Perilous Times I

READ: II Tim. 3:1-7
MORE LESSONS: I Tim 4: 1-6
Bible Reading in One Year: Acts 3-5

These are the very last days before the return of the Lord Jesus. We are in what the Bible calls the perilous times which are difficult times characterised by several happenings that indicate that the appearance of Jesus is any moment from now. The Bible mentions the indicators that make us know that we are in the end times. For men shall be lovers of their own selves.… This means people will be seeking their own interests without regard for the interest of God or others. As long as they make money, it doesn't matter what happens to others. You will agree that this is what is happening in our days; these are truly the last days.

The spirit of pride and boastfulness is on the rampage in the world; you must make sure that it does not rest on you. The pride and boastfulness of the world has found its way into the Church. Pride in church could be in the form of having an ability to do something and believing that nobody else can do it as well as you can. A musician, preacher or pastor might believe that unless he does something, it is not being well done and the congregation cannot be imparted. We have to watch against this spirit in our lives.

The level of rascality of children in this generation is unprecedented. Children are being disobedient to parents; parents now have to beg their children to do what they want them to do even though it is the right thing. But that's not correct! Parents should assert authority over their children to stop them from bringing disgrace to the family.

The liberty that children have as a result of knowledge and increased information in this generation is good. It is good to have a good rapport and be friends with our children to discuss matters with them and show them what the Word of God says about issues. But the place of respect and obedience to parents should never be forgotten.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: Eph 6:1-5 (KJV).

Uncontrolled behaviour in children is a sign of the end time. We should not allow it to thrive in our homes and churches. The reason we have looked at these signs is so that we can pray and watch against them. Watch and pray, therefore, that you will not be caught unaware by the spirit of the end time.

Prayer/Action
* Pray that you will not be a victim of the end time signs.
* Ask God to help you win over the end time spirits and powers.
* Pray against the spirit of lukewarmness, pride, boasting, covetousness, blasphemy and disobedience.

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Fellow Labourers

Text: Phil. 2:19-24
More Lessons: Acts 28:13-15
Bible Reading in One Year: Acts 1-2

Co-labourers are people appointed by God to fulfil their destiny through supporting their leader to do what God has appointed him to do. This way, both the appointed leader and his fellow workers/helpers fulfil destiny by working together although in different capacities. In the wisdom of God, no one church/ministry/assignment is raised to be headed by two persons side by side. Just as there is no human with two heads, in God's order, it is usually one leader, many followers. Any assignment, human or spiritual, that is saturated with competitors will fail, but where there are co-labourers, success is sure.

Every leader should deliberately pray for co-labourers in his/her assignment. A leader should also watch out for who is a co-labourer around him and draw such closer for greater collaboration. Among other things, co-labourers are people who:

1) Handle every assignment as though it is theirs personally, they do the work as if it is theirs.
2) Do not wait to be instructed or supervised to get the work done.
3) Never do eye service – whether the boss is present or not, they do whatever is required.
4) Work without attaching any condition to their service. They serve with little or no incentives.
5) Go extra mile – they are not restricted in service, they do as much as will bring result.
6) Are of absolute commitment – they are prepared to sink or float with their assignments.
7) Believe in and carry the spirit of their leader.

The ministry of Paul the apostle, though very tough and challenging, was made easy by the gift of men and women who were co–labourers, supporters, givers and helpers of all time, such as Timothy and Epaphroditus who Paul refered to severally as brothers, fellow workers, fellow soldiers, messengers and ministers (v25); they nearly died for the work (v30). Are you a co-labourer or a problem in God's Kingdom?

Prayer / Action
* Ask God for team spirit in every area of your service in His Kingdom.
* Pray for the grace to satisfactorily love God and His work.
* Pray that God will send faithful co-labourers to His vineyard.
* Examine the seven steps above and ask yourself, under God, which of them you lack.
* Give thanks for the ones you have and pray that you will increase in them.
* Take practical steps on the ones you consider lacking in your life.

