CONTROL YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-5

“Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.” Proverbs 6:25 (KJV)

We have been endowed by God with sense organs which help us relate with our environment. These organs have been put into man to help him, not to control his life. Many people unconsciously let their senses control their life. The eye is a very important part of the body, yet the bible says if your right eye offends you, you should pluck it out (Matt. 5:29). You do not necessarily have to pluck out the eyes but you can guard the eyes from seeing the things that can cause you to sin.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE KING’S RETURN?

Scripture: 2 Samuel 19:19-42

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:44 (KJV)

As the king (David) returned, some people were prepared and happy while others were not so glad to see him return. Those who were faithful while the king was exiled, were happy and confidently approached him and even made personal requests from him. While those who were unfaithful during the period were worried about his return and asked for mercy and pardon.

DON’T BE A DISTRACTION

Scripture: 2 Samuel 20:1-3

“For God shall bring every work unto judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil” Ecclesiastes 12:14 (KJV)

When people achieve certain heights in life, they may become distracted. There may be the tendency for someone close to them to become envious of their achievement. These people become thorns in the flesh as they  make efforts to discredit and belittle the success that has been achieved.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

Scripture: 2 Samuel 20:1-3

“Let a man so account for us, as the minister of Christ and stewards of the ministries of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1 (KJV)

We must decide to have control of the circumstances of our life. We must make up our mind to have dominion in life, but to do this, we cannot afford to operate or walk in the flesh because control is a force that emanates from the spirit. We have been given responsibility of leading people, and a good leader knows that there are God-given rules to follow to make a right decision.

UNQUALIFIED TO JUDGE

 Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-9

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that that is in thine own eye?” Matthew7:3 (KJV)

There is a saying that “those who live in glass houses should not throw stones”. A lot of people are swift to judge others based on their shortcomings, faults or vices. They do not consider the fact that they themselves may be guilty of those same things. They jump at the slightest opportunity to apportion blame or faults. By so doing, they have considered themselves blameless and without sin.

DEALING WITH ADVERSITY

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:11-22

“The thief cometh…to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” John 10:10 (KJV)

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Eli was a minister and priest of God at Shiloh. He served the Lord faithfully but failed to raise his two sons to fear the Lord. Hophni and Phinehas were living carelessly and sinfully. They were so far gone in their evil ways that they would not hearken to their father’s warnings (1 Sam 2:23-25).

OUR NEEDS ARE MET

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

“…Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body,
what ye shall put on…” Matthew 6:25 (KJV)

For many people, life can like a daily struggle. They wake up each day constantly worried over how to make ends meet. The bible has something to say about this.

TAKE POSITION

Scripture: Acts 3:2-8

“Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.” Psalm 92:13” (KJV)

Positioning is vital to success in any endeavour on this side of eternity. It goes beyond physical, social and financial positioning to even the state of your heart. What is your “Position” in God, in His Will and His House? Are you committed? Are you planted and well rooted?

THE RIGHT KIND OF GIVING

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-7

“Honour the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty. And your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 (NASB)

Cain and Abel sacrificed to God but God was pleased with Abel's sacrifice, because he gave rightly. It was the season of offering of the firstlings and Abel understood the season and gave God the firstlings of his stock, but Cain did not understand the seasons, so he just brought God an offering and it was not accepted (v3-4).

RECOGNIZING GOD-GIVEN OPPORTUNITY

Scripture: Luke 5:1-10

“In all thy way acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

With God, there is always an abundance of opportunities; but sometimes, we can be so pre-occupied with the issues around us that we overlook them and then, fail to explore.

LET GOD

“So that you may be sons of your father who is in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:45 (NASB)

The bible tells us that vengeance is of the Lord (Deut. 32:35). This means that even when a wrong has been done to us, we are not entitled to take laws into our hands.

GOOD FOR EVIL

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:1-12

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 (NASB)

In today’s society, people are always ready to repay evil with evil. When they are hurt, they seek to obtain revenge for the ill done to them. As Christians, we should learn and take as an example, the instructions of Jesus as regards dealing with human beings when we have been mistreated (Matt 5:44).

EVIL COUNSEL

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-12

“Do not be deceived. Bad company corrupts good morals.”  1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB)

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What you do in life is centered on relationship; relationship with God, family and friends. These relationships form the source of the counsel you will receive. These people will influence the counsel you get, therefore, you need to be mindful who you receive counsel from.

GIVE GOD THE GLORY

Scripture: Daniel 4:30-32; Acts 12:21-24

“…No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven”. John 3:27 (NLT)

All glory in heaven and on earth belongs to God alone. All credit belongs to God for whatever we wish to achieve and have obtained; and for whatever we wish to overcome and have surmounted. We must acknowledge God for his part in our successes and victory.

FORGIVE

Scripture: 2 Samuel 2:1-7

“Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Matthew 6:12 (TLB)

As humans, when people offend us, we tend to get back at them. Some people have vowed never to forgive friends, peers, spouses or family members who had, in the past, lied, cheated, abused or maltreated them. Naturally, our flesh would want to hold grudges and seek avenue for revenge rather than forgiveness.

