KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:3 KJV “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”.

Our world is a beautiful and a habitable place because various systems freely give of their products to sustain the earth. The sun since its inception has been giving its sunlight without questioning how much others pay it back. The plants freely give out water into the atmosphere. The principle of others first is the law for self-sustenance and multiplying what you have. Our key scripture teaches us to esteem others better than ourselves. Esteeming others better is the foundation for the proper development of every association.  It is a sign of great maturity when we are ready to forgo our privileges and rights to consider others who may be more vulnerable.

The Bible said greater love has no man than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Love for others is the motivating power that makes us esteem others better than ourselves. You must believe that God has been very gracious to you, and so out of this favor you extend a hand of favor, blessing or kindness to others. If you are to practice this virtue, then strive in groups like, office workers, churches, choir groups, Marriages, friends and our nation as a whole would cease. William Booth, the founder of the salvation army, called for an urgent meeting of all its officers to deliver a very important message to them. He was not present, yet sent the message in a letter. They all assembled ready to hear the letter read to them. When the letter was opened, there was only one word on the paper. The word was OTHERS. They had to consider others elsewhere who must hear the gospel preached to them.

Dear brother or sister, you must always demonstrate how matured you are by placing others first. In our home’s parents (matured ones) always sacrifice for their children.

 CONFESSION

I am filled with God’s love and ability. I esteem others better than myself. I continually seek that others would come to know the saving power of the saviour and to be a blessing to them in various ways.

 FURTHER STUDIES

1 Corinth 13:5 KJV (love) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

1 Corinth 13:3 KJV ” And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Mat 24:44 KJV Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

The Lord Jesus is definitely coming back to receive the church unto himself. There are two forms or aspects of His return. The first of these is the rapture of the church. 1Th 4:17 KJV. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord”.1st Corinth 15:51-58, The second advent or coming is when, the heavens and earth melt away for a new heaven and earth.  The Lord will come to reign on the new earth. (Revelation 22:1–3). In this study, we are considering the rapture.

The Bible states, His coming shall be like how a thief surprises his victims. (Matt 24:43,1st Thess. 5:2). We are not of darkness, so His coming should not be like a thief to us. (1st Thess. 5:4&5) The Bible teaches that, there is a lawless one called the antichrist in Revelations 13, who would be revealed. (2nd Thessalonians 2:8–11). The following is what the Bible says about when the antichrist would be revealed. 2Th 2:7 NET “For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way”. (Read 2 Thess 2:8)    The rapture of the church is what would allow the full revelation of the antichrist. This man called the antichrist would terribly torment the Saints that would be left on the earth at that time. REV 13.

The question is would you make it at the rapture of the church? Are you ready to be raptured? What are the conditions that make one ready?

1. Be a sincere lover of Jesus and live to please Him always. (1st Corinth 2:9)

2. Be keenly involved in serving Him. Luke 19:13.

3. Put away any besetting sin. A common one is unforgiveness. There are many more. (Heb 12:1)

4. No secret sins. (2nd Corinth 4:2)

5. Be constantly filled with the Holy Ghost. Eph 5:18

PRAYER

Lord I pray for all Christians to be mindful of the rapture of the church. I pray every Christian would turn away from every sin and commit themselves to living to glorify the Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Thess 5:6 & 7 NET “So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night”.

Hebrews 12:1 NET “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us”,

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:7 KJV “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows”.

Luke 12:6 reads,” Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” The Lord’s eyes are glued to the sparrows. He says five of them are sold for two pennies, yet God watches over them with all keenness. Now your worth is the very life or Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:19 KJV but (You were bought) with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Now consider your worth to a sparrow. If the Lord takes so much care of the sparrow, how much more you?

What makes the care and protection of God real? When we place our trust in Him. When we are at peace in our hearts concerning our safety and protection from evil. Just take a look again at our key scripture. Luke 12:7 KJV. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. The word says your very hairs have been numbered, and not one strand of hair that falls without His knowledge. Think about it. Don’t be afraid whatsoever. Trust the Lord to take a perfect care of you. The Lord who takes care of the universe, making everything function perfectly is too mighty to make sure you are safe

Can we consider the following verses of scripture? Romans 10:11-13 KJV” For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 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” (healed). God does not fail those who trust Him. God is favorable to all who call on Him. You can’t be exempted.

