Text: Proverbs 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Last week we discussed “What are you excuses”. I appreciate God in your life as you let the Word dwell in you richly. Today, we shall focus on the Froward Mouth.

A froward or a forward mouth is a mouth that is not easily controlled (forward and forward are taken to mean the same thing and shall be used interchangeably in this article). Rule your speech. Guard your tongue. Mark your words. After keeping your heart with all diligence, from which come the issues of life, Solomon warned you to reject ungodly speech (Pr 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life). Beginning with the thoughts and intents of the heart, wisdom demands you govern your speech (Pr 4:24), your eyes (Pr 4:25), and your feet (Pr 4:26-27). A forward mouth is an individual that tells lies all the time and one that is always saying bad things about others. A person with a forward mouth is always cursing and is also very proud. People with froward or forward mouths are very common in the church, houses, society and are also very unpleasant to deal with. 

It is impossible to have godly and gracious speech without a pure heart, for the content of the heart supplies the mouth (Matt 12:33-35). You can tell a good heart by kind and holy words, and you can tell a bad heart by harsh or carnal words. Jesus said it; believe it. Kings love the perfect man who speaks graciously from a pure heart (Pr 22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
will have the king for a friend).

This proverb does not warn you to stay away from those with froward mouths and perverse lips, for that advice is given elsewhere (Pr 14:7 Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips; Pr.19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge; I Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners). It warns you to get rid of your own froward mouth and perverse lips. The context is ruling your own heart, lips, eyes, and feet (Pr 4:23-27), not avoiding others with those sins.

Solomon taught his son and told him to listen and submit to his fatherly instruction (Pr 4:20). He then exhorted him to keep his advice directly before him and firm in his resolve (Pr 4:21). And he encouraged him by saying that it would give him life and health (Pr 4:22). Then in order, he told his son to guard his heart, lips, eyes, and steps (Pr 4:23-27).

A foolish mouth will ruin your reputation (Eccl 5:3, Eccl 10:12-14). An offensive mouth will cause trouble with men (Pr 12:13, Pr 13:3, Pr 14:7, Pr 18:6-7, Pr 22:10, Pr 24:9). And then you will give account of every idle word in the Judgment (Pr 6:16-19, Matt 12:36-37, Eph 5:3-6).

 Kind and wise speech will build your reputation (Pr 15:4, Pr 18:20, Pr 24:26). Appropriate words will enhance your relationship with men (Pr 10:32, Pr 15:23, Pr 16:13, Pr 25:11). And the blessed pleases God with his constructive and helpful words (Pr 12:22, Eph 4:29, Col 4:6).

Improve your speech by cutting your words in half, if you talk more than the average person (Pr 17:27, James 1:19). You then must rule your spirit, for it can kindle a fire from hell (Pr 16:32, James 3:3-8)! And you have to avoid arguments (Pr 26:4-5, II Tim 2:23).

If you keep your heart at peace with the Lord and man, it will be difficult for you to speak harsh or painful things. If you keep your heart pure with the Lord and man, it will be difficult for you to have foolish or carnal speech. If you fill your mind with noble things, you will have precious material for conversation (Phil 4:8). May God guide your tongue. Let your mouth minister grace to the hearer.

God bless you real good.

Deacon Mike Ben

Last week, we looked at “The nature of God’s promises” as part of the series, “God and the Integrity of His promises”. This week, we will conclude the series by looking at “Divine strategies for obtaining God’s promises”. Be blessed as you read.

Part 3: Divine strategies for obtaining God’s promises

Bible Texts: Heb. 6:11-20, Rom. 4:16-22  

• The knowledge of his promises, John 8:32 –And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. This is the secret of freedom for sin, sickness and all the curses of this life that Christ died to set men free from. Rom. 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Heb .11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
• Faith in God and His promises. Heb. 4:1-4, 6-12.
• Asking and desiring to see God’s promises fulfilled in your life. Matt. 7:7; Mk 11.24. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
• Patiently waiting for God’s promises. Heb 6:12-15. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Verse 13 – For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Verse 14 – Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee, Verse 15 – And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hab. 2:3 – For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry
• Taking necessary steps. Jam 2:20-26; Gen 12:1-4. At Red sea God asked the Israelites to go forward even when it was obvious that it appear there was no way forward.

Conclusion

His promises are ye and amen. When He promises, He has the wherewithal to fulfil it. God’s word is an oath. It is immutable.

Every member who have not filled the Personal Data Form should collect the form from any of the Ushers or download it from the Download section of our web site.

