KEY SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 7:26 KJV “For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.”

Today’ s key scripture refers to the harlot, yet in a more practical terms, it refers to the spirit of Fornication. It entices, deceives and finally slays it victim. Pro 7:26 KJV” For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her “. Many great, powerful and gifted servants of God have been brought to ground zero by this spirit of Fornication. Apostle Paul calls it our members (Col 3:5). Some men of God may be tricked by her to fall and others willingly jump into her courts. Every fall is a fall, whether you slipped or willingly decided to fall.

Every servant of God must be aware of the very high stakes that the calling demands. You’ve got to know that the eternal salvation of many rests on your obedience. Samson was anointed to bring deliverance to the children of Israel from the hands of the Philistines. His failure was the loss of the whole nation into the hands of their enemies. To be a minister is to render service or to support others. You are therefore never free to do what you want. If you choose to disappoint those you have been called to serve, you have sadly decided to destroy your very self.

The Lord Jesus knowing the above principle said the following, John 17:19 KJV “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth”. The truth is your way out of failure to success. Samson was a Nazarene, which meant he was totally devoted to God. The strength of any child of God to win the battles of life, is a heart wholly given to the Lord. You are prone to be defeated, if you have a divided devotion. There is an unqualified joy and satisfaction in your inner being when you give all of your heart to Him.

CONFESSION

I am totally given to the truth. Jesus my Lord is the truth. That keeps me always sanctified. My mind is never occupied with wrong pursuits. I live in true freedom and satisfaction because the spirit of Fornication has no part in me.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Corith 6:18 KJV “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body”.

Ephesians 5:3 KJV “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Samuel 11:4 KJV “And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.”

King David was an excellent man in many ways, yet had a great weakness towards women. His son Solomon’s case was worse. He married seven hundred wives and three hundred girlfriends(concubines) 1 Kings 11:3. It was also reported of David in 2 Samuel 5:13 that ” And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. “Despite all these wives and concubines, he went in for Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. She became pregnant, and so king David tried to cover up, by killing Uriah.

What was the cause of David ‘s weakness towards women? Could it be a case of family inheritance? David’ s family tree could be traced to Judah, one of the sons of Jacob.

In Gen 38, we read of Judah who went in for his daughter in law, Tamar. Tamar had been married to Er who was Judah ‘s son but died. Tamar put off her widow’ s garment acted like an harlot. She disguised herself and sat at a location where Judah could easily see her. Judah indeed fell into the trap. This trend of events was replicated in the family line of Judah: As shown in our first paragraph. David definitely, had a real challenge with women. When Abner the military general of King Saul came to David to broke peace between the house of Saul and David, he (David) said in 2 Samuel 3:13 that he would not listen to anything from him until his wife Michal, Saul’s daughter who was given to another man, was brought to him.

There are a lot of ministers or Christians who demonstrate such weakness towards women. Some of these people exhibit such weakness as a trait they inherited from their family line.  Does one’s status as a new creation in Christ make him exempted from such problem? Legally Yes, yet experientially the devil will not leave without staging a resistance. You must be violent and resist him steadfastly in the faith. 1Peter 5:9 KJV ” Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world”.

There are some brethren who exhibit such weakness towards women, not as a condition, they inherited, but just lack of discipline. Everyman will naturally want to go for more women, yet we Christians are not natural people, but supernatural. A minister may just be natural and not discipline himself. He may not discipline his thought life, be indiscipline in his relationship with the opposite sex, as well as what they watch. Dear man of God, live in the Spirit and you would not be controlled by the flesh.

PRAYER

Lord I pray for all ministers to arise and deal with any foundation problems, especially that which had to do with the opposite sex. Grant them to come to terms with the truth on how to break free.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 24:16 KJV” And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”

Job 31:1 KJV I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:22 KJV “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will”

(Read 2 Samuel 1:1-27)

The above story reveals the selflessness of David. It shows how he continually demonstrated respect and honour to king Saul who was the ordained king, even after Saul had been killed in a war with the Philistines. David expressed his sincere love for Saul and Jonathan, by slaying the Amalekite boy who brought the news that he killed King Saul. He was expecting to receive an acknowledgement and praise from David. The scriptures said in 2 Samuel 1:12 that” And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword”.

