Times and Seasons I

Text: Ps. 31:1-15 More lessons: James 4:13-16
Bible Reading in One Year: Ezekiel 8-11

The issue of times and understanding times has always intrigued men. The search for the knowledge of times is something several pursue with great interest. The irony is that many people want to understand the times neglecting the Creator of times, the Almighty God, Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days? Job 24:1. Some people resort to horoscope instead of getting close to God in order to know, understand and experience their times.

They substitute the leadership of God over their life with stargazing which the Bible strongly warns against because it’s idolatry, There shall not be found among you any that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times [horoscope], or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard or a necromancer: Deut.18:10-11.

God says all who do stargazing are an abomination to Him. The methods of observing times as listed in Deuteronomy above have become modernised and easily accessible in newspapers, on the Internet and mobile phones. Some go for fortune-telling and to wizards and "prophets" to discover secrets of the future using various forms of spells and incantation to cure diseases and form league with familiar spirits. Through these, many fellowship with devils. Let it be clear that those involved in such acts cannot fellowship with God and therefore cannot understand times and seasons if they are not in agreement with God the owner of times and seasons.

Today's reading clearly states that if anyone will truly understand the times, he must trust God, But I trusted in thee, O Lord; I said, thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me: Ps.31:14-15(AMP). The Amplified version says to trust God is to lean on, rely on, and be confident in God. God is reliable, dependable and trustworthy. He has kept the universe intact from creation till now and the order hasn’t been disrupted: the ground has not sunk under our feet nor the sky fallen on our heads. This same God assures, But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry and be anxious...: Matt.6:30-31(AMP). Men who have become God's own by the salvation experience obtained through faith in Christ Jesus and are abiding in Him are secure no matter what the times and seasons hold. Therefore, trust God!

Prayer/Action
* Lord, I will trust in You continually and I will experience the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Throw out all materials of observing times and stargazing. Cleanse your house of all idolatrous materials that show independence of God. Take time to seek His face for divine guidance.

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Keeping the Heritage II

Text: Mark 7:6-13
More lessons: Col.2:6-8
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 4-7

Today, we will like to find out how we can know when a doctrine is truly Biblical in order not to be deceived or lose the Christian heritage given to us. A doctrine to be passed on to the younger generation can be said to be truly biblical when it is explicitly taught in the Bible. An issue could be unbiblical meaning it opposes the teachings of the Bible; it could be extra Biblical meaning it is outside of the bible or not mentioned in the Bible, it could be Biblically based meaning it is connected to the teachings of the Bible. We must do all we can to be firm and unchanging about Biblical doctrines to preserve and keep the Christian heritage. I must avoid unbiblical teachings which are any teaching that opposes the Bible's clear teaching, for example a teaching that Jesus sinned is unbiblical opposing Heb.4:15. An extra Biblical teaching can be either good or bad. We must weigh such in the light of the Bible or go for counsel from sound church leaders: example to observe holidays is neither good nor bad, each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.Rom.14:5. Teachings can also be based on Biblical teachings for example it is not written in the bible that “thou shall not smoke” but we can assert that the practice should be avoided based on I Cor.6:19-20 that says we should glorify God in our body which is His temple. Biblical doctrines are explicitly taught in the Bible; example -the infallibility of the Bible, that the Bible is the final authority for Christian conduct and work II Tim. 3:16-17. All other claims of authority must be thoroughly scrutinized in the light of the Bible; - God created the heaven and the earth Gen.1:1; -the sinfulness of man. Rom.3:23; -the virgin birth of Jesus Matt.1:20-25; death and resurrection of Jesus I Cor.15:3-1 1 and several others.

One must not confuse these categories to be able to preserve and keep the Christian heritage. To teach that the virgin birth is an optional doctrine a Christian is free to believe or not to believe is to reject a core teaching of the Bible. It is heresy to present a Biblical teaching as non-essential. People's opinion and preferences must not be given the weight of God's law as warned against in the reading of today. Every true Christian must speak and teach firmly when the scripture is plain, be careful to avoid dogmatism in extra Biblical matters as many have said in essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity and in all things charity. We must do everything to preserve the Christian faith that the Lord Jesus can meet faith on earth when He comes again. Luke 18:8.

Prayer/Action
* I will abide in the truth continually in Jesus name.
* I will not be shifted out of the faith by any falsehood in Jesus name.
* The Christian heritage will be preserved in my time in Jesus name.

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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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