ON A MISSION



Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-6

“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4 (KJV)

Every Christian is a member of God’s army with a core mandate to evangelize. Unfortunately many have lost consciousness of this mandate due to identity crisis. We have so blended in with and conformed to the world that we are no longer on fire for God.

THE BRAND CALLED YOU



Scripture: Genesis 5:1-2

 “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex…” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

A brand is a valuable asset for any organization. This is because organizations spend years developing how others perceive them. They spend even more resources deliberating crafting the image and impression they want left behind in the minds of people who engage and interact with them.

KEEP LEARNING



Scripture: Proverbs 4:1-7

“My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn;” Proverbs 4:20a (AMP)

There is such fierce competition in the face of changing technology and trends in the world that people cannot afford to be left behind in ignorance. People are forced to update their skills to stay relevant in the marketplace. Every believer needs to do the same. You are expected to update yourself daily in your knowledge of God’s word and direction for the current generation

PAY YOUR DEBTS



Scripture: Exodus 22:14-15

“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” Psalm 37:21 (NIV)

 Valuable relationships have been broken and destroyed due to people’s refusal to repay debts owed others. Some people find it hard to return or repay when they borrow from others. When they need help, they persuasively get others to lend to them promising to repay.

THE ENLIGHTENED HEART



Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-19

 “I pray that the eyes of your heart be enlightened in order that you may know the hope of which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18 (KJV)

A heart that is not in tune with the spirit of God cannot hear or receive from God. To tap from God, your heart must be illuminated. An illuminated heart is that which is enlightened with God’s thoughts, visions and plans. An enlightened heart is also a heart that is not only transformed and renewed,

KEEP THE PLUG IN



Scripture: Daniel 10:2-6, 12

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you” Proverbs 4:25 (NIV)

Feedback: Consider the length of time it took you praying this week.

 God answers prayers. This means that your need for deliverance, salvation and healing is not an issue where God is concerned (Jeremiah 32:27). The challenge lies in how a believer acts to access these benefits. The answer is to connect or plug in to God’s omnipotent power. Just like the electrical appliances in your home need a power source to function,

FEAR NOT



Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-18

 “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 (KJV)

The world today is full of challenges ranging from joblessness, financial crunch, health and security issues. These challenges have plunged many into fear and moved believers to question God. They wonder why prophecies remain unfulfilled and prayers seem unanswered but God encourages you not to give in to fear because he has a plan for you.

BE MINDFUL



Scripture: Matthew 26:47-56

“So be careful if you are thinking, “Oh, I would never behave like that” - let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 (TLB)

Judas was one of the disciples of Jesus. He walked with Jesus, saw the miracles that Jesus performed and deep down in Judas’ heart, he must have known that Jesus is the son of the living God. But this knowledge did not deter him from carrying out his evil plans against Jesus with the religious leaders of his time.

A PRESENT HELP


Scripture: Psalms 46:1-11

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:2 (KJV)

There are times in life when it may seem like our efforts hardly yield results. We may be limited by our finances, disappointed by people we respect or discouraged by the actions of people we trust. These painful experiences may come all at the same and we become weighed down and discouraged by our challenges. At such times, we may think of the phrase “when it rains, it pours”.

BE A GOOD AMBASSADOR




Scripture: Matthew 23:1-15

“Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:28 (NLT)

 An ambassador is someone sent from his mother country to another as a representative. Ambassadors are put in place to enhance the image and reputation of their mother country with the ultimate purpose of positively furthering its course in the foreign land

DESIRE MORE OF JESUS



Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

“That I may know him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)


In one of Paul’s most profound writings, he poured out his heart describing the significance of his life in Christ and his desire to discover more each day in his relationship with God. His goal was to persuade every believer to grasp the importance of knowing Jesus and the need to grow in their walk with Jesus

EXPRESS YOUR LOVE



Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13

 “...what this woman has done will be told as a memorial to her” Matthew 26:13 (NKJV)

No gift or sacrifice should ever be considered too big for God. God is everything good, and more to you and He deserves nothing but your best. You must therefore never hesitate to give God your best, and the first place in your life’s affairs. You may not be the wealthiest person around, or have all that you need,

TAKE HEED



Scripture: Matthew 24:3-14

 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew 24:4 (KJV)

Feedback: Consider all the things you are grateful for

 The 21st century church has largely yielded itself to the dictates and glamour of modernity. Many believers are increasingly being driven by their quest for wealth, pleasures, power and fame. To hunger for those things is to be carnal minded,

BE READY



Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 (KJV)

The gospel has been offered freely to everyone without discrimination and so is the kingdom of God accessible to everyone. But you have roles to play to make these possible for you. It is not enough to hear the gospel; you must also live it and share it to with those who have not yet received it.