CONFESSION

My God has me in His palms. He takes care of the sparrow with every keenness. He takes a better care of me. I am afraid of nothing and no evil shall befall me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 43:2 KJV When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Psalms 121:3 KJV” He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Mark 4:24 NET “And he said to them, take care about what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive, and more will be added to you”.

The Bible has clearly revealed that, God works miracles mostly by the faith of men. Matthew 11:12 NET “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it.” The word suffer in the old English does not only mean, to inflict pain, but also ‘ to allow’. This verse could be said this way “since the days of John the Baptist the kingdom of God has allowed violence, and violent men take it by force”. From the discussions above, it is not what happens that matters, but your faith. Covid 19 is not a problem, but rather your faith. God has given men the right to determine their fate through faith.

IT is on this note that the Lord Jesus said, if thou can believe all things are possible to them that believe. (Mark 9:23) The Lord Jesus on many occasions said the faith of people has made them whole. In the light of this, then you must be very careful about what you hear. If you give attention to hearing all the bad news, your faith in God and His word would be weakened. In the parable of the sower, the seed in the thorny grounds are those who receive the word and allow worries and fears to choke the word. Filter all that you hear. Faith comes by hearing God’s word, and fear also comes by hearing the words of the devil.

The entrance of God’s word brings light, and it gives understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130). When you give a continual attention to the word of God, meditating and confessing it, your faith would be ready to take that which God has already promised to you. In addition to the word in your heart make, sure you do not think contrary to what the word says. Any thought, impression, image or idea that opposes the word of God must be cast down (2nd Corinth 10:4&5). If you approach the word this way, it would surely grow and bear the fruit which is your answer, or the miracle you need

CONFESSION

By faith I have whatever the word of God has declared to be mine. I do not beg to have it. The word of God in me is the seed that gives birth to my answers.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Corinth 10:4 NET” for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments”

Isaiah 55:11 KJV So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 14:24 KJV. But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereunto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

IT takes a person with guts to stand against the crowd. Moses had sent twelve spies, one from each of the twelve tribes of ISRAEL, to spy on the promised land. Ten of them came with an evil report. Two of them, Joshua and Caleb believed in Jehovah and encouraged the Israelites to go and take the land. The voice of the majority prevailed over Joshua and Caleb, causing the whole of the Jews to take sides with them. These people were acting according to what they saw, not according to what God had told them. What is your persuasion in life? Is it what God says or what people fear, as well as, what you see?

The Lord described Joshua and Caleb as “having another spirit”. They did not live by what they saw but by what God had said. 2 Corinth 5:7 KJV (For we walk by faith, not by sight:). The question to ask ourselves is, why did these people who saw the great works and miracles of God, refuse to believe in God, except Joshua and Caleb? Answer: Joshua and Caleb DECIDED to trust the Lord whiles the rest of the people Decided to disbelieve God. When the evidence of God’s power is displayed, it always takes one’s decision to believe or not.

God has demonstrated His power unto every one of us in divers’ ways. We witness His power in the healing of the sick, answers to various prayer requests, and in various spectacular ways. Do not go with the majority who refuse to acknowledge God’s magnificent power all around us. Take a stand for God and be of another spirit. Don’t be overtaken with the present fear of the world. Believe the word of God that says

Psalms 91:10 KJV” There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling “. Decide to believe this assurance, rather than what people are saying. Have another spirit that follows the Lord fully.

CONFESSION

I have another spirit from all others who live by what they see. God my father always honors His word in me. Mountains are brought low and barriers are thrown away. No difficulty is greater than He who lives in me.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”.

Numbers 14:9 KJV “Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Revelations 21:8 NET “But to the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells, idol worshipers, and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second death.”

In this study we would look at a number of reasons why it is dangerous to speak lies. What is a lie? A lie is a word spoken to conceal a wrong or an evil thing.

1.From our key scripture all those who tell lies would be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 21:8), at the second coming of the master.

2.When the truth about a lie is known, its impact on a relationship can be very devastating. A man who fails to reveal to the wife to be, that he has children before their marriage, would get the woman devastated if she later gets to know it. This is vice versa in the case of the man. Most men would not easily take it.

