GRANULE OF SALT

MEMORY VERSE: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 17-20

The first thing that comes to mind when we hear the word ‘salt’ is 'seasoning for food.' Matthew 5:13 says: ‘Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.’ There are over 14,000 uses for salt; our grandmas are probably familiar with most of them. Today, I will look at three main functions of salt: To give flavour, clean, and hold back corruption.

What do you do if a food is not tasty or somewhat bland? You simply sprinkle salt on it. The salt gives flavour to that which otherwise might be flavourless. Practising believers are the salt of the earth; as a matter of fact, we are little granules of salt sprinkled across the face of the earth. We have a responsibility to give the earth flavour for God. Our presence on the earth should make the whole world; viz., our communities, workplaces, homes, etc., acceptable to God in a way that it would not be acceptable to Him if we were not here as Christians living out our lives in His grace and love, worshipping and praising Him, and praying according to His will. Our presence makes all the difference as to how He (God) views the earth. Today, the earth may not know our value but I believe the earth will one day discover our value when God takes us all out in the great event known as the Rapture, but that day has not come yet.

Believers give this world flavour. Sodom and Gomorrah were flavourless, as far as God was concerned. The people in it were evil. When the day of destruction came, after consulting His friend (Abraham) the Lord said, "I will not destroy it for sake ten’s sake (Genesis 18:32).” The Lord decided to withhold Judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of ten righteous people i.e. ten granules of salt. Unfortunately, He could not find ten righteous people. You know the end of the story. For the sake of Paul (a granule of salt), the Lord preserved a ship, full of people, destined for shipwreck.

QUESTION: Friend, are you a salt of this earth? Are you a salt of your office? Can the Lord because of your service in His vineyard cause your children to find favour anywhere they go?

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

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AND HE RESTRAINED THEM NOT’

MEMORY VERSE: For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. 1 Samuel 3:13

BIBLE READING: 1 Kings 13-16

Eli: The Accepted. Eli was a priest who walked with God. He was indeed God’s servant. He prayed a simple prayer for a barren woman and nine months later, she gave birth to a son. 1 Samuel 1:17- 20 says: ‘Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him…and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.’ God approved of Eli by answering his prayers just as He approved of Jesus of Nazareth by miracles and wonders and signs. Acts 2:22 says: ‘Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.’
Eli: The rejected. Eli’s sons were 'sons of Belial'; viz., the most wicked, vilest, and most profligate wretches. They abused their position as priests (1 Samuel 2:22). Also, they abused women who came to offer sacrifices in the temple. At the end, God wiped out the family of Eli. 1 Samuel 4:19 says: ‘And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.’

What happened? How did ‘the accepted’ become ‘the rejected’? We need to know what happened for the following reasons: firstly, so that we do not end up like Eli ( 1 Samuel 3:12-13); secondly, so that we do not exhaust God’s mercy like Eli ( 1 Samuel 3:14); thirdly, so that we do not perish like Eli; and fourthly, so that we do not miss heaven at the end. What happened is documented in 1 Samuel 3:13: ‘For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.’ The Lord rejected Eli simply because his children dishonoured God and he didn’t discipline them. If the Lord rejected Eli because he didn’t discipline his children, I don’t think He will spare us if we don’t discipline our children.

NOTE: Children must be taught the fear of the Lord if we don’t want God to destroy them because God is a not respecter of persons.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

THE DANGERS OF HAVING WHAT GOD DOES NOT WANT YOU TO HAVE

MEMORY VERSE: And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land. 2 Chronicles 26:21

BIBLE READING: 1 Kings 9-12

BIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 26:18-23

One of the names of the Lord is ‘Father’. Luke 11:2 says: 'And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.' As a genuine loving father, He wants the best for His children. As such, there are things He does not want His children to have at all for their good. The Lord knew that a certain type of knowledge would destroy Adam and Eve; as a result, He warned them not to eat the forbidden fruit. Genesis 2:17 says: ‘But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.’ Adam and Eve ate what God did not want them to eat, and they died. There are things the Lord does not want you to have or do at all because they will destroy you e.g. communicate with the dead. There are courses the Lord does not want you to sit for because He knows that they will not be profitable to you. I beg you, please don’t fight for a position God has not given to you. King Uzziah tried to be a priest against God's plan and he became a leper (2 Chronicles 26:21).

