OBEY GOD PROMPTLY

Scripture: Judges 6:25.32
“So Gideon took ten men from among his servants and did as the Lord had said to him. But because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.” Judges 6: 27 (NKJV)

Obedience is critical to sustaining our relationship and intimacy with God. He is constantly speaking and instructing us. Sometimes we obey promptly, but at other times, we fail to so do. When we obey immediately, we often reap breakthroughs. However, when we delay, we give room for discouragement by the devil.

WHAT MATTERS TO GOD

Scripture: Judges 6:11-16
But Gideon replied, “Sir, how can I save Israel  My family is the poorest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least thought of in the entire family!” Judges 6:15 (TLB)

Sometimes, great opportunities come to us dressed as challenges. When we look at them, we rarely see the opportunities for what they are. After some struggles, we finally recognize the challenges as disguised opportunities and we then attempt to match our abilities to the challenges. If we feel we do not measure up, we refuse to take on the challenges (explore the opportunities).

CALL, HE WILL ANSWER

Scripture: Judges 6:1-10
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.”   Jeremiah 33:3 (AMP)

God is more eager to communicate with us than we are, with him. It does not matter how far we have fallen, he seeks every opportunity to take us back. Though we may be slow to return to him, he is never slow to respond. When we cry out to him, he moves in mercy and love towards us. The wonderful thing about God is that anytime we call on him, he answers.

BE INTIMATE WITH GOD

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” I Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

When someone is a close friend, it is easy to confide in them certain matters that would not usually be shared with others. Amongst the disciples of Jesus, Peter had this great privilege when he accompanied Jesus to the mount of transfiguration.

WE NEED GOD

Scripture: Judges 6:1-6
… I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.” Psalm 25:2-3 (NLT)

People tend to forget God’s place in their lives when they are comfortable. The Israelites did the same. Once they prospered in peace and plenty, they became self-sufficient, forgot God and did evil in his sight, so he handed them over to the Midianites.

THE ALL- SUFFICIENT GOD

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:3-14
“…and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.” 1 Kings 3: 5 b (KJV)

Here on earth, people do not always fulfill every promise they have made. This is because there is so much that is beyond our human capacity and ability. But this is not so with God. He has everything in his possession and he can provide for his children as he wills. With God, there is no fear of your request being too big, great or small. He has the ability to give as much as you want. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; therefore there is nothing on earth that our heavenly father cannot give to you if you ask. His power reaches from the spiritual gifts to every material gift you can think of.

GREAT FAITH

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10
"…Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed." Luke 7:7 (NKJV)

Faith is believing God without wavering. This belief propels physical manifestation of that which has been received in the spiritual realm. There are so many who profess to have faith, but their actions negate what they say. When faced with crisis and challenges, they run helter-skelter seeking for a solution because they do not have a good understanding of whom and what they believe.

STAY CONNECTED

Scripture: JOHN 15:1-8
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (KJV)

Everything on earth, whether spiritual or physical, has a source. This source gives it life and productivity. Therefore, for anything to prosper, it must remain connected to its source. To create fishes God spoke to the seas, fishes have to be connected to water to prosper. God spoke to the earth to make animals and the earth is the source of their sustenance. When God made man he spoke to himself, and man must remain connected to God to prosper.

YOUR COMFORTER

Scripture: John 14:22-26
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me;” John 15:26 (KJV)

Jesus came to earth with the goal of reconciling mankind back to God. To do this, he came bearing the gospel of truth and righteousness. He reached out to many with signs, miracles and wonders. With his touch, the blind saw, the lame walked and the dead came back to life.

PREVAILING GOSPEL

Scripture: JOHN 15:18-21
“But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.’’ Acts 13:50 (NASB)

Over the years, the gospel has faced different kinds of oppositions and challenges. Jesus prepared the minds of his disciples, so when the persecutions started, they would not be surprised and it would not stop the gospel from advancing.

DO YOU HATE HIM ALSO?

Scripture: JOHN 15:22-25
“He that hateth me hateth my father also.’’ John 15:23 (KJV)

Some people in the world today just hate to hear the name “Jesus” as a result of their religious beliefs. Some others have no genuine reasons for their resentment, but just despise hearing anything about the saviour of the world. Some have sealed their heart against the light of the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus that could have penetrated through their heart to make them a new person in Christ Jesus.

DO NOT TAKE OFFENCE

Scripture: JOHN 16:1-4
“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”  Matthew 11:6 (KJV)

One of the enemy’s strategy is to cause believers to take offence either with God or servants of God in authority over them. Taking offence denies believers the opportunity of receiving their blessing from God through his servants. This is because the moment people believe they have been offended by others, they cease to function at their best for that person or for God.

