Thy Will be Done

Text: Rom.12:2
MORE LESSON: Matt 6:9- 10

The written will of a man is his final decision concerning a particular issue. Men write their wills and God also relates to men based on His written will. The written will of God is divided into the Old Will (testament) and the New Will (Testament). These two wills cut across the scriptures from Genesis to Malachi and from Matthew to Revelation. God has also written a warning concerning His will: Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy and those things which are written there in: Rev. 1:3. The will of God must be read, heard, known and kept by all of God's children so that they can be blessed.

According to Rom. 12:1-2 and 1 Tim 2:3, there are some of God’s wills that are worth knowing and doing:

(a) Presenting your bodies as a living sacrifice to God (1 Cor. 3: 16 – 17, 6: 20);
(b) Making the body holy (2 Cor. 7:1);
(c) Making ourselves acceptable to God (Rom. 12:1);
(d) Rendering reasonable sacrifices to God (Rom.12:2);
(e) Not conforming to the world (Rom.12:2);
(f) Being transformed by Word (Rom 12:2);
(g) That all may be saved by evangelism (Mark 16:15, John 3: 16, Rev. 22:17);
(h) That all come to the knowledge of the truth (Heb. 4: 12, 2 Tim. 3:16).

Dearly beloved, the law of the Lord is not difficult and not without a reward. As we do His perfect will, He has abundant blessings for us; by accepting God and doing His will, you will gain entrance into His kingdom and be kept from falling. You will be established, live righteously and your sonship shall be confirmed. The good, acceptable and perfect will of God is what every child of God must pursue so that His intended blessing for us might come to bear in our lives.

In conclusion, there are some ways the will of God can be done on earth. Today, pray that God’s will be done in your life and that of others in your family and church. Doing the Word should be your delight in addition to seeking and understanding it. As you do the Word and daily live it, God will surely release His blessings on you. God bless you as you begin to do and teach God's will, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer/Action
* Ask that God’s will be done in your life and family this year.
* Pray that you will not find God’s will difficult.
* Pray that no unmarried brother or sister will miss God’s will in marital destiny.

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Looking unto Jesus

Text: Matt. 14:22–32
MORE LESSON: Heb. 12:1-4

And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him and said to him, 'O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matt. 14:31. Doubt, fear and sinking in the midst of the storms of life are events of events usually experienced by a man who is no longer focussed on Jesus. But when a man has set himself before the Most High everyday and in all things, he can be sure of strength to withstand whatsoever may come his way. The scripture says, And the rain descended, and the floods came and the winds blew, and beat upon that house and it fell not; for it was founded upon the rock: Matt. 7:25. When a believer exhibits undivided attention on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of eternal salvation, he can be sure he will not sink in any storm of life.

There are countless negative effects of not looking unto Jesus: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled Heb. 12:15. Roots of bitterness and defilements are examples of what can spring up when a believer is no longer focussed on the Lord. And on the other hand, if a man can see the Lord clearly and follow Him all the time, he is sure to get to the highest height in life. And He said unto them follow me and I will make you ....Matt. 4:19. Prov. 8:32–36 gives a long list of other things the believer should do to have his gaze fixed on Jesus.

Some of which are:
(i) Keeping the ways of the Lord (verse 32). God's ordinances, statutes, doctrines, laws and commandments as expressed in His Word should be kept.

(ii) Hearing and not refusing God's instructions daily (verse 33). That means, going to where we can hear God's Word.

(iii) Hearing the Lord Himself and developing an intimate relationship with God, (verse 34).

(iv) Watching daily at His gates, i.e. through quiet time, fellowshipping.

(v) Waiting at the posts of His doors, i.e. steadfast ness, consistency and diligence in seeking Him (verse 34).

(vi) Finding the Lord and just seeking Him. It is only those that find the Lord that can be said to have sought Him, the aftermath of which is divine favour.

(vii) Not sinning against the Lord because it will amount to deliberately doing wrong to oneself (verse 36).

(viii) Loving Him (the Lord) so that the believer can have abundant life. (Verse 36).

Beloved, anyone who does these things will never be distracted but will find enthusiasm to constantly seek the Lord and obey Him in all things.