Pass the Baton

Text: Acts 1:1-2
More Lessons: John 9:4
Bible Reading in One Year: 2 Kings 23-25

The book of the Acts of the Apostles opens with a statement, what Jesus began to do and to teach. It is important to note that Jesus did not just teach the Word and the ways of God, He first did it before teaching it. However, we are made to understand here that He only began the process of doing and teaching the Word. He has commissioned us disciples to continue what He began and bring it to a conclusion at the end of the age, when He will come back to gather in the harvest and reward His servants.

The book of the Acts is an account of how the early apostles continued with the task of world evangelism. The baton has been passed on from one generation to another. The book of the Acts is still being written and it is now your responsibility to add your chapter in this generation. As a person, in what ways are you going to partake in what Jesus began? What are you going to do to bring the harvest to a conclusion? Remember, you can pray, give, sing, teach, witness, contribute your skills and talents. You can give your money and house, expertise, e.t.c. so that the kingdom of this world might become the Kingdom of our God and His Christ. Pass the baton on with all you have and possess, it will not be in vain. What are you going to do for God in your generation?

Peter was a fisherman yet he made contributions that cannot be forgotten. Matthew was a tax collector, Luke was a physician and Paul was a professor emeritus. All of them made their mark.

The disciples ran errands (Matt. 21:2), Simeon the Cyrenian helped carry Jesus’ cross (Luk. 23:26), Joseph of Armathea provided His grave (Luk. 23:51-53). The Galilean women provided the perfume for His burial. What will you do with His grace upon your life? What will you do for your God and Saviour?

Don't be a waster of God’s glory upon you, don't be a bench warmer in destiny, it is time to be a kingdom participant by active participation not as an on looker and a consumer.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to anoint and use you to be part of those who will continue what Jesus began to teach and to do.
* Ask God to lead you to a definite contribution to His Kingdom this year.
* Pray that you will not keep away from God whatever you have that can advance the Kingdom of God.

I see Jesus II

Text:II Cor. 3:11-18
More Lessons: Mark 14:24-31
Bible Reading in One Year: 2Kings 18-22

In all our doings, we must remember that the eyes and ears are doorways into the mind. The things that the eyes see and the ears hear form the images that fill the mind. Nothing influences the thoughts and imaginations like what we see and hear. This is why God asked the prophet Jeremiah, what do you see? (Jer. 1:11) And two verses later God asked him again in Jer. 1:13. God admitted that the prophet saw well and He would hasten His word to perform it. It is what we see that God hastens onto performance. Whatever we do not imagine, God may not perform. It is one thing to just mutter words to God in prayer and it is yet another thing altogether to pray with a heart that is full of faith and focused on the desired result.

The life that will enjoy continuous answers to its heart desires is the one that has a picture caption of the future it wants to create. What we desire, we see and what we see, we perceive, and our perception creates passion to pursue a designated purpose until it is created for us. The word of God is full of God's big pictures for your finances, family, faith and career. As we hear the word of God, faith comes, (Rom.10:17). And when we see the word of God as a template for living, it creates the future we want to feature in. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. I hear people say, “it's tough to believe”, but I say, as light sends darkness away without argument; the greatest key to breaking doubt and releasing faith is focusing on the personality and power of Jesus.

As long as Peter saw Jesus, he walked on the water. The moment he began to see the storm more than he saw Jesus, he began to sink. Focusing on Jesus, not yourself or the storms of life, will keep you afloat and walking on the water.

Imagine what your life will look like, if you started focusing on what God has to say about your life. We must begin to renew our minds to the point that when next we face a turbulent storming situation, we ask ourselves, ‘if Jesus were here, would He run for His life or walk on this turbulent waters?’ See what Jesus would do and do it.

Prayer/Action
Thank God because he has given to us plainly, the mysteries of the kingdom that the world cannot.
Pray that no person, circumstance or thing will be strong enough to erode the image of Jesus away from your mind and spirit.
Ask the Holy Spirit to brood over your mind and create Christ consciousness in you.
Confess that no matter the storm you face, you will not miss sight of Jesus in the storm.

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