Second-Class Citizen Mentality

Text: Exo. 1:8-14
More Lessons: Jer. 29:4-7
Bible Reading in one Year: Micah 4-7

The scriptural passage this morning can be regarded as an irony. The Egyptians were not only afraid of the rate at which the Israelites were multiplying, they dreaded them. Yet, they were successfully able to make Israelites serve them with rigour. How can someone be afraid of you, yet he is still able to enslave you, and make you serve him the way he wants? How is it that you were so intelligent, full of potential, your enemy knows it and he is even afraid of what you can become, yet he still subjects you to all manner of tributes and forced labour?

The problem with these Israelites was their mind-set while in Egypt. There was no doubt that they were sojourners in Egypt and their true land was Canaan, but Israelites lived in Egypt with a disposition of total strangers who do not have a stake in the land. That disposition made them to constantly see themselves as second class citizens in the land. They were always wishing and looking for opportunity to return to where they came from, and the Egyptians knew this very well. That was why the king said to his people, behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land (vs.9, 10). They also forgot that they were in Egypt by divine direction. They failed to realize that it was for their sake God blessed Egypt. In fact, Egypt prospered because of Joseph an Israelite. So Israelites had a big stake in the land in Egypt.

Friend, you are where you are today by divine direction. Stop seeing yourself as a citizen in your locality, and some other persons as the “sons of the soil”. Arise and take your place. You are created to rule and not to be ruled over.

Your enemies know how capable you are; they know that if you rightly take your place, there will be no room for them. That is why they are doing everything to scheme you out and continue to rule over you. It is true that Heaven is our home and we are sojourners on earth, but while we are still here, Jesus said we should occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13). That means we should take charge, be responsible, manage and direct until He comes. You cannot afford to do less. Arise, change your mind set. You are the true son of the soil because the whole earth belongs to God your Father. It is enough of slaves riding on horseback and princes walking barefooted. If anybody deserved to rule and manage that your work place, it is you, because you carry the spirit of grace and truth. Get up today and begin to plan your way to the top where ever you find yourself.

Prayer/Action
* Jesus, help me to set my mind aright.
* Grant me what it takes to occupy till you come.

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A Goodly Child

Text: Exo. 2:1-4
MORE LESSONS: Psa. 139:14
Bible Reading in one Year: Micah 1-3

No child born into this world is a product of an accident. God carefully fashioned everyone and created a purpose for which they are to fulfil. Nobody is in this world without a purpose and responsibility. One reason why some people do not succeed in God's purpose for their lives is lack of foresight on the part of their parents of the manner of children God has given them. Since they lack understanding, they are not able to instruct, guide and direct the path of their children from infancy. Moses' parents were full of foresight. Moses was born at the time when all Israelites who gave birth to male children threw them into River Nile, in obedience to Pharaoh's decree. But when Moses' parent looked at the baby in their hand, they saw a “goodly”, “unique”, “fine”, “proper”, “extraordinary” child. They saw in that child a world-mover; a deliverer, a prophet, a miracle worker. They saw greatness, prosperity and success in their baby. What they saw in that baby made them to dare to disobey Pharaoh's decree and hid the child. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment” (Heb.1 1:23). Parents, what good do you see in your children, and what are you doing to preserve that which you have seen in them? What are you doing now to help your children realize their dreams? It is unfortunate that some parents only see in their children folly , “block head”, “stupid child”, “you will never make it in life”, “good-for-nothing”, and these they yell at their children every time. What these parents do not know is that their words go a long way to rule over the destinies of their children. If you keep insulting your child as good for nothing and stupid, the forces of darkness may simply reckon your words as a curse upon that child and ride on that to afflict your child. Moses' parents saw in their child excellence, achievement, greatness and they worked Moses into it.

It is possible that your parents never saw anything good in you, and those around you never assisted you to pursue your dreams, but how do you see yourself? Moses grew up in Pharaoh's house, but he never saw himself as an Egyptian. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter: Heb.11:24. Now that you are grown up, your destiny is in your hand. It is how you see yourself that matters. God created you great, and has purposed to use you for great things. Begin now to see yourself the way God created you, and you will enter into your greatness.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, open my eyes to see the unique gifts in me and my children
* Grant me what it takes to nurture my uniqueness to fruition.
Make a choice today to speak excellently to your children.