All completed forms should be submitted to Church Admin Department

Those persons who have been saved but are yet to go to the School of Disciples are encouraged to register with Brother Adeyemi

The overall best students in the Sunday School Quiz and continuous assessment, for First Quarter ending 24th November 2013 are:

First Position: OGUNLADE BUKUNMI of GLORY Class, with a Total Score of 92%;

Second Position: FUNMILAYO AKINDELE of WISDOM Class, with a Total Score of 91.75%;

Third Position: ONAFUWA YETUNDE ELIZABETH of PRAISE Class, with a Total Score  of 90%;

NB: The Total Score was based on performance in three areas: Quiz (50 marks), Workbook (100 marks) and attendance (50 marks). The Total marks was divided by two to arrive at the total percentage scores.

This is to inform all the Choir under RCCG Miracle Centre Zone that there will not be rehearsal in all the parishes. All members of the Choir in the zone are expected to meet at the Zonal Headquarters (RCCG Miracle Centre, Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria) on Saturday 30th November 2013 at 4.00 pm prompt

Text: Proverbs 26:13 “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

Last Week, we looked at “Be Wise the rest of your days”. I am convinced that the Lord has minister to your soul.

Today, we shall briefly look at the excuses of a lazy man. The Bible say in Proverbs 26:13 “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

Are there lions in your way? On your street? What excuse do you use to justify not working diligently and successfully? Solomon used this proverb to mock and ridicule the excuses slothful or indolent men make to avoid working hard and completing projects, assigned tasks and more importantly working for God. The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!  I shall be killed in the streets!”- Prov. 22:13

The lazy men always have a reason why they do not get jobs done on time, why they do not get involved in things of God,  but their reasons are as foolish as blaming a lion for holding them back. A sluggard is so conceited about himself that he will try to justify his behavior even to seven successful men (The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly Prov. 26:16).

There is no doubt the lion is a fearful animal. He is called the king of beasts for good reason. God inspired Agur to write that a male lion turns away from no other creature (Pr 30:30). His beauty is the great strength and fearlessness with which he carries himself, which is primarily seen in the male lion for his much greater size and regal appearance. His head and mane are glorious. He is a beautiful and frightening sight.

A male lion is fearful! They may grow to 8 feet in length (not counting the tail), 4 feet in height (at the shoulder), and weigh 600 pounds. An average lion has a vertical jump of 12 feet and can run over 40 mph for short distances. His fore body is so strong that he can knock a zebra off its feet and break its back with a swipe of his paw. His roar is so powerful and loud it can be heard six miles away. You would not want one in your street.

The proverb has no real lion. It is only a sluggard’s excuse to justify procrastination, laziness, and lack of finished projects. If he did not use a lion for his excuse, he will use cold weather (Pr 20:4, Pr 22:13). He will use any reason he can invent to excuse his slothfulness. He prefers his warm bed, where he can sleep (Pr 20:13, Pr 24:30-34, Pr 26:14).

Slothfulness, a negative attitude about work, and things of God is self-fulfilling. The slothful man meets many difficulties in his feeble attempts to work. His attitude turns mere challenges into disasters (Pr 15:19, Pr 19:15). And God blows against Him, for He cannot tolerate laziness (Pr 6:6-11). Life is difficult for him. He deceives himself that successful men had it easy.

Great men do not fear lions or obstacles in their way, and they surely do not invent them. They trust the living God, Who will help them accomplish anything they set their minds to do. Caleb, who watched Israel turn back toward Egypt due to giants in Canaan, waited 45 long years until he could take on those intimidating giants himself (Joshua 14:6-15)!

The cure for sluggards is starvation (“The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing”, Pr 20:4. “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either”, II Thes 3:10). Any man will work hard when his belly is empty. (Prov.16:26 says The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.). Lions disappear when a man is hungry enough. Learn an important part of Christian charity – the lazy should not be subsidized. If you feed lazy or foolish persons, you are an accomplice in their sin of sloth or waste (Pr 18:9 He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys).

Apply the lesson to yourself. What should you be doing that you are not doing? Where are lions in your life? What project or goal makes you intimidated or fearful? Do not let a little difficulty or a few setbacks discourage or destroy you. Get out in the street and take on whatever you need to be doing. The LORD God will bless the diligent.

 One Man had a lion in His way and in the street He had to go down – Jesus Christ, but He never complained or made excuses about the horrific job He had to do. He went to the cross and died as the Substitute for His chosen sheep God had given Him to redeem us from the curse of the law. The devil was the lion in His way, but Jesus gloriously triumphed over him during His life and at His death (Matt 4:1-11, John 14:30, Rom 8:37, Col 2:15, Heb 2:14, I John 3:8)!

Finally, brethren, get committed to the things of God, say no to side talks and those giants that can discourage you on the way. There are many areas that need your attention in the Church of God. Have you supported the ongoing project in the church in any way? Do not seat and fold your arm. The Lord is watching you. Remember that noble question, “If everyone is like me how will the Church of God look like”?

Show love to someone today. 

God bless you real good

Deacon Mike Ben

We are still on the series, “God and the Integrity of His promises”. Last week, we looked at “The nature of God”. This week, we are going to look at “The nature of God’s promises”. Be blessed as you read.

