Destiny Safety I

TEXT: Lk. 2:41-52, MORE LESSONS: Prov. 12:15.

The childhood of Jesus and His domestic life under His earthly parents provide a lot of lessons for us today. In our text, Jesus went with His parents to worship in Jerusalem at age twelve. After the programme, unknown to his parents, He was left behind in Jerusalem. By the time they went back to Jerusalem to search for Him, they were shocked to find Him, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions: Lk. 2:46.They were happy He was found in the temple and glad they had to come back to look for Him. …Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? v48-49. Though they did not understand Him, And he went with them, not only that, and was subject unto them. It 's good to know that Emmanuel, God with us, the Son of God Himself, once had earthly parents to whom He was subject even though they misunderstood one another. So the first lesson is obedience to parents and reverence at all times. Jesus could have insisted on staying back, after all, for this purpose He came.
Beyond parental obedience, I know that one of the ways to preserve a man's destiny and not to miss one's steps in life is to have a destiny guide, someone who can correct, guide, strengthen and rebuke you whenever the need arises. Call it any name, father, mother, helper, teacher, master, anything, just let the person have an overseer responsibility over your destiny. Just as Jesus had parents to say, “Rise up and follow us' and regardless of His conviction about what He was doing, He followed them without any bitterness, so ought anyone who desires better days and safety ensure that he deliberately submits himself to such authority. The mystery of life is too deep for anyone to walk alone without a support.
Prayerfully and thoughtfully submit yourself for constant checks and balances for safety. There is no alternative to it, Jesus as a child did it, you must also be a child to someone, either your pastor / shepherd, spiritual father/mentor, counsellor / guardian (Prov. 11:14). Do you belong to a local assembly? Do you do any work for God in that assembly? Can he rebuke or correct you? Is there anyone who can call you to order when you go wrong? Do you ever go for counsel?

PRAYER / ACTION
* Ask God to help you live a life of submission to His appointed shepherd over you.
* Pray that you will not do anything to uproot you from where God has planted you.
* Ask for God’s help not to live a life like a sheep without a shepherd.
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Love Jesus More than These

TEXT: Jn. 21:1-15, MORE LESSONS: Matt. 10:37-39

We concluded yesterday by asking Jesus question to Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?: v15. As I examined the 3 times Jesus asked, “Lovest thou me?”, I concluded that Jesus was asking Peter to compare his love for Him (Jesus) with every other thing around him and tell Him which one he (Peter) loves most. This was Peter who had earlier on said, And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death: Lk. 22:33. In fact, he went as far as cutting off the ears of one of the people who came to arrest Jesus (Jn. 18:10) to prove his love and commitment. Yet Jesus had not been dead for any length of time and Peter had taken everybody away back to their old life of fishing. Now Jesus stood by the lake and wondered if this Peter loved Him indeed. Would continue to be the fisher of men that he had been called to?
The bandwagon effect of Peter's life must have also bothered Jesus. In verse 3, Peter said, …I go a fishing… and the whole team of apostles, the people Jesus spent all His life nourishing, mentoring and building, immediately went down with Peter. They said unto him, we also go with thee: v3. And friend, it was not a joke. Everybody went back to his old life courtesy of only one man and leader of the people. Jesus knew that He did not have to speak to everybody, He needed the commitment of just that one man and leader
– Peter, and everybody else will fall in line so He concentrated on Peter.
Today, I hear Jesus asking everybody, not the leaders alone, lovest thou me more than these? The fishing instrument, the money making ventures, the shops, children, building projects landed properties, profession, beauty, fashion, career, marriage, job, cars, family etc; do you love me more than them? Remember, Jesus said, He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me: Matt. 10:37. However, Jesus also said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life: Mk. 10:29-30.
How many things are you willing to sacrifice for Jesus' sake? That is the only proof that you love Him more than these.

