BELIEVERS DIGEST ARTICLES SERIES 4-6

BELIEVERS DIGEST (SERIES 4)
A PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING INTERNATIONAL
“FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS AND THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.”
Believers’ Digest contains series of messages that can be copied
and use freely for edification of the body of Christ.
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4.1 WHEN THERE IS NO EYE

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hen the philistine seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison" - Judges 16:21 NIV.
"… Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze to take him to Babylon.’’- Jer. 39:7.NIV.
"The light of the body is the eye’’ - Mt .6:22.
Jesus gave us a definition of eye: it is the light of the body. This mean if there is no eye, the body is in darkness. To a physical man (un-regenerated), the physical eye is the only illuminating object of his body. If that physical eye can be removed, he is totally in darkness. But for a regenerated man, there is a spiritual eye with which he can see in the realm of the spirit. Apostle Paul prayed in the book of Ephesians that "the eye of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…" (1:18). In order words, the loss of any of the physical and spiritual eyes puts man in darkness, in bondage and in the hand of the enemies.
Samson’s physical eyes were removed when he lost sight of the spiritual vision of delivering Israel; the call of God upon his life. The fulfillment of his selfish desire brought about the loss of his spiritual eye; and that in turn led to the lost of his physical eyes. The enemies overpowered him, kept him in prison and had his physical eyes removed. His strength and light were gone. The eye is not only the light of the body, but also the strength of a man’s life. The loss of the eyes renders a man incapable of doing many things. He can be easily led to anywhere he does not intend going. The enemies took Samson to Gaza and king Zedekiah was taken to Babylon the place he never agreed with God to go. When your spiritual eye is lost, you are in total darkness. Your vision (If there is any before) is gone!
Joseph refused to give in to Potiphar’s wife because his spiritual eyes remained sharp and alert: The vision of his becoming a ruler to which his people would come and bow was kept alive in him. He kept sharpening his spiritual eyes. He did not lose that vision. So it was impossible for the enemy to get him and gouge out his physical eyes as to take him away from Egypt (where he was destined to rule) to Jericho or any other place.
A spiritual man would walk along with God by faith guided by the vision God had given him. A spiritual man would not only be guided by his physical eyes. The spiritual eye sees things afar off that later becomes a reality: things the physical eyes cannot see. Those that are spiritually alert and are physically blind can see into the spiritual realm of the spirit and lead the physically eye-opened people. To be spiritually eye-opened is better that having ten thousand sharp physical eyes. To the un-regenerated (the unsaved) man, the only eye is that of the physical. There is no spiritual eye, and therefore no vision. You don’t see beyond what your physical eyes can understand. That is why an un-regenerated man walks by sight and not by faith. If that physical eye can be removed or blinded, what hope is there left for that man or woman? He or she can be taken to any where by the enemies and be in bondage.
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4.2 THE BALANCED GOSPEL

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ne man considers one day more sacred than another, another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and give thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord"- Romans 14:5-8 NIV.
It is better you take time to study he whole of Romans chapter 14. It is a portion of the Bible that teaches us to be balanced in faith. Our goal is heaven, and we can only get there through the righteousness of God: "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."- Rom. 14:17.
The use of "eating and drinking" or rather "food" in that whole chapter does not only refer to the physical food but also to other practices in a man’s life: dressing, type of work or business, possessions like household items and cars, friendship and even fellowship with the believers (where you worship). Any of these aforementioned "food" can be accepted or rejected depending on one’s mind or faith. This portion of the Bible teaches that "Each one should be fully convinced in his /her own mind." The portion started in verse 2 to say that one man’s faith (or believe) allows him to eat everything: that is, to use this and owns that without condemning himself and then give praise to God. While another man or woman may deprive himself or herself of "this" or "that" and yet also praise God. That is why verse 3 puts it straight: "The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him." There is clause however: whatsoever you do or approve must not be a distress to your fellow believer. Do not by your own understanding (i.e. your "eating" these things that you approve) destroy the faith of your fellow man or woman because Christ also died for him or her (vs. 15). That is, "Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil"-Vs 16. That is, you need to reconsider, in the light of the word of God, whatever you will approve as good for yourself so that people around you will not be offended by what you are doing.
"When you sin against your brothers in this way and injure their weak conscience, you sin against Christ"- I Cor. 8:12. That is why Apostle Paul says, "…if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall."- I Cor.8: 13. That is, he preferred to abstain from engaging in what he believes to be harmless practice if such will cause his weak Christian brother who feels it is wrong to also practice it (to eat that "meat"). He preferred not to be involved in such a practice. This is therefore more than whether "my conscience" is clear or not but also whether other people’s consciences would be affected or not. Why should your freedom be judged by another’s conscience?
"All things are legitimate – permissible, and we are free to do anything we pleases; but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive (to character) and edifying (to spiritual life). Let not one then see his own good and advantage and profit, but (rather let him seek the welfare of his neighbor) each one of the other". I Cor. 10: 23 - 24 AMP. That portion of the Scripture also brings it to light that whatsoever we allow and practice, would be brought before the judgment seat so that "…each of us will give an account of himself to God." –Rom.14: 10 &12. That is for us to re-examine ourselves and reconsider what we would do before we live by it. At the end, there would be judgment.
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4.3 MINISTRY OF ANGELS

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re not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" – Heb. 1:14 NIV.
The angels of God are represented in the scriptures as heavenly beings sent by God to deal with men as their personal agents. In many passages in the Old Testament, angels are virtually identified with God and speak not merely in the name of God, but as God: With Hagar (Gen. 16:7), at the sacrifice of Isaac (Gen. 22:11), to Jacob (Gen. 31:13), to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:2) and even to Gideon (Judges 6:11). Sometimes angels are distinguished from God. But in the New Testament, there is no possibility of the angel of the Lord being confused with God. Angels serve as agents of destruction and judgment, of protection and deliverance, offering guidance and giving instructions and advance warnings.
Angels are created to serve, carry out information, to be sent on errands and to execute one assignment or the other according to given instructions. They are agents or heavenly messengers of God, and at the same time wait on those who are already sanctified, heirs of salvation. That is, as long as you are a child of God through conversion, there are angels assigned in the service of God to assist you at any point in time. An angel named Gabriel was sent to Zechariah to tell him the good news of God’s visitation upon his wife to bear a son at her old age. This same angel was sent to the Virgin Mary telling her she would bring forth the Saviour, without a man lying with her. This same angel brought answer to Daniel when he was making petitions to God (Dan. 9:21). Another angel named Michael contended with the devil concerning the body of Moses in the book of Jude vs. 9. He was even a chief among the angels: he was referred to as an Archangel.
ARE ANGELS TO BE WORSHIPPED? None of the angels accepted worship in the scripture. A particular occasion was between John the beloved and an angel in the book of Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9. The angel rejected worship saying: "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!" Angels are not to be worshipped. The Bible admonishes us not to be beguiled in the worship of angels (Col. 2:16).
SHOULD WE PRAY TO ANGELS TO HELP US? Angels are not gods. God the Father is to be prayed to through the name Jesus. We can only pray to God to send the ministering angels to bring answers to our prayers without hindrances. If an angel could announce that he was hindered by the kingdom of the devil (the king of Persia) for 21 days when sent to bring Daniel’s answer (Dan. 10:12-13) and that another angel named Michael came to help him, how much more do we need to pray for God’s intervention through the ministering angels on our paths of blessing. God would send his angels to make ways for us, to bring down blessings through human hands. The angel will not come physically to give us answers, but will work out through human agents and make sure we have answers to our requests. When the Father answers us through the name of Christ, it is the duty of the assigned angel to bring to us the answer.
We need to pray as well against he angels of darkness from hindering God’s messengers. We need to pray God to empower his angels and not that we pray directly to any angel. Can we then command these heavenly messengers when we pray? Angels are made a little higher than us: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him… for thou has made him a little lower than the angels…"- Psalm 8:4-5. We cannot command them but only pray to God to send them forth on our behalf.
DO WE NEED TO FEAR THE ANGELS? At times when angels appeared to men in the scripture, they looked like ordinary men. It only depends on the recipient to discern that the visitor is an heavenly messenger by the message delivered. We are admonished not to forget to entertain stranger: "for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it". – Heb. 13:2 NIV. At another occasion they may look differently: shining or radiant. I supposed their appearance has to do with the message they were bearing. At any rate, they are not to be feared. They are messengers of peace to them that are righteous: "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." – Psalm 34:7. But they are messengers of destruction to them that are wicked, whose way doesn’t please the LORD. An angel withstood Balam with a sword because his way was perverse before the Lord (Num. 22:32).
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4.4 BUILDERS OF OLD WASTE PLACES

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nd they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."- Isaiah 58:12.
God always look for a man he can use at any point in time to repair dilapidated, old foundations or to raise a new one for the future generations. God looks for a man that will stand to raise up the banner under which other people may later be gathered by God to fulfill the mission. God said in Ezekiel 22:30 "I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land…"
The man God uses for such a great task of re-building or laying the foundation of a future generation must bear some qualities that are satisfying to Him. Such qualities, I believe, would stem from his having a close contact and an intimate relationship with God (e.g. like Abraham). He would be one that travails in prayers with God to get results (e.g. like Moses and Daniel). He would be one that fear God to shun evil (like Joseph); he would be a man of faith that would not be moved by prevailing circumstances of life (just like Gideon); and in such a one would be combined all these attributes to result in boldness that would make such a one to conclude "If I perish, I perish" that task must be done (just like Esther).
God requires the above-mentioned attributes to be possessed by such a man to be used because His assignments are characterized by: oppositions and intimidation, rejection and hatred, lacks or shortage of resources at first. All these are designed by the devil to prevent God’s purpose coming to fulfillment. But he who is qualified to be chosen by God overrides them all to prevail.
Let us consider the ministry of Nehemiah as a case study. He was serving as the cupbearer in captivity, yet he had the thought of Jerusalem, the city of God, in mind. When he heard the news of its broken walls and burnt gates, he was distressed. He wept and fasted with prayers for many days pleading God’s mercy on his people. That is an intimate relationship with God along with a heart of praying. God granted him a favour in the sight of his pagan task master (the king of Persia). The king ordered supplies for Nehemiah, and letter of approval to execute the project of re-building the walls of Jerusalem, the vision he had from God. But as it is usually the case with God’s assignment, Samballant and Tobiah (the leaders of the opponents] came up to oppose Nehemiah’s vision in many ways even to the point of attempting to kill him. Nehemiah stood his ground with God, and remained unshaken.
The people that God brought up with Nehemiah had the mind to work along despite all oppositions and threat: they worked along "every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon"- Neh. 4:17.
Nehemiah at one time answered his opponents. "I am carrying on a great project and can not go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?" The man chosen by God would always be going up doing God’s work while the accusers are always down. Opponents are always down, while executioners of God’s programme are always up. The man chosen by God need not "come down" or else the work will stop. There must be continuity of that which the Lord had started.
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4.5 PRODUCTIVE HEART

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and that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned." - Heb. 6:7-8 NIV.
The heart of man is represented by land. Remember the parable of the sower. The word of God is the good seed, and the hearts of men depicts the different types of ground. You take in God’s messages everyday. Does it produce fruit in your life? Even the land that receives rain produces something. Your heart is the land that receives God’s word (the rain) regularly; what kind of fruit do you produce? Land that produces crops that are useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. So also is the heart of man that receives God’s word and produces good fruits. Such a heart receives blessings. It is such a heart that would be pruned so that it would be even more fruitful (John 15:2). But hearts that produces thorns and thistles (malice, hatred, discord, envy, strife, and all other forms of the work of the flesh) after receiving God’s word "is worthless and is in danger of being cursed". It is such a heart that would be burnt in the lake of fire at the end.
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4.6 SELLING YOUR BIRTHRIGHT?