There are things the Lord does not want you to have at the moment because of your spiritual maturity. The father of the prodigal son didn’t want him to have the inheritance and freedom he asked for because he wasn't mature enough to handle such responsibility ( Luke 15:11-32). The father was correct; he squandered his inheritance. As a single brother/sister, the Lord does not want you to engage in pre-marital sex because it may bond you to the wrong person. Besides, your judgement of things will become clouded once you begin to sleep with people you are not married to. Going through the Scriptures, you will find that everyone who had what God did not want them to have regretted it e.g. Adam, Eve, Abram, Hezekiah, Judas, etc. Abram had a wife God did not want him to have and lost his peace.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please let me never have something you don’t want me to have.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

PRAYER: A MASTER KEY

MEMORY VERSE: Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:14-15

BIBLE READING: 1 Kings 5-8

There is a song we used to sing back in Nigeria: ‘Prayer is the key. Prayer is the key. Prayer is the master-key. Jesus started with prayer and ended with prayer. Prayer is the master-key.’ How true are the lyrics of this song? Jesus started His ministry with prayer (in the desert) and ended it with prayer (on the cross). One of the secrets of Jesus' success whilst He was on the earth was prayers. He prayed regularly. Prayer is a prerequisite for greatness.

Anyone who wants a change of story, a change of circumstances, victory, a breakthrough, etc., must pray. By praying for the sick, God can heal them. James 5:14-15 says: ‘Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.’ Fervent prayer can turn a situation around. James 5:16 says: ‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.’ There was a conspiracy at work to get rid of me some years back. At a point, it was certain that I was going to be sacked because they recruited someone to replace me. I reported the matter to God and He turned the table around. The person that led the conspiracy was demoted and she left out of shame. Others were sacked. Prayer draws angels closer to you. Jesus prayed and angels came to minister to Him (Luke 22:39-43). Prayer diffuses fear and imparts unshakeable confidence. Acts 4:31 says: ‘And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.’ However, one thing is required for your prayer to be answered and that is faith. Hebrews 11:6 says: ‘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.’

NOTE: Prayer draws you closer to God.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

CREATING YOUR WORLD: THE POWER OF IMAGINATION

MEMORY VERSE: Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Numbers 14:28

BIBLE READING: 1 Kings 1-4

The people of the earth decided to build a city and a tower whose top would reach heaven (See Genesis 11:1-9). Verse 4 says: ‘And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’ Whilst building, God visited them and halted the project. He halted it because of their pride; viz., wanting to make a name for themselves. Also, He halted it because they refused to multiply and replenish the earth as He had commanded. As a result, He confused their language and the people moved away from each other.

Verse 6 says: ‘And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.’ Please take note of this statement: ‘AND NOW NOTHING WILL BE RESTRAINED FROM THEM, WHICH THEY HAVE IMAGINED TO DO’. Everything around us is a product of someone’s imagination. The personal computer, mobile phones, artificial lakes, Islands, skyscrapers, electricity, aeroplanes, ships, emails, etc., are products of people's imagination. Do you know this universe is a product of God’s imagination? It once existed in God’s thought. The Lord recognises the power of imagination; as such, whenever He wants to do something for a man, He will set the power of the fellow’s imagination into motion. For instance, after He promised to make Abram a father of nations, He began to speak to him using pictures to set his imagination into motion. Genesis 15:5 says: ‘And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.’ God gave Joseph a dream to set his imagination into motion. He gave him another one to stretch his imagination; and for the first time, Joseph began to nurse the possibility of ruling the whole world. His attitude to life and things changed completely. He began to think like a leader, act like a leader; and within a short while, he was made the prime minister of Egypt.

NOTE: There is a direct relationship between your imaginations and what you will have. Your confession is a product of your imagination (thoughts) – out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks - and what God hears you say is what He will do for you.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

THE WEAPON OF PRAISE PART ONE

MEMORY VERSE: and when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. 2 Chronicles 20:21

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 11 – Mark 13

What is a weapon? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, a weapon is something used to injure, defeat, or destroy. If there is something the enemy does not want you to know, it is this, ‘praise is a weapon.' A revered man of God once said, ‘if prayer fails, try praise.’ Friend, you can pray amiss. James 4:3 says: 'ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon lusts.' You can pray amiss, but you can never praise amiss. If only you will start praising God over that stubborn child, God will touch his heart and he will change. If only you will stop worrying about that relationship and start praising God, the storm will seize. In 2 Chronicles 20, three mighty nations - the children of Ammon, Moab and mount Seir - came together to invade tiny Judah. When Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, heard the news, he was perplexed. In his prayers, he said to God, ‘we have no might against this great company that cometh against us (2 Chronicles 20:12).'