PRAYER / ACTION
* Pray that nothing will ever rule your life above the Lord.
* Rededicate your life to God's sacrifice and promise Him you will live all your life for Him alone.
* Pray for all our spiritual leaders, that they will never take wrong decisions that will affect the Church of Jesus.
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Loving Jesus

TEXT: Jn. 21:16-17, MORE LESSONS: Rom. 8:35-37

Love that is not expressed is not love at all, both for God and man. This was why Jesus asked Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? v17. Three times Jesus asked this same question either because He wanted to emphasise the point so that it sticks, or because He wasn't getting the right answer He wanted from Peter. Although Peter thought he had answered correctly, Jesus persisted until Peter became agitated and grieved (17). I notice that although Jesus kept giving one response, “Feed my sheep”, what he seemed to be saying is, “Peter”, if you love me, prove it by doing something, “feed my sheep”. Every pastor must hear this; if you love your congregation, do something for them, feed them with God's Word, solid Word, complete Scripture, undiluted. Feed them with everything; don't hide any part of God's Word from them. Whether holiness or giving, restitution or forgiveness, moral virtues or family love, kingdom service or sacrifice, teach all the counsel of the Lord.
That was how Jesus wanted Peter to reciprocate His love for Him; be responsible. If you are loved, you must reciprocate by a responsible act to prove and to express appreciation. When love is one-sided, it stands the risk of weakness and loss. Husbands and wives must reciprocate love be by doing something Friends must express their love one to another, not just by words; there must be evidence in acts. Every type of relationship must make love a part of its purpose and it must be expressed from one to the other.
Above all, our love for God must be expressed. Jesus wanted Peter to prove that he appreciated God's love for him by doing something for His Kingdom. Have you thought why the question was directed only at Peter? He was the appointed rock on which the Church would be built (Matt.16:18), best beneficiary of Jesus ministries among the disciples, especially if you note that thrice Satan attempted to dislodge him from grace (Lk. 22:31; Matt 16:23; Matt. 26:72-60). But in all, he was forgiven and restored. Today, look back a how much God has done for you and ask yourself what you have done in return How much have you done to support His work and people as a prove of your love for Him? How much sacrifice can you make or have you made for your church and pastor, for missionaries and missions for His love's sake? Don't stop at the words, “I love Jesus”, go for the work; reciprocate His love by an act. Lovest me more than these?

PRAYER / ACTION
* Pray that the things of God will be a priority for you in your life.
* Pray that God's great investment in your life will not be a waste.
* Pray that you will be able to reciprocate God's love to you.
* In practical terms, Ask yourself-do you have any physical expression of your love for God in relation to his love for you?
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Wisdom and Knowledge

TEXT: Hosea 4:6, MORE LESSONS: I Kgs. 3:16-28.

There are two things in life that everyone who desires to prosper and live a good life must not lack. They are knowledge to answer the question, ‘What?’, and wisdom to ask ‘how?’ When you know the what and the how of a matter, you stand a victor over it. This was why Hosea, speaking by the Spirit of God said that even God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. The implication is ignorance is not a respecter of social or spiritual status; if you are ignorant you cannot escape destruction. Though a very serious matter, not too many people have seen it like this.
Whoever taught Solomon to ask for wisdom instead of wealth is his hero, And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like: II Chro. 1:11-12.
Because God was impressed, He added what Solomon needed but didn't ask for (v12). This was one prayer God did more than requested because it was just the right thing and unexpected of any man. May your prayer make meaning in Heaven and impact on the earth.
God hears all prayers but does not answer all. However, a request for knowledge and wisdom will remain a delight of God. They not only come by prayer but also by humility and readiness to learn, formally and informally. Even as leaders, we must never cease both to read and to learn. When you stop learning, you will extinct and to stop reading is to stop leading. Friend, there is always something that you need that you don't have, and there is always something you have you don't need; give out, you are not created to be everything to yourself. That is why you need knowledge and wisdom to use what you have and add what you don't have but need. There are many people today, especially God's people walking towards destruction needlessly, when all they need is just one question away. Beloved, seek for knowledge; it is available with God, just for the asking. Go to school if you need to; it's never too late to be educated, and ask questions if you need to, you will not be despised longer than that moment.
A life void of knowledge and wisdom, is too frustrating to endure and will surely end in destruction. Even our Lord Jesus, had to receive ...the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge… (Isa. 11:2) and waxed strong in spirit (Lk. 2:40). If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God... (Jm. 1:5).

PRAYER / ACTION
* God gives wisdom; ask Him for yours.
* Pray that you will never work against wisdom.
* Pray that you will no more operate outside of wisdom.
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