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est there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterwards, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears"- Heb. 12:16-17.
The new-birth (the born-again life) is the beginning of a Christian believer’s life. The scripture says, "except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" – John 3:3. The new-birth is the birth by God through the Holy Spirit and by faith in the name of Jesus. "But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man but of God" – John 1:12-13. The believers were born of God by the regeneration of the man’s spirit through the Spirit of God. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin: for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" – I John 3:9. Whosoever is born of God does not deliberately and habitually practice sinning. God’s seed is in such a person and for that, he cannot continue in the course and practice of sin. The reason is because he is born of God. There is that light in his mind which shows him the evil and malignity of sin. There is the spiritual disposition that breaks the force and fullness of the sinful acts. This keeps us from sinning and leads us to effect the restitution of our part sins. That is the new life. How then can a believer sell his or her birthright? The believers can sell their birthright by sinning; thus falling away from the grace that is sustaining them. By so doing, "they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame" -(Heb. 6:6).
Esau came from the field and was faint. He needed something to eat as to prevent him from dying. So, he demanded for pottage from his brother, Jacob. Then his greatest trial came: "And Jacob said, sell me this day thy birthright" or else, I will not give you of my pottage to eat and you will die. He answered quickly, "What profit shall this birthright do to me?" So by swearing, Esau sold his birthright, unto Jacob in a moment of time (Gen. 25:29-34). In so doing, he proved himself to be godless since at the heart of the birthright were the covenant promises that Isaac had inherited from Abraham. So also at the heart of our salvation are covenant promises that we can inherit from Christ.
Reuben also, the first born of Jacob did not know that he was selling his birthright when he was satisfying his flesh by laying with Bilhah, his father’s wife (Gen. 35:22) You may not speak out the negligence of your birthright at the time of your trial, but your action or step taken at such a time depicts the saying, "what profit shall this birthright do to me?" What your action is saying in a way is, "I don’t care if my salvation is lost for now if only ‘that thing’ can quench my present and pressing desire". Your salvation is your birthright, which you ought always to work out "with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12).
What is that "thing" that can lure you into selling your birthright? It was the desire of the flesh that pushed Esau and Reuben into such a situation of making a choice between self-satisfaction and retaining their birthright. They however chose to satisfy the flesh at the expense of their spiritual life (their birthrights). The flesh is one of the believers’ enemies. This enemy is your old nature trying to have back its way even though you have the seed of God in you. The flesh doesn’t care whether or not the Holy Spirit is outpouring from you. It still wants to have its way. That is the trial. Do you then give up to the desire of the flesh at the expense of your salvation? Your cold complicity or mute indifference towards the desire is a way of saying, "what profit shall this salvation give to me?" Remember the scripture says, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live" (Rom. 8:13).
Esau sold his birthright for one morsel of meat in a moment. It does not matter how much you sell yourself: it is still the same whether for a million dollars or for a naira coin. The issue with God is just that you sell yourself, yea your birthright. The flesh can always be satisfied in a moment. Do you still struggle within you with the desire of the flesh trying to have its way in you? Or have you got involved secretly in an act of secret sin? It can remain a secret to man but not to God. Esau never thought that the time of weeping would come as a result of his selling the birthright. He sold it and neglected the future. The scripture says of Esau: "afterwards, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears" – Heb. 12:17. It happened that Esau came to their father after Jacob had discreetly taken away his blessings, hoping to be blessed.
But instead of receiving the father’s blessings, he was told his brother had been blessed greatly, "yea, and he shall be blessed". Esau was told that, by his sword he shall live and serve his brother; and when he shall have dominion, he shall break from off his neck, the yoke of his brother (Gen. 27:40). That is really a curse and not in anyway a blessing. He wept bitterly for blessing but instead, he received a curse! When is he sure to have dominion over his brother whom he will serve? That is saying forever, the yoke of Jacob shall be upon Esau. Esau would be a servant unto Jacob. Jacob was blessed to rule over Esau – "be lord over thy brethren and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee" (Gen. 27:29).
The repercussion of Reuben’s action also came. He lost the blessing he would have received as the first born, to Ephraim and Manasseh: "he was the first born but, for as much as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel" – I Chr. 5:1. Jacob didn’t forget, and he called Reuben to remembrance when he was about to depart: "Reuben, thou art my first-born… unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed: then defilest thou it: he went up to my couch" – Gen. 49:3-4. He would never excel. That is a curse and not a blessing.
The yielding of yourself to satisfy the desire of the flesh in a way has brought you under the sin, to be a servant! "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servant ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness? (Rom. 6:16). Why do you have to live in unrighteousness as the un-regenerated does? When Esau and Reuben would have inherited their blessing, they were rejected. Think of the wondrous promises of blessing of God in the scriptures or personally to you by revelation or prophesy, which you are supposed to inherit from the faithful Father who would not lie: you have been anticipating these blessings as to be blessed here on earth. But what is that "thing" that would make you sell your birthright? Or would you not exercise so much patience unto the end for the eternal rest, which the believers would have with the Father instead of selling your birthright, and be a cast away? Let us not live an accursed life here on earth by satisfying the flesh for a moment. God has called us to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity and not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do know God.
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4.7 LOVEST THOU ME…?

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imon Peter was called by our Lord Jesus Christ to be his disciple at the sea where he was performing his duty of fishing. He was to be catching men and no more fishes. Simeon obeyed and followed the Lord as his disciple. God saved you from your sinful way; he made you heir with his son Jesus and gave you the Ministry of reconciliation.
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the Ministry of reconciliation"- 11Cor. 5:18.
God’s purpose in saving you is that you be used for his purpose and will here on earth. God called some to be Apostles, some as Evangelists, some as Pastors and some as Teacher for the perfecting of the saints, and for edifying the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12). Some are called into the ministry, and some are to care for those in the ministry. Some are called as administrators, while some are to show mercy on the needy (Rom. 12:6-8).
There are diverse Ministries in the body of Christ into which He place his children. In which ministry has God placed you? What is it that God has placed in your hand?
Simeon Peter was to be catching men. He was with Christ when he was on earth, and learnt a lot from him. The ministers of God have been feeding you in one way or the other as a result of which you have received the grace to grow. You kept studying the word of God and your eyes have been opened unto that which the Lord wants you to do. You are even loaded with the burden to serve the Lord in that calling of yours. But are you occupied?
After Christ’s resurrection, his disciples were not always with him. During that time, Simeon Peter took to fishing again. God then had hand in the way of Peter and made it that they caught no fish throughout the night of their fishing. Jesus was present with them in the spirit and had caused this to happen so that Peter might learn, and that God might get his attention. Have you not learned your lesson in those failures of yours in that which the Lord has not put into your hand? You really know your calling but have not surrendered and instead, you go about doing other things. Or has your labor for your daily bread blurred your vision and rendered you incapable of identifying your service to God? You will see failures and unless you trace back your steps into where God wants you to be or what he wants you to do, there will bee no rest for you. Peter and his men caught no fish throughout the night. Then Jesus came unto them and asked if they had fish. Then He commanded them to cast their net on the right side of the ship to which they did and caught fish in abundance. Then Peter knew it was the Lord and he cast himself into the sea. Has God not discovered you so as to enable you repent of your running away from his will for you? May God open your eyes to see yourself as peter did.
Before Christ’s ascension, He needed to let Peter know what He has committed into his hand. "Simeon, son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these?" This question came three times unto Peter for him to know the importance of his calling. The Lord is now asking you "… lovest thou me more than these? The Lord is saying do you love him more than your business or work? More than the earthly riches? More than your wife, husband, children or friends? More than pleasure of the world? More than your will or desire? He asked again. "Do you love me more than these?" what is your answer? Are you sure you love him more than that? The question gave Peter some uneasiness. Peter knew he has been displeasing his master and could expect nothing than to be upbraided with his ingratitude. "Lovest thou me more than thou lovest these?" Do you love Christ more than any of the brethren loved Christ? Do you love Him more than you love your friend or spouse? "Lovest thou me more than these love me?" Though we cannot say we love Christ more than others do. Yet we shall be accepted if we say we love him indeed. He gave the charge to Peter particularly to restore him to his apostleship after his repentance. Christ charges all his disciples as he said to Peter not only to be fishers of men by the conversion of sinners, but also feeders of the flock by edifying of saints.
All the callings into which God has called His children are for the perfection of saints, for the work of the Ministry and for the edification of the saints. Would you not want God to edify others through you? It is you that God would use in that calling in your life to do His work among the brethren. That you intercede for the saints, that you use your money and time for the growth of the Gospel, that you help the brethren in your alms giving, e.t.c. All these and others are in the mind of God in calling you into that Ministry. He said to Peter "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep, feed my sheep". Some are lambs in the body of Christ. Young and tender that need adequate caring, feed them. That is, teach them and lead them to the green pasture: Ministering the entire ordinance to them. Feed them by personal application to their respective state and care. Christ has such a tender care for His flock that He will not trust it with any but those that love Him. Those that do not truly love Christ will never truly love the souls of men; nor will that minister love his work that does not love his master. Be of help to the members of Christ’s body.
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4.8 IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY

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nd at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God…" -Acts 16:25-26.
Paul and Silas were beaten, chained and put in prison just for preaching the Gospel. But bound in the prison, they were praying and singing praises to God "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider that God has made the one side by side with the other…"- Ecll. 7:14 Amp.
God made prosperity and adversity to go "side by side": that is, to go together. How do you react to adversity? Paul and Silas were in chains in the prison after they had been beaten. No trial before judgment, yet they did not react negatively. The secret is getting yourself calm in the Lord. Be free and happy in the Lord. Paul and Silas sang happily because what touched their bodies (bruises, beating and chaining) did not touch their spirit. You can never be down when what touches your body (the physical and temporal things) did not touch your spirit (the spiritual and eternal aspects of your life). That was the case with Job and the Christian Martyrs. They held unto what they believed of God despite the afflictions of their bodies. They were never discouraged.
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4.9 FRIENDS INDEED

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ob’s three friends Eliphas, Bildad and Zophar – came together by agreement to sympathize with him in his grief.. "When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him. They began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkle dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was" - Job 2:12-13.
These friends were as well grieved because of Job’s predicament. They were friends indeed. They sat down on the ground with tore clothes and ashes on their heads. They were speechless for seven days due to uncommon affliction of their beloved friends. The situation pricked their hearts to the core. Yea, they were friends indeed. Are you as true as Job’s friends to some one? Or are you the type that is unaffected by the affliction of others? Has your love for any that you call your bosom friends or brother/sister caused you to lose a apart of what you have? Have you ever put yourself in the adverse position of your loved ones? Can you actually grieve with him/her? I know you even sleep with your bosom friend when there comes a blessing for him/her. You always rejoice along and prove your loyal friendship when things go well. But what of when the unexpected comes? Were the friends of Job only three in number when the goings were good? But when he was in trouble, only three of them remembered him. No wonder Job concluded. "All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me"- Job 19:19. Can you stand by your friend in times of great distress even when others fled? Somebody must remain to sympathize. Can that somebody be you? Some people cannot stand by their husbands or wives when the situation changes. They prefer to quit. "This is how we know what love is. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brother." I John 3:16. You may not be able to die in place of your bosom friend, but how long do you stand by such a person in times of trouble, yea of sorrow? Can someone say of you: He or she stood by me?
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4.10 WRITTEN DOWN FOR RECORDS

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uring the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the door way, became angry and conspired to assassinate king Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. And when the report was investigated and found to be true. The two officials were hanged on a gallows. All this was recorded in the book of annals in the presence of the king"- Esther 2:21-23.
Mordecai unfolded the plan of king Ahasuerus’ assassination by two men. Investigation confirmed this as true, and the repercussion of their wicked plot was their death by hanging. Mordecai reported, so to say, the unfruitful works of darkness and that was written down as a record. That is saying that every action of man is invariably noted somewhere. It is obvious that whatever has been written down will sooner or later be brought to light.
"On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written… (What Mordecai did to save the life of the king). And the king said. What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?" Nothing, they answered the king. Then Haman came in to the king to ask for permission to execute Mordecai by hanging just because of his personal hatred towards him (Esther 6:1-4). It was at this time that the record of Mordecai’s good deed spoke for him. Your record whether good or bad, would speak up one day. Your record will speak; it may be at the point of your giving up or at the point of your greatest trial. As long as you have a good record and you are facing persecution, Keep bearing it your record will speak out: "though it tarry, wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry"- Hab.2: 3. Mordecai became "the man whom the king dellighteth to honour". His persecutor, his adversary, his enemy (Harman) was ordered by the king to carry out royal procession through the city for him and on the following day Hamaan was hung on the gallow purposely erected for Mordecai. All the inheritance of Haman became Mordecai’s possession including his office as the second in command.
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4.11 PUT A KNIFE TO YOUR THROAT.

W
hen you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider who and what is set before you. And put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to desire. Be not desirous of his dainties. For they are deceitful food (offered with questionable motives) - Prov. 23:1-3.
Little did Haman knew it was for his own destruction, the special dinner invitation given to Him by Esther, the Queen, to dine with her and the king. He least expect the outcme. He ate with all his heart, rejoicing and testifying to the rare and blessed opportunity of eating with the king and the Queen. He did not consider "why should it be myself alone invited, why not other people?" He did not put a knife on his throat: he did not consider it again and again what can lead to such an unusual invitation to dine with the king. He did not think twice. Whenever you are invited to an occasion or offered an uncommon honour, consider well WHO and WHAT are before you. Alarm yourself into temperance and moderation. Restrain yourself as if a sword is hanging over your head. Be not desirous of that uncommon honour or dainties, for they might be deceitfully offered with questionable motives.
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4.12 FAITH AND WISDOM