3.Lies break the trust among families and close associates which breeds constant suspicion. This leads to unnecessary accusations, fighting and divisions.

4.Consistent lying would give a demon control over your life. This will make lying uncontrollable. Any wrong action which persists over some time, gives devils access to possess such a person (Eph 4:27)

5. Liars will have no place and audience with God. Psalms 101:7 NET “Deceitful people will not live in my palace. Liars will not be welcome in my presence”.

6. A liar’s conscience is seared and so can easily do any abominable thing without feeling remorseful. (1st Timothy 4:2)

7. Lying will put you out of faith and therefore God would not support any liar. God will only come through for any act of faith.

8.Lying will go a long way to destroy your faith. Lying normally proceed from fear of some kind and therefore weakens faith.

9 Any word you say which is contrary to the word of God is a lie and it gives Satan an upper hand over you

10. A lying witness would perish (Prov. 21:28)

Dear child of God you can’t call yourself a Christian and continue speaking lies. It is not compatible with your new nature. A Christian is not just a follower of Jesus but, you are one with Jesus. (1st Corinth 6:17, Romans 8:29) Accept yourself for who you are and walk in the light.

CONFESSION

I am a son of God, born by the Spirit of God. I live by the word of God. I do not conceal evil but expose it under every situation or time.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 21:6 NET “Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death”.

Proverbs 21:28 NET A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.

Proverbs 26:28 NET “-A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:25 KJV “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another”.

One common sin of most people is speaking lies. Most people speak lies and nothing prompts them they are doing something wrong. Satan is the father of all liars. Telling lies allows the devil to borrow your lips for some seconds to use. According to Eph 4:15, speaking the truth makes us grow into the nature of Jesus in all things. Jesus is truth personified. When a man speaks lies, he grows to be like the devil in all things. The words that proceed from your lips, whether good or bad, defines you.

Most societies and homes have been shaped by lies such that trusting one another is a remote issue. Fathers tell lies to children; wives speak lies to husbands.  Politicians promise us the heavens when they know they can’t deliver even good roads.   Trust is the binding power of the society. The overabundance of lies kills trust from most homes. When that which is to bind a people together is destroyed, that family unit bleeds and hurts. The pain is that the man or woman is living with somebody he or she DOES NOT KNOW. I mean the individuals suffer from loneliness although they not alone.

 Lies are purely the works of darkness but you the child of God is a son and a daughter of the light. You have been translated from darkness into light and you must speak the truth all the time.

Some reasons why people tell lies;

1. Because of fear of people or certain consequences

2. People speak lies so they can gain an advantage or outwit the other person.

The answer to these things is a trust in God. (Isaiah 8:13) Faith in God, is confidence in a higher power that is able to meet all challenges.

Another reason why people tell lies is when they refuse to live by normal godly standards.  If a man goes for a side chick he would definitely tell lies to his wife. The antidote is, don’t go for any side chick and there would be no condition to lie.

CONFESSION

I have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. I live by the life and power of God. I am a child of light. I have no darkness in me. I speak the truth always, because that is my nature. I have thrown away every hidden thing of dishonesty and commend myself to the conscience of men before God.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Corinthians 4:2 Net ” But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.”

Acts 24:16 NET” This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:13 KJV “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and MAMMON”.

Money is a very important tool for exchange of goods and services, and to advance in this life in many ways, yet, money should never take God’s place in your life. The Bible says you can’t serve God and mammon. You can never rule that which rules you. If money dictates your life, you can’t have a dominance over it.  Money should always be seen as a tool or instrument to honour God, by serving His purposes on the earth. Eph 4:28 KJV” Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth”. Servants of money, steal, kill or cheat to get it, so they could consume on their lust. This is not your portion.

 You must not be a servant of money, but a servant of God using money to bring glory to God. You must labor for money so you can put smiles on the faces of others. You should also seek to project and promote the gospel with what you have. Well, your needs cannot be left out for you are the first benefactor, and others follow suit. You must see money and its use in a more comprehensive way. That is, you are not the ultimate importance of what you have, but God and that which honors Him. Proverbs 11:24 KJV” There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty”.

