Thursday, October 17, 2013

Eternal Guide

Text: Heb. 11:3
More Lessons: Jm. 1:17-25.

I once heard a preacher-man coin out an acronym for “B.I.B.L.E” and I love it. He called it, “Best Instruction Before Leaving Earth”. There are two spheres of life, time and eternity. Friends, there is no doubting the fact that there is life after here. It is called eternity or life without time. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Heb 9:27. We are eternal beings, designed by God to live forever. But the quality of our eternity will be predicated on the guidance we receive and obey here in time.

Time is rewarded in eternity so we cannot afford to spend time recklessly. We need an eternal compass, a divine pathfinder to successfully ply the roads of life in time. We need a trustworthy time-guide; we need a living book. Praise God, we have the Bible. Even Science and Archeology accept that the Bible is a truth-pack. But much more than all of this, there is only one infallible proof that the Bible is the best guide into eternity with God; its words work! The Word of God cannot and does not fail. It always works, giving life to its readers and impacting the earth with eternal life. Its words are sure; you can bank on it. Jm. 1:25 says, But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein...but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

It’s simple logic to say that a pillar, a picture, a bridge, the human body or anything at all cannot be firm in shape without a frame. And our anchor verse today from the living book reveals that …the worlds were framed by the word of God…. Heb. 11:3a. To show us that the Word of God is the very substance or force behind the reality of the world as we know it today. Thus, it is impossible to live a life that is successful, relevant, impactful and heaven bound without taking roots in the Word of God.

The audacity to poke Satan in the face and claim your victory is predicated on how much of God’s Word you have searched out, believed and acted upon. Nothing is sweeter than a life that is lived in the Word of God because for word-based people, heaven is sure! Time spent with the Living Book is not time wasted; it is time invested. It is said that the purpose of a thing is with its manufacturer. The Word of God is our manufacturer’s manual for effective and productive living. As the sun is to the earth so is the Word of God to our lives. Prepare for eternity, study the Bible.

Prayer/ Action
* Ask God to help you run your life solely on the compass of the God’s Word.
* Ask God to illuminate your mind and heart by His Word.
* Ask God to help you invest your time in the study of His Word.

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Living Book

Text: II Tim 3:16
More Lessons: Psa 19:1-10

I believe the Bible contains the true and living Word of God. The Bible was written over 1,500 years ago by 40 different generations coming from radically different backgrounds and cultures, including kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars, etc. It was written from different places, at different times, in different languages and by different writers yet it contains an unmistakable thread of continuity. It’s incredible to realize that even human and natural science abound proofs that attest to the reliability of the Bible. Archeological research has revealed excavations and discoveries of tangible evidences to ascertain that the records in the Bible are not fiery tales but true.

Scientific research continues to unfold the wonders and mysteries of our universe which only the Bible anticipated, centuries before they were discovered. Let’s see a few of the inexhaustible tangible historical proofs that the Bible is truly God-breathed and relevant not only for spiritual things but also for daily living.

1. The earth floats in space (Job 26:7), affected only by gravity. While other sources declared that the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true – “He hangs the earth on nothing.”
2. The Bible warns against eating birds of prey (Lev. 11:13-19). Scientists now recognize that those birds which eat carrion (putrefying flesh) often spread disease.
3. Circumcision on the eighth day is ideal (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3; Luke 1:59). Medical science has discovered that the blood clotting chemical pro-thrombin peaks in a newborn on the eighth day. This is, therefore, the safest day to circumcise a baby.
4. Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7; 3:19). Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements – all of which are found in the earth. History also has it that no other book in circulation has as much proof of its truth and reality in science, arts, history and archeology as the Bible does. The Bible is not a science text book; it is God’s Word yet it has proved itself even in human science. Friend, if you don’t own a bible, then you don’t own a real book. If you own one and don’t read it, reality is passing you by. If you own one but it’s dusty, then you are ignoring reality. But if you study the Word of God in faith, then welcome to Reality!