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y faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born…. And they were not afraid of the king’s edict"- Heb. 11:23.
Faith without wisdom will amount to failure. If Moses parents applied faith and carried about their child everywhere they went, the children killers would get rid of the boy and their faith would amount to nothing. Can God not spare the boy’s life since he came forth for a specific purpose? God expected the boy’s parents to apply wisdom along with their faith; this they did even to bring the boy finally home from the river for training with the approval of the pharaoh’s daughter.
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4.13 THE ERROR OF THE WOMAN
A
nd Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression" – 1 Tim. 2:14.KJV
"And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and
deluded and fell into transgression" Amp.
The book of Genesis Chapter 3 gives the record of how the woman (Eve) was deceived by the devil. Things were going on well before that time: the man and the woman living together peacefully with understanding minds and with the fear of God. But one day the woman allowed the subtle ministration of the devil into her heart. She accepted all that the devil offered her and acted on the errors caused by the devil. She was deceived to act against God’s original plan for the entire mankind [not only for her own family). She passed the error unto her husband who loved her dearly, causing him also to go against God’s plan. "And the eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked" – Gen. 3:7. It was the error brought in by the woman that opened their eyes to things they were not used to.
It was the devil’s deception on the woman that brought an indelible mark on their walking with God and secured welfare. It was the error of the woman that sent them away from the garden of God (from their blissful matrimonial enjoyment) into the error that is in the world. God asked the man, "… Has thou eaten of the tree that thou shouldeth not eat? And the man said, the woman whom thou gaveth to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat" – Gen 3:11-12. The man should not have accepted all that the woman brought to him. He should have considered and re-considered. The man is to guide the woman in decision-making and not to be submissive to all that is in her thoughts. Adam did not travel out of the garden that day. The devil knew the man couldn’t be easily deceived. The man will query him and probably reject those subtle suggestions. But the woman was weak in mind to see into the devil’s deception.
ABRAHAM & SARAH:
"And Sarah said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarah "- Gen. 16:2.
Abraham agreed to what the woman suggested: to sleep with Hagar, his Egyptian maid so as to have children by her. It worked out well according to the woman’s thoughtful suggestion. But it was the woman herself that became tired of the maid’s reaction to her, and she said to her husband: "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me"- Gen. 16:5. Sometimes later, after the birth of Isaac "Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian which she had born to Abraham mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, cast out this bond woman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son even Isaac "- Gen. 21:9-10. Abraham was not happy for all that his wife said towards the son of the bondwoman. But God said to Abraham: "… Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned"- Gen. 21:12. Abraham listened to what his wife told her at first and now God said he must still have to listen to her. Abraham’s obedience to the suggestion of his wife led to the birth of Ishmael and his generation. The sting is till spreading in the world today. It is affecting the children of God and the church of God: "Nor we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit, even so it is now" – Gen.4: 28-29. The act of error of the woman also made a mark of weakness on Abraham’s testimony as the father of faith.
KING AHAB:
King Ahab might have been a good king, for he once repented in sackcloth and with fasting (1king 21:27), but for his wife Jezebel for, "… there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up"- 1king 21:25.The error of king. Ahab’s wife made a strong negative impression on the king’s history. It was his wife that advised him on how he could get Naboth’s vineyard. His wife actually took up the deal on behalf of the king. Jezebel was the custodian of priests of Baal. She was a Zidonian, and helped the king to establish Baal worship in Israel:"…. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the Kings of Israel that were before me" – King 16:33.
KING DAVID refused to fall into the error of his wife (Micah) when she spoke negatively to the king at the time he was dancing before the Ark of God. God would have taken judgment against David peradventure he obeyed his wife: but instead Micah herself became barren for life (11 Sam. 6: 20- 23).
JOB refused to accept his wife’s suggestion to him to "curse God and die"(Job 2: 9). Satan would have gotten a ground of accusation against Job. Job refused to accept the error of his wife. Joseph’s refusal of Portipha’s wife offer of free sex enabled him to accomplish God’s design purpose for his life. He refused to fall into the error of that woman.
KING HEROD beheaded John the Baptist through the desire of a woman. If all that Herod did were forgotten, the beheading of John the Baptist would not be forgotten. The writer of the preacher concluded: " I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all" – Eccl. 7: 28 NIV.
However, there are records of women that acted positively in the lives of their husbands. Such is the Shunamite woman who advised her husband to care for Elisha at the time the man of God needed it most (II King 4:8-10). That brought blessing of a child into that family. Abigail delivered her entire household from David’s brutality by her pleading on behalf of her husband (Nabal) who could not think of offering gifts to David and his men when he was in problem (I Sam. 25). The wife of Pilate sent to the man not to have anything to do with Jesus, the just man "for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him" she said (Matt. 27:19). That was to safe her husband from shedding innocent blood.
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4:14 PROBLEM AND GOD

N
evertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there: … And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying the land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" – Num. 13:28-33.
It is easier to sense some problems because they are physical. God cannot be seen for He is of the Spirit. It is easier to praise a problem for such is right there in our presence but it only takes the sense (eye) of faith to elevate God above such a problem. Ten of the Israeli spies saw their enemies’ wall and statures as great while they rated God as small in comparison to what they saw. They saw their enemies as giants while they rated themselves (Gods chosen people) as grasshoppers! It was in their own thinking that they were as grasshopper and not even in the sight of their enemies (for their enemies did not talk to them). But in the sight of God they were stronger than those within the fortified walls and statue of their enemies.
Only Joshua and Caleb saw into the spiritual realm along with God. They had eyes of faith. They said: "…Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" (Vs 30). Having eyes of faith will make you see God above your problem and so see yourself above that problem too. But as long as you keep seeing the problem and magnifying it, you will not be able to see God in the system, and so God will fade away from the scene and the problem will remain (big).
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4:15 SPECIAL SKILL

T
ell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matter…"- Ex. 28:3 NIV.
"…See I have chosen Bezalel … and I have filled him with the spirit of God,
with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…"- Exodus 31:1-6.
Special skill or wisdom in a specific matter comes from God. Priestly garments and designs in the house of God were made even in the wilderness for the Israelites worship of God. God specifically gave special skill to specific individuals to do specific task. None can do that of the other; each is with his own skill. So it is in the Church: God set the members every one of them in the body (the Church) as it hath pleased him! (I Cor. 12:18). Even those members of the body (the Church), which seem to be weaker, are necessary (Vs 22). No one is without a purpose (function) in the Church.
What special skill has God endowed you with to be used for His service? Have you not discovered your God-given skill or are you not interested in using it in the Church? Or are you considering other people’s skill better than yours? That is just what God has given you to function. According to your ability. He has given such to you: some to join alphabets together and form sentences for publishing work to edify the Church and win souls; some to join words together humorously and display such in drama; some to hum out tunes and form words into such to become songs; some with special grace to tarry in prayers and counseling and to follow up, etc. These and other more are God given skills to be used in building up the Church according to God’s design.
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TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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...
4:16 FAILURE OF MONEY

A
nd when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan…" - Gen. 47:15.
The writer of Ecclesiastes concluded, "money answereth all thing" – Chp 10:19. But in the above text, it couldn’t answer at that time of famine. That is not a contraction. Without money, even the work of the gospel cannot progress. Money is a servant that matters in all areas of life. It is good, but the love of it is the root of all evil (I Tim. 6:10) Yet in spite of all the power of money, it can still fail. It failed at the time of Joseph in Egypt at the time when food was no more available: "Give us bread; for why should we die in thy presence? For the money faileth" (Gen. 45:15b).
Even today all over the world money loses it values (it’s purchasing power). Its value some years ago worth more than it is now. Money is losing value, yea it is failing; and it can actually fail. There can be times when money may become of no value in the lives of men; times when needs can not be met by money; times of great expectation from God, times when the heart yearns for a particular thing that actually cannot be bought with money, times of great distress, yea of sickness that defiles all forms of medication, etc. Money can fail; it is not to be trusted. Only God can never fail, yea He is to be trusted for it is He (God) who has answers to all needs of man.
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F
4:17 BLESSED FOR MY SAKE
or I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake"
- Gen. 30:27
"And…the LORD blesses the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the filed" – Gen. 39:5.
The living together of Jacob with Laban resulted in blessings for Laban’s household. Likewise was Joseph with Potiphar, his Egyptian master. Whether you are an apprentice, a worker or freeman, the one thing that matters is the hand of God upon your life for good that would extend to bless other people you work, live, travel or associate with in one way or the other. Do people receive blessing of God for your sake?
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4:18 THE DANGER OF WEALTH

“H
e also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word: and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful" – Matt. 13:22.
Other names for wealth according to Collins New English Dictionary are riches, affluence abundance and plenty. These describe the state of abounding in possessions. A state when financial needs are easily met without struggle. All essentials of life are readily available. A state of financial easiness. That is the state of living that is the goal of all men. Some people are already on that level while many are aspiring towards it. Some people can go to the extent of sacrificing fellow human being or join occult group so as to be in the list of the wealthy. Many struggling for one post or the other in different fields of life are only doing so to enrich themselves and secure "prosperity". They have no interest of their community at heart; not even of the nation (not to talk of the Church of God). Their sole aim is to become wealthy. If man could understand that wealth is deceitful and that it vanish or dwindle especially if it were gotten by vanity - "wealth (not earned) but won in haste, or unjustly… will dwindle away." – Prov. 13:11. Then godliness accompanied with contentment (which is of great gain) would be given priority.
Care of this world and the pleasure there in (wealth) is deceitful. It does not allow the word of God to stay in a man’s heart. Jesus described such a heart as a land with thorns, which can yield no fruit because the word of God would be suffocated by the deceitfulness that is in wealth. It was only that rich man in Mark 10:17 that went away from Christ sorrowfully after his encounter with the prince of this life just because his possessions has gotten hold of his life. The bible says he "went away grieved: for he had great possessions" but really it was the man’s possessions that had seized him. Whatever you cannot do away with has gotten a hold of your life. It is only Jesus that should not be done away with. Jesus concluded that it would be hard for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God (Mark 10:24).
If mortal man can understand that "a man’s life does not consist in, and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs"- (Luke 12:15 AMP). One that lays up treasure of this world and is not rich in his relationship towards God, is described as a fool because such a person will die one day and would not know "whose shall those things be" which he had gathered. Such a person may get to heaven only to be met with emptiness because he laid no treasure there, by his failure to invest in all that is of God. Remember he had only laid his treasure upon the earth where thieves and other wealth spoilers abound.
The danger of wealth therefore centers on enjoying this present life and loosing the eternal life. The rich man in Luke chapter 16 had more than he needed on earth and at the end he had no place with God. Always remember that it would be with difficulty for those who possess wealth and keep holding unto it as a major part of their lives, to enter into the kingdom of God.
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4:19 THE MESSAGE OF JOHN

R
ather than petting the congregation to stay, as most ministers would do, John began to call them by such terrible names: "…generation of vipers…" Most of us as preachers soften the word of God at the sight of "noble" members of our congregation. That was not the case with John the Baptist. His messages became harder to separate the wheat from the chaff, the sheep from the goats and the wolves from the true sheep (all of which abound in the church). He was not carried away by the multitude.
Do not be carried way (as a minister) by trying to respect the opinions of the congregation to the detriment of preaching the word of God. Even though John performed no miracle yet his messages pierced the hearts of his hearers unto repentance.
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4:20 POSITIONS

H
ave you found pleasure sweet like honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you lest being filled with it you vomit it up" – Prov. 25: 16 AMP. How do you find a position or post into which you have been appointed to serve for a brief period of time? It may bee as sweet as honey to you. But God admonishes you to eat only the portion appointed to you lawfully. If you eat more than your rightful portion of goodies that you have opportunity to control, you will surely have to vomit it.
"Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel" –Prov. 20:17.


•••

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Believers’ Digest contains series of messages that can be copied
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BELIEVERS DIGEST (SERIES 5)
A PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING INTERNATIONAL
“FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS AND THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.”
Believers’ Digest contains series of messages that can be copied
and use freely for edification of the body of Christ.
Email: info@cping.org; christianpubint@yahoo.com,
Tel: (+234)-8036121781; (+234)-08051109976).


5:1 UNDERSTANDING THE TIME

A
nd of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…" -1Chr.12: 32.
God looks for people that understand his plan and purpose for any age. The present time is the last age we might expect before the advent of Christ. This age should be the time of the greatest revival and awakening to anticipate and get prepared for the coming of the Lord. But as it were in those days of the Israelites, only few people were always found within the realm of God’s move. When David was made King over Israel at Hebron, the tribe of Issachar "understood the times and knew what Israel should do". They were "weather – wise". They understood public affairs, the temper of nation and the present events. The princes of Issachar were recorded in the book of Judges (5:15) that they knew how to rule because in them is great searching of heart.
In the time of Gideon, only three hundred men that understood the time by not fearing to partake in the battle were used by God to gain victory for Israel. It was only Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron that understood the time when Israel sinned against God by committing adultery with thee Midianite women (Num. 25). The understanding of the period of time made him zealous for the Lord to destroy the man of Israel who could not understand God’s mind or rather the time. It was lack of knowledge of time that made Gehazi leave Elisha as a leper when actually he could have received double portion of Elisha’s anointing also.
If only we can realize that this is the time of greatest awakening, towards world evangelization and preparation for the advent of Christ, we would arise to prayerfully work towards the vision of awakening the body of Christ (the church) from spiritual lethargy. It is sad even for church leaders of this age not to understand the time or rather the move of the Spirit of God towards church awakening. Understanding this present time should awake your mind to be zealous for the Lord and to be a useful vessel for Him.
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5:2 LESSON FROM JONAH

J
onah was called to go and show God’s dissatisfaction to the city of Nineveh for their wickedness was much in the sight of God. The disobedience of Jonah or rather his rejection of God’s call upon his life led to disaster for him and to others around him. The wind was contrary and there was no rest of mind for everyone in thee ship. They went to the extent of casting their goods into the sea.
What has God called you to do in the church? Your rejection or not ready to answer God’s call will cause the wind around you to be contrary. You may travel and come safely but what of the situations around you? What of the stagnant position you are in the area of finance? Your situation refuses to improve. You run into debt that gives you no rest of mind. Your financial obligation towards God or God’s work has become faulty due to financial hardship you threw yourself into by your refusal to let God do what he planed to do through you. People around you, to whom you should be of help, find no solace in you. You caused disaster to your people. The particular location or work that God intends you to occupy in the church becomes lagging, thereby preventing God’s purpose from coming to pass in the church set up.
The situation of Jonah led him to call upon God in distress. He preferred to die rather than obey the call of God. But God’s desire must come to pass. Instead of his getting drowned in the Sea. God sent a great fish to swallow him. Inside the fish, Jonah had a repentant mind. He cried unto God, God allowed him to get into a situation where he would think of Him. God preserved his life despite his disobedience. Jonah cried unto God from the whale’s belly. Is your hard situation not enough to lead you into a state of repentance? God’s mercy is still abundant on you as long as you are still living. God wants you to change towards His desire that you have neglected. The Spirit will keep reminding you of the father, and would be ready to take you through only if you comply.
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5:3 IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH

