THE SECRETS OF GOD



Scripture: Esther 2:8-12

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of the law.” Deuteronomy 29:29 (NKJV)

 Not everything is revealed to us immediately. Sometimes God hides things from us to protect us and other times he hides them to preserve them for us. Proverb 25:2 says “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the honour of a king to find it out.”

BE SENSITIVE TO OPPORTUNITIES



Scripture: Esther 2:1-8

 “…and make the most of every opportunity.” Col 4:5 (NLT)

 Sometimes, we fail to recognize and utilize opportunities around us. Some may recognize the opportunity but refuse to take advantage of it because they are afraid of failure. Some wait for too long hoping for confirmation

THE POTTER’S TOUCH



Scripture: Esther 2:1-4

 “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8 (KJV)

Names in the Bible often tell us something about the bearers. Two meanings of the name ‘Hegai’ are “meditation and separation”. With an understanding of these words, we could say Hegai was given to detail and focused. Hegai ran a beauty finishing school

MAKE ROOM FOR INCREASE




Scripture: Esther 2:1-9, 17

 “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.” Isaiah 1:19 (NIV)

Before we see increase on the outside, we need to make room for it on the inside. If you have a small vision, you will limit your life. God’s supply is unlimited, his blessings and promises of good are for all believers

TRUE RELIGION



Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

 “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

Sometimes, the intensity of our daily activities can distract us from noticing how much time we spend dwelling on spiritual matters. Some people go days without engaging with God

THE SEED OF PRIDE



Scripture: Esther 1:10-17

 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

The name Vashti means goodness and beauty. A combination of these two qualities would suggest a concerned, thoughtful and humble nature. But Vashti is famously remembered for her pride

NO OTHER FOUNDATION



Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-11

 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 3:11(KJV)

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Many people build on a foundation that is not Christ. Some build on the foundation of money; they will do nothing except it brings monetary gain to them. Some build on the foundation of their relationships or network; they bank and act on the words of individuals they trust even if they go against the word of God.

A SURE FOUNDATION



Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:14-19

 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal; The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19 (KJV)

The kind of structure or building we plan to put in place will determine the type of foundation to use. This is because the foundation itself will determine the strength, stability and longevity of the structure.

LISTEN AND FOLLOW



Scripture: John 10:22-28

 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27 (KJV)

The sheep is considered a very humble animal. It symbolizes meekness and that is why Jesus refers to his followers as sheep (v27). As his disciples, he expects that we follow his lead

REFUSE TO WORRY




Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” Matthew 6:34 (KJV)

There are many things in life that may cause us to worry. Decisions to be made on various crucial issues, bills to be paid, plans to be achieved and many others. The pressure to keep it all together can lead to worry,

THE DIVINE DIRECTOR

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-16

 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)

Today, there are so many advanced technologies to give you directions when you need to get anywhere. They can give directions but cannot guarantee safety. God does not only give us directions to follow, he also guarantees our safety.

OVERLOOK THE CIRCUMSTANCES

Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-4; 1 Kings 17:2-6

 “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

God is sovereign, all knowing, all powerful and everywhere at the same time. No circumstance escapes his notice or gets out of his control. Nothing happens by chance because no detail of our lives eludes him.

OUR CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-20

 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live” Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)

God created us in his own image and likeness but he also gave us a will and the freedom of choice. His desire, however, is that we choose the part that leads to life (Jn. 3:16)

MAKING GODLY CHOICES

Scripture: Genesis 13:5-12

“But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve…but as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD” Joshua 24:15 (NLT)

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The word of God helps us make godly choices in our lives. Abraham and Lot made different decisions in a conflict situation and they experienced different outcomes based on their decisions. Lot did not see the spiritual danger

SOW IN THE RIGHT FIELD



Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

 "My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same" Job 4:8 (NLT)

Reaping what you sow is great news for people who sow good deeds but a scary one for those engaged in evil deeds. Some people sow in the flesh while some sow in the spirit. You sow in flesh when you indulge and feed your fantasies like giving in to your anger, bitterness, and lust (Gal 5:19-21).

BEWARE OF TIME WASTERS

Scripture: Judges 19:1-9

 “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” Ephesians 5:16 (NLT)

Time is a natural phenomenon that God has apportioned to everyone in equal proportion. The old, the young, the poor, and the rich all have 24hrs in a day. But what makes the difference is the ability to manage this time well. Time is a resource that needs to be wisely and rightly invested.

WHOSE APPROVAL?