Prayer/ Action
Pray:
* Lord, help me to live by the reality of Your Word
* Let the truth of Your Word prevail over every lie of the devil around me.
* I dedicate my life to the truth of Your Word, I shall live by it all my life.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

The Thief is Around II

Text: Rev. 12:7-12
More Lessons: Rev. 12:17

The ministry of the devil on earth is fully revealed by God to anyone who gives attention to reading of the Bible. Our text makes us to understand more about the devil and his origin. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him: v9. Most of the time, the way he comes to us does not actually reveal his mission. But the Bible says he is a dragon, an old serpent and a deceiver who has many evil angels that were expelled from heaven to earth, working with him.

One other reason why the enemy goes about like a roaring lion is because of your faith. Whatever the enemy does to you in life, his ultimate is to erode your faith and confidence in God. However, the Word of God says we have the shield of the spirit…building up yourself in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 20) and Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit , and watching…:Eph. 6:18. To be secure even when the devil pursues, the believer needs to put on the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:14-18). The armour includes: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, prayer, and supplication in the Spirit.

Beloved, the list is long. Which one do you have and which one do you lack? You need to be fully equipped because Satan is an enemy that eats beyond the bone. He does not only steal and kill, he destroys.

Moreover, our text points to another occupation of the devil: he goes around looking for who to deceive and what to use to accuse the children of God before their Father, day and night. The devil is a nuisance and to be free from him use the blood of Jesus, His name and the Word. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death: v11.These weapons never fail. Our fathers overcome Satan by them and they are a reference for us also today. Over your life, the blood of Jesus will not lose its power! He that gave victory to those who went ahead of us will not deny us the same testimony of victory. I declare over you, your destiny treasures shall not be stolen, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer/ Action
Begin this prayer with the song: Great is thy faithfulness, O Lord my Father.
Then give thanks to the Lord because:
* In 2013, no craftiness of the enemy shall prosper against you.
* He will give you your meat in due season.
* Declare that your glory will not be stolen by destiny robbers.
* Declare that the plans of the enemy over your life shall not be hidden.

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Monday, October 14, 2013

The Thief Is Around

Text: Jn. 10:1-11.
More Lessons: Job 2:7-9

Names are very important. The name of a man tells so much about him; his mission, land of nativity and interests. When Jesus addressed the devil as a thief, a killer and a destroyer, He was exposing Satan's duty. Since the report of Jesus is true, Satan's mission and activities are revealed by his names. The devil does not go where there is nothing good. So when you see the devil being persistent about a matter, it means there is something of great value there. Each time you see the enemy coming to you, it is because there is something precious and peculiar about you that he wants to steal, kill or destroy.

From today’s text, Jesus plainly spelt out what the enemy wants to steal from the believer's life…I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly: v10. We can infer from Jesus' declaration here that the life of God in you is actually the devil's target. What the devil is running after to destroy is the thing Jesus came to give abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep: v11.

Beloved, you have the life of God that cannot be stolen, therefore, shun every suggestion of the devil to deprive you of your life.

Moreover, one of the greatest reasons the devil will want to destroy a man's life is his glorious future. Don't pally with the devil because his end has been determined already and you have what he can never have. The story of baby Jesus makes us know that Satan is always jittery when he sees a person with a great destiny. You have a great future; do not expose your life to the destroyer.

The knowledge of who the devil is, is very vital in being able to deny him access to our treasures. That was why Jesus exposed who he (Satan) is to us. Apostle Paul corroborated this truth when he wrote, Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices: II Cor. 2:11.

Our victory over the thief is to increase knowledge of what the devil can do and what God has provided for us and in us to overcome Satan's devices. Some of these include: more knowledge of God's word and promises, more strength in the place of prayer, more acquisition of the weapons of our warfare and the armour of God (II Cor. 10:4-6).

Prayer/ Action
* Prophesy that the glory of the Lord will not cease upon your life.
* Declare that today you will sing and not weep.
* Uproot the forces of sorrow out of your life, family and destiny.

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