KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Timothy 2:19 KJV” Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity”.

The strong exhaustive dictionary defines iniquity as ‘ an unrighteousness of the heart and life’, or a deed violating law and justice. God would not use an individual who violates his laws and is not just. Such a person is crooked. The following is what God will use. 2Timothy 2:21 NET “So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” May you set yourself apart from every crooked way and be a vessel unto honour ready to be used by the Lord for every good work.

God is holy and cannot work with an unholy vessel. Dear brother or sister you have just one life to lead, and you must make that life count for God indeed. Your days should not be wasted at all. This is the reason you must make yourself “usable”. Every unclean thing in your life must be totally destroyed. It would cause your destruction, if you allow it, like the small-town Ai did to the well favoured army of Israel, led by Joshua. Achan’s accursed stuff made the whole camp of Israel to sting before God. God left them because of the accursed things and so, they were beaten and chased by the Aians. Sin of any form and kind is a reproach unto any people, but righteousness always exalts a people. (Proverbs 14:34).

IT was after the accursed man with the accursed things were found and destroyed that God was ready to work with them and show them how to conquer, and actually won the battle for them. Satan in these last days is devising all kinds of mischievous ways and worsening the condition of sinners. They need to be saved and set free. We need God’s supernatural hands to work along with his servants. We cannot afford to do things that would stay His finger away from our lives. Luke 11:20 KJV” But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.” His finger is all that we need to stop the enemy. May we do that which would keep His finger with us always.

CONFESSION

I have renounced every hidden act of dishonesty and by manifesting the truth, I commend myself to the conscience of all men in the sight of God. My life is on fire for God.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Corinth 4:2 KJV” But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God”.

Joshua 7:24 &, 25 KJV And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So, the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 28:1 KJV “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion”.

We have learnt in our earlier discussions that courage is inevitable for a victorious life. The question is, how does one walk courageously in the face of threatening situations? Courage is a function of righteousness. Our key scripture states that Proverbs 28:1 KJV “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion”. Walking in sin makes one morally week and cannot have the inner strength to face danger. A life yielded to God would not be shaken in the midst of danger. The righteous are bold because they stand on the sure promises of scripture.

In Daniel 6 we learn about how Daniel was never moved about the threats of being thrown into the lion’s den, if he should pray to any other God for only 30 days. He was an upright man and so had his confidence in God. One is only vulnerable to satanic destruction if he or she walks in disobedience to God. If God be for us who can be against us, or if a man lives to please God, He (God) would always be for him Rom 8:31. Secret sins would expose your weakness in the day of trial. 1Jn 4:18 KJV” There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love”. Your strength in the day of trouble depends on your love for God.

The next point to look at concerning living in courage is to trust God for simple issues. Your courage grows as you encounter the faithfulness of God from time to time. David testified that He killed, the bear, and the lion, so Goliath would not mean anything to him. He trusted God to conquer simpler issues, and so, was ready for a more terrible one. Practice the word or put the word to the test and see God win for you . You would be very ready to face and overcome more life-threatening situations. God is faithful and would always honour everyone who trust him. Romans 10:11–13

CONFESSIONS

I walk uprightly at all times. I am therefore very bold and courageous, because I know God is on my side, and who can therefore be against me. Nothing can overwhelm me. In the name of Jesus every situation submits.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 10:12 & 13 KJV “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Isaiah 8:12 &13 KJV Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 1:17 KJV” Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them”.

Our key scripture is a very profound one. It states that we must be very courageous to act and speak on behalf of God. If any servant of God fails to do so God would confound him before the people or the condition he may be facing. The Bible is filled with countless instances of how certain individuals or group of people overcame very dreadful situations through courageous stands.

1.The huge walls of Jericho were brought down through courage (Joshua 6)

2.David faced Goliath through his courage (1 Sam 17)

3. Jonathan and his armour bearer defeated a whole Philistine army by courage (1 Sam 14)

4. Elijah’s contests with the prophets of Baal was done in great courage (1kings 18:23–40)

5. King Jehoshaphat and the people of Israel defeats multitude of fighters from Ammon and Moab (2 Chronicles 20)

In all these ventures it took courage on the part of the people of God to face supposedly terrible and unsurmountable enemies or oppositions. As they moved forward in courage the great power of God was released to defeat these enemies. Jonathan took on a whole army and slaughtered them terribly. Dear child of God, your fear and decision not to move forward and face that enemy is your real enemy. God always needs a man to express confidence in Him, for Him to do the impossible among men.