David acted with a pure heart of love. Love for one another purifies our souls from all vile. As ministers or children of God we must continually allow the love of God in our hearts to lead us in all we do. The natural reaction from most men   to the news of the death of a man who has persistently persecuted and pursued their life to kill them, would have been instant jubilation. One’s tendency to hold himself against any selfish responses comes from a heart that pursues after God. May we be pursuers of God and not after our self-centered longings.

Every child of God is a man or woman of the Spirit. Rom 8:9 KJV” But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his”. Being in the Spirit means the fleshly persuasions unto bitterness and victimizations are no more controlling us. Dear servant of God and fellow Christian, let’s express this love of Christ to all. Let’s honor all those who are our fathers, leaders, or those who have been anointed to play any special role in our lives. Don’t ever be tempted to dishonor them in any way. You do that at your own peril. Just as David never attack king Saul, do not attack any of your superiors in ministry.

CONFESSION

I have the love of Christ. I do not rejoice over the pain and lose of any brother or sister, no matter what they said or did to me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 5:44 KJV “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” ;

Ephesians 4:32 KJV “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 20:31 KJV” For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die”.

(Read 1 Samuel 20:1–42)

At the beginning of the new moon or month, King Saul had a meal or feast with the elite persons in his kingdom. King Saul expected David to be at the feast so that he would have the opportunity to kill him. David planned with Jonathan to escape. Saul had rebelled against God and was set on killing David so that his son Jonathan would be king. When Jonathan managed to cause David to escape, Saul got mad with his son and said, 1Sam 20:30 KJV “Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness? “Saul was so outraged with his son as a result of this, such that, he attempted to kill him with a spear. (1 Samuel 20:33)

There are some ministers who have fallen out of the will of God. They are ready to do anything to get their evil desires to pass. They will tell lies, manipulate, and do anything possible to get their evil desires fulfilled. This kind of thing can also be manifested in the life of any person who has dethroned the rule of God from his or her life. One may bear the title that he or she is a Christian, yet in practice he is far from being one. He would do everything to achieve his evil desires, yet would claim God is blessing him.

What is the meaning of life? Life is all about revealing the glory of God in you. It is about doing and achieving that which pleases the Lord. Revelations 4:11 KJV “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Anything you do that does not please Him is a rebellion against God and a destruction of your very life. Those who live for God’s pleasure are His delight and He will do everything to reveal His glory in them. Don’t be a self-willed minister. You must be without blemish.

CONFESSION

I am a servant of God committed to reveal His glory in me. I do only that which pleases God. My life is extremely blessed. God is with me and I am highly favored.

FURTHER STUDIES

Galatians 1:15 KJV “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:”

2 Samuel 5:10 KJV” And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:15 KJV” That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

A minister of God is simply a servant of God. It is generally accepted that ministers are people who stand before a number of people to present the word of God to them. This is true, yet every child of God is a minister in some capacity. The Bible says we are epistles or letters written not with ink, but with the spirit, written on the tablets of men’s hearts. This means every child of God is a living message to many who read our lives as letters. This is the reason there is a strong need to be very upright and live without blemish. 1 Corinth 4:2 KJV” Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

In this series of studies, we would be looking at the lives of various kings of Israel to observe how they related to God. We will compare them to ministers of our times to draw lessons from them. 1Co 10:6 KJV” Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. “These experiences are supposed to be examples to us so that we may avoid their errors and rather learn to live to honour God, and be more effective in serving the Lord.

Various kings have lifestyles that have similar replica in a number of ministers today. (Read.1st Sam 17-31) A look at King Saul, reveals a man who was very self-centered and was not the least concerned about seeking the will and purpose of God to be established in his life. He was concerned about bequitting the throne to his son Jonathan. There are some ministers who see the office of the General overseer as a dynasty which must be taken over by their son or wife. Like Saul, they would manipulate and fight anyone who seem to exhibit tendencies that show that, they could be the next overseer after them. You must avoid becoming the King Saul type of Pastor or leader.

PRAYER

Father, I pray for all leaders and Pastors to continually seek your will above their personal interests and advantages.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 2:2 KJV “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 30:19 NHEB” I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you, life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants;”

When Moses was coming to the end of his ministry, the Lord instructed him to tell the people of Israel to make a choice between death and life, success and failure, blessing and cursing. God does not impose these things on any one. He has set them before us to make our choice. He has shown us by His word what it means to make the choice for life. Please throw away all these traditions of men and human ideologies that teach that God has appointed blessings for some and curses for others, and consider fully what God has said. Choosing life is not just about saying you choose life, but there are certain actions you would have to take.