The Lord spoke after He heard his confession: 'but our eyes are upon thee (2 Chronicles 20:12). One of the reasons why God has not sent help to some of us is because we are too strong. Friend, God is not interested in helping a strong man or woman. The bible calls Him, ‘the helper of the helpless (Psalm 10:14)', not the helper of the mighty or strong. He told Paul: “my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jehoshaphat did not come to God as a strong king; he said, ‘my eyes are on you’ and God arose on his behalf. Friend, you need God. You cannot do it without Him. Are you not tired of struggling on your own and not getting results? Are you not tired of trying different medications and all to no avail? Are you not tired of using your brains, yet no results? For God to help you, you need to agree that you are weak, first. Accept that you are weak and let God help you. You cannot win the battle on your own or using self-will. Cry to Him today and He will come to your aid.

PRAYER POINT: Let us pray for those suffering from one form of addiction or the other that as they surrender to God, He will help them and heal them.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

CREATE YOUR WORLD WITH YOUR WORD

MEMORY VERSE: Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Numbers 14:28

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 21-24

We live in a word’s world. It is a word’s world because of the reasons listed below. Firstly, the world was created by the Word. Who is the Word? Jesus Christ is the Word (John 1:1-3). Secondly, the world was created using the word (Genesis 1:1-3). Everything in the world responds to the word. For instance, mountains respond to the word (See Mark 11:23). In Mark 4:37-39, a great storm arose and beat against the ship. Meanwhile, Jesus was sleeping in the ship. His disciples woke him up in the middle of the storm and He rebuked it ( See Mark 4:39). Even the sun and the moon responds to the word. In Joshua 10:12-13, Joshua commanded the sun to stand still over Gibeon and the moon, over the Valley of Aijalon; and they stood still.

With your word, you can create your world. What you confess is what you will have (See Numbers 14:28). David said to Goliath, ‘this day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (1 Samuel 17:46).’ Do you know that all David had when he spoke to Goliath was a sling and few stones? Before the end of that day, he severed the head of Goliath as he had prophesied. He slung a stone that knocked Goliath down. He ran to his unconscious body, grabbed his sword, the only sword big enough to cut off his head, and cut off his head. Your word can change or alter the chemical composition of things. As a result, the weak should say 'I am strong (Joel 3:10)'.

NOTE: When you say there are no good jobs, you are indirectly creating a scarcity of good jobs for yourself. If I were you, I will confess what I want, not what I see.
 
Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

FOR THEY SAID, HE IS OUR BROTHER’

MEMORY VERSE: And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother. Judges 9:3

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 17-20

After the death of Gideon, one of his sons, Abimelech, hatched an evil plan to kill his brothers and become the king. Because he didn’t have the resources to carry out his evil agenda, he approached his mother’s relations for help (Judges 9:1-3). His mother’s relations spoke to the men of Shechem who agreed to help him because he was their brother (See Judges 9:3). These men contributed money and gave it to him. He hired some thugs and made his way to his father’s house. He killed his step-brothers; only Jotham, the youngest, escaped.

Judges 9:3 says: ‘……and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.’ His mother's relations knew that what Abimelech was about to do was wrong; however, they supported him because he was their brother. They knew that Abimelech was going to kill innocent people, but they supported him because he was their brother. They knew that Abimelech did not deserve to be the king because he was not the firstborn; yet, they encouraged him to carry out his evil agenda regardless. Don’t support an evil cause because it will favor your brother. Even, if that evil cause will favor a Christian and disfavor a non-Christian, please don’t support it. God is a righteous judge and He will not support evil. The men of Shechem could have rebuked Abimelech, instead,  they supported him because his evil action won’t affect them. Many of us don’t speak against evil practices because we will not be affected by them. If you are in the position of authority, and you are a Christian, God expects you to represent Him there. He expects you to be His mouthpiece, speaking against evil practices and fighting for the weak.

NOTE: You are indirectly supporting what you don’t speak against.