 One of the differences between conquerors and non-achievers is courage. It took the courage of David to bring him from obscurity, to the lime light. Stop being afraid for your life and leave your life in God’s hands. Courage simply means standing in the name of God and for Him. How can you ever fail in such a venture? Lift up your head, look ahead, and in the name of the Lord move forward, coming against anything that seems to threaten you. It would succumb because of the Lord who is with you.

CONFESSION

I know the Lord is ever present with me. I speak in His name, as all glory goes to Him

He will always honor His name and bring glory to His name. This is the reason for my courage in trying moments. I can’t be disappointed

FURTHER STUDIES

Exodus 14:13 & 14. KJV” And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Acts 3:4 –7 KJV. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them, And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joshua 1:9 KJV” Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”

Courage is the ability to hold yourself together to face a dreadful situation. It is also one’s ability to maintain his course of action although a threatening condition opposes him. Courage is inevitable because your ability to keep moving forward gives the spirit of God the right to stay with you, and face that condition through you. God is always at work in and trough His servants, therefore discouragement means blocking the channel through which He is going to work. Courage is simply inevitable for God to achieve His works through His servants.

When the Lord called Joshua to take over from Moses, He kept insisting that he must be courageous and not be afraid (Joshua 1:5–9). The power of the enemy in any form cannot be pitched against God’s power. The only way the enemy defeats the children of God is to cause them to respond to the fearful or dreadful situations. The scriptures refer to an event that the children of Israel became so discouraged that, they spoke of returning to Egypt. Num 14:4 KJV “And they said one to another, let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt”. The Bible said Caleb and Joshua had another spirit. They were not discouraged. All those who behaved as defeated ones never got to the promised land.

Courage is a product of one’s faith in God. It is stronger depending on how much one knows God. In the spell of moments of challenges, courage may rise in you, as a result of turning your attention from the situation to consider what God has said. Please note that, a sense of fear may rise in you in the face of dreadful situations, but do not allow it to dominate you, encourage yourself in the Lord as David did. (1 Samuel 30:6) With courage you will overcome.

CONFESSION

I focus on the Lord for my help. He is my strength in times of need. He is forever with me and so I will never be moved by whatever the enemy raises against me. I will not turn away from challenges but will stand to overcome.

FURTHER STUDIES

Joshua 1:9 KJV” Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”.

1 Samuel 30:6 KJV “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:14 KJV” Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”

Wrong speaking nullifies God’s power so much. The scripture says, do nothing with complaining or murmuring. Many servants of God do not know, to what degree their lives have been affected and distorted, because of complaining and murmuring. God cannot work with people who complain.  One area that many servants of God give OFFENCE is how they speak negatively about the way God treats certain servants of His.

Please read through Matthew 20:1-16. In this passage the Lord Jesus spoke about a parable in which an employer went about hiring laborers at various times in the day. To each person or people, he agreed with them how much to pay them after the end of each day. In the parable those who came earlier were offended because he paid those who came earlier and those who came later, the same amount. Many servants of God easily miss the grace of God because they become offended about how certain people seem to have been blessed. Some think they have been in the ministry for a longer time, and must have a greater grace to experience more blessings. Some easily find faults about others because of envy. These things should not happen.

Why do certain ministers behave this way? Pride is a cause, as well as sheer envy. The underlying cause of all these is carnality. Some leaders may become envious of their subordinates because it may seem they are manifesting so much of God’s grace, as it happened to Saul and David. These are some ways ministers give OFFENCE, causing the ministry to be blamed. Please note this, such an action is not just against the individual you may be offended in, but rather against God, who gave those gifts and abilities to that individual. There are some subordinates who may be so offended in their superiors because they feel they are been marginalized. Please OFFENCE in any form is a trick of the devil: don’t fall for it. No one can suppress supernatural energy. In the right time it would manifest.

CONFESSION

I am a child of the spirit and am not of the senses. I give glory to God for every work he does in the lives of others. My father has blessed me with all things that pertain unto life and godliness and therefore, I am never envious of whatever anyone has or does.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Peter 1:3 KJV” According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue”:

1 Samuel 18:8 KJV “And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Corinth 6:1 KJV” We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain”.

