THE TEMPLE OF GOD

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6: 19 -20

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth
unto an holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:21 (KJV)

A temple is a place dedicated for worship and by implication, the dwelling place of God. God no longer dwells in buildings made by man, but rather inside of man (Acts 7:48). You become God’s dwelling place when you get born again. Therefore, as a matter of priority, you have to do all that is
needful to keep your body fit for God’s dwelling, at all times.

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN?

Scripture: John 3:1-15

"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” John 3:6 (NIV)

Many believers, like Nicodemus, are still confused or unsure as to what it means to be truly born again. It is the rebirth of one’s spirit by the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is a transformation. It is the recreation of the human, an entirely brand new creature that is one with God. This is the basis of a relationship with God and it is His will and purpose for our lives.

THE CLAW OF SIN

Scripture: Romans 7:7-25

“Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines,
for our vines have tender grapes” Song of Solomon 2:15 (NKJV)

There are many in church who are in constant struggle with one particular sin or the other. They may hate their action, express remorse and willingness to break free from them, yet they go back repeatedly to their vices.

Sin separates us from God, and that is what spiritual death implies No believer should be held bound by the chain of sin.

WISDOM: A WAY OF LIFE

Scripture: James 3:13-17

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
he gives generously to all without finding fault.” James 1:5a (NIV)

Why would God setup a process for us to gain wisdom? Why would He not, just give it to us? This is because asking for His wisdom and receiving it brings us into a relationship with Him. The wisdom we receive is not only information received, but also character learned. We observe who He is and we learn to behave like Him. We come to know Him better in the process.

OVERCOME ANGER

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27

“For the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce
the righteousness of God [that standard of behaviour which
He requires from us].” James 1:20 (AMP)

Very often, the fastest and easiest response of people to an offensive situation is anger. Anger in itself is not a bad emotion but when you get furious at the slightest provocation or carry a grudge, then it becomes a problem.

Anger tends to lead to sin (James 1:20).

OUR SURE RESCUE

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

“The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble;
the name of the God of Jacob defend thee” Psalm 20:1 (KJV)

Feedback: Did your show of love influenced anyone for Christ this past week?

Panic and confusion are the natural tendencies of many when faced with challenging situations. The desperation that comes from these feelings leads many to make the wrong choices with sometimes devastating consequences. However, there is a better way of handling life’s troubles. Instead of falling into fear and panic, the first and most important thing to do is call out to God.

UNGODLY VICTORY

Scripture: Proverbs 14:9-14

“The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle
of the upright shall flourish.” Proverbs 14:11(KJV)

In a bid to hit the top and stay in the limelight, people have gone to unimaginable heights to achieve their desires. The Bible warns that there is a way that seems right unto a man but its end or reward is death and damnation. This will not be the portion of any believer (Proverbs 14:12).

Ungodly living is a product of our hearts and thoughts.

THE PRINCIPAL THING

Scripture: Proverbs 4:1-7

“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline
from the words of my mouth.” Proverbs 4:5 (KJV)

Few words contrast so sharply as wisdom and foolishness and everyone wants to be regarded as a wise man or woman. However, what most people consider as wisdom is merely worldly craftiness.

People believe that understanding how the world operates, how to make gains in life, how to outwit and outsmart opponents, how to make good economic and political judgment is what makes one wise.

FOCUS ON JESUS

Scripture: Matthew 14:25-31

“The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble, he sits enthroned
between the cherubim, let the earth shake.” Psalm 99:1 (NIV)

Today, the internet gives us unrestricted access to all sorts of information. With this increasing consumption of information, we become susceptible and open to unwholesome and ungodly content that can influence our beliefs and values. Through this and other media, our enemy, the devil, can sink and drown unsuspecting believers with his version of the truth.

MANIFEST!

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-7

“For the creation awaits in eager expectation for the
children of God to be revealed” Romans 8:19 (NIV)

God made you with special gifts and talents. Your objective as a child of God is to discover, optimize, and maximize your God given potentials. The world is waiting for you to manifest and shine (Romans 8:19).

The man that conceals or refuses to use his talent is like someone who lights a candle and hides it under a bushel (Matthew 5:15-16).

STRENGTH IN GOD

Scripture: Isaiah 40:25-31

“The Lord is good to everyone who trusts and obeys Him.” Lamentations 3:25 (CEV)

Have you noticed that whenever you hope for something, you naturally or automatically gain strength and you are drawn towards realizing that hope? Hope releases the strength you need to actualize your dreams and vision. However, carnal hope does eventually fail but hope in God guarantees you victory at all times.

Our scripture reminds us that even our youthfulness may fail and it is not a guarantee. But when you connect to God, your strength becomes renewed daily because He is your sure help in times of need (Psalm 121:1). With God, challenges provide opportunities for you to experience divine strengthening.

