Jesus the Great Teacher II

Wednesday 19 April
READ: John 3:2
MORE LESSON: Matt 28: 18-20

When Jesus was on earth, one of the popular appellations for Him was 'Rabbi', meaning 'teacher'. Jesus is a teacher. If Jesus is a teacher, then God is a teacher because Jesus is God revealed; Jesus is the revelation and proof of God. No one has seen God but Jesus has revealed Him to us; He revealed Him in supernatural miracles, signs and wonders and holiness. He also revealed God as the Father through His Son. In addition, He revealed God as a teacher through His teacher-student relationship with His disciples and those around Him.
We must strive to be good teachers in our daily lives. We must not condemn people but teach them in love like Jesus did. Parents should teach children and not just shout at them. Teach your spouse and don't just keep grudges in your heart. Pastors should teach their congregation and not complain about them. When you see people not getting things right, do not ridicule, disdain or despise them; rather meekly teach. One thing Jesus always did was teach people everywhere He was found. The Bible says that He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem (Luke 13:22). He always taught people the right things to do.
In 2 Tim. 1: 11, Paul asserted that he was a teacher. Men have always acclaimed Paul as an apostle with signs and wonders, but he added, Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. So Paul called himself a teacher. Jesus our Lord is a teacher, and the disciples were teachers. One of the greatest requirements of God upon the life of every believer is to teach. The Lord gave the Great Commission and told us to go into the world, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen: Matt. 28:20.
Who have you taught? Who is wiser, better or more knowledgeable because of the truths and wisdom that you gave? It is not enough to be satisfied that you know something, you must seek to pass the knowledge to someone that needs it. Your knowledge about the Lord must be taught to someone. Your knowledge of the way of salvation must be passed to someone. Your knowledge in right living and proper way of life should be taught to someone. Your knowledge in your academics, business, marriage or any area of life where God has given you success is not to be hoarded; it is to be passed to someone through mentorship. Teaching is a noble act; it is a great ministry. Even if you are not a professional teacher by the reason of your job; you can still be a great teacher after the example of the Lord Jesus. Find someone to teach and make better.

Prayer/Action
* I pledge to live an exemplary life of leadership to my (mention what you do), in Jesus’ name.
*I receive a teachable spirit today, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today, I fire back all satanic arrows of failure at the edge of success, in the name of Jesus.

Jesus the Great Teacher I

Tuesday 18 April
READ: John 3:2
MORE LESSON: John 13: 13 (NKJV)

In the text, Nicodemus called Jesus ''rabbi''; which in the Jewish language, simply means ''teacher''. Therefore Nicodemus was calling Jesus, 'teacher'. He further attested that Jesus was a God-sent teacher; ...we know that thou art a teacher come from God...: Jn 3: 2. Jesus is the greatest teacher. He was a teacher that loved what he did, Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught: John 7: 14. Jesus taught everywhere He had the opportunity. Even in the mist of the feast, He taught. Jesus wasn't merely a teacher by title; He was a practising teacher. This is why teaching is one of the noblest professions.
Dr. Luke writing in the book of Act 1: 1 says, The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. Jesus is the greatest teacher and in His life we see the quality of a great teacher. The greatest quality of a teacher is doing what he teaches. It is the same fact that Nicodemus saw in the life of Jesus that made him come to Him and commended Him as a teacher from God. Nicodemus said, ...we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him: John 3:2. Jesus was commended as the greatest teacher not just because of the things He said but the things He did. A great teacher teaches right and does right.
Whether in the church, school, home or work; if you desire to be a great teacher like Jesus, you must be a doer and not just a talker. Until you do the words that you teach, you are limited as a teacher. Many people desire great things in life and they think it is simply by knowing how to talk. Talk is cheap; you must be a doer. Many people think that ministry is all about preaching from the pulpit. So they are angry that they are not given the pulpit to preach. Jesus was not even called 'pastor'; he was called 'teacher'. Of course, Jesus is the great shepherd (John 10: 14), but the people didn't call Him that; they called Him a teacher because that was what they could see and relate to in His life. He was called a teacher because He not only spoke, He did as He taught, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 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 a rock: Matt 7:24-25.

Prayer/Action
* Help me Lord to be a doer of what I teach like You, in Jesus’ name.
* Oh Lord cause me to be a good teacher in word and deed, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, I forbid satan and his agents from having any memorial in my day, in the name of Jesus.

