DON’T HIDE FROM IT

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Heb 4:12,13 )

Generally, people like to cover up who they really are so far as what is in their heart is concerned. Appearances mean a lot to many; even among believers. We are very much interested in what the other thinks of us or sees us to be. Because of this error, many work very hard to keep up an image which, to them, is acceptable to anyone who cares to observe. Again, because of this unhealthy desire to look good before others, many a believer has become a hypocrite, often hiding behind a façade.
                                                                                  Download the PDF

GOOD BETTER BEST

Those who know God know that He is not a God of mediocrity but of excellence. Being the standard for measuring excellence, excellence is in His very nature. Consequently, what He produces according to the dispensation of time is nothing but excellent. Actually at any point in time, He produces excellence according to specific requirements. This is so because the definition of excellence is contingent on the frame of time of which one speaks. Such that what is excellent today may be only good tomorrow. For example since the Law came from the Lord, it was an excellent thing which He did. It was according to divine plan and therefore it was the best. But in the dispensation of grace the Law is not the best. It is actually to be discarded so that righteousness may be of faith  (cf. Gal.3:23,24). The glory of today may be nothing tomorrow since tomorrow may present different requirements for excellence. This is why your life should be an unending pursuit of excellence. 
                                                                                Download the PDF

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE - Part Two

Arise, get thee to Zarephath, …and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee (1Kings 17:9).
Many Christians often put themselves at unnecessary disadvantage because they do not know that two are better than one. Either as a result of pride or ignorance, they have not yet received God’s winning formula. Even when things are messy, they like for everyone to think that everything is alright with them. They sit in quiet solitude in their closets to weep lamentably while God’s help is readily available next-door. And when they step out, they put up appearances of wellbeing, not wanting to be seen as needing help. But again I tell you a secret: two are better than one.
                                                                             Download the PDF

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecc 4:9-12 ).
Beloved, let me tell you a secret; two are always better than one and a threefold cord is not easily broken. In fact this is such a deep nugget of wisdom that it is often overlooked by many. It sounds simple and regular but it is profound. This is the secret behind every great accomplishment. It is the force behind every great work. Men who achieved great things understood this principle. I consider this the principle for great achievement. In fact it is a heavenly principle by which heavenly vision is attained.
                                                                                                       Download the PDF

THE LORD AND HIS BODY

Part 1:  Discerning the Body

One of the mysteries of the Christian faith is that of the Christ and His body, the Church. In fact Paul calls it a great mystery.

1Cor. 12:12-14

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

Eph. 5:31-32

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

A revelation of this mystery will place the Christian life in the right perspective for God’s children. Such is the mystery of the Lord and His body: Jesus came to the earth to prepare unto God a person for His full expression. This person is called the God-man who is also the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus in His resurrection became the full container of God. He was highly exalted and given the Name which is above every name. The Church forms the body of the Lord with the Lord Himself being the head. God’s intent was to dwell in His Son as the head and be expressed in the body of His son which is the Church.

Download the PDF :

Discerning the Body: Part 1

Holding the Head: Part 2

The Feeding Mechanism: Part 3

JOB, AND THE MAN BORN BLIND

God is neither behind the bad things that happen in this world, nor in any collaboration with the devil to that end. Surprisingly simple as this truth is, many people are taught to believe the contrary. They believe that God is in charge of every happening on the earth- whether good or bad. They speak from a misconception of what the sovereignty of God is. Yes, God is sovereign but His sovereignty is often misunderstood to mean complicity in the afflictions of this fallen world. God does not just get up and do anything. He operates within Nature or principle without which he is no God at all. So before you know God as
sovereign, be sure to know also that God is good. Precept must necessarily be
upon precept (cf. Isa 28:13).
                                                                            Download the pdf

UNDERSTANDING THE LAW

The dispensation of the Law is the period when God gave Israel- His people- laws to obey in order to be right with Him.
Unfortunately when the Law is mentioned many people are quick to see the Law as something it is not. For example, in a world where many people seek to know what to do, the Law is a welcome concept because according to many without the Law they are unable to know what is expected of them. It is normal human nature to seek what is expected of you that you may do it. But the fact that everyone is looking for something to obey does not mean that Christians must also find something to obey.
                                                                                   Download the pdf

WHY ONE MISUNDERSTANDS

As we study the Scriptures, we encounter truths that are stated so succinctly and explicitly that they are almost impossible to misinterpret. They are clear, concise and can easily be understood even by amateurs. However, there are also some that require maturity to comprehend fully. The latter may not be so clear and appear to contradict the clearly stated truths. Oftentimes, confusions arise as a result of differences in interpretation and make one wonder if the Bible is self-contradictory after all. Indeed the Bible does not contradict itself at all. The problem is that many are unable to place the Scriptures in their right perspective even as they study it. Many read the Bible without the context in mind and so pick statements as truths standing on their own, without proper foundation. Of course anyone who does this cannot help but think that the Scripture contradicts itself in many areas. But when that happens, all is not lost. God is always on hand to initiate us into revelation and insight only if we desire it.
                                                                                Download the pdf

IT WASN'T ME

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil
(Gen. 3:3,4).
Anytime I read this Scripture, I cannot but feel some amount of grief. It really saddens my heart to remember that the fall of man is a product of this discourse between the devil and the woman. But the main cause of my grief is the fact that this is still the case. That after a long time, the devil still has men in this corner- unbelievers and believers alike.
                                                                                      Download the pdf