 The Bible says the love (lust) of money or the control of money over the lives of men, is the cause of all the wickedness in this world. (1st Timothy 6:10). Many people and even a number of Christians are servants or worshippers of money. This error results in a lot of carnal actions and sinful ways that dishonor Jesus. You must set yourself free from the love (lust) of money. Get your desire right. Pray and repent from this sin. Note: You can be very rich financially, not by lusting after money but submitting to God and His principles of making money.

CONFESSIONS

GOD my father is the sole ruler of my life. I use money to serve and project His will in this life. I am faithful to Him in the use of my money, and so He rewards me in many ways. Money is subjected to me and it comes to me in divers’ ways. Glory be to His name.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Timothy 6:10 KJV. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:17 KJV Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:12 KJV. And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

Life is always in stages. You grow and have to learn by serving and also taking care of that which belongs to others. It may even belong to your father; it is not yours and you are expected to be faithful. The second part of the opening scripture teaches that if you are not faithful in another man’s work, who would give you your own? True promotion comes from God who is the judge. (Psalm 75:6&7). Some people enrich themselves from other people’s businesses, by stealing from them. If you steal from another man’s job, you set up a sowing and reaping principle. You would reap more stealing from you.

IT is very surprising to find Christians who are unfaithful to others. These things should not be mentioned among Christians.  Philippians 2:15 says, ‘ 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 good name is better than lots of money gained from cheating.   Trust cannot be bought by any amount. Many people do not understand these things, and so trade their trust for all kinds of unrighteous gain.

Proverbs 11:1, says a false balance is an abomination unto the Lord. God is the judge and therefore He promotes. If you do abominable things like cheating your fellow men, would He (God), promote you? His promotion is true wealth. This unfaithfulness is seen taking place in private businesses, state enterprises, the church, and business dealings among close associates. Now please get this point clear, when you defraud a friend or any person at all, the law of our country states, Mr. B against the Republic. It does not say Mr. B cheated Mr. A. In a similar vein, if you cheat your neighbor to enrich yourself, you have not only sinned against that person, but against God. You would end up in hell fire if you don’t repent.

CONFESSION

I am the Light of the world. There is no darkness at all in me. I love all men and treat all persons with absolute integrity. I see every task, in my care as God’s business. I am therefore very faithful to all. God promotes me always and increases me in everything. Glory be to His name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 75:6 & 7KJV for promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Prov. 11:1 & 3 KJV A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:10 ISV “Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with very little is also dishonest with a lot”.

Our key scripture is a very profound one. It teaches that, those who are faithful in little will be faithful in much. Faithfulness is what brings increase of wealth. To be faithful means to be disciplined and true to the demands placed on the MONEY or the task given to you. The man who is unfaithful in little will be unfaithful in much. Such a one will definitely be poor. A critical consideration of these statements reveals that one’s nature or disposition will determine how he or she would behave and subsequently the results in his life.

 Poverty or riches depends on who you are. Who you are is a matter of how you value life and the understanding you have about yourself? Who you are is also what you accept to be God’s purpose for your existence?

Certain people get privy to great riches or certain opportunities to make a fortune out of them. These people unfortunately fail because they become unfaithful.  There are some individuals who break the trust given to them to oversee some business. What kind of person are you? God expects you to apply the principle of faithfulness to excel in life.

The story of the prodigal son talks about a man who had no proper perspective about life and himself. He demanded his share of his father’s wealth. The father either painfully or joyfully gave it to him. The following is what the Bible said about him.

Luke 15:13 ISV “A few days later, the younger son gathered everything he owned and traveled to a distant country. There he wasted it all on wild living”. He had an opportunity to be wealthy yet he did not sit down to consider what he wanted to be in life. He was poor by nature, so whether he had much or few he would ultimately end up becoming poor. Refuse to be poor by committing yourself to God’s standard of living.

CONFESSION

I am faithful with little as much as faithful with much. I multiply what I have. I am blessed and a blessing to many. Thank you, Lord, for making me a person of high ideals.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 12:33 ISV “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree rotten and its fruit rotten, because a tree is known by its fruit”.

Proverbs 21:17 ISV” Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn’t bring riches”.