Deut 30:20 shows the process of making the choice for life. Deut 30:20 NHEB” to love the LORD your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him; for he is your life, and the length of your days; that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. “This verse gives a few verbs that instructs us on what to do to partake of life.

1 Love the Lord your God

2 Obey His voice

3.Clinch or Cleave to Him.

 He added that, for He is your life. A good look at the verse shows that we must focus on God. We must   love Him with all our heart, mind and strength. He says we must also obey His voice. If you disobey His voice you are choosing curses. We must do whatever He tells us to do. We must follow his ways and do as He would do. The third point is to cleave unto the Lord. This word has the idea of gluing two papers together. They become simply inseparable. We must depend totally on the Lord.

I will list a number of practical steps that you may take, that will mean you have chosen life.

1.Make up your mind to choose life. Deut 30:19

2.Be always JOYFUL and thankful. Phil 4:4

3 BE a church addict PS 92:13-14

4.Honour your parents Eph 6:2-3

5.Feed on the word of God Prov 4:20-22

6. Use your tongue to create life for yourself. Prov 18:20,21

7.Make sacrificial giving to God Proverbs 13:8,

8.Be a soul winner. Luke 12:8-9

AS you diligently do these practical steps, it means you have chosen life, and the devil cannot take your life or put sicknesses or curses on you.

CONFESSION

I have chosen life and blessing, because I love the Lord God with all my heart. I do all that He has commanded, and cleave totally unto the Lord. I have a very long life and I fulfill my days in Jesus name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 18:20 NHEB” A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Ephesians 6:2 KJV” Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:8 KJV” Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

When a man thinks properly of God he can live confidently and not be afraid about anything. The Bible reveals the nature and attributes of God to us. Through proper thinking, one may reflect on the fact that God who is almighty is ever present with him. If he has any challenge, of any kind. He may think truthfully about God in the following way. God is almighty. He has promised never to leave nor forsake me. He has promised to take care of all my needs. In this way of thinking he would not fret or be afraid. He has settled the issue that everything is under God’s control. The secret of most great men of God is the simple and childlike way they acknowledge God. Matthew 18:4.

When one thinks wrongly in relation to God, it would breed unbelieve. Unbelieve is a result of one projecting a challenge or difficulty to be greater or stronger than the Lord God. Such a one has not taken time to think deeply about God’s greatness, but rather allowed various life issues to fill his thinking. He is occupied with the cares of this life, deceitfulness of riches, and lust for so many other things. The issue of a strong faith in God in time of crisis, is primarily a knowledge of God and who He is, then one can trust His words. Many have read about His word, yet have not taken time to reflect on Him as a person. This is one thing we must do often. It is called meditation on God. Hebrews 11:6.

Thinking properly helps us to relate very well with others. The scripture instructs us to think of things that are honest. Such a way of viewing life helps us to relate fairly with all persons. It makes us trustworthy too. When we seek to think truthfully about issues, it prevents us from unnecessarily assuming and suspicions of people’s actions. This helps us to be at peace with ourselves as well as being cordial to them too. May we always make up our minds to think truthfully about others.  For a peaceful coexistence with all, may we always think about things that are lovely, praiseworthy, honest, pure, just, and of a good report.

CONFESSION

I trust God as a child does. As children think of their parents, so do I think of God. He is who He says He is. I rightly relate with all men, because I think rightly about all.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 11:6 NHEB “Now without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him”.

Matthew 18:4 NHEB” Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:8 KJV “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

 Thinking is free, yet the pain of most people comes from the way the think. Fear, worry and depression are mostly a result of wrong or negative thinking. Proverbs 23:7 KJV” For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: …….. ” Joy, peace and enthusiasm in life also proceed from your thoughts. You are what you think. If you think sickness, you would remain sick. If you think health you would remain healthy. Our key scripture shows us how to think, so we would live in peace and in soundness. The scriptures state the various aspects of life that we should think about.

The very first point to consider is to think about things that are true. Concerning whatever you may be thinking about, ask yourself, is it true.? Is it true that you are losing your marriage.? Is that health condition true.? Please note that there are facts and there is the truth. The fact is what you may be seeing physically, but the truth is what the word of God says. Let whatever you think about, be what the word of God says. Our second thinking pattern, should be that which is honest. This relates to fairness and sincerity to all persons. Your actions must be based on motivations of honesty. You must always ask yourself how sincere am I in this issue. You may also probe your thoughts if it is a good report. If it is a bad report about people and even yourself, then cast it away. It would only make you miserable.