H
e that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty"- Psalm 91:1NKJV
"… Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty" – NIV
"…. Shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (whose power no foe can withstand)" – AMP
The Church came into existence by the coming together of Christ’s disciples. Christ spoke of the Church before his death. He said that he would build it upon the rock and that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Mt. 16:18). Christ instructed further that if dispute exists (which cannot be settled between the two or more individuals), then the Church is to settle it. If anyone refuses to accept the Church’s verdict, let such a person be treated like an heathen or a pagan (Mtt.18: 17). Christ is the head of the Church and he gave himself for it (Eph. 5:25). The Church can be said to be the "secret place of the Most High". He that abides there in shall be under the shadow of the Almighty.
Which one is your Church? Is your Church really a Church where Christ is your only head? Is Christ preached and Salvation through him emphasized? What of Holiness through the blood of Christ? All teachings must revolve around Christ and nobody else. Then that is a Church. If that is the situation in your church you are under the shadow of the Almighty. Stay there in and be secured: "You shall remain stable and fixed". Any straying away might expose you to the devil that roams about, seeking whom to devour (1 Peter 5:8). If a sheep strays away from the flock, it is exposed to dangers of predators, accidents, thieves e.t.c. It may forever be lost from the flock. Your straying away from your Church and your Shepherd (your pastor) to another flock, for whatever reason, at the time you are supposed to be there can expose you to hazards.
If Christ is the head of all Churches, why drifting to another flock? Can Christ that owns your fold not solve your problem there? Are you invited to accompany another person for a special thanksgiving programme always? You need to watch your straying away from your fold. The Lord knows where you are and identifies you with the fold where you are registered. If you fellowship elsewhere once in a while on special programme for spiritual upliftment, that might be understood. But if the motive of your going out is to satisfy certain personal longings which you feel are not achievable in the fold to which you are identified, and you keep absenting yourself indiscriminately, then it becomes a straying away. It is dangerous. If your straying out is towards getting spiritual assistance that is not connected with Christ, yea, you have exposed all areas of your life to dangers. The devil rather than being protected by God will attract you. The thousand and ten thousand that are falling on the side and right hand shall surely be joined by you since you no longer trust His truth to be your shield and buckler.
Do you keep your Christian membership and you don’t follow God’s principles as written in His word? May be you don’t pay your tithe as you are supposed to. That makes your life vulnerable to devourers, which are also the "pestilence that walks in darkness" and "the destruction that lays waste at noonday". If you stray out of your matrimonial enclosure and become unfaithful to your spouse, you have opened your house to attack. You no longer abide under the shadow of the Almighty: "the arrow that flies by day" can catch you up unexpectedly. It is only if you make the Lord your refuge that evil or plague will not come near your dwelling. It is then that Angels will carry you up in their hands "lest you dash your foot against a stone". When you faithfully abide in the church with which the heavens identifies you (for some are not abiding in the church where God chooses for them), then you are setting your love on Him and He also will deliver you and set you on high because you have not only known His name but doing the will of His father in heaven. You will call upon Him and He will answer you and be with you in trouble. He will deliver and honour you; yea with long life shall He satisfy you and show you His salvation.
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5:4 WHY?

T
he harvest Is past, the summer has ended and we are not saved" - Jerem.8: 20. Are there no salvation messages that we can preach from the scriptures? Is there no preacher of righteousness? Why then is there no revival in the church; and why is it that there is no salvation of members? Why are the people in lukewarm ness and tending towards destruction by the fire of hell? Why is it that people in the church are only religious and are not converted? Why have you not changed and be revived?
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5.5 WHEN YOUR BROOK RUNS DRY

T
hen the word of the Lord came to Elijah "saying, Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there. So he went and did according to the words of the Lord, ... The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land". 1 king 17:2- 7.
Nobody has all he needs. Circumstances may change, but God’s aim concerning us will never change i.e. to bring us to an expected end (Jer. 29: 11). No one has all the resources needed to meet the need of a particular time. You might have been getting suspense from business. Salary, parents, friends. e.t.c. That has being your "flowing brook or stream". But it may run dry one day: not able to meet your needs and for situations to go the opposite direction. The brook has run dry! Why should the brook run dry since God specifically gave it to Elijah and to you? God wants you to depend on him and not on those resources he has given.
It is easier for man to depend on the flowing brook and forget God who gave it. God wants you to depend on him and not on those resources he has given. The brook can make you forget that you are a stranger in this world. The world is not your home no matter how much you are enjoying your flowing brook. The brook can run dry unexpectedly: there can be retrenchment, collapse of business or debt accumulation to the detriment of the business, death of parents, wife, husband or a friend who has been the source of the flowing brook, collapse of the company that you work with or the end of your tenure in office. You need not cry over the dryness of the brook. Look unto God who gave the brook allowed it to dry. Through you may miss your brook, you will not miss God. There is something better to come your way. A brook and birds don’t show you as much of God as a mother and child can do. It is the ongoing of the world that makes it sad. If the world stood still at a happy moment, there will be no sadness in it. The sun and moon that stood still at Aijalon was not a disaster for Israel, but a type of paradise. Yet even a stationary heaven and earth would become dull at last.
Has your brook run dry? You need to pray through to God and receive further instruction. Elijah received further instructions from God before he stepped out of the brook area. "Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Arise, go to Zerephath, which belongs to Sidon and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you"- I Kings 17:8-9. Do not leave that brook area (Town) until God so orders it. Stay in that place and seek for further instruction from the God who at first gave the brook (if so be that it was God who gave it). Pray for your Zerephath: a place of sustenance even in the time of famine; A place where supplies extends beyond you to your extended family members; A place of obedience to God’s word that would lead to "the barrel of meal wasted not neither did the cruse of oil fail".
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5.6 TO SAVE LIVES

B
ecause it was to safe lives that that God sent me to go ahead of you" - Gen. 45:5.
Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brethren but God was with him to bring to pass a divine purpose for his life: to save lives of the Israelites in time of famine. God had earlier told Abraham that his "descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and be mistreated four hundred years … and after wards they will come out with great possessions"- Gen. 15:13:14.
Joseph did not do any form of preaching; he only lived a righteous life and God’s favor was upon him. Even when he ought to have enjoyed the pleasure of sin for a moment (when no one could see him), he declined the offer that led him into prison where the favor of God brought him across somebody that matters, who led him at last to stand before pharaoh. Joseph did not preach to pharaoh, but God used him to give insight to the king on what was about to happen. He was recognized as the most wisest and most discerning man of that time. Yet he did not preach a message.
Do not think of your becoming a preacher before you can be used to save lives. Your righteous living in the sight of God will make you be in position to save lives of men from different form of danger: praying for them to avert dangers, giving godly pieces of advice to direct men, standing between opposing groups to settle quarrels, giving your money to sponsor gospel work or you allow yourself to be a channel (not a hindrance) to extend the gospel, e.t.c. You may not be in a position to preach from the pulpit but you can use your position in whatever state you are to assist the spread of the gospel to peoples’ heart or prevent lives from imminent dangers.
You might have been brought to such a position for the purpose of saving lives just like Esther: "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" – Esther 4:14. Time when lives where threatened with death. Esther never preach a message, but her stand before God in prayer and fasting, and her action of faith to stand before the king brought deliverance to lives from death warrant. She was used to save lives without preaching by using her queen ship position appropriately. Can you say, like Joseph of your position in life, that, it was to save lives that God sent you ahead of other men into that place / post / success / prosperity? Even if that position is intended to harm or abase you, God can still intend it for good: to save lives (Gen. 50:20).
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5.7 PRODIGAL SONS AND DAUGHTERS

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esus gave the parable of a man that had two sons in the gospel of Luke. The younger son collected his portion of inheritance from his father "and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spend all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want". Luke. 11: 13-14.
We are the younger sons and daughters of God. Our elderly brethren are those that had lived before us, yea those that we read about in the scriptures: Joseph, Daniel, Peter, etc. They are now with our father in heaven; but we are here on earth in a far country: we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth". We pray daily to get portions of our inheritance (promotion, good job, money, good health, houses etc.) from God our father. How do you spend God’s resources at your disposal (even your time)? In riotous living on festivities, in accumulation of worldly perishable luxuries or to care for your physical body? How much do you invest towards the gospel and how much do you spend unaccountable? "But make me thereof a little cake first" is usually God’s order.
First take care of the gospel and then care for your family. Not doing that makes most gospel projects suffer lack of funds. How much of your God given resources do you spend on clothes, hair / body make up thou prodigal son or daughter of God? God’s resources in your control are to be used for God’s purpose: the spread of the gospel and caring for those that gave their lives to the course of it. Spending that would bring heavenly dividends: "a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys." – Luke 12:33.
A mighty famine shall follow all forms of prodigal spending because the resources were spent unproductively in regards to spiritual matters. It is then you’ll join yourself with the citizens of this world, the unsaved, and you’ll begin to try it out by all means as to make things work again. The worldly people have nothing good to offer. They are taskmasters that deprive people of their rightful possessions.
The biblical prodigal son repented and went back to his father. There is the need for you to repent of your riotous spending: your spending towards pleasure and worldly affair rather than towards the gospel. Your investing in the gospel should include regular Tithing and Offering towards specific Ministry task and caring for servants of God that are over and around you. Your heavenly father is expecting your repentance from wanton spending of His resources in your care. It is your wise spending into the gospel work that gives you a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted and that will answer for you in times of famine.
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5.8 LOSING AND GAINING

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e who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" - John 12:25.
All the different writers of the four gospels wrote on this particular topic of losing and gaining of a man’s life: to lose your life for the sake of gospel. To lose mean "to waste or to suffer loss" This is however one of the teachings of Jesus himself. Before you can gain, you must first lose: you must throw away your resources. This is a principle of blessing: before you harvest, you must first plant. Planting is throwing away what one has to uncertainties. You can’t know what will happen to what you have planted: weather hazards, thieves, animals and birds, insect pest, viruses and bacteria, flood or fire outbreak etc. Planting is losing while harvesting is gaining. No one thinks negatively while planting. We always look forward to the time of harvest not minding what may happen to the crops planted. But Jesus then spoke of losing and gaining of our lives. How can you lose your life so as to gain it? There is only one purpose acceptable to God for which a man can lose his life and to regain it. That is, for the sake of following and doing the work of Christ. Before you can do this accurately, you must first of all lose, hate or rather throw away your own life. What does that mean?
Abraham was called out of his father’s house where he lacked nothing, to go to a land unknown. To put his life in jeopardy. Assuming a friend asked him: "where are you going?" He would simply reply: "I am going to a land I do not know… a land of uncertainties". Yea he was risking his life as he left his people. The disciples of Christ left all they had -their businesses, family and parents-to follow Jesus who said he had no place to lay his head (Mt. 8:20). Was that not a risk? To leave your precious household and follow Christ to a place of unknown destination. To the human mind that is madness. And such a person that could not accept and follow Christ remained unsaved. They love their wives, children, property and they want to live long and enjoy the world. These are the ones that Jesus said would lose at last. They are first gaining the things of the world, which they will lose later. They will lose everything to the world including their dear lives! To lose one’s life results from to be ready to take a risk of life.
"Anyone who loves his father or mother than me is not worthy of me: anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me: and anyone who does not take his Cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it"- Matt. 10:37-39.
You have to first lose your life for Christ, through salvation, before you can hate your father and mother, wife and children for the sake of the gospel. That is, those close relations or possessions would not be allowed to take the first place. That of God is number one "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you"- Matt. 6:33. Not even business, work or career must be allowed to come first. All these are to be considered secondary. The call by Christ (the gospel) must be given priority above every other aspect of life. "…whoever loses his life for my sake will find it". Matt. 10:39. There is no loss of anything by losing your life for Christ and the gospel.
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5.9 ENTERTAINING ANGELS
“D
o not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" –Heb. 13:2.
Abraham (Gen. 16), Gideon (Jdg. 6) and Manoah (Jdg. 13) entertained angels without knowing it. They welcomed those heavenly visitors and treated them as friends. They never met those men before, and there was no previous formal notice of their coming. The aforementioned people entertained freely as they saw necessary and as they used to do. They knew not the day when it would be the turn of Angels to visit them. They were used to opening their doors to strangers.
Angels are heavenly messengers, or rather messengers of good tidings. Unknown guests (strangers) can be sent to you by God to deliver your desired blessing. When such happens, you conclude that God has used such a man or woman. Even if he happens to be known person for the fact that your needs were met through him, he has been sent to you by God. Is he then an angel? Angels cannot be bitter against man and they are kind. What is man that angels would be jealous of him? Anyone who is jealous of you is not likely to be kind to you or willing to do you any good. When you entertain a jealous man/woman, your hospitality may be misunderstood and it may not be accepted with a clear conscience. Such a person would not be an instrument of blessing.
Entertain strangers even though you don’t know where they come from; for they may be your angels. People that would come across your way and be of help in one way or the other, and pass on, are like angels to you. Somebody used by God in your favour or without your knowledge becomes an angel to you. You may never come across such a person again in life.
It should be realised that angels are not always heavenly beings. God can use human beings as angels to you: according to your prayers to God. The blessings may be physical (goods) or monetary. It may be in form of counsel (an idea) given, which if you faithfully apply, will result into blessings. The request for a child by the Shunamite woman was met by her entertaining Prophet Elisha (II King 4:8-17). The coming around of such a person would be to you an answered prayer. Does not that look like an angel of God sent specifically to you? How would you not miss such a target? It is by entertaining known and unknown (strangers) people.
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5.10 CLOUD OF WITNESS