REMEMBER: What is wrong is wrong regardless of who is doing it.

Samuel Oluwatoki

A MEMORIAL FOR YOURSELF

MEMORY VERSE: And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house. Judges 8:27

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 13-16

Everything God does is for His glory. Revelations 4:11 says: ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.' As such, how we celebrate (things) matters. Gideon celebrated his victory over the Midianites by acquiring wives for himself (See Judges 8:30). Did that benefit God? No! One question we must always ask ourselves is this, 'how does this thing that I am doing benefit God.' A brother told me a few years ago that he would like to become the finance minister of his country. 'How will that benefit God', I asked; unfortunately, he could not give an answer.

There is nothing wrong with throwing a big party (if you have the money) to celebrate your birthday or your wedding anniversary or any other good thing; however, is God’s name glorified? How does that big party benefit God? Is it an avenue to bring souls to Christ? In addition, Gideon celebrated his victory over the Midianites by making a golden ephod (See Judges 8:27). He celebrated his victory by making a name for himself: the first man to make a golden ephod. His victory was meant to lead many to the true God; sadly, it turned many into idolaters. Your celebrations must turn the hearts of men to God, not away from God. Your celebrations must bring glory to God alone, not yourself.

NOTE: The day of your wedding, if you are single, is a day to glorify God. Look beautiful not sexy. May I remind you that God’s definition of beauty is clearly defined in 1 Peter 3:3-4.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

THE HOLY SPIRIT II

MEMORY VERSE: But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 1 Samuel 16:14

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 28-31

The Holy Spirit is a ‘MUST HAVE’ for every believer. Do you want to excel in your career? You need the Holy Spirit. Daniel through the power of the Holy Spirit excelled in politics. Do you want to excel in your studies? You need the Holy Spirit. A story that comes to mind is that of a Christian sister who was studying for her Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. Whilst studying a night before her Biology papers, a strange mosquito began to disturb her and she killed it. As she was about to put it in the bin, the Holy Spirit told her to study the mosquito. She opened her Biology textbook, read about mosquitoes, learnt how to draw and label mosquitoes, and went to the exam room. The next morning when she received her exam booklet, the first question was ‘draw and label a mosquito.’

To be fruitful at your old age, you need the Holy Spirit. To conquer the enemy, you need the Holy Spirit. To fulfil God’s plan for your life, you need the help of the Holy Spirit. Even to create wealth, you need the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 8:18 says: ‘But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.’ This brings us to the question, how do I receive the Holy Spirit? You receive the Holy Spirit when you give your life to Christ. Acts 2:38 says: ‘Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’

NOTE: If you grieve the Holy Spirit, He will leave. As such, you must not grieve Him.  Because nature abhors  a vacuum; the moment He takes His leave, an evil spirit will enter and torment the fellow. 1 Samuel 16:14 says: ‘But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.’ One disturbing fact about the Holy Spirit leaving a man is that you won’t know when He takes His leave. Many a time, it is always too late before one realizes that the Holy Spirit has left.

PRAYER POINT: Holy Spirit, please help me never to grieve you.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

FEAR, A ROBBER

MEMORY VERSE: Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. Judges 7:3

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 9-12

After the children of Israel repented of their sins and cried to God for help, He raised a judge for them, Gideon. Thirty thousand men volunteered to fight alongside Gideon. Judges 7:2- 3 says: ‘And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.’ There are one or two lessons we can learn from this story. Firstly, victory is decided by God, not by the size of an army. Proverbs 21:31 says: ‘the horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.’ As far as God was concerned, the twenty thousand were not needed.

Secondly, boldness and courage are 'must-haves' for anyone who will work for God or work with God. God used ‘the presence of fear or absence of faith’ as a yardstick in deciding those He will use and those He won’t. Judges 7:3a says: ‘Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead.’ Hebrews 11:6 says: ‘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.’ To rephrase this, with fear (without faith) it is impossible to please God. Fear is a robber. It robbed the twenty thousand of an opportunity to be used by God. Fear robbed them of an opportunity to be everything they can be for God. It robbed them of an opportunity to be numbered among the greats, the 300 God used to deliver Israel. It robbed them of an opportunity to become record breakers and pacesetters. Fear robbed them of an opportunity to become a victor.