SERVE GOD ONLY

 

Scripture: I Samuel 6:3-6

“Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under earth” Exodus 20:4 (KJV)

In our society today, people face different challenges such as debilitating illness, business stagnation, financial crisis and family tussles. In a bid to find solution or resolve these issues, they go from place to place in search of someone or something that can quickly end the problems they face. The danger in this desperate search for answers is the possibility of getting entangled in acts that may displease God.

SHOW KINDNESS

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-11

“And David said unto him, fear not, for I will surely show thee kindness…’’ 2 Samuel 9:7 (KJV)

Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It is a virtue from God to bring succour to the body of Christ. It is a state of showing charitable behaviour. Many believing Christians find it extremely difficult to extend kindness to fellow men. Others, however, recognize that God has blessed them to be a blessing. These ones share the blessings that God has bestowed on them with others without hesitation.

WHERE YOUR HEART IS

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-3

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’’  Matthew 6:21 (KJV)

The heart of the natural man is self centred and insatiable. But the heart of the transformed man is for God and lives daily to satisfy Him.

VICTORY IN CHRIST

Scripture: 2 Samuel 8:1-14

“And the lord preserved David whithersoever he went.” 2 Samuel 8:6b (KJV)

Every day of our lives, we go through one battle or the other. We are surrounded by many adversaries, at home, the marketplace, work place, environment and community. Do not be dismayed for no matter the challenge, your victory is sure.

RESPECT GOD’S SERVANT

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:16-23

“…Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets so shall ye prosper” 2 Chronicles 20:20 (KJV)

Feedback: Share evidence of how you led an exemplary life this week.

Many Christians today do not realize that talking carelessly about a true man of God is a direct affront to God. The Bible says touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm (Ps, 105:15). Therefore, we ought to always respect and honor God’s prophets. We must ensure that we do no harm whatsoever to their person, personality or family.

THE RIGHT WORK ETHICS

“Master, provide your servants (employees) with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a master in heaven”  Colossians 4:1 (ASV)

Organizations and homes will always require people to carry out tasks that will help them achieve their varying objectives. The success of this working relationship between the employer and the employee rests on each of the party fulfilling their part of the obligation agreed upon.

THE GOOD LEADER

“He is like the light of morning at sunshine on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth” 2 Samuel 23:4 (NIV)

Leadership is a task that has lots of responsibilities attached to it. A lot of times and if not careful, a leader may become weary and consider stepping down in order to enjoy some rest and relief. Leadership is a task that requires lots of care and sensitivity.

CHILDREN AS HERITAGE

“Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” Mark 9: 37 (KJV)

One of the goals of parenthood is to raise children to love and follow God (Deut. 6:2) and to help them reach their individual potentials (Prov. 22:6). The bible is protective of children but realistic about what measures are necessary to develop their character.

LOYALTY: AT WHAT COST?

“For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:13b (KJV)

It is common place to hear people declare “I AM LOYAL” to others, especially to people they respect or expect favours from. Loyalty, however, is not usually discerned in mere words.

GOD’S UNIVERSAL GRACE

“Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20 (KJV)

God’s grace that brings salvation has been freely provided for everyone on earth. The only thing that sets us apart is that we have accepted it, while those who are yet to be saved have so far rejected it. Everyone on earth needs salvation, and salvation is available for everyone,

LOYAL EMPLOYEE

“And whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”  Colossians 3:23(KJV)

When Paul speaks of slavery, he refers to all forms of employment. Slavery is used as it was the lowest form of employment at that time. As demeaning and condescending as slavery was, Paul encouraged employees to represent God in their service to their employers irrespective of how they were treated by them. He reminds them that the same level of perfection is demanded of the free and the bond.

LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

Scripture: Titus 2:7-8

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)

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Share evidence of God's glory you can see in your life.

Worldly leadership usually involves “doing what is said rather than what is done”. The same people who create laws for others to follow are the ones who break them without any regard for the law. This is why there are reports of embezzlement, corruption and scandals involving people highly placed in society. However, this is not the standard of God. God expects every leader to lead by example.

BE A TEACHER

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”  2 Tim 2:2 (KJV)

A pool which only receives water but does not give out will eventually stink and reek. In the same way, the life of anyone who is just satisfied to listen to messages without any impact in his life and without passing the same message on to others, will eventually become stale. You were saved so you can save others, and you are being taught and trained to become a teacher to others.

STOP REBELLION

Scripture: Titus 1:10-16

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft….” 1 Samuel 15:23a (KJV)

No matter who you are or what you are doing in life, there will always be people who will oppose you. Even in the church of God, there will always be those who will rebel against the church leadership. These people are usually quick to point out what cannot be done or how things should be done even when they will not lift a finger to act. Their interest is in themselves and not the church or its vision. These are the people who must be silenced.

QUALIFICATION FOR LEADERSHIP

Scripture: Titus 1:5-9

“But solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrew 5:13 (ISV)

The major problem in the world today is that of leadership. Though there are many people in the office of leadership, there are only a few who are actually leaders.