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herefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, Let us throw off everything that hinder and sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" – Heb. 12:1.
The Cloud of witnesses spoken of in the scripture includes the Christian martyrs that were commended for their faith and of which none of them receive what had been promised (Heb. 11:39). Our present day cloud of witnesses includes events of the last days that take lives of men suddenly. Preventing those involved from receiving what God had promised.
Remember the destruction of the commercial center in the U.S in the year 2001. How many souls of believers can you imagine could be involved? Were all those causalities non-believers? Even if they were, then souls are perishing. What of motor accidents on our roads? Sicknesses like Aids, Cancer, High blood pressure, Asthma e.t.c that claim lives? What of attack by armed robbers, plane crash, political attacks etc? Can you conclude that those involved were the unrepentant? "Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?", Jesus concluded (Luke 13:4). Those aforementioned events happened to take lives of men on the day none of them expected Jesus told us to "watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man is coming" –Matt. 25:13.
These happenings are our present day cloud of witnesses that surrounds us. Let us therefore throw off everything that hinders us from doing God’s will: everything that hinders us from faithfully serving the Master – businesses or jobs, politics or education, family, society affairs, worldly pleasure and influences (all these may not be sinful but they may hinder us from serving Christ) and the "sin that so easily entangles.". Let us run the heavenly Christian race that is set before us before death comes unannounced. We may not be able to completely receive all that God had promised.
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5.11 MORE THAN ENOUGH
A
nd so the people were restrained from bringing more because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work" - Ex. 36:6-7.
When God’s work was to be done at the time of Moses, he said to the people to bring offerings for the work ahead for the Lord had commanded it. So the people brought offerings of different kinds. Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him/her. They brought their possessions as offerings for the work of God. Behold it became so much that Moses had to restrained the people from bringing more donations! Do we have enough for the work of God these days? All we normally have is less than what we requires. The reason is that we so called people of God of today are not willing to offer unto God our possessions. Our priority is our worldly accumulations and self-gratification. No self-denial towards accomplishing the work of God. Many God’s projects are being done slothfully under the umbrella of "no fund" whereas we are building personal houses and purchasing cars at will. We are always after the desires of our hearts and not after the things of God. That is why we always have less than enough for the work of God. What kind of a heart have you? A willing and moving heart? "For God is at work within you, helping you to want to obey him, and then helping you to do what he wants" – Phil. 2:13 LB.
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5.12 AVERT JUDGEMENT

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ing Solomon’s idolatry through marriages with strange women led to God’s anger towards him. God decided to tear away the kingdom from Solomon and gave it to his servant. But for David’s sake, not all the kingdom was taken from Solomon’s lineage.
"Not withstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom: but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen" – I King 11:12-13.
Rehoboam, one of the sons of Solomon came up to reign after the death of his father. He was consulted with by the town’s men on how to alleviate the task of the people. Instead of Rehoboam to yield to the words of the elderly people that reigned along with his father, he gathered up young men that grew up with him. He neglected the pieces of advice given him by the elders of the land and acted upon the words of the young people: "so the king did not listen to the people; for this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word the LORD had spoken…" – I King 12:15.
There are two types of people: - the negligent and thoughtless. Let –it-happen-the way –it will-happen. People like as Eli. God said to Eli in judgment: "… the time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your family line…all your descendants will die in the prime of life; your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you: they will both die on the same day…" I Sam. 2:30-34. The respond of Eli was "He is the Lord: let him do what is good in his eyes" – I Sam. 3:18. Since Eli was in the group of the unrepentant people, it happened exactly as God had spoken. Eli and his descendants were wiped out of history! Such people couldn’t pray to avert judgment. God is a forgiven God. He can change judgment at the repentance of the offender.
Esau was another example of the thoughtless people. God said: "I hated Esau, and laid his mountain and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness" –Mal. 1:3. Esau lived a careless life: he sold his birthright and that led to his non-inheritance of blessing from his father Isaac. He became a servant to his brother.
The second group of people is the repentant, the thoughtful and the careful ones. Yea, they are godly people. Example of this group is king Hezekiah. God said to him on the sick bed: "set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live." The king turned his face to the wall and reminded God of all that he did. He said to God in prayer with tear: "Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before the in truth and done that which is good in thy sight". The compassionate and forgiven God then replied him: "I have heard thy prayer I have seen they tears: behold I will add unto thy days fifteen years"- (Isaiah 38:1-5)
Abraham prayed to avert judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah: at least he was able to save Lot and his daughters. He did not say let God do as he please. He pleaded with God. Moses on several occasions prayed to God on behalf of the Israelites. He prayed to avert judgment on the people at the time of the Golden Calf for example.
Despite king David’s prayer to avert judgment on the adulterous child born to him by Bathsheba, God did not spare the life of the child but averted his immediate judgment of death on David: " The LORD also hath put away thy sin, thou shall not die" – II Sam. 12:13. Jabez called on the Lord in prayers to avert the sorrow placed on him at birth. He was thoughtful and so became "more honorable than his brethren" (I Chr. 4:9). You can pray to avert God’s judgment on your family line: pray to avert generation curses and sicknesses, avert poverty that refuses to quit your lineage, pray to avert bareness, untimely death, etc that manifests in your family line. The Lord is looking for somebody in your lineage that will pray to him on behalf of your whole family members.
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5.13 PRESSURE AND GRACE

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ot that Abraham despised or considered the promises of God ineffective but the pressure of needs on him as a man, made him sleep with his Slave girl instead of patiently expecting Isaac from his legitimate wife.
Elijah, the prophet that commanded fire and rain could not withstand a woman (Jezebel) when she confronted him with death. He fled the city for the wilderness. Could that mean that Elijah could not trust God for safety? The pressure on him as a man made him flee. But God sent him back to the city to continue his ministerial assignment.
In the absence of the GRACE of God, men of God lived contrarily to the call of God upon their lives. The taking up of Uriah’s wife lustfully, made king David yielded to the pressure of human nature despite his heart that was after God. So also was Solomon his son. In spite of all his wisdom, he failed God by marrying strange women.
Who could be so careful not to go against the law of God if not those that one would say "spoke with God as a man speak with his friend"? Moses missed it at the time of trial by the pressure of his human nature through anger.
Samson failed woefully on the laps of Delilah despite the anointing upon him that made him slew thousands of the enemies of Israel without a weapon of war.
Peter could not withstand at first the trial of denying Jesus due to the demand of the pressure of his human nature.
It is in the time of Grace through Christ that we begin to have positive records. A spectacular example was Apostle Paul who took pleasure in trials and hardship (against human nature) just for the sake of Christ: "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that shows my weakness". NIV. The Amplified Bible puts it thus: "I will boast… of the things by which I am made weak and contemptible (in the eyes of my opponents). Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecution, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak then am I strong" (II Cor. 11:30,12:10).
Other apostles endured under the grace even when faced by persecution and death through bonds and imprisonment, afflictions and torments, death by saw and sword, etc. The grace of Christ enabled them to endure pressures of their human nature. That grace is also available now to make us endure all contradictions of men and of the world against our working for God and live a holy life. That grace is teaching "us to say "NO" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ" – Titus 2:12-13.
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5.14 ACCORDING TO THE HEAVENLY PATTERN.

S
ee that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain"
– Exodus 25:40.
God instructed Moses to fashion out the Tabernacle and its furnishings just exactly as he was shown on Mount Sinai. That shows that whatever role a child of God is given to execute, there is always a God-given pattern to follow. The work is of God and not an arrangement of men. There is usually God’s pattern of doing whatever He enables his children to accomplish. We only need to ask for the divine pattern on whatever we are appointed to do. These involve not only ministerial assignments but also secular, marriage and business. There is always an heavenly pattern to be followed.
Refusal to ask for and heed specific instruction will lead to failure. This same Moses that was able to complete the tabernacle set up according to the heavenly pattern failed at the water of Meribah Kadesh in the desert of Zion because he did not follow God’s pattern. At one time in the same desert, God told Moses to "strike the rock, and water will come out for the people to drink"- Ex.17: 6. That was the heavenly pattern at the time. At another time in the same wilderness, God said to Moses "take the staff…Speak to the rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water"- Numb. 20:8.
But Moses raised his arm and struck the rock with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron "because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them" – Numb. 20: 11-12.
The miracle took place indeed, but the man of God failed, and he was rejected. Miracles of blessing can be manifesting in your Ministry, office or business but are you carrying on according to God’s pattern? With your humanly devised strategies you can still count your blessing; but it is the doing of things according to the heavenly pattern that can bring eternal and lasting dividends.
Adam could not follow the heavenly pattern of not eating out of the Fruit of the tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden. That led to his failure and curses upon mankind. But thank God for Jesus who died according to the heavenly pattern to remove those curses.
Samson failed when he changed from following the heavenly pattern given to him. He was loaded with anointing and mission to "deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines". He was to be a Nazarite unto God from birth: Not shaving his head, and not to defile himself in any way. Samson followed not the heavenly pattern: he kept joining himself with different women out of which one (Delilah) was able to know the secret of his anointing and she succeeded in shaving off his Nazarite hairs. Samson paid with his life just because he lived not according to the heavenly pattern.
King Saul was told to "Go and smite Amalech, and utterly destroy all that they have, spare them not, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass" - 1Sam. 15: 3. That was the heavenly pattern at that time. "But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was wile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly" –1Sam 15:9.
King Saul and the host jubilated that day over their victory on their enemies. They may even slaughter some of the forbidden animals to make merriment. But all their victorious jubilating was done outside God’s pattern. He was rejected as king at last, and he ended his life badly because he did not follow the heavenly pattern given to him.
As great as king Solomon was in wisdom, wealth and honor, he also failed to follow God’s pattern for his living and ruling the people. God’s pattern for any king of Israel is that: "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away" – Duet. 17:17. But Solomon multiplied wives and concubines, each with her own god in Solomon’s palace. "The Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned from the Lord… Which appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing: that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded… I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and give it to thy servant" – 1King 11:9-11. King Solomon did not follow the heavenly pattern and so he failed.
Disobedience to the heavenly pattern leads to failure. Many homes have broken up because God’s pattern for the man and the woman to live together was not followed. Many Gospel assignments are lacking Funds and so are retarded simply because the vision of old had been lost or put aside. The heavenly pattern must strictly be adhere to in whatever we do. How was it at the beginning and how is it now? Are you following the heavenly pattern? Apostle Paul affirmed to a king before whom he was making his defence: "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision" –Acts 26:19.
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5.15 BECOME AS A LITTLE CHILD

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xcept ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven" – Matt.18:3 KJV.
"Unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children (trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving) you can never enter the kingdom of heaven at all" – Amp.
On two occasions, Jesus gave us the clue for how we can enter into the kingdom of God. Firstly, by being born again: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" – John 3:3. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gave another injunction: "Except ye…become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"
Becoming as a little child involves a change of life completely. Not only to be born again, but also to have a change of heart: a heart that is teachable and malleable; heart that keeps no malice and easily forgiving; an obedient heart to God and to man; a heart of love; a tender heart: a heart that harbors no sin: a believing and trusting heart; a fearless heart; surrendering and yielding heart; a gentle and humble heart. This kind of heart would be like the fertile land for the word of God to grow healthily and abundantly, as he prepares for the kingdom of God.
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5.16 OFFENDING A CHILD OF GOD.

“B
ut who so shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" – Matt.18: 6.
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to me to stumble and sin -– that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought – it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea" – Amp.
Apostle Paul preferred not to eat meat, if the eating would wound the weak conscience of another person and make such a person to sin against Christ: "Therefore, if (my eating a) kind of food can hinder or cause my brother to fall, hindering his spiritual advancement, I will not eat (such) flesh forever, lest I cause my brother to be tripped up and fall and to offend" – 1 Cor. 8:13. Amp
Any believer in Christ becomes "one of the little ones who believe in me". We are to live together in harmony and be careful of what we say or do as not to wound the conscience, the mind, the heart, and the love of anyone towards doing God’s work. Jesus went further to say " woe unto the world because of offences" – Matt.18: 7. Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong. That is, even among "these little ones which believe in me", there are lot and lots of offences causing another to say "this is done to me in the household of God?" Even as a Minister of the Gospel, he has said this to me? He / she called me so and so name in the Church? Wounding the conscience of another person in the Church? Beware! Jesus puts a woe on such a one: woe to that man or woman by whom the offence comes!
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5.17 DISPISING A CHILD OF GOD.

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eware that you do not despise or feel scornful toward or think little of one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always are in the presence of and look upon the face of my father who is in heaven"
– Matt.18:10.
To despise: to look down upon; to hold in contempt; to disdain, to scorn. Such a person is not of God, but of the devil. Jesus warns us not to despise anyone. For the angel of that person you despise looks upon the face of God in heaven to report your act of disregarding a child of God? Instead of despising another child of God, why not develop interest in praising, commending, regarding, admiring and approving him / her? So that his / her angel would speak well of you to God?
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5.18 THE LEAST OF BRETHREN.