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Solid Foundation

Text: Matt. 7: 24-27
MORE LESSONS: Mark 1: 2-8
Bible Reading in One Year: 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Anybody can build a house, but houses are in grades and categories. When you look at some houses, you can tell how long they will last. There is a mud house I know of that has been standing for over ninety years. There is another structure in Zaria, Nigeria; the first church built by the Europeans in the entire Northern Nigeria, with mud many years ago and it is still standing. What makes a house last and stand when others are crumbling? The answer is in the foundation. How good the foundation of a house is determines how long it will last. Though good foundations are very expensive to build, the wise always pays the price to put a solid foundation in place. The unwise person thinks that since the foundation will be hidden, he can do a shabby work of it and continue with the part of the building that is open to all to see. He forgets that no matter what is built on top; if the foundation is faulty, the whole structure will collapse.

Foundation is the secret of advancement in destiny. Whether your life is going to become a bungalow, a story-building or a skyscraper is determined by the foundation. By foundation we mean the preparations you are putting in place and the silent prices that you are paying for where you are going in destiny. Y our Christian foundation includes things as quiet time; studying the Bible and other Christian literature, learning memory verses, fellowship with other believers, fasting and prayer. These are foundations for tomorrow. Giving, paying tithes and offerings and contributing to kingdom projects are financial foundations for your tomorrow. Everything in destiny needs adequate preparation. Y our preparation determines your strength which in turn determines your speed; which then determines your advancement. So in destiny, preparation determines strength; strength determines speed and speed determines advancement.

In Mark 1:2-8, the Bible tells us how John the Baptist was sent in preparation for the birth of Jesus. Even God makes preparations before He does things. It is easy to confess and claim wealth; marital, academic or career success but until we see your preparations before we can tell whether your confession is valid. Everything in life answers to preparation and laying the right foundation. May God give you the grace to start paying the price for building a solid foundation for your destiny in Jesus’ name.

Prayer/Action
* I declare that my foundation is firm and solid in Jesus’ name
* O God, wherever the foundation of my life and destiny cracked, fix it for me in Jesus’ name.
* Commit all preparations for your destiny afresh into God’s hands.

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No Longer Gentiles

Text: Eph.4:17-24
More Lessons: Col.3:3-6
Lamentations 3-5 Bible Reading in One Year:

The day you truly gave your life to Jesus, your citizenship changed. In the spiritual realm, you were moved from the clan of the Gentiles into the family of God, Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Col.1:13. Gentiles are people who have no portion in God. They are outside of Christ, therefore they have no hope of enjoying the promises of God (Eph.2:12).

They are like dogs who can only stay outside and not permitted to enter the house. When Rev. 22:15 says, But outside are dogs..., it refers to Gentiles who do not deserve mercy (1Pet.2:10), but are objects of the wrath of God. In the realm of the spirit, Gentiles don't count; anything can happen to them and nobody will be held responsible. They are slaves of the gods they serve; and just as the slave master is free to do whatever he likes with his property , so is satan, the head of the clan, free to do whatever he likes with his subjects.

Gentiles live for the pleasures of their flesh which their master imposes on them. They become so consumed by the passion of their flesh that their understanding become darkened and alienated from the life of God. They are spiritually blind, lost every sense of feeling, given over to all works of uncleanness, and filled with greed (Eph.4:18-19). But the good news is that you have been brought into the fold of God, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ: Eph.2:13. It is a privilege to be in Christ Jesus.

So much has been invested in the making of the believer that it will be a great abuse of rights and privileges and a disservice to oneself to contemplate the way of the Gentiles. The Scripture reading today admonishes the believer not to follow the way of the Gentiles, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness: Eph.4:21-24. Since you no longer belong to the gentile family, you are to live a separated life from them in every way. Although they may think it strange that you do not flow with them and may persecute you, the Scripture says they shall give account to God who will judge the quick and the dead (1Pet.4:5). God encourages you to purge yourself of gentile character s and attributes, come out from among them and separate yourself. Nothing about the unbeliever should give you reason to envy him, rather seek to open their eyes of understanding so that they may come out of the flood that is carrying them to damnation. You are light and must continue to walk in the light. Only those whose Gentile root has not been properly cut off, being dogs, go back to their vomit.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, purge me of the character of the Gentile.
* Denounce the old nature and confess your new citizenship.
* Ask for grace to always do what is right even if you are being persecuted.

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