You must also think about things that are pure. Holiness of life normally proceed from one’s thinking pattern. The scripture also talks about thinking of things that are lovely. This implies thinking about matters that are appreciative to all. If you realize whatever you may be thinking about is not lovely or acceptable to all, then just stop it. Thoughts are seeds that feed our emotions and actions. They become our habits and ultimately becomes our destiny. Your thoughts create your attitudes and determine whether you are a winner in life or a loser. Always think in line with the word of God. Thoughts are spiritual and tells whether God has the control of your life or the devil. Words and ideas are seeds, it is your thoughts about them that give them access to stay in your life or be rejected out of your life. Take care of your thoughts.

CONFESSION

God’s word is the prime seeds that feed my thinking. I think about things that are true, honest, lovely and of good report. I have a very great life because of the things I think about.

FURTHER STUDIES

Job 31:1 KJV” I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?”

Galatians 6:3 KJV” For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:16 KJV “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

God’s word has every package for blessings and a life of fulfillment. It has the potential to put you on top of the world. Unfortunately, many of us have not benefitted fully from the impact of the word

The very first thing to do, to benefit from the word is to acknowledge that the word is indeed God’s word and He is fully committed to His word. 1Th 2:13 KJV” For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”. Jeremiah 1:12 also says God watches over His word to make it good. You must give an undivided attention to the word of God. (Proverb 4:20)

You must also keep the word in your heart. This is one area most of us miss the blessing of the word. In Mark 4:15 – 20, the Lord talked about the seed that fell by the wayside. He said, the enemy quickly comes to steal the word. Many of us easily lose God’s word the moment we hear it. What must we do to maintain or keep the word? The answer is to keep the word in our hearts by continually reading or hearing it. James 1:25 KJV “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed”. In these times we have the Bible and other messages on audio format. Just keep listening over and over again. Listening to a message for about seventy times would make that word to stay in your mind and heart and you would not easily lose it.

Sinfulness or naughtiness of any form would   prevent the word from taking root in you. A hardened heart towards the word of God would not allow the word to bear fruit in you. You must take the following from your heart. The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things. These things would choke God’s word and not make them fruitful. The cares of this world involve anything that would cause you to be anxious or worried. Anything that the scriptures speaks against has a potential to nullify the impact of the word The final act to take so that God’s word would be of great benefit to you, is to  do as the word says.

CONFESSION

The word of God is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, the word in my heart is God at home in me. Acting on the word is God acting through me.

I partake of every good thing by doing as the word says.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 4:2 KJV” For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it”.

James 1:21 KJV” Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 12:35 KJV “”A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things”

What are you producing in your life? Are you producing peace, kindness and love, or are you producing unforgiveness and bitterness? Are you having sicknesses and failure all around you? The Bible says out of the heart proceed the issues of life. Proverb 4:23.” Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Where comes all these things? Many of us feed our hearts with scenes of horror films. Others fill their hearts with all kinds of negative thoughts. Sadly, some are very hostile towards God and his word. Such people are constantly filled with anger and many kinds of negative emotions.

The Lord says in spite of these negative experiences you might be facing, you can turn things around by making yourself good. Mat 12:33 KJV” Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. “How can one make himself or herself good. The word of God is that agent of making men good. The word would place in you a bold spirit that would make you absolutely fearless. The word would put into you a winning attitude and you would no longer produce failure and defeat in your life. The word of God will cause you to produce health in place of sicknesses and diseases. Job 22:21 KJV “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” Good would naturally come to you when you acquaint thyself with the word of God.

A 46-year-old lady who was born a cripple kept listening to Rev Kenneth Hagin’s messages for six months, and was completely healed just by staying with the word. There have been people who have been constantly depressed for so long, yet as they started feeding on the word of God, every depressive tendency left them. The word made them good and also brought good to them. The word would transform a home of fighting quarreling into a place of love, respect and fellow feeling. Please just consider the criterion of the word.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV “For the word of God is quick, (alive) 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.” God’s word affects and changes every aspect of man. Feed on the word.

CONFESSION

God’s word is the ration of life. It is health to all my flesh; it is light for every darkness around me. It is wisdom for wise actions and peace of mind to my troubled heart.

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 3:16 KJV” Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

2Timothy3:15 KJV” And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”