Prayer/Action
* Jesus I fix my eyes on You; let my foundation be established upon the Rock that will not be moved.
* Father, help me to follow Y our instructions daily and grant me an intimate walk with Your Spirit.

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Created for Good Works

Text: Jn. 2:13-17
MORE LESSON: Rom. 12:11

The text being considered today is a pointer to us as believers that having been created in Christ for good works (Eph. 2:10) we could be zealous for them (Titus 2:14). The word translated 'fervent in spirit' means to boil with heat. As used in the text above, it means to have a burning zeal to do the will of God. One can be either ''lagging in diligence'' or ''fervent in sprit'' but whoever desires to please the Lord must not only prefer but also manifest the latter. Know that your spiritual fervency is required for your relevance in spiritual service.

Rev. 3:14–16 presents us the case of the Church at Laodicea which was chastised because of their lukewarmness. This tells us about God's zero tolerance for lukewarmness. It is however, sad to know that the fervent spirit is lacking in some who parade themselves to be God's people. Some believers in Christ unfortunately are guilty of ignoring, procrastinating, and even running down that which needs to be done in the body of Christ for the Kingdom of God. They have lost the fire and enthusiasm of the first century Church. This is the time to rise and take after the likes of Nehemiah who in the midst of every distraction, persecution and mockery still proceeded to go about his service to God and His people.

We are actually not ignorant that the state of the world today makes it increasingly difficult to serve God. The inevitability of making ends meet and to survive has made many to substitute service to God with service to self. But as true as this may be, it is only believers with the fervent spirit that will not compromise their burning faith and service to God come what may.

The scriptural admonition today is very important now than ever because the days draw near when God shall make a division between the one who serves Him and one who does not serve Him ...and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not (Mal. 3:18).

Prayer/Action
* Father, kindle your fire in my spirit.
* Father, let the grace to serve You with fervency more than ever before come upon me today, in Jesus’ name.
* List three things you can do daily to keep your spirit fervent and determine to do them consistently.

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Victors not Victims

Text: Job 22:21-29
MORE LESSON: Isa. 54:17

The Holy Bible is replete with scriptures that guarantee our victory in all of life endeavours. God’s assurance to us on victory is however, not realized when we don't take out time to search and acquaint ourselves with the vast provision of victory that we have in God through His Word. Whether we like it or not, in 2015, there will be some casting down, disappointments, sack letters, broken homes and unrealized dreams which are all associated to victims of circumstances. But none of these shall be your portion, in Jesus’ name. Your “AMEN” to this prayer will only be sufficient for you to be a victor in the midst of the year if you can be committed to observing the following steps that can be helpful in being a victor and not a victim.

1. Acquaint yourself with God in 2015 (Job 22:21). To acquaint oneself with God is to get to know Him personally. Therefore, if you must live as a victor in 2015, it is expedient that you know God so intimately, to know who He is to you and what He has for you. You should know that He is your shield and glory (Psalm 3:3); He is your very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Know Him to discover that He is plenteous in mercy (Psalm 5:7) and that He will not cast you away when you run to Him for mercy and victory over sin (John 6:37). What a man knows about God and His Word and how the knowledge is applied can determine who becomes a victim or victor in the year.

2. Live by divine instructions (Job 22:22). Divine instructions are instructions given by God or through His Word or His prophets and they are often times opposed to our opinions and reasoning as humans. They however, have the capacity to keep those that adhere to them from being victims of evil. Let us be willing therefore to receive and obey the divine instructions that come from our spiritual leaders who God has set over us in order to avoid the evils that waste men. The instructions may include when not to travel, who not to marry, etc. Such instructions when followed are capable of dealing with the obstructions on the way of a man's destiny.
3. Learn to speak/pray what you want (Job 22:27-29). The summary of Job 22:29 is that we can be defended from being victims of tragedy if we can also learn to speak out what we desire as our portion when faced with unpleasant circumstances. What you say is what you will see. Choose to speak victory-related words this year and you will experience it.

Prayer/Action
* Appreciate God for the provisions He has made for your victory through His Word.
* Tell God you will not be a victim of circumstances in 2015.
* Pray that you shall not be misled to be a victim in the year.

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