FOR THIS PURPOSE

As men grow up into independent minds, such questions as “what am I here on earth for?” and “to what end is this life?” will inevitably emerge. Purpose is one of the major concerns among young people today especially among believers- the called of God, because of their exposure to the teachings of the Scriptures concerning it. Therefore more and more people have become interested in finding out their God-given purposes as they come to terms with the truth that fulfillment in life ultimately comes from fulfillment of purpose. 
                                                                                                        Download the PDF

Download this poster

NO MORE FRETTING

Many of the worries of the believer stem from the fact that he has not firmly grasped an accurate knowledge of God. Many have not known Him as Jehovah, the God who is present to work on behalf of His people. They may know Him as the Creator, the Judge, the King, etc. But not as a caring father who is always there for His children. They think God does not really want to help them so they will have to impress Him with a long and powerful prayer first before He will come to their aid. And that is very unfortunate. Indeed, beloved, there is a better way.

Download the pdf

TRY THIS ATTITUDE

I have often wondered about how difficult it is for many to change from what they believe and adhere to even when they have found out that it is wrong. Many hold on to their ideologies even when they have discovered the falsehoods they contain. In short, many do not want to change and this is a basic predisposition. They would rather believe the things they have been believing or keep doing the things they have been doing. Their wish to continue in this manner most often has no bearing on whether what they are believing or doing is wrong or right. They are just attached to doing or believing those things and would not want to change because changing means agreeing that they have been wrong and they are too proud to do that.
                                                                                   Download the pdf

PRESERVE THE JOY OF ZION

 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land (Psalm 137:4)?

The believer is a citizen of heaven or Zion. He belongs to the city of the living God and is expected to live on earth from this city. In other words, we are supposed to live here as ambassadors of our homeland Zion. You may take many things away from an ambassador but not the consciousness of his homeland. Forget it. One day, a group of international pastors were asked to introduce themselves at a meeting. Everyone went about this mentioning their name and earthly country till it was the turn of one remarkable pastor who mentioned his name and added that he hails from Zion. All the others applauded him for opening their eyes to this truth.

                                                                              Download the pdf

THE PERVERSIONS OF THE FLESH

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: 

for we are not ignorant of his devices (2Cor 2:11). 

It is the devil's ambition to corrupt or pervert that which the Lord does. Every activity of his is aimed at achieving this corruption. It is important for Christians to know exactly how the devil moves to pervert God's goodies for them. The word of God says that we are not ignorant of his devises; lest the devil should have the better of us. You see there is no reason at all for any believer to be ignorant of the workings of the devil because the Father has revealed them to us. Even as you read on, may you encounter truth that will quicken the perfect work of God in you.

 Download the pdf

IN THE COMPANY OF THE MIGHTY

These be the names of the mighty men whom David had:...                                  ...thirty and seven in all . (2 Samuel 23:8-39).

Download the pdf

I have studied the success stories of many men and women. In my studies, one thing seems to stand out to me; the fact that these men and women were surrounded and aided by other great men and women. I also realised that most often when we celebrate these men for their successes, we forget to celebrate their great company as well. In so doing we get the wrong picture and see the path to success as a lonely road with solitary travellers.

JUST REMOVE THE STRENGTH

Download the pdf

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law (1 Cor. 15:56).

One of the things that occupied my thoughts most of the time after I became a Christian was how to stop sinning. Mostly, I realised it was not sinning in general but a particular sin that seemed to plague me. It was the sin I struggled with all the time. The one I felt easily entangled me and impeded my progress  in the Christian life. Like every true Christian, I wanted to stop but stopping was out of my reach. Sometimes I could succeed for a while before I found myself plunged into it once again. It never seemed to lose its hold on me. Beloved, your experience may not be very different from mine.  I know many Christians identify with this problem I had.

THAT YE MAY KNOW

What Does it Mean to Know?

[I] cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know... Eph. 1:16-18

This is a very important scripture, in that it explains how true knowledge is arrived at. Paul was writing about a prayer he prayed for the church at Ephesus. He prayed that God would grant them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. Paul prayed for the operation of the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Notice he did not pray for intelligence. Neither did he pray for strong reasoning power that they may be able to contain in their minds that knowledge of God. He prayed for something they could not possess naturally. He prayed for what only God could provide: the spirit of wisdom and revelation.

...that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Eph. 1:18,19.

You may also like to read: MAN, KNOW THY GOD

MAN, KNOW THY GOD

Part 2

You may also like to read: MAN, KNOW THY GOD --Part 1

How come they could not believe God would bring them into the Promised Land after all that they had seen Him do in their midst? This is why: THEY DID NOT KNOW GOD. They only knew the things God had done but they did not know Him. They only knew His acts but not His ways. For had they known His ways they would have realized that here was a God who  would act consistently in His manner always.

MAN, KNOW THY GOD

Be still, and know that I am God...(Psalm 46:10).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

vol. 36

I have often marveled at the conduct of the Israelites during the period that God led them from Egypt to the Promised Land. Against the background of all the wonderful things that God did for them, that they could not utterly believe God in all is unfathomable and deeply grieving. As I read the account in the Scriptures, I cannot help but ask, “why?” and “how come?” Why, upon all that they saw, did they start complaining anytime they encountered an obstacle in their journey with God. It was as though God could not make Himself clear enough to them. In their petulance, it was so easy for them to slip into unbelief and behave in a manner that is unbefitting of true believers, let alone sons of God. But the Bible in calling this period the days of provocation or irritation expressly forbears us from going after their error: 

Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years (cf. Hebrews 3:8,9).