Our call not to give any OFFENCE as servants of God, is based on the grounds that, God has made available to us, a divine ability to excel in every challenge we encounter. Our key scripture makes it plain. It says in 2Corinth 6:1 that, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain”. In our previous study we said, to give offence is to raise a stumbling block, to act against the expected standard, or to develop a feeling that places you out of line. You must be aware that no matter the condition that comes your way, you have already been strengthened to stand without getting bitter, or saying and doing something wrong.

Apostle Paul was one man of God who faced very severe trials and challenges, yet through it all he said, ‘we are more than conquerors.’ He said in Romans 8:39 that ” Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. What made Paul so resolute to go through all these death threatening situations and was never broken down? I believe he was able to endure all these by his knowledge of the Lord, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in Him and lastly the scriptural declarations that he made about the power of God at work in Him. In Philip. 4:12&13 He declares that, he has learnt to survive all kinds of situations, whether good or bad. In verse 13, he added ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

Paul was a man of faith, who kept declaring words of faith in all situations. Just consider the following declarations from him. Philippians 2:13 KJV “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” From the verse he is saying, God is actively working through me and so I do not complain or murmur about anything. Dear child and servant of God learn to put faith in God’s word by boldly declaring them in all adverse situations. There is enough grace to go through any kind of situation without giving any offence. Believe it, say it and be ready to act it.

CONFESSION

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I have received enough grace to stand before every kind of adversity and not give any offence.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 4:12 KJV” I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”.

Romans 8:35. KJV” Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter”.

KEY SCRIPTURES:2 Corinth 6:3 KJV” Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed”:

Our key scripture is very emphatic concerning giving no OFFENCE in anything. Every man who would be a candidate for honoring God in his service must not give OFFENCE in anything. He gives the reason, why we must not   give OFFENCE. He says, so that the ministry would not be blamed. The ministry is the work of God. It is about the name and glory of the Lord. Nothing should dishonor the glory of God. Every servant of God must know that the ministry is more important than him or her. Never jeopardize the work of the ministry by your actions. The word ‘offence’ means ‘ to raise a stumbling block ‘ or ‘ to act against the expected standard’ or’ to have a feeling that places you out of line’

The preceding verse talks about the conditions under which we must not give offence. 2 Corinth 6:4 KJV “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses”. By not giving offence, we prove ourselves as servants or ministers of God. The following are the areas that we have to prove ourselves as ministers of God. In much patience in afflictions, necessities, distresses. Apostle Paul talked about being patient in stripes or persecutions, imprisonments and many more. You can’t talk about being a faithful servant of God without being prepared to face adverse situations. These are circumstances orchestrated by the devil, and it honors God for the child of God to come out with flying colors. I mean to go through without harboring hurts against men or God.

There are many workers in the body of Christ who are harboring various kinds of hurts. Some feel God has disappointed them. Others are offended in their leaders. Many are hurt because of conditions of service. The scripture said give no offence in anything. It means refuse to be hurt. Consider the following verse. Heb 12:4 KJV” Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin”. This scripture means, the difficulty you have is not demanding sacrificing your life, so don’t get offended. Even if you have to lose your life, don’t get offended.

CONFESSION

I am servant of God. I have received enough grace to face and overcome every adverse situation. I do not give offence under any condition. I bring honor and glory to the Lord as I put Him first in everything.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 12:2 KJV” Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”.

Hebrews 12:3 KJV” For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 5:30 KJV I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

IT is God who uses His servants, and so we must wait for His instruction. We can do nothing of ourselves without His direction. Every successful servant of God would not take any step without the instruction or direction of the Holy Spirit. In our key scripture the Lord said He would not do anything by Himself unless the father instructs Him. God our Father is not obliged to honour any act or action that He did not instruct. He says He watches over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).

The Holy Spirit is our teacher, guide and guard. We must have a deep relationship with Him. Recognize that He is always present with you, ready to direct you. Be sensitive to hear from Him as you pray. Don’t do anything without His counsel. Acting without His direction is like the sons of Aaron that offered strange fire in the presence of the Lord. Lev 10:1 KJV” And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not”. The proceeding verse said true fire went from God’s presence and devoured them. It simply means those who will act against God’s way would only suffer and be frustrated. We must learn to wait on God to hear His voice or command.

