Self-control

TEXT: I Cor. 9:27, MORE LESSONS: Gal. 5:9-25.

Self-control is the ability to control one's behaviour, especially in terms of reactions and impulses. It's self restraint in the face of temptation or sinful desires.
What does the Bible say about self control? It is the ability to prove what is the will of God in every situation (Rom. 12:2-3); ability to avoid offence in words, thereby controlling the whole body. (Jam. 3:2); ability to embrace God's total divine counsel, even when it hurts (Matt. 5:29-30); being able to control our anger (Prov. 16:32); ability to put to death any form of worldliness in us (Col. 3:5) and ability to have rule/control over one's spirit (Prov. 25:28).
Biblical examples of self-control
1. Joseph (Gen. 39:9): he refused to fornicate with Portifer's wife thereby excising control over sexual provocation.
2. The Rechabites (Jer. 35:1-6): they refused to drink wine at the instance/persuasion of prophet Jeremiah, because it was contrary to their father's commandment.
3. Job (Job. 31:1, 30): he refused to lust with his eyes nor curse with his mouth.
4. Daniel (Dan. 1:8): he purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the idolatrous delicacy of the Babylonian king.
While we celebrate these ones and set them as heroes and models of true Christian living, we have others who could not exercise self-control and consequently became bad example of how not to live. Some of them recognized their wrongs and weaknesses, cried to God for mercy and made their ways right while some like Judas died by committing suicide (Acts 1:l7-19). Esau could not control his appetite and hunger, he lost his birth-right forever (Gen. 25:32-38). Most painful of all is Moses who after labouring so much could not enter Canaan because he lacked self-control over his anger (Num. 20:7-12). But thank God he made Heaven.
How far will you allow lack of control over your flesh take you? If you desire to win over this monster, begin to spend more time reading and living by the Word of God, give yourself to fasting and prayer, avoid evil company and bring you flesh under subjection to God's will. The power of the Holy Spirit is available to help you if you will ask Him for help. I know you will win!

PRAYER / ACTION
* Pray that no sin will have dominion over you.
* Ask God for a fresh release of the grace of God for daily living.
* Rebuke the spirit of falling and rising, and receive grace for a consistent life.
* Pray all the fruit of the spirit in Gal. 5:22-23 into your life.

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Destiny Safety II

TEXT: Psa. 23:1-6, MORE LESSONS: Ecc. 4:9-12

There is no self made man on the earth; God did not create one. Every man needs someone else in life. No matter how great a man is in life, he still has one need someone else can meet. We, therefore, must all open up for help when necessary. Many destinies have been unnecessarily wasted because of arrogance. I am till believing God for greatness in my life; I have not shut doors for correction and rebuke. I value those who are able to love me enough to call my attention to what I do wrong. But beyond that, I have people that I have willingly submitted my life to for correction and rebuke when necessary. They are people that I know cannot rebuke me out of ignorance or jealousy; people who God has raised and are ahead, people of grace, not of age, strong enough to raise me under God. If I slip down the slope, I know the power of the Holy Ghost and I know the strength of God but I also know that, Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth...: Ecc. 4:9-10.
In addition, I know that the secret of the strong sheep (Psa. 23) is the shepherd. The sheep shall not want (v1) they shall find pasture and a still noiseless stream. When he misses his way, he finds restoration, and is guided in the path of righteousness because he has a shepherd over his life. In fact, with the shepherd nearby, there is no fear even in the valley of the shadow of death and the sheep eats to his satisfaction while his enemies look on. However, the sheep’s confidence is based on these things: the shepherd's presence, his rod (to protect and fight the sheep's enemies) and the staff (to guide, correct and rebuke the sheep). If your destiny is to be safe therefore, you need someone by your side who you can have access to and trust for direction and correction. That is the joy of having a shepherd and that is safety.
If you have a pastor, leader, or mentor who cannot tell you when you are wrong, your destiny is at a risk, run! A man of God said, ‘If your pastor preaches a message strong enough to make you cry, buy a gift and go give him for a good job’. As a congregation, we need such shepherd over our lives and even as a shepherd, you also need a shepherd over you. Any shepherd without a shepherd, mentor or father is not worthy of leading others. It is only in being led that we can lead. It does not help to worship in a place and have no contribution to the place; and worst of all, to live a life without a shepherd.

PRAYER / ACTION
* Ask God to make you a faithful sheep to your shepherd.
* Pray that you will not stray from your shepherd.
* Pray that the rod and the staff of your shepherd will comfort you and that you will not rebel against instruction.

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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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