Scripture: Judges 2:6-14

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Many people appear active and hardworking in service or their jobs whenever their leaders or bosses hover over them. They act diligently with the hope of winning the appreciation or applause of men.

UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES

Scripture: Matthew 17:9-13

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.” Ephesians 5:15 (NLT)

In our quest to meet our daily needs and desires in life, we can become insensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The thoughts and pursuit of a better and more satisfying life engulf our minds at the expense of our spiritual growth and well-being.

LEVEL OF FAITH

Scripture: Judges 1:16-20

 “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be taken up and be put into the sea; and has no doubt in his heart, but has faith that what he says will come about, he will have his desire.” Mark 11:23 (BBE)

Certain phases or experiences in life can be very puzzling and unsettling but no matter the heat, faith in God will bring you out. No matter the situation in which we find ourselves,

BOLD STEP TO BREAKTHROUGH




 Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18

“Only be thou strong and very courageous…that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest” Joshua 1:7 (KJV)

Boldness is an attribute of the Holy Spirit. It does not depend on how much you have or who you are, but on who you are in Christ Jesus. When Ruth left Moab with her mother-in-law, she had no clue what the future held for her.

SPEAK LIFE, ALWAYS



Scripture: Judges 12:4-7

“And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee”. Matthew 26:73 (KJV)

 Feedback: Share how waiting on the Lord renewed your strength.

The people of Ephraim had their own regional pronunciation for the word ‘Shibboleth’ which means flowing stream or floods.

SELF GLORIFICATION




Scripture: Judges 12:1-3

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men’s shoulders; but they (themselves) will not move them with one of their fingers.” Matthew 23:4 (KJV)

The displeasure of the men of Ephraim against Jephthah was motivated by pride. They wanted to be recognized and given the place of glory as conquerors. But where were they when the people were being oppressed by the Ammonites?

OVERLOOK NO ONE




Scripture: Judges 11:1-11

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Proverbs 21:21 (NIV)


 For 18 years, the sons of Israel were greatly distressed and afflicted in Gilead. The solution to their freedom,peace and comfort was in the hands of the son of a prostitute and a fugitive – Jephthah. In the same way, the solution to our challenge could be with someone we consider inconsequential.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SOURCE




Scripture: Judges 11:9-11

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalms 124:8 (KJV)

 Jephthah acknowledged God as his source of victory. He knew that his victory over the Ammonites would not have been possible if he had relied on his human power and strength rather than on the power of God.He was confident of what God could use his leadership to achieve

SHARPEN YOUR TALENT



Scripture: Judges 11:4-6

 "I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have exalted a young man from among the people. Psalms 89:19 (NIV)

God has given to everyone a measure of natural ability; a unique skill or ability that will enable you stand out in your world. Jephthah, despite being the son of a prostitute, was a mighty warrior. God had bestowed in him “strength”

WEALTH TRAP



Scripture: Proverbs 11:4, 28

 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17(NIV)

The desire to have wealth is not a bad one but wealth should not be the driving force of your life. Today, money seems to be all that man aspires to possess because he believes that with money, all problems will be solved but what can money do for your soul? Money does not guarantee a place in heaven, it might provide comfort and earthly cares but the most important thing, which is the security of your soul, cannot be guaranteed by wealth.

Do not put your trust in money instead of Christ because your riches can go away the next second but God will always be there. It is only your trust in God and living in accordance with his statutes that can guarantee you eternal life. Do not compromise your salvation in a bid to get rich. This does not mean that you must not work hard while on earth but also be aware that you brought nothing into this world and you will take nothing out of it.

While you strive to get wealth and riches, do not get consumed by that desire. Don’t fall into the trap meant for those who allow wealth to be their driving force. Secure your soul and your place in heaven by investing in the Kingdom of God and walking according to His will. Do not put your trust in riches but in God because He alone can give you everlasting life.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to trust only in you and not in riches, in Jesus name

FAITH BYTE: I put my trust in God only; I will not be controlled by riches or the desire to get rich.

OPPOSITIONS WILL ARISE



Scripture: Judges 8:1-17

 “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” 1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV)

Many Christians believe that because God has called them to do something, then everything should work out smoothly and without hitches, but this is far from the truth. In reality, when God calls you and you step out in faith,

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S




Scripture: Judges 7:16-22

“…Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NKJV)

 Gideon and his 300 men defeated the enemy despite the odds against them. They defeated them not because of their power, wisdom or skill but simply because God was with them. It was God who set the Midianites against themselves