Keeping the Heritage I

Text: II Jn.9-13
More lessons: I Tim.4:13-16
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 1-3

Heritage means the features belonging to the culture of a particular society such as tradition, languages or building, which exist from the past and still have importance in the present. The Christian heritage must be preserved in the face of passing fashions and practices in the world wherein we dwell. Some have started to lose sight of the fact that though Christianity teaches grace and love abundantly, it is a faith with a definite system of beliefs with definite content. If Christianity will not be phased out among the upcoming generations then the heritage must be preserved by all members of the body of Christ. The first place to start this preservation is to clearly and firmly recognize that Christianity has doctrines. Christian doctrine is a clear articulation of Biblical truth. Doctrine has to do with preserving our Christian heritage and giving a legacy to future generation of Christians. Doctrine is content of teaching intended to be accepted and believed as truth. Removing doctrine which comprises the essence of the Christian faith is to become non-Christian. The advantages of learning and teaching doctrines include; i) It helps cure our minds of childishly subjective interpretations of the Bible. ii) It is both for discipleship of our minds, spiritual formation of our hearts helping to nurture our relationship with God and people. iii) Correct doctrine helps us mature and guard against sin giving stability to our lives. iv) Doctrine gives power to witness, encourages believers and it is the foundation of fellowship among believers. v) Biblical doctrines consistently taught is an anchor that keeps us from drifting from scriptural moorings taught by Jesus and His disciples while on earth.

What we believe affects what we do therefore to keep our Christian heritage we must all have good and sound knowledge of Biblical doctrines much more now that we are in the last days when false prophets and false doctrines are multiplying. The second way to preserve the Christian heritage and stay in the truth till Jesus comes again is to attend Bible studies regularly in a Bible believing church.

Gradually, pursuits of life are making many abandon Bible studies attendance to the detriment of keeping their Christian heritage and passing it to their children. Some even attend Bible studies and leave their family members at home. Anyone who does not attend Bible studies will soon end up with a dead faith and such a person may miss heaven at last. Ask yourself in the last one month whether you created time to attend Bible studies as you should? Finally to preserve the heritage we must all be like the Bereans who studied the Scriptures to check whether what they were taught were so Acts 17:11. Evaluate yourself today. Is your Christianity still alive? Are you passing it to your children? Will it still be in your family after you are long dead?

Prayer/Action
* Father, let the Christian heritage live in my time and beyond in Jesus name
List five ways you can preserve the Christian heritage in your home and family and begin to do those things immediately.

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God Cares for You II

Text: Mark. 4:35-41
More lessons: Matt.10:29-31
Bible Reading in One Year: Titus

Today, we want to use two analogies from the Bible to show that God cares for you. And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, 'Master, carest thou not that we perish?' And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:35-41. The storm was so great and the devil had the audacity to attack the ship with Jesus inside.

This is a lesson we should learn; even with the presence of Jesus, there could still be an attack on your ship but the question as the disciples asked is: Master, carest thou not that we perish? He cares! And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. In Matthew 14:22-32, the devil re-strategised. This time Jesus was not there when he attacked. Jesus told His disciples to go to the other side of the lake while He went to pray. When the disciples were in the middle of the sea, the devil attacked them; he sent a contrary wind to destroy them. The devil didn't attack at the brink of the water; he knew they would swim and escape to the land. Moreover, the attack came in the early hours of the day when no man would be able to help them. But when it looked as if there was no more hope, Jesus appeared walking on the water. That is what the Bible means when it says God will not leave you nor forsake you. Whatever situation you are passing through today, God is connected to you; He cares for you and He will never leave you nor forsake you. At the end of the day, the storm not only ceased, but Peter also had a testimony that he walked upon the water. I see you walk upon the waters of your troubles, in the name of Jesus. All you need to do is to never give in to Satan’s blackmail that God does not care; it will discourage you and weaken your faith. Don't give up your faith. Hold on to God and trust His Word; it will not fail.

Prayer/Action
* Tell the devil, “I will walk on top of my challenges, in Jesus’ name.”
* Rebuke every type of fear and satanic threats over your destiny.
* Lay your hands on your head and declare that you will not sink in destiny.