Are you in need of strength today? Strength is not far from you when you have God by your side. When you are weak, simply say you are strong because your strength is in the promises made by
God. He never fails. He always comes through. Abraham manifested hope in God at his old age, the woman with the issue of blood manifested hope in God. God has not changed, he is still the same yesterday, today and forever. A man without strength is defeated because he lacks hope. Do not let your enemy steal your strength by diverting your hope from the help that comes from above. Stick with Jesus and your strength will never fail (Jeremiah 17:5).

PRAYER: Lord, give me grace to always put my hope in you so that my strength will be renewed in Jesus name.

FAITH BYTE: God strengthens and blesses me because my hope is in Him always

IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Scripture: Psalm 84:10-12

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalms 84:10 (NIV)

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be in the presence of God? Do you sometimes desire to live heaven here on earth? God’s presence delivers it to you. The Psalmist describes a day in God’s presence as better than a thousand years anywhere else (v10a).

The presence of God is not merely a physical place (Acts 7:48).

BEYOND THE PHYSICAL

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear
unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the
ministry, which I received of the Lord Jesus to testify the
gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 (KJV)

Feedback: Did your show of love influenced anyone for Christ this past week?

Most times people get overwhelmed with the pressures of life. As difficult as we know things can get sometimes, we must be careful not to get caught up with earthly pressures that we forget what is most important - the salvation of our soul.

Paul makes us to understand that despite what we may be going through physically,

THE SPIRITUAL MAN

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-31

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the
Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he
know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)

A man who the Holy Spirit dwells in is a spiritual man. This man’s character, and approach to life differs from that of a natural man. This is because of the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of him that quickens and enables him beyond the limitation of his natural self. The natural man, on the other hand, sees him and his ways as foolish (1 Corinthians 2:14).

FAST TO ENJOY THE NEW WINE

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through
the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”
Romans 8:13 (KJV)

Jesus was asked a question about fasting, and in answering that question, he also talked about new wine and new wine skins. What is the connection between the two issues that God wants us to understand?

The new wine refers to the Holy Spirit and the new wine skins refers to the born again or regenerated spirit of the believer.

POWER IN THE NAME

Scripture: Acts 4:7-12

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name
under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

Many believers are ignorant of the power and potency that the name of Jesus carries They use the name casually. They forget that the name of Jesus has been given to us as a powerful weapon. It is a name that brings victory (1Corinthians 15:57).

When Peter and John preached in the name of Jesus, about 5000 people believed and their lives were transformed.

EXERCISE YOUR FAITH

Scripture: Matthew 17:14-21

“So Jesus said to them for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith
as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here
to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17: 20 (NKJV)


Faith is a spiritual exercise to build your trust in God. Just as you deliberately exercise your body physically to keep fit and healthy, you must also exercise your faith. Your physical exercise does not guarantee good health but exercising your faith guarantees God’s intervention.

The disciples went to Jesus privately to ask Him why they could not cast out the sickness.

THE HARD WORK OF WAITING

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous – Yes,
wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

The life of an unskilled labourer usually involves coming out early in the morning to a spot where he joins other labourers like himself waiting to be chosen by various foremen. By 6 a.m., the labourers are all assembled, and by 12 noon everyone is gone. Those chosen, get to earn some money that day. The rest leave hoping for better luck the next day.

REFRAIN FROM DECEIT

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth,
but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth” 1 John 2:21 (KJV)

Deception means deliberately causing someone to believe what is not true especially for personal gain. The intent is to mislead others and this is unpleasant in the sight of God.

Ananias and Sapphira lied and paid a costly price for it. They lost their lives. Perhaps they thought that they could deceive God or that God would understand but God does not understand what is not right.

WHAT HAVE YOU SPOKEN?

Scripture: Genesis 1:2-14

“So shall my word be that goes forth from My mouth,
it shall not return to me void, it shall accomplish what I please and it
shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)

Feedback: Share your experience of sharing the word with others.

Words are powerful. They affect your life and destiny. One day of mourning and complaining has the power to set you back for a year. That is a 1-to-365-day ratio. Even when God created, he did not speak by chance (Genesis 1:2). He gave light and day their boundaries, he was indeed very specific.

We often find ourselves very careless with words.

THE PLACE OF GRACE

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

“It is right for me to feel this way…since I have you in my heart….” Philippians 1:7 (NIV)


The scripture today reminds us of the unfailing nature of the grace of God. Paul underlines his confidence in the truth that God will not abandon you in the middle of the journey. He will always walk with you every step of the way until your victory is assured. This is the grace of God.