Eternity

Monday 17 April
READ: Lk 16:20-26
MORE LESSONS: Lk. 16:27-31

Eternity refers to not having an end, being endless or infinite. God is eternal, Heaven and hell are eternal; I mean forever. Anybody who accepts Christ as his Lord and Saviour and has his name written in the book of life will live with God eternally, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life: Jn. 3:16 (ESV). Let us examine some things the believer will enjoy with God in eternity:
1. a new name – Rev. 2:17,
2. an immortal body – I Cor. 15:52-53,
3. eternal life – I Pet. 5:10, I Jn. 2:25,
4 . the tree of life – Rev. 2:7,
5. no second death – Rev. 2:11,
6. the morning star – Rev. 2:28,
7. his name shall not be blotted out of the book of life – Rev 3:5,
8. Jesus' new name – Rev. 3:12.
On the other side of eternity is the lake of fire, where satan, his host and those who serve him on the earth shall be. This also shall be forever, eternal and unending. Let us consider the activities and characteristics of this side of eternity:
1. weeping and gnashing of teeth forever – Matt. 13:50,
2. darkness forever – Matt. 25:30,
3. unending wailing and gnashing of teeth,
4 torment of fire – Lk. 16:24, Rev. 20:10,
5. eternal separation from God – Lk. 16:26,
6. regrets and guilt – Lk. 24:27-30,
7. worms that never die – Mk. 9:44.
These are the two places available for man to spend eternity, but each is by choice. You and I have the great honour of making our choice. The rich man and Lazarus both had a choice between eternity in hell and in Heaven (Lk. 16:25), the prodigal son had a choice between riotous and prudent living (Lk. 15:11-15); Israel under Joshua had a choice between Baal and Jehovah (Josh. 24:15). To spend eternity on the side of God you have to be reconciled to God, accept that you have been a sinner and that you now want Jesus to come into your life, forgive you, wash you with His blood and accept you as His child. It can not be delayed anymore, not even for a second. Remember, eternity is a long, long, long time. Where will you spend eternity?

Prayer/Action
* Today, I make my choice, eternity with Jesus, in Jesus’ name.
* I put to an end every lifestyle, character, behaviour, attitude and works that will lead me to hell, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
As the path of the just is as a shining light that shines more and more, so shall my path shine more and more unto the perfect day, in Jesus' name.

Heaven is Real

Sunday 16 April
READ: Rev. 21:1-2
MORE LESSONS: Jn.14:1-3

Heaven is real, as real as this present earth. Jesus spoke about it several times in the Scripture; the apostles referred to it, and even the prophets of old had clear messages about it. There is hardly any religion that denies the existence of Heaven. The only usual dispute is on the subject of how to get there. Both in the times of old and in contemporary times, several people have also had a rare privilege of being taken to Heaven. A few of such men like me are still alive today, testifying of their experiences.
Heaven is the abode of God, from where He answers prayers (I Kg. 8:31-32). It is the headquarters of the Godhead, where God's throne is positioned, and from there He oversees the affairs of the universe (Isa. 66:1, Matt. 23.22, Acts 7:49). It is the place where the will of God is joyfully done and where there is no sin, or rebellion to His will (Matt. 6:9-10. Lk. 11:2). It is the place Jesus Christ ascended to after His death and glorious resurrection (Acts 1:9-11). It was from there God sent the Holy Spirit upon His Church after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:1-4). and from where He will return to rule the earth. It was from Heaven that Lucifer fell and was cast down to the earth (Isa. 14:12, Lk. 10:18, Rev. 12:7-12).
It is the abode of innumerable company of angels (Rev. 4:11) and of the redeemed after death (II Cor. 5:1-4). It is the place where Jesus is preparing for all who believe in Him (Jn. 14:1-3); the land of joy unspeakable, a land of light, (no darkness at all) and of indescribable beauty and glory. It is a land of absolute purity, where no sin of any shape or form can enter; the home of the saints of God (Rev. 21). That is where Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Isaiah, David, Paul, Peter, Mary, etc are right now.
The qualification for entering is believing in Christ who died and shed His blood for you (Jn. 3:1-7). However, to qualify for a special position, thrones, mansions and treasures there, you have to serve the Lord faithfully here on earth and give sacrificially for His work, ...But lay up for yourself treasures in heaven: Matt. 6:20. Nobody makes Heaven by accident, you have to prepare for it and meet the qualification of accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You must not procrastinate; start the preparation now!

Prayer/Action
* Today, I have decided to follow Jesus, Heaven is my destiny. I reject distractions, in Jesus’ name.
* My focus today and the rest of my life is to do the work of God, I am walking to make Heaven, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I overthrow every appointment with death this month, in the name of Jesus.