What is Faith?

Text: Rom. 10:6-17
More Lessons: Matt. 21:21
Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Timothy 1-3

Faith is one strong force that connects heaven to the earth. And for the believer, having faith in God makes all things possible. The inability of a believer to trust fully in the Lord is a spiritual attack from the pit of hell. Moreover, to refuse to believe in God is to doubt and that insults God. What then is faith?

a. Faith is not a supernatural charge or feeling; it is the consciousness of “God has said” and therefore it is true: Phil. 4:19, Gen.1:3.
b. Faith is a by-product of knowing God's Word: Rom. 10:17.
c. Faith goes ahead; it doesn't stop or wait until everything is clear: Mk. 5:25-29.
d. Faith is knowing your place, your right, your privileges and your authority in God: Lk. 7:8.
e. Faith is a product of the spirit, the inward conviction called assurance; you cannot explain it, yet you know it.
f. Faith is the reality of greater is He that is in me than him that is in the world.
g. Faith is not having confidence in physical manifestation or physical evidence but it is always in simple words: Lk. 1:37.
However, there are several enemies of faith that must not be tolerated by the believers. Some of which are:
1. Ignorance- the believer must be knowledgeable in the Word of God: I Cor. 2:12.
2. Hope mentality- this is the attitude of always pushing things to the future; it is an enemy of faith.
3. Mental assent- this is believing but not acting while faith is active and acting.
4. Sense knowledge- this is the mentality of unless I see it. It is contrary to faith: Jn. 20:24-29.
5. Unbelief- it may be due to lack of knowledge and is contrary to faith because faith is full persuasion with proofs.

Dearly beloved, to be a believer who has active faith, you must be a man of prayer. Prayer is a process of joining force between you and God; without prayer God is limited.

Prayer / Action
* Ask God for a personal encounter with the spirit of faith.
* Pray that the enemies of faith will not prevail over your heart and mind.
* Ask for faith enough to pray until something happens.

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One Thing is Needful

Text: Deut. 30:1-10
More Lessons: Luke 10:42
Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 11-14

One of the things that determines your worth and value in life is the choice you make. Life is full of many choices so we all require the power to choose correctly. Choosing to live is living to choose. Your future is determined by the choice you make today. It is clear that God does not force His will on man, but holds him responsible for His choices, And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine: I Sam. 17:40. According to this scripture, David chose out of many stones in the brook by the power of the Holy Spirit; the greatest tool for choice making in life is the inherent power in the believer called the HOLY SPIRIT. Whenever a man chooses correctly, he gains, and anytime he makes a wrong choice he loses.

We choose daily. How? We choose by the way we live; our life style is all about choice making. When we live a reckless life today, all we are saying is, “I don't care what tomorrow holds”. In fact, what you say, wear, allow or refuse is choice making.

In Luke 10:42, Mary was able to identify the good part due to her sensitivity and discerning ability, and Jesus commended her. When we choose out of carnal considerations as Lot did in Gen. 13:8-11, we are likely to miss it.

It is good for young people to be careful when making choices especially the choice of marriage partners. My counsel is to choose the will of God; by choosing what He has chosen for us, we can be sure we got it. Though adults also make choices every day, young people need to be much more careful in choosing because they lack the wisdom, understanding and the experience the adult uses in choice making. God is always ready to assist you in choice making; all we need to do is to hand over the options to Him in sincere prayer.

Apart from the choice of career, courses to offer in higher institutions and where to live in future, every young person is confronted with the choice of a friend and marriage partner . In addition to choosing the will of God, good character, virtues and values should be other considerations when we choose. Surround yourself with good people and allow them to influence your choice. It is said that life is better, if lived in company of good people. The more good people we have around us, the warmer our lives can be. Friendship with good people can open you up to opportunities and ideas that can blow you up in good ways; deliver you from loneliness; make you realise how useful and valuable you are contributing to other people’s life; make you feel adequate because your friends can complement your life with their virtues and talents.

Prayer / Action
* Pray that you will only choice what God has choosen for you everyday of your life.
* Review some of the choices you have made in recent past and weigh them against the balance of God’s Word.

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The Right to Choose

Text: Lk. 10:38-42
More Lessons:  Psa. 25:12
Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 7-10

The right to choose is one of the greatest privileges believers have in Christ Jesus. And when it comes to making choices, there are usually only two things to choose from in life; good and bad, God and Satan, life and death, blessing and cursing (Deut. 30:19). The need for making right choices is a challenge we face every day. Jesus in Luke 10:42 says, But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Ability to choose correctly is a great factor for living a successful life. We daily make choices because God does not choose for men nor force His will on men. Moreover, in choosing correctly the first choice really matters.

It is only those who choose Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and are filled with the Holy Spirit that can divinely choose. Choosing to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Peter did is the key to choosing every good thing in life. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God: John 6:68-69. God recognises man's ability to choose and will hold him responsible for his choices. Those who believe and accept Jesus will be saved while those who refuse will not be saved (Jn. 3:16-18). Whatever happens to you depends on the choice you are making or had made.

Moreover, God even commanded man to make choices, I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deut. 30:19. He counselled him on what to choose. God knows what is best for His own; so with God and the Holy Spirit in a believer, mistakes and errors are strangers.

Above all, choosing to serve God is the greatest of all choices a believer can make, but God will still not force it on us (Josh. 24:14-15). There are certain ways God wants to be served; with fear (Psa. 2:1), gladness, (Psa. 100:2), following him (Matt. 6:24), with newness of spirit (Rom. 7:6), day and night (Rev. 7:15, 22:3) and in humility (Acts 20:19). And when we do, here is the promise of the Lord; If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures: Job 36:11.

Prayer / Action
* Pray that you will serve the Lord, acceptably in fear , humility and row-ness of heart.
* Ask for the heart of a servant in all obedience to make choices in alignment with the will of God only.

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Morning Rush

Text: Num 14: 21-38
More Lessons:  Prov. 18:20-21
Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 4-6

Morning is characterised by activities carried out in a rush; a few prayers, reading God’s word, a shower, breakfast, etc and then rush to work. But morning can be the best part of your day. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me: Psa. 3:5 (NASB). The first part of the day which is called morning is usually not an easy time for people who are really busy. Waking up early in the morning for such people can be challenging. There is no doubt of the fact that different people see and use time differently. Morning people spring from bed very early ready to face whatever life may bring, while “night people's” day doesn't really begin until about 9'O clock in the morning. But long after “morning people” have gone to bed, “night people” are still full of enthusiasm. Whatever our time temperament is, God wants us to live wisely by making the best use of every opportunity we have.

Time is the currency of life; it is what we give in exchange for all that can be achieved. And God has season and time for all His purpose and for the fulfilment of His promise. Most of the time, God’s children don't know or discern when God is fulfilling some aspects of His purpose in their lives. Discernment of time and season is necessary in order to cooperate with God in purposeful actions. Jesus, at the wedding of Cana of Galilee was teaching His mother this aspect when He said, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come: Jn. 2:4. There is a set time for everything. However, to avoid morning rush, we must learn to commit our day to God's hand before using it. Each day is fresh and a gift from God. Planning our actions before the day begins makes it more meaningful. Being successful doesn’t have to be stressful. If we can plan, prioritise and schedule our priorities, we will find the day exciting and fulfilling. Early to sleep, early to rise. Making sure we have enough hours of sleep makes waking up and facing the day a delight. Rest and relaxation are important for a successful day. Have a great day.

Prayer/Action
* Repent for everytime you have planned and prioritized wrongly in the past.
* Ask God for wisdom to plan, prioritise and stay in God’s purpose.
* Thank God because it is His will to make you successful.

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