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.

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.

Bible Text: 2 Cor. 1:18-22

Memory verse: Mk 11:24. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them

INTRODUCTION

God’s promises are great, precious and rich. Also God is not slack concerning His promises and all we need to do is to remind him of His promises anytime we need help and see that we hold fast to those promises in spite of any negative signs and symptoms we may be seeing or experiencing.

Let’s look at the followings: 1- The Nature of God. 2- The nature of His Promises 3- Obtaining God’s Promises. In this article, we shall discuss part 1- The Nature of God. May the Lord grant us understanding in Jesus name? Amen.

Part 1: The Nature of GOD

To use pronoun to qualify God is a problem to us because of limited language. The attempt to solve the problem with dashes and slashes is semantically awkward and artistically or visually repugnant, disgusting, distasteful and objectionable. Hence, one can only imagine His nature. To imagine His nature of course will take us to eternity as such we would look at some of His nature in relation to HIS- truthfulness, trustworthiness, reliability and faithfulness.

a)       He is truthful, trustworthy and reliable faithfulness is the habitation of His throne. Isaiah 25:1–O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Read further to confirm how faithful HE IS.

• God is true in spite of man’s deceitfulness. Rom.3:4- God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
• God is faithful to make an escape from sin.1Cor.10:13.There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it

b)       He does not lie because he cannot lie. (Num 23.19). God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?.

•  God is not a man- One of the greatest and most comprehensive promises and revelations of God in Scripture. Truly God is not a man but a spirit being, as taught by Jesus. Jn 4:24.God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
• That He should lie-This bothers on His integrity. 1- He cannot lie like man. 2-He does not change His promises whether convenient for Him or not. 3- He will fulfil His obligations in all covenants and promises. 4-He will make good His promises; e.g. when Balaam and balak needed to curse Isrealites for reward. God simply told them His promises and covenants with Isreal have already gone out.

c)       He is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev 1:11). The Author and finisher of our Faith (Heb 12:2). Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The joy set before Him was the redemption of creation through doing the Father’s will.

Love is the ‘Alpha and Omega’ of redemption, the love of God to man. Read it in the journey of the Mediator from Heaven to earth! Read it in His pilgrimage through the land of sorrow! Behold Him ‘nailed’ to the shameful tree! See the blood and water gushing from His side! Hear the sound of the water-discharges as the floods of wrath roll over Him! Then ask the reason. The answer is God is Love. That was the point of the beginning and end of the covenant of life, the privilege of faith and the promise of heaven.

The coming of Christ to the world, his death and resurrection was a perfected desire of God to make the earth the colony of heaven i.e bringing down what is obtainable in heaven to the earth. (essence of model prayer) Mat.6:9-10.1Jn.3:8. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

God bless you.

Deacon Wole Bodunde

“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end” (Prov. 19:20)

Last Week, we considered “the wise and the foolish in the use of the mouth”. I am certain that the Lord has spoken to you.

Today, we shall briefly look at how to be Wise the rest of our days.

Are you wiser today than last year? Than ten years ago? These are important questions to answer. How wise will you be later in life? A godly man greatly desires to grow in wisdom. And the way to increase wisdom is easy – you need to hear the counsel of wise men and accept their teachings. You need to appreciate and apply instruction from others.

 Today is your opportunity to change your latter end. Will you be an older wise man, sought by family and others for sage advice? Or will you be an old fool, more a burden than a blessing? What you do today determines what you are tomorrow. You are not too young, and you are not too old. Consider your latter end, and receive instruction today.  Purse and ask yourself, as a dependable parent what instruction did I receive during the Family Weekend especially on Sunday service?

 The children of God were adopted by grace. But they were not adopted to squander their lives in folly. They were adopted to grow up and live as the sons of God in a crooked and perverse world (Matt 5:43-48; Rom 8:29; Eph 5:1-2; Phil 2:14-16). You can waste the grace of God, or you can use it to be great for Him (“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me”- I Cor 15:10) ; (“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain”- II Cor 6:1) ; ( ^“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen”.- II Pet 3:18).

 How much do you love the private counsel of holy and sober saints? How much do you crave the public preaching of God’s word? Noble men and women receive it with a ready mind (“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”- Acts 17:11). A eunuch, a centurion, a businesswoman, and a preacher  were all very thankful for teaching they received (Acts 8:26-40; 10:33-48; 16:14-15; 18:24-28).

 Brethren, examine yourself! Are you truly wiser than last year or ten years ago? Have you grown in graciousness, so that you have more godly friends? Are you in better financial condition by learning and applying the rules of Bible economics? Do you know Jesus Christ and His doctrine better? Are you sought out by more saints to obtain your counsel? Can people confide in you?