PARTNER WITH CHRIST

Scripture: JOHN 15:7-8
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit.’’ Matthew 28:19 (NJKV).

Avine is a climbing plant that produces grapes. Jesus said he is the true vine, we are the branches and God is the husbandman or gardener. In reality, the branches take their nutrient from the main plant and the farmer ensures that everything is made available for the plant to guarantee it’s well-being.

GOD’S LOVE

Scripture: John 15:12-17
“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you” John 15:12 (NIV)

Feedback: Share how you share the love of God to others this past week.

The love of God is very powerful. No power in existence can tamper with the love of God over His children (Rom. 8:37-39). Your victory in life lies in his love for you. When you receive and walk in God’s love, it becomes easier to share and spread the love of God yourself. A person that has not recognized the love of God can hardly give it out himself. The depth of love and affection you develop for God will thoroughly equip you with the capacity to guide others into his love.

SPIRITUAL COLLABORATION

Scripture: John 15:1-3
“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John:15:2 (KJV)

This scripture often draws a parallel relationship between divinity and man. God is the head of the trinity which includes Jesus Christ, who in turn  is the head of the church; we are the church. Thus, Jesus is our head. He uses an analogy in our text here calling himself ‘the vine’ and believers ‘the branches’.

LIVE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Scripture: John 16:7-14
“My soul, wait in silence for God alone for my expectation is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation…” Psalm 62:5-6 (AMP)

Jesus did not abandon us to ourselves when He left the earth, He sent another One, who is like Him, to be with us, in us and for us. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, the one who convict the world of sin and exposed them to the provision of redemption. His office also involves convincing the world of Christ’s righteousness, justification and salvation. The Holy Spirit is our guide today. He shows us the way and continually aids and influences us. What would we do without him?

VENGEANCE IS THE LORD’S

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21
“To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” Deut 32:35 (KJV)

It is natural for the human flesh and mind to feel hurt when abused, insulted or betrayed. It is also natural to want to strike back at the one who has caused the hurt or simmer in bitterness. These responses make us human, however, God expects differently from a renewed mind.

THE APOSTLE OF HOPE

Scripture: ACTS 2:22-41

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19 (KJV)

Peter was very efficient in bringing many to the knowledge of Christ. He did not just tell them how they crucified the Master, but he also share the good news of how they can reconcile with him. He became an Apostle of hope to the Gentiles and preached to them on several occasions, telling them about the love of God. Despite being put in prison and asked not to preach again, he continued, causing many to receive the gospel and get baptised. As a result, many were added to the church daily.

DO NOT TAKE OFFENCE

Scripture: JOHN 16:1-4

“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”  Matthew 11:6 (KJV)

One of the enemy’s strategy is to cause believers to take offence either with God or servants of God in authority over them. Taking offence denies believers the opportunity of receiving their blessing from God through his servants. This is because the moment people believe they have been offended by others, they cease to function at their best for that person or for God.

BUILD A RELATIONSHIP

Scripture: Luke 7:1-5
"And a certain centurions' servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die...beseeching  him that he would come and heal his servant". Luke 7:2-3 (KJV)

Relationships oil the engine of life. As humans, we cannot afford to isolate ourselves from engaging and interacting with others. The key, to maintaining good relationships is how we treat others. Some have taken to the habit of treating others harshly and without empathy. This does not please God as his desire is that we treat others with care and love because we are all created in his image and likeness.

DOING GOOD ALWAYS


Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:1-9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not  give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Our actions today are seeds for the future. Every good thing we do has its reward. Some may be in our life time while others may be in the lives of our children. Keep doing well irrespective of the timing of the circumstance, for good deeds outlast their performers.

FORGIVENESS; NOT DENIAL


Scripture: 2 Samuel 3:23-27
“…. Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there…”
2 Samuel 3:27 (KJV)

It is commonplace for us to say we have forgiven those who hurt us when in reality, we still harbor the emotions, the hate and the hurt in our heart. We tell the offender that he or she has been forgiven, but whenever we see the person that hurt us we are filled with resentment and all the bitterness and pain rise up within us leading to anger and revenge.

SERVING WITH REVERENCE


Scripture: 1 Samuel 6:13-20
“Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.”Leviticus 19:30 (KJV)

In our society today, a lot of people know exactly what the law says, yet, they go ahead to break it thereby attracting judgment. Some find themselves in prison, others end up being killed. In like manner, Christians who know what God’s word says but do contrary will face God’s wrath in their lives.

WAITING FOR GOD


Scripture: Exodus 32:1-4; 35
“Look to the Lord and his strength, seek His face always” 1 Chronicles 16: 11(NIV)

It is human nature to want a quick fix to every situation. What we usually forget is that there is a time and season for everything and God does not always work according to our time. We must be careful not to let our impatience and quest for instant gratification lead us against the will of God.