“I
n as much as ye have done it unto one of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" – Matt.25:40
A little cares for a child of God goes for Christ. We cannot see Christ again on earth to be ministered unto by us. But he has representatives: the brethren. The Least of "these my brethren" represents Christ completely.
Refusal to attend to the need of the brethren especially when it is in the power of your hand to do so would result in "so far as you failed to do it for the least of these (in the estimation of men) you failed to do it for me" - Matt.25: 45 Amp.
"He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him" - Proverbs. 19:17
"Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the house hold of faith – those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers" – Gal. 6:10 Amp.
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5.19 SPIRITUAL LEVITES

T
ake the Levites from among the other Israelites and make them ceremonially clean" – Numb.8:6.
The Levites are one of the twelve tribes of Israel chosen by God for various services in His house. God took them in replacement of every first born to an Israelites family. They were to stand before the whole congregation of Israel and to make atonement for them.
Whoever has a call of God upon his life become spiritual Levite to stand before the whole congregation of people of God for intercession. However it is required by the Levites to be ceremonially clean. The cleansing described in the book of numbers was outward but the heart was not also left out. The condition of one’s heart represented by one’s appearance. Inner purity is required for any worker in God’s Vineyard. Not only the outward manifestation of God’s anointing but inward adoration and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible, gentle and peaceful spirit. This form of cleansing is more precious in the sight of God than the external ceremony of a minister’s performance.

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5.20 FOLLOWING CHRIST.

F
ollow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. … And immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him" – Matt. 4:9 & 22.
The calling of God upon our lives comes moment by moment. It takes the grace of God for an individual to discern the call upon his / her life. God allows us to choose without enforcing that call on man. The first call is however the call unto salvation. If man answers that, then other call can follow: call into the ministry.
Jesus called peter, Andrew, James and john from their fishing engagement to follow him for they shall be fishers of men: "and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him". They left all to answer the call of Christ into the ministry of becoming "fishers of men". They became Evangelists, they became Apostles. At first they yielded to the call of Christ: they followed him.
What is that, that is keeping you back from answering the call of Christ into salvation? Or what is it that you cannot give up to answer the call of Christ upon your life into the ministry?
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BELIEVERS DIGEST (SERIES 6)
A PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING INTERNATIONAL
“FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS AND THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.”
Believers’ Digest contains series of messages that can be copied
and use freely for edification of the body of Christ.
Email: info@cping.org; christianpubint@yahoo.com,
Tel: (+234)-8036121781; (+234)-08051109976).


6.1 THE PRAYER OF JABEZ.
“A
nd Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying: Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel … And God granted him that he requested" - 1 Cor. 4:9-10. The name Jabez came up in the genealogy of Judah, one of the sons of Jacob. Judah inherited of the covenant blessing stored upon Abraham by God through Jacob and Isaac. The portion of Abraham’s blessing that Judah got was written in Gen. 49:8-12. God’s covenant of blessing to Abraham in Gen. 12: 2-3 is just a summary of God’s blessing over Abraham and his descendants. Isaac passed the blessing on to Jacob and not to Esau in Gen. 27:27-29. We never heard "the God of Esau" but "The God of Jacob" because it was in Jacob the blessing was deposited. It was Jacob who split and spread out the blessing over his children (Gen. Chapter 49).
Jabez was born through much sorrow and his mother cursed and gave him the name Jabez. Her reason for the name was, "because I bare him with sorrow." All through Jabez’s life before he realized who he was, he lived in sorrow. He was backward in all he did. He was always rejected among his mates and within the family. He never made it beyond average. It was at his turn that the whole thing would stop; the world was upside down for him; women had to run away as they heard it was Jabez coming. He was not recognised in the Church not to talk of his leading a group, or be selected for any function. He was just a follower to be pitied by everybody. He was used to wearing old shoes passed to him by his elderly ones and friends. He was the errand boy to everybody. Life was terrible for Jebez, everything fell out for him.
One day the man sat down and considered himself in the light of the available documents (the Law of Moses). He realized that as a man in the family line of Judah, he had access to Abraham’s blessing deposited in Judah by his forefather Jacob. He studied the Law of Moses (the scriptures) again and again. He refused to think of himself according to how people are thinking of him He refused to see himself as grasshopper while others proves to be giants. He began to realize that he too could have access to the covenant blessings bestowed upon Judah. He refused to be indifferent to this. Rather he called on God as stated in the following passage: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel".
Jabez identified himself with Jacob (Israel) or we can say he re-affirmed his position in Israel as one of her bonfire members. He called on that God and said: "Oh that thou would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain".
We don’t know for how many days, weeks or months he prayed that prayer but because he identified himself with the house-hold of Israel upon which the Abrahamic blessings were bestowed, God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: "And God granted him that which he requested". Then the Bible made it known that, as a result of Jabez’s prayers; he became "more honorable than his brethren". The glory of God came upon him and he began to excel. The hand of God upon him made ways for him in whatsoever he desired. Nothing was contrary to him again. All accepted him and in his absence meetings have to be postponed. He became the delight of men. He made his choice in marriage and was blessed with children. Due to God’s blessings on him, all others were relegated to the background while he was at the forefront.
The recorder of his story in the scripture did not mention the name of any of his brethren because the transformation of the life of Jabez is worth written in the book of records for the whole world to read and learn from. It was really a transformed life. Wherever apostle Paul spoke of his identity, he claimed the blood relationship to the Israelite who descended from Abraham. He made us know by the inspiration of God that it was to the Israelites that the law, the adoption, the glory, the covenant and the promises of God belonged (Rom. 9:4). But that, we that were far away from those Abraham covenant promises of blessing have now been grafted in through faith in Christ, to receive from the root and fatness of those promises (Rom. 11:17). It is only through faith in Christ Jesus that we can be partakers of God’s abundant blessing. It is by this same faith that we are saved. We move from faith to faith: "for there in is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith" – Rom.1: 7. From faith that saves to faith that receives from God on daily basis. What is the condition of your life: like that of Jabez? Get yourself immersed in God’s covenant blessing of Abraham (Gen. 12: 2-3), and pray the prayer of Jabez. This can be easily done after you have given your life to Christ. Remember that you move and live from one faith to the other.
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6.2 THE LOST SHEEP, WHO?
“I
say unto you that likewise there will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons, who need no repentance" –Luke 15:7.NKJV.
Jesus gave a parable of a shepherd that lost a sheep out of a hundred while tending his herd. He left the remaining ninety-nine to search for the lost sheep. He got it at last and invited his friends and neighbors to rejoice along with him. Any one who is not in Christ is a lost sheep. There is always the search by God through His grace and by His love for such a one to repent. Until there is repentance of the sinner, God does not give up. There is however joy in heaven when such a one repents and becomes right with God in righteousness and holiness.
Are all believers right with God? There can still be lost sheep within the fold of believers. Salvation without brotherly / sisterly love is incomplete. Such a one without love is a lost sheep in search of by the shepherd.
Salvation without putting off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication and lying (col.3: 8-9) is an indication that such a sheep involved has drifted away, yea, is lost. The law of Christ requires that His sheep obey all "for whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10).
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6.3 FLURISHING UNDER PRESSURE
“B
ut the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread…."
- Ex 1:12.
After the death of Joseph, the Israelites were oppressed in Egypt. But the more the oppression, the people of God multiplied and spread: pressure had no negative influence on them. Pressure, Oppression or Persecution on any child of God or group of children of God always results in progress.
The more the early apostles were oppressed, the more they receive grace to preach the word and to spread out. Persecution was the main factor that scattered them all over the place out of Jerusalem. This led to the spread of the Gospel. The gospel thrives well and better under persecution: so also is any child of God (the righteous). "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon" – Psalm 92:12. But the wicked (that were not oppressed) shall flourish like the grass (V7), which is soon withered. The righteous (the oppressed child of God) as the palm tree: long-lived that is not affected by the winter. The more it is pressed down, the more it grows. The righteous flourish under their burden. They shall be fruitful "like the cedar in Lebanon", they shall grow near heaven, stronger and fitter for use: they shall have majestic body and large branches. Their fruit shall be pleasant and they are evergreen. In old age they shall bring forth fruit: their strength of grace will not fail with the strength of nature: the righteous under pressure shall be cheerful and be respected by all around them.
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6.4 OH MAN OF GOD
“T
herefore you are inexcusable O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things" – Rom.2:1.
Any minister of the gospel becomes a judge of good and right. He, by the scripture, shall know and teach the people of God the right things to do as to stay off the bad. But then, the preacher (the man of God) stands before God for judgment.
"And do you think or imagine, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment and elude His sentence and adverse verdict? " – Rom.2: 3 AMP.
It is easier for "the man of God" to preach on love, forgiveness and giving. But do you love as well and forgives? What of your unloved reactions to other men of God or Church members (elders, non elders and even your wife)? Do you practice forgiveness? When last do you give out of that which belong to your children to a needy family in your church? Do you think you are called to be receiving as you preach on giving? What of your tithing: does it worth emulating by members of your church? It is easier to preach on prayer and evangelism; but do you practice both to always receive results? If you preach and did not practice, you become a blind guild. "Glory, honor and peace to everyone who works what is good", to the man of God first, and also to the church members: "for there is no partiality with God" –Rom.2: 10-11.NKJV
You have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else: Do you preach against and condemn the works of the flesh? Or you have a form of Godliness but deny the power of it? People are to turn away from you (11 Tim.3: 5). You must first have to nourish your own self on truths of the gospel and stand in it: for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16).
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6.5 UNITY
“A
nd the Lord said, behold, the people is one, and they have all one language and this they begin to do and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do"- Gen.11:6.
After the flock of Noah, the human race was of one language. They were not divided, and they agreed to build a city with a tower that will touch the heavens and make a name for themselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth (Gen.11: 14). Without delay they started building. God visited them and concluded: if the whole human race can be united in this way, then whatever they imagine or plan to do will be possible. God is a God of unity: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one –1John 5:7.
Jesus promised "that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my father which is in heaven" – Matt.18: 19. Why then do we not have results of prayers even in our Churches? It is because we have different languages to issues. The apostles were "all with one accord" and they lifted up their voice to God with one accord (Act 4:24) so they got the results accordingly. But even within the Church executive members, there are different voices not to talk of within the enlarged church, hence no result of prayers. God disengaged the building of the tower of Babel by confounding the language of the people. It is that secret that the devil uses to disrupt the work of God, among the brethren. Even in the family of the people of God, there are lots of disparities – different voices, hence chaos and unsettled Christian homes. Always remember that God said, "behold the people is one, and they have all one language … nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagine to do "KJV.
"Nothing they have imagined they can do will be impossible to them" Amp.
“If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them …"NIV.
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TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your comments for possible publication will inspire us to do more. Let us hear from you what the Lord is doing through our efforts.
•••

