed cities of Galilee King Solomon gave to him as a surety for supplying cedar, cypress and gold to build the temple of the Lord, said to Solomon, “what kind of cities are these which you have given me, my brother (1 Kings 9:12-13).” The bible records that he called them the land of Cabul. The name Cabul in Hebrew simply means “good-for-nothing”. Within minutes of meeting with Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanael said: “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” The Best had come out of Nazareth!

Friend in Christ, there is hope for you after that rejection. I don’t know who has rejected you; I don’t know what was said to you but one thing I know is there is hope for you. Psalm 118:22 says: “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” That little town of Nazareth that no one thought much of became the town of our Lord Jesus Christ. It does not matter who has rejected you, they will come back soon to glorify God in your life. Before the end of this year, in that name that is above every other name (Jesus), you are going to become a surprise. Human builders rejected that stone but God (the Greatest Builder) didn’t. Please don’t tie any result or any material to your sense of worth. The fact that you didn’t do well in that assessment doesn’t mean you are not good enough. A police officer, some years back, killed himself because he failed his Police Sergeant Exams. Why? He tied his sense of worth to the result of an examination. PLEASE, PLEASE and PLEASE, DON’T JUDGE YOURSELF BY ANY RESULT. As far as you have not written yourself off, there is still hope for you. The same God who turned that rejected stone to a head stone is with you. He has done it before and He will go it again.They told Oprah she was unfit for TV but today she owns a TV network. Poiter Syndey in his first audition was told by the casting director, “Why don’t you stop wasting people’s time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?” He later became the first African- American to win an Oscar. Beethoven’s music teacher described him as hopeless. He later became one of the most famous influential of all composers. Frank Winfield Woolworth was told by his dry Store Manager that he didn’t have enough common sense to serve customers. This man later became the founder of F.W. Woolworth Company. Not only that, he also introduced the common practice of buying merchandise from manufacturers and fixing prices on items, rather than haggling. If God can do it for the people of the world, why won’t He do it for you- His child?

CONFESSION: There is hope for me!

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

WHAT IS THY NAME?

MEMORY VERSE: And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. Genesis 32:27-28

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Gen 9:1-28

Names are very important in the Bible because names represent the person. Take for instance, the name “Jacob”. It means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter”. If it were to be today, we would have called him a fraudster. He duped anyone dupe-able. Esau, after he was duped said to Isaac (his father),” Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? (Genesis 27:36)” Names are not just a means of identifying a man; names speak volume about a man’s destiny. The name "Ishmael" means "God hears”. This by implication means a destiny whose success and fulfillment depends on the power of prayers. No wonder when his mother, Hagar, was driven out of Abraham’s house and there was no water for him to drink, God miraculously provided water when he cried. Genesis 21:17- 18 says: “And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.” Sadly, Ishmael did not capitalize on this. He stopped praying after that day. I think his descendants must have realized his mistake, hence they pray many times a day today. My surname used to be “Fatoki” (Ifa is worthy to be adored). Ifa is a Yoruba deity. Several years back, God spoke through a minister that my dad should change his surname. He obeyed and chose “Oluwatoki” (God is worthy to be adored). Not many years after he changed his surname, he built his first house. In my personal life, God is indeed worthy to be adored.

Genesis 32:27-28 says: “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” What is thy name simply means who are you? Might i ask you the same question this morning, what is thy name? Friend, who are you? Who are you when you are not in church? Who are you when the pastor or brethren from the church are not around? What is your name at work? What is your name when you go out of town? Is it kerb crawler (a person who drives around areas known for street prostitution soliciting prostitutes for sexual activity)? What is your name when you are alone in your room? Is it pornographer? Asides the fat salary, degree, houses and properties, big church title, who are you? When the angel said to Jacob, “what is thy name”, he responded saying “Jacob”. Jacob was the name people – his father, his mother, his brother, friends and family – were calling him. Whenever his father wanted to send him on an errand, he would say “Jacob do this for me”. Whenever his beloved mother wanted him, she would say, “Jacob come here!” Whenever Esau (his brother) wanted to check on him, he would say “Jacob how was your day?” Since everyone was calling him “Jacob”, he assumed that he was indeed a "Jacob". Thank God, the angel challenged that name and changed it. Today, you must challenge the names people have been calling you. Tell them, you are not a “dullard”. You are not who others say you are. Your bank balance does not determine who you are. You may be in red but that does not mean you are poor. You are more than your finances. You are more than you past failures. You may have failed an exam but you are not a failure. You may not have a child today but you are not barren. There is something good about you. You are unique in every way. The people around may not see your uniqueness but you are unique.

NOTE: You are not worthless. You are worth dying for because Jesus died for you! Don’t allow anyone to tell you anything different.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world