Honouring the Lord

TEXT: Dan. 10:18,    MORE LESSONS: 2Tim.1:7

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were three Hebrew men who honoured God in a strange land. They were captives to Babylon but stood as ambassadors of Jehovah in the land of captivity. Although they were set up for the purpose of being discredited and destroyed out of jealousy, their faith in God, turned the setup to a turn-up. I imagine how God and the angels in Heaven felt when these Jews dared the king's fire. Their action can be summarized in the following ways.
1. They feared God more than man (v18).
2. Although, far from home, they kept the commandment they had been taught from home, never to bow to any image/idol (Exo. 20:3).
3. They made God proud in heaven, so God also made them proud on the earth.
4. They took a risk for the Kingdom's sake and were not disappointed.
5. They chose not to be cowards or to deny God in a foreign land like the other captives in Babylon. Obviously, God is honoured in these characters. In contrast to these however, when is God dishonoured? He is dishonoured when;
1. we fall flat to simple temptations,
2. we deny Christ because of little earthly, temporary things,
3. we fear man more than God (I Sam. 2:19),
4. we break God's laws with impunity,
5. we toy with sin as if we have no conscience,
6. it doesn't matter becomes our excuse for sin,
7. we begin to classify sin as major or minor. Sin is sin,
8. we disrespect God's appointed leaders for whatsoever reason,
9. we misrepresent God in dressing, speech, and public office.
Friend, God is honoured when like Jesus we have a testimony that we fulfilled all righteousness (Matt. 3:11-15). When we dare the devil and the world to obey God rather than men, then the Fourth Man in the fire will show up for us like He did for the three Hebrews in the fire. My prayers for you today is that as you dare to honour God and take risks for God's Kingdom. Then, God will show up for you.

PRAYER / ACTION
* Pray that your life will bring honour to God and His people.
* Pray that as many as are being persecuted for the sake of heaven will not lose focus nor fail God.
* Pray that you will be a practical and an exceptional example of God's people in your generation.
* Repent of everything you ever did that brought shame to God's name.

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What to do with Jesus

TEXT: Matt. 27:15-24, MORE LESSONS: 2 Cor. 5:14-15

When Pilate, at the trial of Jesus asked, …what shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ? (v22), he was expecting an answer like, “Release Jesus, crucify the armed robber, Barabbas”. Unfortunately, to Pilate's surprise, the people had been sufficiently briefed and mobilized enough to answer in the negative, …they are all saying to him, let him be crucified. One day, all who ever lived will be asked that same question.
Jesus was born to a Jewish family but with a global eternal mission. Anyone who avoids Him on the earth will meet Him in Heaven (II Cor. 5:10). Those who shouted “Crucify Him”, preferring the armed robber to the Saviour, will be there that day, including those who flogged and nailed Him, shared His dress, gave Him vinegar, etc. Those who called Him a homosexual and those who an inferred that He had immoral affairs with Mary and Martha will also be there to give their own account to explain why they said what they said. Even Pilate will be there to answer the question he posed to the crowd. On that day, what will you say you did with Jesus? Today, some are playing religion with Jesus, they keep all the religious files- such as going on pi lgrimage wi thout any personal relationship with Jesus the object of the religion. Some are building kingdoms around Jesus, founding churches and ministries in His name, whether they are called or not, studying and propounding stories, yet they have never met Him. In fact, some are related with Jesus only to the intent of using His name for money making; they produce religious materials, CDs DVDs, books etc to sell in His name but they don't know Him.
All of us will answer for what we did with Him. Jesus said, concerning Himself, … I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly: Jn. 10:10. Angel Gabriel said concerning Him, ...for he shall save his people from their sins. Matt. 1:21. Whatever we do with or for Jesus that does not include receiving forgiveness of our sins, and accepting Him as the only source of life is not correct. Do you have the life of Jesus in you or you are locked up in religious activities. Accepting Jesus to clean you of all sins and live in you as your Lord and Master is the only right thing to do with Jesus; all other things are secondary.

PRAYER / ACTION
* Pray that you will not be empty of God's Word that you have been hearing.
* Ask God for a daily renewed relationship with Jesus.
* Pray that nothing will be more important to you in life than your relationship with Jesus.
* Take a deep thought about your relationship with Jesus.

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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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