Examine yourself! Does your spouse rejoice at the changes in recent years? Is your employer thankful for many work improvements? Do you handle adversity better than in times past? Can you answer the words of truth to those that ask? Do your parents and children esteem you more? Are you able to give God’s answers for modern dilemmas? Is your pastor thankful for the visible progress and contribution you have made in the Church of God? Could you run for office and win? 

Life is short. What can you do? “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Ps 90:12). When? “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me” (Pr 8:17). Why? “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Pr 4:7). How? “Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom” (Pr 18:1).

 What do you think of preaching? Paul knew that Christians would stop enduring it (II Tim 4:3-4). Churches today prefer rock and roll music with lyrics about an effeminate hippie guru – they call it contemporary Christian music. If you want a wise latter end, then you will reject fables and demand intense preaching of God’s word (II Tim 4:1-2). God sends preachers to teach knowledge and understanding (Jer 3:15). Listen to them!

 What do you do with preaching? Peter told his readers to desire the sincere milk of the word to grow by it (I Pet 2:1-3). He exhorted them to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (II Pet 3:18). And Paul rebuked the Hebrew Christians for not developing into teachers (Heb 5:12-14). Make sure you pray, prepare, pay attention, and apply what you hear (Luke 8:4-18; Jas 1:21-25). Hear and receive teaching that you might be wise.

Finally, talk to someone about Jesus today, advertise the Holy Ghost Congress. Daddy G. O said let’s use every means to publicize the program. (Evangelism is the heart beat of God). How many people did you call and encourage to come to Church last week? God sees the effort you are making. Ask yourself this noble question, if everyone is like me how will the Church of God look like?

God bless you real good for taking out time to read this piece.

Dcn. Mike Ben

Dear Brethren,

Last week we looked at the wonders of the little Ant. I hope you learnt little lesson from it. Today, we want to look at the wise and the foolish man in the use of mouth.

“Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known” (Pro. 14:33)

Wise men and fools differ in two important ways. First, a wise man’s heart is full of understanding, but a fool is filled with folly. Second, a wise man has humility to keep his wisdom to himself, but a fool’s arrogance causes him to spew out the foolishness in his heart (Pr 13:16; 15:2,28; 29:11). Wisdom and modesty make a man great, but foolishness and pride make him an offensive loser. Examine yourself. Which are you?

Dissect the proverb carefully. An understanding man, a man with discretion, knowledge, and prudence, keeps wisdom in his heart. He is not agitated or eager to throw his opinion around when opportunities arise. He is content to be a listener. In fact, he would rather not speak unless asked or expected to do so. He is a man of few words, and you often have to work to get him to share his wisdom (Pr 10:19; 15:28; 17:27; 20:5; Eccl 9:17).

However, a fool must tell everyone what he is thinking. His greatest joy is talking, for he believes and presumes he has great insights to offer (Pr 18:2). Once he starts talking, he is difficult to stop. He keeps babbling, whether he knows the subject or not (Eccl 10:12-14 “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming who can tell someone else what will happen after them?)

Of course, a wise and understanding man will speak, and he will speak a lot in the right setting for the right purpose. He fulfills his purpose from God by being a tree of life to many (Pr 10:21; 11:30; 15:4,7). Though humble about his own natural abilities, like the prophet Agur (Pr 30:1-3), he is committed to acquiring knowledge and wisdom so he can give the certain words of truth to those who ask him (Pr 22:17-21; I Pet 3:15).

Brethren, ask yourself two questions. Do you have wisdom and understanding in your heart? Do you keep them there until serious and sober men ask your opinion for noble reasons? Your answers to these questions will indicate whether you are a good person or a despised fool. In fact, better than your answers, what would others say about you? Do others perceive you to be wise and discreet? Or foolish and talkative? Be very honest.

What can you do about your heart? This book of Proverbs offers wisdom throughout (Pr 1:1-6; 8:1-5; 9:4-6). It tells the starting point – the fear of God (Pr 1:7; 9:10). It compares wise men and fools over and over, for you to choose the former and despise the latter. Wisdom is not far away! Change your life – fill your heart with wisdom from heaven! It is the chief goal of a successful life (Pr 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding“). And it brings great rewards (Pr 4:8).