FOCUS ON YOUR CALLING




 Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4 (KJV)

Every one of us is called to serve a unique purpose in the house of God – the church. It is expedient that you focus on your core duty in the house of God; not comparing yourself with anyone else, or trying to do what everyone else is doing rather than what you are called to do. It does not matter how huge or minute your contributions are; or how much value others place on your work.

EVIDENCE OF FAITH



Scripture: Hebrews 11:30-40

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17 (KJV)

 Most Christians today claim to be “faith filled” when their lives and actions show otherwise. There is nothing to show practically that they have faith because their mouths say one thing, and their actions exhibit the opposite.

A SERVANT IN SERVICE


Scripture: Matthew 20:25-28

 “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Philippians 2: 6-7 (NIV)

Leadership is about serving others. Many who seek positions of authority lack the basic requirements needed to function effectively in such positions. They seek to exercise power over their followers and

THE BEAUTY OF HUMILITY



Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6

 “By humility and fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” Proverbs 22:4 (KJV)

One of the strongest traits of a child’s character is humility. Every child tends to love and trust everyone. They hold no grudge and seek a cordial relationship with everyone. This is the same attitude and lifestyle God expects from every Christian.

YEARN FOR THE KINGDOM



Scripture: Matthew 13:44-52

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

In many of Jesus’ teachings, the kingdom of God is compared to everyday events - activities and things we can relate to. A consistent theme across these illustrations is the truth that every believer has a part to play to enjoy the kingdom of God. The discovered treasure hidden in a field,

BE CONTENT


Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:3-10

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)

 Feedback: Did you visit and encouraged someone this past week?

When we switch on our televisions, surf the internet or walk out into the streets, we are bombarded with advertising gimmicks from sellers to buy the next trinket or electronic gadget, attend the most exciting programme or send our children to the best school or programme in town.

GIVE THANKS


Scripture: Matthew 15:32-39

 “And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave them to his disciples and the disciples to the multitude” Matthew 15:36 (KJV)

Thanksgiving is a very powerful tool in the arsenal of Ta Christian. A heart of profound gratitude to God for what he has done and will do creates an atmosphere for answers to prayers (Phillipians 4:6b).

Jesus demonstrated the power of thanksgiving when he fed thousands of people with five loaves of bread and some fish.

FOLLOW CHRIST COMPLETELY



Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

“The Jesus said to His disciples, “if anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross…” Matthew 16:24 (AMP

 What does it mean to be a Christian - a true follower of Christ? Many people can only be identified as Christians when you check up their bio-data on forms, other official documents or simply by their routine attendance of church services on Sundays.

UNFORGIVENESS: A TRAP



Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

 “And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)

When we keep a diary of the events that occur in our lives, there is a tendency to also keep a record of our hurt. We bury the pain deep in our hearts refusing to let go especially when it is caused by the ones we love and hold close to us.

Our scripture today recounts the incident of a servant who failed to pay his debt but was forgiven by the creditor when he pleaded for pardon.

UNDER CRITICISM



Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19

We played the pipe for you and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.” Matthew 11:17 (NIV)

 Success has many friends but can also buy you a lot of enemies. There will be people who will criticize and speak ill of you and your efforts no matter how good your intentions are or how well you perform. Your first thought may be to fight back but this is not always the best option
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Jesus experienced verbal attacks and more during his ministry on earth.

FIRMLY ROOTED



Scripture: Matthew 16:5-12

 “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived.” Luke 21:8 (KJV)

A believer who is not firmly rooted in the knowledge of God and his word will become easily deceived. This is because the devil is always on the move in search of those to destroy. A scripture starved believer can easily fall prey to the deceptive schemes and teachings