Part 2: The Nature of His Promise

  a. What is a promise?

To promise means to say, to speak, to covenant or to swear . Every promise is a debt that must be paid.

  b. The nature of God’s promises

God’s promises can be in form of: covenant, Gen. 9:12-15. Swearing, Gen. 22:15-18. Promise, Gen. 12:1-2. Agreement, Isaiah 1:18-19. Pledge, Mal. 3:10. Oath, Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 6:16-17. Statement, Habk. 1:5.

What is the nature of God’s promise from these scriptures?

• Titus 1:2: In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. Non forfeitable eternal life is now a hope. Why do we hope for it if we have it as stated in Titus 1:2? The truth is that, it is now given to everyone who is in Christ on the condition of remaining in HIM, Gal.1:6-8. Heaven is a promise if you have it in view and work towards it. This is the implication of the promise in the passage.   
• Heb 6:18: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: This refers either to God’s oath and promise, Heb 6:13 – For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself; Or to the two oaths of God confirming the promise to Abraham as in above. Our consolation is in Christ.

To lay hold upon the hope in this passage, we have an allusion to the cities of refuge, and the persons who fled to them in safety. Num.35:9-12. The sinners can flee to Christ and find eternal refuge and safety (Jn. 3:16).

•  2 Cor 1:20: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. This is a double assurance that any of His promises, covenant, oath, swearing, statement concerning you – He will perform them.

Introduction

In the last part of the series, we saw that since man is a trinity of body, soul and spirit, to obey the command of God to love ourselves involves taking good care of our bodies, souls and spirits. It also involves being wise i.e. fearing God and winning souls. In this part of the series, we shall dwell on loving ourselves in detail. God is concerned about what we eat and digest, Joshua 1:8, and our being wise too – Proverb 5:1-2. May the Lord Himself teach us today in Jesus Name. Amen.

 Jesus is the Bread of Life: Eat Him and Live Forever

Your body needs plenty of pure water, protein, calcium, minerals and vitamins more than fat. Beans, peas, lentils, nuts (almonds, groundnut, walnut). Onions, milk, tomatoes and sunshine are good for you. Many of the so called dainties of the rich are deceitful meals. More than the physical foods, Jesus is the Bread of life: eat Him, drink Him, digest Him thoroughly and you shall live forever.

Dan. 1:5,8, 11-16, Isaiah 23:1-3, John 6:27, 48-51, 53-57, Psalm 119:15,99, Psalm 143:5,  1Tim. 4:15, Phil. 4:8.

 The Fool has certain Characteristics: Do not be One

A fool despises wisdom and instruction because he is right in his own eyes. He makes a mockery of sin, hides hatred by lying and slander and does mischief for the fun of it because he does not really believe there is God. The fool has a perverted mouth, utters of his mind and he’s ultimately ruined by his own lips. He walks in darkness because he trusts his own understanding. When he makes a vow he does not pay it. No wonder God does not take pleasure in fools. Love yourself. Don’t be a fool.

Proverb 1:7, Proverb 12:15, Proverb 10:23, Psalm 14:1, Luke 24:25, Proverb 19:1, Proverb 29:11,   Eccl 10:12, Eccl 2:14, Proverb 28:26, Eccl 5:4.

Introduction

So far in this series, we have learnt that disobedience is a compound sin because it is the fruit of doubt and unbelief; that half obedience is worse than disobedience; that there could be a church in your home so as to allow your fruits to remain and that God can use women too. In this study, we want to look at another area in which we have either been disobeying God outrightly or have been living in half obedience. It is in connection with the great commandment in Mark 12:31. May God speak to our inner man tonight in Jesus Name. Amen.

You have no Choice in the Matter: You must Love your Neighbour

There are three groups of people you must love passionately: God, yourself and your neighbor in that order. It is a command from God that you must love Him, love yourself and then love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. There is no greater love that you can show to a neighbor than to bring him to Christ.

Mark 12:30-31, Lev. 19:18, Mathew 9:19,Mathew 22:39, Gal 5:14, Jam 2:8, John 15:12, 17, Roman 13:8, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 4:2.

 Genuine Love Bears other People’s Burden

It is your duty to look out for those in need and help them to meet their needs through Jesus Christ. Many people who are in Christ today are brought to Him by problems. Once you get them to your house-fellowship or church, it is your duty to keep close to them and care for them. You should care not only for your relations, but to strangers too. God will surely reward you with miracles.

Jam.2:14-18, Roman 12:13, I Peter 4:9, Hebrew 13:2, Roman 13:10, Roman 15:1-2, lev. 19:34, Deu. 31:12, Proverb 22:2, 1 kings 17:8-16, 17-23, 2 Kings 4: 8-10, 18-20, 32-36, Acts 9:36-41, Luke 6:38, 1 corin. 15:58