NOTE: Fear – fear of failure, fear of the unknown, etc. – can rob one of greatness or good things.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I receive the spirit of boldness.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

QUALITY (ALWAYS) TRUMP QUANTITY

MEMORY VERSE: And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. Judges 7:7

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 5-8

Judges 6:1 says: ‘And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.’ The children of Israel saw horrors in the hands of the Midianites. When the suffering became unbearable, the children of Israel cried unto God and He heard them; He raised a judge for them, Gideon. At first, Gideon was reluctant to lead the children of Israel against the Midianites, but the Lord demonstrated to him through various signs that He was going to deliver the Midianites into his hands. Gideon gathered 30, 000 men and went to war against the Midianites.

Judges 7:7 says: ‘And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.’ Out of the 30000, only 300 were quality soldiers. The other 29,700, as far as the Lord was concerned, were just numbers i.e. quantity. Their hearts were not right; they were fearful. No wonder, majority of them turned back when Gideon announced that anyone that is fearful and afraid to leave. With 300 men, the Lord delivered the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east, armies too much to number, into the hands of Gideon. A large army does not always guarantee victory as you saw in the case of Gideon and the Midianites. Also, military experience does not always guarantee victory. David, an ordinary civilian, defeated Goliath, the champion of Gath. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong (Ecclesiastes 9:11). As afar as you have God on your side, you can achieve much with a few. Jesus achieved much with a few (twelve quality disciples). It is not the number of children one has that matters, but what God does through the children. Old Elizabeth had only one child, John the Baptist. The Bible records that he is the greatest of all the Old Testament prophet (Luke 7:28).

NOTE: It is not the number of things you know how to do averagely that matters, but the number of things you know how to do very well. Many a time, they are very few probably one or two. Be a master at something!

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

THE HOLY SPIRIT II

MEMORY VERSE: But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 1 Samuel 16:14

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 28-31

The Holy Spirit is a ‘MUST HAVE’ for every believer. Do you want to excel in your career? You need the Holy Spirit. Daniel through the power of the Holy Spirit excelled in politics. Do you want to excel in your studies? You need the Holy Spirit. A story that comes to mind is that of a Christian sister who was studying for her Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. Whilst studying a night before her Biology papers, a strange mosquito began to disturb her, and she killed it. As she was about to put it in the bin, the Holy Spirit told her to study the mosquito. She opened her Biology textbook, read about mosquitoes, learnt how to draw and label mosquitoes, and went to the exam room. The next morning when she received her exam booklet, the first question was ‘draw and label a mosquito.’

To be fruitful at your old age, you need the Holy Spirit. To conquer the enemy, you need the Holy Spirit. To fulfil God’s plan for your life, you need the help of the Holy Spirit. Even to create wealth, you need the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 8:18 says: ‘But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.’ This brings us to the question, how do I receive the Holy Spirit? You receive the Holy Spirit when you give your life to Christ. Acts 2:38 says: ‘Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’

NOTE: If you grieve the Holy Spirit, He will leave. As such, you must not grieve Him.  Because nature abhors  a vacuum; the moment He takes His leave, an evil spirit will enter and torment the fellow. 1 Samuel 16:14 says: ‘But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.’ One disturbing fact about the Holy Spirit leaving a man is that you won’t know when He takes His leave. Many a time, it is always too late before one realizes that the Holy Spirit has left.

PRAYER POINT: Holy Spirit, please help me never to grieve you.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

THE HOLY SPIRIT I

MEMORY VERSE: But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 1 Samuel 16:14

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 24-27

As believers, we are nothing without the Holy Spirit. We are empty, vulnerable, clueless, powerless, and hopeless without the Holy Spirit. Also, we can achieve nothing without Him. John 15:5 says: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Jesus, when He was on the earth, fully depended on the Holy Spirit. His miracles were often Spirit-empowered. Luke 5:17 says: ‘And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.’ The power that was present (with Jesus) to heal was the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ reliance on the Holy Spirit enabled Him to resist sin. Luke 4:1-2a says: ‘And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil.’ Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit, not will-power or New Year resolutions to live a life of holiness. If Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit to perform miracles and resist sin, how much more should we depend on Him? Praying (according to God's will), requires the help of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26 says: ‘Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.’ The Holy Spirit helped David, the underdog, to defeat Goliath. 1 Samuel 16:13 says: ‘Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.’