6.6 WRONG CHOICES - LOT
T
he bible speaks of Lot as a righteous man. This implies that he was good at heart (II Peter 2:7-8). He was a true believer in God, a saved man, who with no doubt must be included among those "who are saved by fire"- I Cor.3: 15. But his life was full of mistakes, which is worth learning from by us, to whom the end of the world has come.
Lot went with Abraham when that man of faith decided to answer the call of God to go into a country he had never seen. The blessing of Abraham affected Lot and he was materially blessed too. The weakness of Lot began by his love for those material things. His wife to her destruction largely shared this interest. The abundance of the possessions of these two men led to their separation. Due to strive between their herdsmen, Abraham gave Lot the opportunity to first choose a place of settlement so that the other side would be occupied by him. Abraham went about this in the kindest so as to reach an understanding with Lot. It did not occur to Lot to ask what God’s will was in the matter. Nor what affect the morals of the people who lived there might have upon his family. His choice was entirely based on worldly gain: the luxuriant vegetation and the trading opportunity that could come out of it. How do you make your choices? Lot believed in God, but mammon came first "…You cannot serve God and mammon (that is, deceitful riches, money, possessions or what is trusted in)"- Matt. 6:24 AMP.
The decision every believer must make: to put God or money and material things first? Many professing Christians make decisions on the basis of what they think will best promote them materially. Their spiritual welfare takes second place if it is considered at all. " Abraham dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the Cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly"- Gen.13: 12-13. Later he settled in Sodom. It was from the place Lot decided on his own to settle that he was carried away as captive only to be recovered by Abraham’s timely intervention. It is not uncommon for lukewarm Christians who have become careless in their Christian life to suddenly meet some terrible, unexpected disaster that leaves them in a state of despair. Lot could not at this time make good resolution; he waved the experience aside and settled fully back in Sodom. A little of Sodom had gotten into Lot’s heart and that of his wife, and they could not leave it. They so cherish it. Their children also had to share in cherishing the world and some were married to the wicked men of Sodom. Lot became one with a chieftaincy title of Sodom for we are informed that he " sat in the gate of Sodom". To sit at the gate at that time and in that place meant to be in a position of honor (remember he was a rich man). He and his wife became prominent citizens of Sodom.
Sodom was to be destroyed. But because of the intercession of Abraham, Lot and his family were warned on time to escape. All effort by Lot to rescue his married daughter and their husband failed. It is not tragic that when death strikes the unsaved, people weep and cry. When all the time when opportunity was waiting for them to do something, no attempt was made to save their souls. If Christian love lost souls as they profess, why do they not try to save them while it is yet possible to do so? Lot and his wife, together with their unmarried daughters were held by the angels and brought out of the city of Sodom. They were instructed not to look back, and not to stay in the plain; they were to escape to the mountain so as not to be consumed. But Lot made a choice of Zoar instead. He was permitted anyway; but Zoar too had come under the judgment of destruction but was spared for the sake of Lot. Lot did not stay long in Zoar but went on to the mountains. He could not returned to Abraham who would surely have welcomed him. The prodigal son returned to his father but Lot could not return to his uncle. He became unhappy and he gave himself to wine in an attempt to drown his trouble in alcohol. Those who defend the practice of drinking would do well to study the consequences as it affected the lives of Noah and Lot. In both cases, the habit not only brought shame to them but it had serious consequences affecting their descendants. Lot’s unmarried daughters had taken up to live the way of Sodom. They had become schooled in all the perversions of sex. Their incestuous acts while Lot was in a drunken stupor resulted in his becoming the father of the Moabites and Ammorites, nations which became perpetual enemies of Israel.
The heart of Lot’s wife was there in Sodom with her daughters and their grandchildren, and her heart also was loaded with the riches of the place. Lot’s wife began to fall behind as they all were plodding toward Zoar. She could not bear it any longer when she noticed the darkened sky with fire and brimstone; her feet were toward Zoar but her body was turned backward to behold the destruction of those things that took hold of her heart. She perished with Sodom. Jesus singled her out from among the Women of history, as a warning to all generations. To a great extent, Lot lived a wasted life. He fades from the scene of history. He little realized his great opportunities being favored by fortune to be the nephew of Abraham, the friend of God. His desire for material comforts, along with his wife, caused their children to take on the ways of Sodom. The only legacy Lot and his wife left for mankind is a solemn object lesson of how a wrong choice can bring a good man to a sad and bitter end. Lot saved his own life, but he lost his wife and children.
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6.7 EYES TO THE HILLS?
“I
Will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth" - Psalm 121: 1 – 2.
Shall I lift up my eyes to the hills? Shall I depend upon the powers of the earth, upon the strength of princess who hold their heads toward heaven? Not from the mountains and hill, not from mountains around Jerusalem: sacred mount Zion and mount Moriah. Not even mount Moriah where a ram was freely provided for Abraham for a burnt offering that he had to conclude, "… in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen” (Gen.22: 14). That mountain cannot of itself provide a ram for an offering.
"Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is salvation of Israel"- Jer 3: 23.
"Woe to them that … trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came"- Amos 6: 1.
That is, woe to them that trust not in God but on mountains that are named "chief of the nation." Who or what is your mountain that you trusted in? Who or what is that "Chief of the nation" upon whom you so rely? Your Job or uncle or that politician that is in position today but may not be there tomorrow? etc. Woe unto the one who trust in that way, says the scripture. For he "will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert in a salt land where no one lives"- Jer. 17: 6 NIV We must lift up our eyes above the hills. We must look beyond instruments to God who made them. Our help comes from the Lord: in his own way and time. He who made heaven and earth can do anything.
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6.8 DOING THE WILL OF GOD
“N
ot every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven"-Matt. 7:21. This injunction stands for those that confess Jesus as Lord and savior: the believers, the regenerate ones, yea the born again people that are assured their names are written in heaven. Those that rests in the conviction and confession of their faith in Christ. Those that are conversant with the scripture, and know what God intends for his children; but take God’s instruction for granted. They do not really do what God purposes of them, and they think God can change His mind on those issues that please their heart. God that said strike the rock with the rod in your hand today can say speak to that same rock tomorrow even though the same rod may still be in your hand. Even though it is the same water in a river, if you are to bathe seven times to receive cleansing, seven is seven with God. You might have toiled all night and day but catches nothing, yet if he says, "launch out thy net into the deep for a catch…" you need not argue. Even though it was water that was poured into the pots at the time when wine was needed, you just have to serve the master of the ceremony from that pot (where water was poured) at the command of the master who created water and wine. You don’t have to disturb your thought in unbelief as to what the M.C. would say if he realizes it was water.
It is not only enough to leave all and follow Christ. Even at that, many are still failing: they have not left all. If you are to leave all why do you fret about the unknown future? Learn a lesson from the Disciples of Christ that left all and lacked nothing. Are you empowered with all the gifts of the Spirit to serve in the body of Christ? What are the instructions He gave you to follow or His teachings in the scriptures to which you are not obeying? People are esteeming you highly but before God: "… that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God"- Luke 16: 15. If those that are highly esteemed among men are not doing the will of the master of their lives, they are abomination before God. No matter how highly talented and anointed you may be to organize and sing in a choral groups, and if God’s design for you is to be engaged in village evangelism or to be a Missionary, all your endeavour to entertain men in the city (in big churches) shall become valueless at the end. Yes, you call him Lord, Lord but are not doing the will of his Father.
Are you in the body of Christ? What actually has he called you to do? If you are called to sponsor village outreach or missionaries on the field and you give that sum to your Church in the city where men will esteem you high, you are doing a wrong thing. You are not doing the will of your father in heaven. Are you called to serve where people will not see and praise you? Abide there in. Let every man or woman abide in the same calling where he/she was called (I Cor.7: 20). " Art thou called being a servant? Care not for it…"
Doing the will of our father in heaven is all that will make us acceptable before God. The will of God is usually contrary to the will of man. The flesh (human mind) is always acting/reacting against the will of God "so that ye cannot do the things that ye would"- Gal.5: 17. So that your spirit being is not able to do what the Father pleases in the environment of the flesh. Except the man (flesh) agrees with the Spirit of God, then God’s will would dominate. Even in marriage, the will of God can be contrary to your heart desire. At times, your place of work may be out of God’s will no matter what comes in for you. Income at times doesn’t depict blessing from God. God may not be in it. Not all that are in money knows God. To fulfill God’s will at times may require your resignation from, or closing up of a lucrative job or business. At times to put aside that precious certificate as to answer God’s call. If Abraham, who left his father’s house to answer the call of God could as well give up his only begotten son after so long a time of waiting on God’s promises to receive him; and if Hannah could give to God her only Samuel without looking back to recapitulate how Peninah had treated her; If Shadrach & co could decide to serve God even though confronted by a burning furnace, and Daniel could prefer a low quality diet to feeding sumptuously on the king’s table; If Moses could choose to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy in the king’s house, the pleasures of Egypt; and if Job could allow God to perfect his will upon his life and yet trust in Him, what then should prevent us, to whom the end of the world has come, from abiding in the will of our Father in heaven?
Jesus declared; "my food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of him who sent me and to accomplish and completely finish his work"- John 4:34. He sought not his own will, but the will of the Father, which sent him (John 5:30). He was able to accomplish that purpose, hence our salvation and deliverance from the hand of the devil. The happiest people on earth are those that abide in the will of our Father in heaven. They will be happy on earth, and settle with God in heaven at last even if such people are not esteem (at all) among men.
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6.9 HANDICAP: DO YOU EXEL OR PITY YOURSELF?

F
ANNY CROSBY had a faulty eye treatment at age 6 that resulted into her lifelong blindness. At age 8, she won over discouragement and wrote: "Oh what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world content I shall be. How many blessing I enjoy that other people don’t. To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot – and I won’t Instead of weeping and sighing, Fanny Crosby dedicated her blindness to serve God. Out of her rich Christian experience she composed "Blessed Assurance". She seemed to forget that she was blind. Phrases like "visions of rapture now burst on my sight" or Watching and waiting, looking above" expressed what she called "a foretaste of glory divine". Fanny Crosby, a composer of thousands of Songs was really more than a conqueror. Some other songs she composed are: Pass Me Not; I Am Thine, O, Lord; To God be The Glory; Rescue The Perishing; Near the Cross, and many more. She died at age 92.
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6.10 THE TRIUNMPH OF FAITH