What can you do about your mouth? This book of Proverbs says much about your speech, because it is the main indicator of your heart, and it affects others the most (Pr 4:24; 10:32; 13:3; 14:7; 17:7; 18:7; 20:15; 22:11; 24:26). Solomon assumed you can learn discreet, wise, and gracious speech (Pr 15:28; 16:23; 22:17-18). Since Jesus Christ said you will be judged by your words in the Day of Judgment, it is time you applied yourself diligently to perfect your heart and your speech (Matt 12:34-37; Ps 19:14; 139:23-24).). Though a fool is ignorant and stupid, his pride and lack of discretion cause him to pour out the folly inside. He could improve his reputation just by closing his mouth (Pr 17:28)!

Finally, God expects your words to minister grace to the hearer. Consider the words you have spoken this week and access yourself, then talk to God about it. Pick up your phone, call someone and say something good to him/her and invite him/her to the family weekend that starts today in all RCCG Parishes.

God bless you real good.

Dcn. Mike Ben

Brethren,

Are you a self-starter? Do you have enough sense of responsibility to know what you ought to do and to do it? Solomon continued to condemn sluggards here by comparing them to ants (Pr 6:6-8). These little people do not need a meeting every morning to be told what to do and how to do it. They simply go to work and get things done, now!

The ants provide an excellent lesson in diligence, frugality, and savings. Instead of an HND, BSc, Harvard MBA, or PHD,  you need to study an ant farm. They work hard all summer to provide for their needs during the fall, winter, and spring (Pr 6:8; 30:25). They work hard, consume little, and save much. All three of which are great virtues.

And they do it without direction. The ants do not have a boss or manager to remind them of diligence, frugality, and saving. They do these things instinctively by God’s wise creation. It is a shame most men cannot copy the virtues of these little people. Solomon warned his son about human sluggards that do not work during harvest (Pr 10:5; 20:4).

Many men must be forced to work, reminded to work, told how to work, reproved for jobs poorly done, reminded how to do the job right, and constantly followed to keep them working (Pr 6:9-11; 20:13). They are losers. They are a pain and problem. They will take a day off for a cold or headache. If the boss is away, they will play. These are sluggards.

Other men spend everything they make especially during the festive periods, much of it on pleasure (Pr 21:17,20; 23:21). They will spend next month’s labour by using credit cards for entertainment and toys today. Others like them will invest their money in foolish schemes that rob them and their family (Pr 28:19). It has never occurred to them there is no necessity to spend all income.

These two kinds of men – the sluggard and the waster – are brothers. They both come from the family of financial ruin (Pr 18:9). They could learn much from the ant, but they are too proud to consider such insignificant creatures, though King Solomon did! They are so arrogant and so addicted to sleep that no reasons will move them (Pr 26:16).

Parents, you are responsible to teach your children hard work, wise foresight, spending discipline, and constant saving. These four simple traits will do more for their future financial and personal success than any other natural investment you can make in them. Do not settle for helping them with their Spanish homework – which they will never use and only distracts their minds from profitable learning. Teach them about the ant!

The cure for sluggards and spendthrifts is simple and obvious. Starve them. They will quickly learn both virtues – diligence and saving. This is the wisdom of God, and humanistic shortcuts like public education, welfare, jobs programs, and charity will not work as well (Pr 20:4; II Thess 3:6-14). Christian charity extends only to acts of God, not consequences of sloth or waste, only to necessary things, not toys or entertainment.

The locusts are also praised in Proverbs 30:27 for not having a king, but the virtue there is social cooperation and team effort, for the locusts all go forth by bands, or swarms. But the ant is singled out twice for its great diligence and frugality, with a wise eye to the future (Pr 6:8; 30:25). Learn this simple lesson and avoid the financial trouble of others.

Paul warned that every man shall bear his own burden (Gal 6:5). You cannot blame your parents, teachers, or pastor for failure, either financially or spiritually. This is especially true if you had good parents and were taught in a Christian church. The more advantages you have had, the more you will be punished by the just God (Luke 12:47-48).

Dear reader, what should you be doing today that you are not? Do you need someone to tell you, again? Do you need to be punished by authority or circumstances to do it? Consider the ant, and do what you ought to be doing. You will be blessed in the deed naturally and spiritually. You should be especially eager to get at your spiritual duties.

Jesus Christ was the ultimate self-starter. He was focused on obeying His Father from the beginning, which He showed even at age twelve in the temple. And He did this in spite of His mother and Joseph not understanding or helping Him toward His goal (Luke 2:49; John 4:34). Hear Him speak of His burden to serve His Father: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Finally, God expects us to be diligent and stand in the gap for Him. This is your day therefore, visit or Pick up your phone and call someone to say hello, ask his/her well being and invite him/her to the Church.

God bless you real good.

Deacon Mike Ben