NOTE: The Holy Spirit is for believers, people who have given their lives to Christ. It is for those who have said goodbye to a life of sin and embraced a life of righteousness and holiness. Do you want to say goodbye to sin? Give your life to Jesus Christ. Let Him take over your challenges. Jesus never fails

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

BEHOLD, I THOUGHT II

MEMORY VERSE: But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 2 Kings 5:11

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 28-31

Naaman had everything money can buy except for one thing, a good health (2 Kings 5:1). He traveled to see Elisha for healing from leprosy. On arrival, Elisha sent his servant to tell him to wash seven times in the River Jordan. 2 Kings 5:11 says: ‘But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.’ Naaman had an expectation of who should minister to him. He expected Elisha, not his servant, to physically minister to him. God can use any of His children to minister to you or your needs. Many, today, come to the church with an expectation of who the Lord should speak through. As a result, they only listen when the pastor preaches.

Secondly, Naaman came with an expectation how he should be healed. He expected Elisha to come out to him, call on the name of the Lord, and lay hands on him. Don’t come to God with an expectation of how He should solve your problems. The way you expect God to work can rob you of your miracle. Lastly, Naaman came with an expectation of where his healing should take place. He expected Elisha to pray for him in the front of his house and get healed; however, God wanted him to bathe in River Jordan. Not all difficult problems require a difficult solution. The solution to some difficult problems is very simple. Not all big problems require big solutions. Naaman struggled with the instruction he received from the prophet because it was too basic and too simple to be a solution.

NOTE: Big problems don't always require big solutions. The simplest thing to do when you face challenges is pray.

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Samuel Oluwatoki

BEHOLD, I THOUGHT

MEMORY VERSE: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 24-27

Naaman went to see Elisha, the prophet, for healing from leprosy. When he arrived, Elisha sent a messenger to tell him to go to River Jordan and wash seven times and he will be healed. 2 Kings 5:11-13 says: ‘But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?’

Naaman came to Elisha with an expectation of how he should be healed; he expected Elisha to lay hands on him but God had a different plan. Many have missed their healings or miracles because they came to God with an expectation of how He should heal them. Isaiah 55:9 says: ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ A lot have missed God because they expected God to operate in a certain way or answer their prayers in a certain way. Jesus cured leprosy in different ways. In Luke 5:12-13, a leper approached Him for healing; He laid hands on him and his leprosy disappeared. In Luke 17:11-19, some lepers approached Him; He told them to go and show themselves to the priests. Luke 17:14b says: ‘And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.’

NOTE: Don’t approach God with an expectation of how you want Him to provide a help meet (wife) for you or how you want Him to provide a husband for you. Don’t approach Him with an expectation of how you expect Him to solve your problem(s). When it comes to hearing from God, don’t expect Him to speak you in a certain way. Don’t expect Him to speak to you the same way He spoke to others. He might decide to speak to others through dreams and you, an audible voice. Don't limit the Holy One of Isreal in your thoughts!

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

CHANGED ATTITUDE, CHANGED STORY

MEMORY VERSE: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 20-23

Naaman had everything except for one thing, good health. 2 Kings 5:1 says: ‘Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.’ One day, the young slave girl who waited on Naaman’s wife witnessed to her. ‘Would God my Lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy,’ she said. Mrs. Naaman related the message to her husband. On hearing, he travelled to Samaria to meet the prophet of God. When he arrived, Elisha sent his servant to tell him to dip seven times in River Jordan.

Naaman went ballistic. He was angry because the prophet did not personally attend to him. Also, he was angry because he was told to dip himself in River Jordan, a dirty river. Whilst he was ranting and raving, his servants counselled him to do what the man of God told him to do; he listened and was healed. A change in attitude can lead to a change in circumstances, to breakthrough, to a change of story, and so on. With his initial attitude, Naaman would have died a leper!

NOTE: Your attitude matters! Regardless of the promises of God for your life, a terrible attitude or character can frustrate the plans of God for your life. From time to time, we say ‘if God be for us, who can be against us.’ The answer is you and me.

QUESTION: What is your attitude towards divine instructions? Do you argue with it? What is your attitude towards the things of God? What is your attitude towards challenges? Do you easily give up or throw in the towel? Do you make negative confessions when things are not going as planned? What is your attitude towards the progress of others? Do you get angry? What is your attitude towards the undiluted word of God? What is your attitude towards the ministry God has put in your hands?