P
rophet Habakkuk concluded his prophetic messages by considering ruination that might happen on the field to tree crops of commercial values and in the livestock sector leading to negative result. To a farmer, such ruins are of great economic losses: tree crops infestations that prevent flowering and fruit bearing; death of livestock and the few ones that survived were diseased. "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, and the field shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation"– Hab.3: 17-18. The prophet encourages us not to despair by whatever ruination, discouragement, affliction, losses etc that could come our ways as children of God. We are to have our faith rooted in God: when all is gone, God is not gone. "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation". If we find ourselves sitting upon ruins of our comfort, we need to sing praises and glory of God as the God of our salvation in whom we have to rejoice in our distresses. This implies that our hearts are not set upon earthly riches or our happiness bound up in them. Whenever we are met with losses and crosses of this world, remember that God is our strength and that he will carry us through whatever we come across on our way. Even if there is lack of provision, remember that man lives not by bread alone but by the word of God.
Job is a standing example in the bible. He was a well to do person but had to lose ALL including ten (10) Children in a single day and then to conclude: "the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21). He was later afflicted with an incurable disease of sore boils from head to toe. His condition was so bad that his wife advised him to curse God and die. But the man of faith, who will not let calamities fade out God from his mind replied: "…shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall not receive evil?"- (Job 2:10).
Only three of his friends could visit at such a crucial time: all others had put Job aside as one reaping the harvest of his bad deed. These three friends summon courage at last to speak after several days of looking speechlessly at him. Job reaffirmed his integrity with God: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him"(Job 13:15). And he knew there was an appropriate time for all things, he preferred to wait until his change came - Job 14:14. He told his friends who concluded that Job had sinned and he was only been judged by God: "for I know that my redeemer liveth…and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God –"Job19: 25-26. He still had faith in God as his redeemer and horn of his salvation, not as "what kind of a God is this God?" He did not ask God for "why am I being afflicted…Why me?" His eyes of faith looked through to God. Remember the bible affirms, "…ALL THINGS work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to those who love God and are called according to (His) designed purpose? - Rom.8: 28 AMP.
ALL THINGS (negative and positive) whatever it may be, as long as you still have your breath, would work together with all situations around you for good. Only do not be pressed down with circumstances. Keep your faith in God. See God in all situations. Let God be magnified and not your circumstances. Let God not fade away but rather your situations (as you focus on Him). There will always be a triumph when one deals with God in true faith in times of adversity. According to prophet Habakkuk, God will give us feet "like hinds feet", and he will make us to walk upon high places. "The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery and my invisible army; He makes my feet like hind’s feet, and will make me to walk (not to stand still in terror, but to walk) and make (spiritual) progress upon my high places (of trouble, suffering or responsibility)"- Hab. 3:19.
Be supremely confident that he who leads into trials is faithful to make ways of escape. He will make us strong for our spiritual warfare: swiftly to run the way of his command and outrun our troubles. We shall later be successful in our spiritual, Physical and economic enterprises. The later end of Job was blessed more than his beginning; he triumphed by faith over trials. We can triumph too but by faith in God.
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6.11 BREAK THE TREND
A
dam lived 930 years and he died. Seth lived 912 years and he died. Enos lived 905 years and he died. Canan lived 910 years and he died. Mahalaleel lived 895 years and he died. Jared lived 962 years and he died. Enoch lived 365 years and… "And Enoch walked with God and he was not; for God took him"-Gen.5: 24. "And Enoch walked (in habitual fellowship) with God, and he was not, for God took him (home with Him)-AMP. After Enoch, was Methuselah who is known to be the oldest man that ever lived – 969 years. He made that record, beget sons and daughters and he died.
Generation come and go. You are part of it. People only lived and pass away. Six generations lived before Enoch came into the scene. The records of those generations were alike: "he begat sons and daughters and died" after living for hundreds of years. The life span is already shortened by God: "The days of our years are three score years and ten (70); and if by reason of strength they be four score years (80), yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away"-Psalm 90:10. We live for a very short period of time in comparison to the time of Adam & Co. Yet you can still break the trend of how people are living this short lifespan. Thousands of thousand never get to seventy and they beget sons and daughters and die. What do they achieve for God? You that are alive now can break that trend. It is not how long you live, but how much you are able to achieve for God. Others lived hundreds but Enoch only lived for about three hundred years yet, he broke the trend of men living and dying. He did not only begat sons and daughters, but he also "walked with God; and he was not, for God took him". He did not die. Others died but God took him away.
Scriptural records show that Abraham, Noah, Joseph, Moses etc walked with God and their records are kept so that we can learn lesson from them. Some like Pharaoh, Judas, Herod, Jezebel, etc had records that as soon as you hear their names, what was wrong about them comes to mind. What would this generation or your small clan or congregation remember you for when you die? They have known people that lived and died and had no remarkable impact. Breaks that trend: walk with God to affect this generation for good.
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6.12 GOOD OLD AGE
“A
ltogether, Abraham lived a hundred and seventy five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man full of years; and he was gathered to his people"- Gen. 25:7.
If the scripture says, at that time, that Abraham was full of years, and that he died in a good old age (of 175), we need to sit and consider.
"And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated"-Deut. 34:7.
"And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old"- Joshua 24:29. Abraham indeed died in "a good old age" of 175 years. Life span continues to reduce thereafter.
The Psalmist tells us that: "The length of our days is seventy years or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away"- 90:10. Life span for man now ranges between seventy and eighty years. Before eighty if by chance, it will be full of "trouble and sorrow". Only few people passes the age of 80 while very many don’t even get to 70. It was not so at the earlier time. "And the LORD said, my spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years"- Gen.6: 3. That was the beginning of reduction in man’s life span ever before the flood. Only Noah lived for 950 years after the flood. No man was recorded living for hundreds of years again after Noah. Abraham that came up after lived 175 years.
"God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually"- Gen. 6:5. That was the beginning. The evil act of man only continues on the increase and life span of man also decreases. We now die at an age (of less or more than 70) of a boy that is not ripe for marriage in the days of Methuselah. And yet we get to that seventy by chance; and if eighty, by trouble and sorrow. At the time of Abraham, they married at about forty: "And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebecca to wife". Gen. 25:20.
"And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith…" – Gen. 26:34. Nowadays we marry at thirty or there about. Forty is now considered too late for marriage. Only God knows what will happen in the near future. The Yoruba says, the death that killed a person very close by is telling on one to be ready as well. What are you doing now at this age of yours? Heavenly or worldly conscious? If by chance you get to 70 good, but if after that age you are still alive, "trouble and sorrow". Now is the time you can get "prepared to meet thy God
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TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your comments for possible publication will inspire us to do more. Let us hear from you what the Lord is doing through our efforts.
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6.13 TIME OF BLESSING
“H
ast thou but one blessing, my father?" Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?"- Gen. 27:38,36.
Isaac had to pass unto one of his sons, the covenant blessing of Abraham. He arranged for Esau but Jacob came instead. Esau came to be told that Jacob has been blessed instead of him, "yea and he shall be blessed". All that was said to Esau were not actually blessings that would make him excel over Jacob: "…And by thy sword shall thou live, and shall serve thy brother…"
Why could not Isaac bless Esau afresh from the same source (his heart and mouth) of blessing that he poured on Jacob? The time of blessing for that occasion was pre-determined and prepared for. That hour was different from all other hours. It was an hour of blessing. Jacob got in tuned, and was blessed. Unto the same man, in the same house and on the same day came Esau and he was told that the hour of blessing had passed (even though he was the one determined to be blessed). May we be at the point of our blessing in its time, amen. Those special 1 night, 3, 4,or 5 days programmes are designed to bless specific individuals. The woman with the issue of blood was specifically blessed that day and time.
Church special programmes are designed for specific blessings and for specific individuals. Would that person be you? Do not refrain from Special Church Revival outreach "for when you least expect your savior would arrive".
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6.14 SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD
“A
nd it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose"- Gen.6: 1 - 2.
That union of "sons of God" and "daughters of men" had no good record thereafter. For we read "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" - Vs 5. There are "sons of God" (the sanctified ones) today also in our society. There are also "daughters of men": the unregenerate ones that live after the dictates of the flesh. Union between these two groups for whatever would not yield a godly result. We are not to be "unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?" – II Cor. 6:14.
As we have sons of God, so there are daughters of God. Likewise, as daughters of men are everywhere, so also we have sons of men. Sons and daughters of God are to be in union while the daughters and sons of men are for themselves until the time of their regeneration. Let there not be miss matching; for the end result of such is not always good: "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually".
The lifestyle of the "daughters of men" had corrupted the heart of the "sons of God" and so continuous evil imagination. The whole world was later destroyed by flood. With whom are you in union: Son or Daughter of men Or, Son or daughter of God?
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6.15 BEARING WITNESS?
“B
ehold now, I have two daughters which have not known man…" – Gen.19: 8. Lot spoke of her daughters that they have never slept with men. These were the daughters that said to each other in that same chapter: "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father"-Vs 32. Virgins will not conclude that way. Those daughters have experienced sleeping with men, which probably was unknown to Lot. How do they know that when wine is in a man, he loses self-control? It must have been an experience with them. Yea, Sodom had gotten into the hearts of those ladies and which was unknown to Lot. Could Lot ever thought his wife would look back from behind him?
No one can bear true witness of another. You cannot bear a true witness of your son or daughter. Only God knows the heart of men. Teach your children the way of the Lord, and pray along that they know God. You cannot bear a true witness of them. It was said of a woman who went to visit her daughter in a college. The woman was shown her daughter at a distance, but that woman could not admit that, that was her daughter for the tight trousers and jumper blouse that reveals the shoulder and belly which the lady wore. The mother said, "No, that is not my daughter; I know her, she can not be that one". At last, the lady got to her mother, and the mama was flabbergasted. The lady was also terribly ashamed of herself for she never dressed that way at home. Can you bear a true witness of your son or daughter?
A friend lend out his life time gratuity of about half a million naira to his trusted friend who promised to settle back after two weeks of a business deal. It was a hired killer that the trusted friend sent to the owner of the money after several weeks. It was God’s intervention that saved the owner of the money.
Can you bear a true witness of your friend, business partner or neighbor? Is it not one of the partners in marriage that brings in AIDS or other form of sexually transmitted diseases or break marriage vows? Can you bear a true witness of your wife / husband? What of between church members and the Pastor, Reverend or Bishop? WHAT OF AMONG THE CLERGY?
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6.16 FRUIT IN HIS SEASON
“B
lessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper."- Psalm 1:1-3NKJV .
The godly man is likened to a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season and whose leaves never wither. A godly man is one that fears the Lord and walk in the light of his word. One that delight in doing the will of God; one that hates evil. Such a person will want to serve God no matter the circumstances ("in season and out of season"). He will desire to please God first. It is such a person that is blessed continuously-always in the pipeline of God’s blessing.
Fruit bearing depicts what comes out of a man in speech, in action (Character) and in Production. Jesus says "ye shall know them by their fruit…A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" Matt.7: 16 - 20. It is what is in you that you will produce: nature of flesh or of the seed of God. What you have in you is what you will produce: good or bad. You are destined to bear fruit.
What kind of fruit do you produce? "That brings forth its fruit in its season": What good deeds are you known for (Such action of yours that are fruits produced by you)? If such is daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly, you are to be in production. Tree crops are known for production at their particular season. Except such a tree is stricken by a disease or is dead. If trees (since the time of creation) do produce their kinds in their season, how much more we (human) that are created in the image of God? Some will bear their fruit of good deed once and forget about it. Some repeat such the second or third time and put such action aside. God never take away His blessings from man. It is man that refuses to bear fruit of good deeds: to support an evangelism outreach or a mission work, a ministry or a special form of giving that affects lives for God. The bible admonishes us "not to be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not"- Gal.6.9. Are you known for certain kind of production in the gospel arena: Publications, Song or drama, an outreach or other form of presentation? Remember, "That brings forth its fruit in its season". The work of evangelism must be done "in season and out of season" as to make full proof of your calling to them that are within and without the church.
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6:17 ACCEPTABLE OFFERING
“A
nd the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering; But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect" – Gen. 4:4-5.
The LORD God had respect (regard) for Abel and his offering. That means, Abel was an acceptable giver of an acceptable offering. No offering can be acceptable if the giver is not acceptable to God. Cain was not acceptable; his heart was not right with God. He and his offering were rejected: "But unto Cain and his offering he had not respect" If you are not acceptable unto the Lord, your offering also cannot be acceptable. Abel was acceptable to God, and God had respect unto him and to his offering. Has God any respect for you? Are you acceptable to God? If not, whatever your offering (and tithe) might be, such would not be acceptable unto the Lord.
"… That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable sacrifice"-Rom.12: 1. Your reasonable presentation to God is first of all, your life: Your whole self, your body and your intelligence.
It is you that God need to use and not your sacrifice: "Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, nor have you delight in them; You have given me capacity to hear and obey (your law, a more valuable service than) burnt and sin offerings which you do not require"- Psalm 40:6 Amp. Your obedience to God’s law is more important than your sacrifice, yea than your offerings. For the world belong to God and the fullness there off (Psalm 50:12).
Giving up of your whole life to God is the most acceptable sacrifice. To that, God will have respect (regard).
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6:18 OCCASION TO FALL
“T
hat no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s (or sister’s) way"- Rom. 14:13.
"…Woe to that man by whom the offences cometh"-Matt.18: 7.
If woe were to that man or woman that put occasion of fallen in his brother or sister’s way, what would be the portion of the one that has fallen? Yea, one that allowed himself or herself to be made to fall? It should be the same WOE. That is, woe unto him or her that fall off from the grace that holds him (her).
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6:19 THE GRACE OF GOD
“A
nd God is able to make all grace abound toward you"-II Cor. 9:8.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God"-Rom. 5:1-2.
Grace is always referred to as unmerited favor that the human race receives freely from God. It is a divine favor that cannot be paid for by man. God in his mercy granted that favor through the death of his only son on the cross. The grace is for all human races to be entered into simply by believing in the death of Christ. Christ paid for the grace of God on the cross. We could not merit it. The grace was not in operation before the death of Christ. It was the law that was given through Moses that the Israelites lived by. The law caries with it, condemnation: It was a ministration of death (IICor. 3:6-9). The law can never give life: "for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law"- Gal. 3:21. The law was only given as our schoolmaster, our trainer or guardian to guide us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith through grace (Gal. 3:24). The law allowed "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe" Ex. 21:23 – 25. It allowed also for stoning to death of victims caught in adultery robbery, killing, and witchcraft e.t.c The laws forbid leprosy in the camp for such is to be cast out. The breaker of any law was to be dealt with according to the weight of the offence. The Psalmist therefore concluded: "If you, Lord, should keep account and treat (us according to our) sins, O Lord, who could stand?" – 130:3.
But thanks be to God who granted us the GRACE IN CHRIST JESUS for our salvation from the curse of the law by making Christ a curse for us (Gal. 3: 13). With the grace comes forgiveness of all manner of sins and deliverance from their accompanied consequence; strength to carry out duty or ministry task; healing form all forms of diseases; living and growing physically and spiritually; possessing different kinds of possessions for our enjoyment, e.t.c. By this same grace we are saved through faith and not of ourselves, for it is the gift of God. Salvation is not of works lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).
The grace of God is infinite; it is abundance and can never be exhausted by man. In whatever circumstances of man, God has promised that his grace is always sufficient to carry us through. (II Cor. 12:9). To the weak and to the strong, the grace is the same. God's strength is made perfect in weakness. Apostle Paul agreed with that and he concluded: "most gladly therefore will I ratter glory in my infirmities…for when I am weak, then am I strong" – II Cor. 12: 9-10. That is the work of God’s grace. Let not those that are strong and wise (in their sight) feel contented for under the grace of God, there is no glorying of any man. All are the same and God’s grace would not be deficient unto any. He that is strong and wise will have no excess; and he that is weak and poor will have no lack. That is the grace of God. Let him that do preach to thousands not boast himself and let not he that think he is making no impact fret; the grace of God is sufficient for both. The grace that was meted out to those that were called into the Vineyard in the morning watch was the same as to them that were called at noon and in the evening. All were granted equal amount of grace. The grace that was given to the one operating in ministry with millions of silver and gold is the same as that of the one operating on "widow’s mite". It is faithfulness to the call of God that makes a difference: the grace is the same.
It is this same grace that enables the worst of sinners to be freely justified and to stand before God as one that had never committed a sin: "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ " – Rom.5: 1. Grace came into operation when Christ was hung on the cross. That was the end of the law and its consequence. The thief that was condemned to die by the law went together with Christ into paradise through the operation of grace. The grace of God can be misused. Those who have tasted it before through the goodness of the word of God, and have shared in the Holy Spirit and the heavenly gifts can trample it under feet. If such a one falls away form grace, it can be impossible to bring such back to repentance. For by their action of disappointing the grace of God, they have crucified to themselves a fresh the Son of God, and put him to an open shame (Heb. 6:4-6). It is easy to fall away through the love and pleasure of the world: subjecting oneself to the dictates of the flesh than to God. Those things that make the world look good (music, electronics, films, games, e.t.c) can take hold of a man’s heart and make him lost from the grace of God. The world system is making spiritual things scarce while sensual things become common. When you taste some of "those things", they addict. You need to haste away from the world taste or else it overtakes you. Learn to live by the grace of God in the face of oppositions, or else you live by what is available (the world system).
Be diligent not to lose the grace of God so that you can be found in Him in peace. Do not twist and misconstrue the scriptures to please your lustful desires. Beware lest you fall from grace and from your steadfastness: "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ"- II Peter 3:18. That is the only way to challenge the world system. Progress and advance in grace. Do not be stagnant in the grace of God. Do not settle for less, advance in what God has provided. Accept the strength (grace) that is in Christ.
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FEED ON GOD’S WORD: Read the word, feed on it. Let it become the living word to you, not just columns of truth and opinions of men. Jesus wants to be known as the living Christ coming out of the pages of the Bible to us.
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6:20 THE LITTLE THAT YOU CAN DO
G
Od said to Joshua: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them - to the Israelites. 3I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses"- Joshua 1:1-3 NIV.
Joshua, by the grace of God, was able to possess the land of Canaan by conquering thirty-one kings of that land. He was used by God to divide the land for the tribes of Israel. Later in Joshua’s ministerial life, he became "Old and stricken in years". And the LORD said unto him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over"-(13:1). If Joshua, who was prepared by God for many years under the tutelage of Moses and commissioned to possess the land of Canaan for the Israelites, was not able to completely possess the whole land, then every child of God in any area of ministry should understand that whatever is being done through the grace given by God is only but little for: "there are still very large areas of land to be taken over".
Remember that, that same task (ministry) was left behind by Moses; and the elders that lived after Joshua could not also complete it. Each one of them did just very little they were able to achieve. No mater how highly we esteem our present day ministers and General Overseers, they are only able to do very little when you compare the percentage of their congregation to that of the Christians in their areas (not considering their state and the nation at large). It is always very little that each one can accomplish. There always remains "very large area of land to be taken over".
God’s work is to be done by the grace He has given. Remember, no matter the extent of accomplishment it is always very little. In whatever situation, faithfulness to do the little is what God requires not the number of years of service or wideness of your area of operation. You can only do a little. Many shall come after you (as many had already gone before you) that will do just very little as well: for there will always remain very large areas of ministerial assignments to be accomplished.
"And he said to him, Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities"- Luke 19:17.
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TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your comments for possible publication will inspire us to do more. Let us hear from you what the Lord is doing through our efforts.
•••
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