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God Cares for You I

Text: Heb. 13:5-6
More Lessons: I Pet. 5:7
Bible Reading in One Year: Psalms 146-150

There is a question people often ask when in the midst of adverse unexplainable situations and circumstances. Does God care? When John the Baptist was in prison, he expected Jesus to do something to get him out but Jesus did not do anything. Also the Scripture records that a friend that Jesus loved was sick to the point of death and his sisters sent for Jesus but He didn't come on time, so Jesus' friend, Lazarus, died from the sickness. Martha asked as other people ask, Lord, Don't you care that . . .? Lk. 10: 40. This same question was asked by Martha when she was busy and tired in the kitchen and her sister was not helping her. When there are difficulties, failures or marital problems; when something negative happens to you or when others are receiving letters of promotion but you get the opposite; when those that got married after you have given birth to five children but you are still waiting on God, the question you ask is: God do You really care? I want you to know that God cares for you. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deut. 31:6 That is what God is saying. Whatever the situation you are facing, God says He will not leave you nor forsake you. For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 1 Sam 12:22 Are you a child of God? Then the Lord will not forsake you; He will keep you and help you. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Ps 27:10. A mother may forsake her sucking child but the Lord will not forsake you. Isa.49:15 How can you have these promises and allow anything to tell you that God does not care for you? In every area of your life and no matter what you are passing through, hear what God says today: ''I CARE FOR YOU.'' Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you: I Peter 5:7. More than the care of a wife, husband or pastor, God cares. All you need to do is to cast your care, worry and trouble upon Him because He cares for you. This is the testimony of Peter who had been with Jesus and his conclusion is that God cares for you.
Only cast your care upon Him.

Prayer/Action
* Give thanks to God for He cares for you and for all His promises over your destiny.
* Praise God for being a faithful God.
* Tell God you believe His faithfulness over you will not fail.
* Read Psa. 23:1-6 and claim the promises.

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Who do you want to See?

Text: John 12:20-21
More lessons: John 14: 18-21
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 143-145

What people come to see in church and at every gathering this days is unheard of. We come to church most of the time and there is no single encounter with Jesus, neither is anyone asking questions of how to have an encounter with Him. The Bible says there were some among those who came to worship, which means the Greeks were just among many that came to worship at the feast. Let us say 5000 went to worship, and among the 5000, maybe there were about 50 Greeks. 'Some Greeks', this is a very serious matter, all of them came to worship but the Greeks came to Philip with a request. The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus: Jn. 12:21. These people said we came to see Jesus. And I ask, what then did other people come to see? W ere there no other people there too? And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: v20. There were more people there of course, but the Greeks came with only one agenda, to see Jesus.

Until you begin to thirst to see Jesus, you may forever remain on the same bus stop. There are many policemen that work for presidents of different country but had never seen the president. Some of them are commissioners of police and they may never have seen the president. The pulpit is filled with ministers who have never seen Jesus. Many came to worship but these Greeks said, Philip, take us to the Man. We have seen dancing, acrobatic display by men, but we want to see Jesus. There have to be a time in your life when you will have to pause and ask yourself if Jesus is present in everything you do, if you can't find Him, begin to ask for Him until you see Him. It is in seeing Jesus that we can experience His glorious presence. He is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person (Heb. 1:3). It is a pity that many believers are not looking for Jesus today. I don't mean being born again, but seeking Jesus beyond being born again experience. And that is why people come to a church today and if they don't see what satisfies them, they pack their load and move to another church. He said… I will come to you… the world seeth me no more; but ye see me John 14:18-19. The problem is not with Him coming to us but with us seeing Him when He comes. You will never be able to see Jesus as far as you have an idol of what you want to see in your heart. He will always come to His own but are we able to discern His presence. This is what the gathering of the people of God should be, a place where men see Jesus. These Greeks knew fellowship without seeing Jesus is not a complete one. Who do you want to see in your gathering?

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to increase your faith and expose your spiritual state to you today.
* Pray that as God reveals your life to you, you will be broken and humble enough to make necessary adjustment.
Ask yourself who is Jesus to me and who am I to Jesus.

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