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

WHAT INFORMS YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS

MEMORY VERSE: And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment. 1 Kings 3:11

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 16-19

People in love give gifts to one another. John 3:16 says: ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…’ God gave us His son out of love. Out of love, Solomon gave one of the biggest offerings a man ever gave to God: a thousand burnt offerings (2 Kings 3:4-14). The Lord reciprocated the love by paying him a visit. ‘What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!’ He asked. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge God’s people. 1 Kings 3:10 says: ‘And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.’

Why did Solomon’s request please God? 1 Kings 3:11 says: ‘And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;’ God used the phrase ‘asked for thyself’ three times. He was referring to the fact that Solomon did not ask anything for himself. Rather, he asked for what will enable him to serve the people better. The prayer and requests of Solomon were not all about what he wanted for himself but what he wanted for others and God was extremely pleased. A request that you make to God that has in it, a focus on how you can be a blessing to others pleases Him more than those which is focused on what only you can get. Also, Solomon’s request was from a humble heart. Psalm 51:17 says: ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.’ Solomon, in his request, acknowledged that he didn’t have what it takes; viz., wisdom, an understanding heart, etc., to lead the people. When you accept that you are weak and you ask God for strength, He is pleased. Solomon’s request was motivated by nothing but love for the people of God. His request was not motivated by hatred, greed, anger, rebellion, or jealousy.

QUESTION: What informs your prayer requests? Do you ask for things from God out of envy or jealousy? Do you ask God for things of temporal value or eternal value?

NOTE: Ask for wisdom. Ask for understanding. Ask for power to create wealth rather than wealth. Ask for more of Him rather than more of things.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

A PRAYER THAT PLEASES THE LORD

MEMORY VERSE: And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 1 Kings 3:13

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 12-15

Solomon did something no man had ever done and God responded in a way He had never responded. He offered a thousand burnt offerings to God; in return, God paid him a visit. I pray that God will inspire you and me to do something that will cause Him to pay us a visit. 1 Kings 3: 5 says: ‘In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, ask what I shall give thee.’ Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge God’s people. 1 Kings 3:10 says: ‘And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.’

There are two basic types of requests: those that please the Lord and those that don’t. An example of a request that didn’t please the Lord was Israelite’s request for a king. 1 Samuel 8:6-7 says: ‘But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.’ The Lord granted their request even though it didn’t please Him; besides, it was not in His perfect will for them to have a king. The fact that God grants a request does not necessarily mean that He is pleased with the request. I pray that you will not have what God does not want you to have in the mighty name of Jesus,amen. Israel had what God did not want them to have; and as a result, they suffered. 1 Kings 12:4 says: ‘Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.’ Adam and Eve had what God did not want them to have and they died spiritually. Whilst some requests do not please God, some bring Him joy. Solomon's request pleased the Lord because it was in line with God's will for him. Any request that is at variance with His will displeases Him. You can know God's will through revelation; and by studying the Bible,also.

NOTE: When you pray in tongues, you are praying according to His divine will; therefore, it pleases the Lord.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

YOUR PRAYER REQUEST REVEALS WHO YOU ARE

MEMORY VERSE: And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 1 Kings 3:10

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 8-11

In 1 Kings 3:4-14, King Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings to God. The Lord was very impressed and gave him a blank cheque. Verse 5 says: ‘In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, ask what I shall give thee.’ If you give God what no man has ever given to Him; He will give you what He has never given to any man in return. King Solomon was the first to offer a thousand burnt offering to God; and, he was the first to receive a blank cheque from God. I pray that God will inspire you and me to do something no man has ever done, so we can receive something no man has ever received.

1 Kings 3:9-10 says: ‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.’ Someone once said, ‘I never ask God for anything because He knows my needs.’ God knows your needs, but He wants you to ask. Matthew 7:7-8 says: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ King Solomon's request was specific. He didn’t ask for everything or anything. Be specific with your request. Don’t act like the man who said, ‘God, my name is Jimmy and I will take whatever you gimme.’ King Solomon’s request reflected his priority, personality, vision, values, goals, etc. Your request says a lot about you.

NOTE: We can tell from King Solomon’s prayer request that he was a humble man. We can also tell from his prayer request that he was not a selfish man. He was a man who put the needs of others first.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.