Therefore, the place to stand on to become fulfilled in life is the place of grace. The Lord instructed Prophet Elijah to go to the brook Cherith were he was fed for a season. He did not labour for his meals even in famine because God sent a raven who brought him bread and wine. Again the Lord instructed him to move to a widow in Zarephat where he, the widow and her son were sustained, throughout the famine. As long as he was in the place of grace, he had what he needed.

We cannot overlook God’s instruction neither can we afford to remain insensitive to it. His instructions point us to our place of grace. It is in our place of grace that the brook continues to flow
and agents appointed by God supply our bread and wine. In the place of grace, our barrel remains connected for ceaseless provision of meal and oil. May God lead you to your place of grace today.

REMEMBER TO ATTEND: MAP Meeting (Home Fellowship) tomorrow

PRAYER: Lord, help me to recognize your instruction that will lead me to my place of Grace in Jesus name.

FAITH BYTE: I walk in God’s all sufficient grace. I depend on him alone for my divine supply.

GOD FOR US

Scripture: Genesis 26:19-25

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us,
who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 (KJV)

God is a spirit and he is ever present in our lives. Many believers become weary and wonder what the point of their faith is when they hit trying times. Some may even contemplate abandoning their faith. The truth is, there is no “us” without God. We cannot tread life’s waters without his help. We need God to overcome.

The scripture tells us how Isaac and his servant contended with the herdsmen of Gerar. Perhaps, there were times Isaac wanted to give up or even times his servants wanted to give up on him.

PRAY STRATEGICALLY

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

"I therefore so run, not as uncertainty; so fight I,
not as one that beateth the air:" 1 Corinthians 9:2 (KJV)

Prayer is an honoured kingdom principle. It is the means by which we communicate with God and it is how God communicates with us. Prayer is not a thing to be done in a haphazard way as some are found guilty of. Sometimes your success, your progress or your blessing can he held up and hindered not because of your speaking negatively but because of your approach to prayer.

SUBMIT TO MENTORSHIP

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

“Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the
prophesies once made about you, so that by following them you
may fight the good fight” 1 Timothy 1:18 (NIV)

In 1Samuel 3:4-8, the Lord called Samuel three times and on each occasion he ran to Eli his mentor as that was the voice he was accustomed to from when he entered ministry. Eli, perceiving that God was calling the boy Samuel, instructed him on what to do so he could commune with Jehovah.

YOUR FIRST FRUIT

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:18-26

And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and
gave birth to three sons and two daughters …” 1 Samuel 2:21 (NIV)




 Feedback: Share how studying the bible impacted your life this past week.

A young man once shared a testimony about how he and his wife in response to a teaching they received on giving a first fruit offering, they planted a certain sum of money in faith. He said after sowing that seed they received a train of miracles.

JOIN THE FOLD

Scripture: Psalm 122:1-9

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)

When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. Many go to church but do not know why they do so. It is vital to understand why you are a part of the church. Do not simply go to church because you consider it fun or because you think the church has the class of individuals you desire to connect and associate with.

ARE YOU READY?

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-12

“You also must be ready all the time, for the son of man
will come when least expected.” Matthew 24:44 (NLT)

Lack of preparation is a sure way to failure. To succeed at anything in life, you must prepare and be ready to give your best when the opportunity comes. For preparation to be effective, it must be thorough, purposeful and early.

As Christians, we must live in communion with the Holy Spirit, and in constant fellowship with God.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Scripture: Numbers 13:25-33

“Then we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from
the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and
so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:33 (KJV)

How could the men Joshua sent out to spy the land of Canaan, possibly know what the giants thought of them? Did they engage the giants in a conversation and the giants told them that they looked like grasshoppers? This is what happens when you focus on the wrong things. It influenced not just how they saw themselves, but also how they thought others saw them.

What the men saw, they became. They projected their negativity in their mind to the point it became real to them. The root of this mindset is fear. Indeed, FEAR is often described as False Evidence
Appearing Real. Fear distorts your reality and drowns out your hope and faith. It breeds and feeds unbelief. You cannot afford to think negatively. We know how it ended for these men. It did not end well for them. Because their report of what they saw influenced the other Israelites and caused them to doubt God’s ability to save them, the men, and those who believed them, never entered to enjoy the land of Canaan (Numbers 14:22-23). Their destiny was cut short. It started with WHAT they saw.

What do you see? What would you rather focus on? The giants or the ‘milk and honey’? When you focus on the giants, you become blinded to possibilities and opportunities. The same energy you
put into negativity is the same that can be expended on possibility and thankfulness. Be wise, see what God can do and thank him in advance.

PRAYER: Lord, renew my mind to see what you can do in Jesus name.

FAITH BYTE: I choose to see possibilities and opportunities. Negativity is far from me.