Moses was very successful because he followed through with what God asked Him to do. His desire to get to the promised land was aborted because he failed to honor the word of God at a point in his work. The Lord made a very serious statement about those who reject direct instruction from Him. 1Samuel 15:26 KJV” And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.  The Lord rejected King Saul because he rejected the word of God.

PRAYER

LORD I pray for every child of God, especially all those seeking to be used in God’s field. May they learn to continually wait for your counsel and instructions of the Holy Spirit.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 14:26. But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV” But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Daniel 11:32 ISV ” Through flattery he’ll corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but people who know their God will be strong and take action”.

One of the miserable ventures to take is to attempt to serve the Lord without knowing him. The kind of opposition the devil raises against the servants of God, makes it almost impossible to serve Him without a personal knowledge of the Lord. It is not surprising that the Lord Jesus after his resurrection had to show himself alive by many infallible proofs, lasting a period of forty days. (Acts 1:3) This experience changed their outlook about Christ and their resolve to stand for Him. Almost all of them were killed because they claimed Jesus was alive. They knew Him.  Indeed, those who know the Lord would wax strong and do exploits.

I have come to know that people who do not know the Lord, do not fear Him, and so get themselves involved in very wrong rebellious acts. King Saul did not know God. He knew Samuel and as a result he could not trust God in difficult times. He woefully failed. David who knew the Lord was ready to pitch his life against a mighty warrior like Goliath. He did not consider defeat as an option. He knew God and knew He would not fail Him. How did he get to know God in such an intimate way? 

You may not know Him by memorizing scriptures. You know Him by deciding to believe the revelations He’s made about Himself. Believe His word, and act on it. The Holy Spirit would establish God’s reality in your spirit. It would not be a mental persuasion but an inner awareness of His presence that nothing or no man can take away from you. As you act on His word, you would be experiencing Him in your day to day encounters. The more you respond in faith to His word, He would likewise show Himself mighty unto you. There are some who would have opportunities to encounter God in a more physical but supernatural way. Apostle Paul had such an encounter. Many people in our times have experienced the Lord Jesus in such a way.

CONFESSION

The Lord has revealed Himself in His Word to us. I believe totally in His revelation. I act on what He says. I continually experience   His acts daily. He is real to me. By Him I do exploits to His glory.

FURTHER STUDIES

2Timothy 1:12 KJV” For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”.

1 Corinth 1:21 KJV “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:1 Net ” From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.

A slave is a legal property of his owner. We became slaves of our master Jesus through a willing commitment of ourselves to Him, in response of His great love shown us. A slave or servant of God is one who has completely forsaken his personal ambitions, and will to accept God’s ambitions and will for him. This is the fundamental mental concept that anyone who wishes to be used by God must have. Many people come into God’s service with their made-up ambitions, aspirations about what God must do for them. It is very amazing to find people who want to serve God because of the affluence, wealth and great reverence some men of God carry or command. Anyone with such an attitude has failed from start.

We are God’s servants or God’s love slaves. A slave has completely lost his or her RIGHTS. HE lives solely to please his master and Lord. The difference between King Saul and King David was that, Saul was a master of himself trying to relate with God, whiles David had no rights of his own, living to please God. Saul was rejected by God after only two years of his reign, although he sat on the thrown for an extra 38 years. King Saul was on the thrown yet God had rejected him for all those years. Anyone who claims to serve God, but is pursuing his own ways, have been rejected by the Lord. Unfortunately, they do not realize they have lost their place in God, because they seem to see some miracles in their life. Note: no one is rewarded in God’s sight by the miracles God works, but rather we are rewarded for how much we do not give offense in various challenging times) 2nd Corinth 6:3-9.

 The mistake many make is that, they are rather using God to get and do things, whiles God should be using them to do what He wants.  When you seek the anointing to show how great you are, then you are using God.

  Do you feel disappointed in God when things do not go as you want it? To feel disappointed in God is a great act of pride; you must rather feel grateful in all situations.  If apostle Paul had loved his life, could he have been used the way God used him. Decide from today to be a slave for Jesus. God would not use masters but cannot   do without slaves or servants.

CONFESSION

I am a slave of Jesus Christ. I do not have my own ambitions. I do not fear for my life in anyway. God is in charge of my life. My delight is to do what pleases Him.

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 53:7 ISV “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he didn’t open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth”.

2 Chronicles 6:17 ISV “Now therefore, LORD God of Israel, may your promise that you made to your servant David be fulfilled…”