KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:20 KJV” Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house”.

This key scripture has a very important lesson to teach us. It teaches about , acting properly with no partiality. The earlier verse says , people from Bethany had come in their numbers to console   the two sisters. Right after that moment they heard that the Lord Jesus had come around. These sisters made a quick decision. Martha ‘you go and meet the master , while I Mary attend to the many people who have come here because of us’. Jesus was a very important person, yet they had to acknowledge all these people who had come to show love and sympathy with them. They gave due respect to the people as well. Could you imagine the two sisters leaving their visitors, and going to the master?

I believe we have to always learn to treat all persons with great respect. People easily categorise some people as very important and others who have , low social status as not that important.1Ti 5:21 KJV “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” The scripture cautions us not to be partial. It is sad to see certain individuals marginalised in church because, they do not command that much financial power. I am talking about clear open mistreatment and neglect .This ought not be the case.

In this discourse I do not mean any man is in the class o our

Lord Jesus, I am saying as children of God, we must attend to all men with no partiality. Even when giving money to a beggar by the roadside, do not throw it at him , or her. Try and put the money in his palm, if possible.

What happens to us, when we wrongly treat our neighbours? Remember that, the Lord said, what you do to one, you have done it to Him. When we show disrespect for people, we have done it to the Lord. We are always blessed if we show fairness to all men, but may come under a curse if we show such partiality.

CONFESSION

Thank you, heavenly Father, for the opportunity to relate to all men. I love all men, and do not show partiality to any. All are in the image of God, and I show   fairness to all.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jas 3:17 KJV “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

Mat 25:44 KJV “Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee; Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.?”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:18 KJV” Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:”

Our opening scripture says that Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus was only two miles from Jerusalem, where Jesus was with his disciples. It suggests that since He was so close by, Jesus could have just walked for about two hours and He would be in Bethany. Although Lazarus’ location was not far, Jesus did not get there as everyone anticipated. Men may desire and assume in their hearts how God should respond to their requests, yet, He does things His own way. We know that  God does all things for His glory, and also to bring blessing to men.

Once again our key scripture paints a picture of how most of the people in Bethany, and those in Mary and Martha’s house may be thinking. They may be saying, our  town is just two miles away, why has the master come so late? No one should ever think for God. The best that one could do for Himself, is to believe that God’s actions are always to bless us. No matter how events may be going, let your love for God remain strong. Many people fall for the deceit of Satan, to think that , God is forgotten about them.

Others choose to help God bring to pass what He has said. Abraham chose to help God when the promise was delaying. He listened to Sarah’s advice to make Hagah have seed for him. This step has generated a perpetual conflict between Jews and the Arabs. If  a promise of God seems to delay you keep meditating on the faithfulness of God, and keep declaring that God is not a man that , He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent. Has he said, and shall he not do it. Has he spoken, and would He not make it good ? It may appear God is delaying yet wait, for the promise would speak.

CONFESSION

God is good all the time, and will never go back on His word. God cannot lie. I will hold on to His word even when the promise seems to delay

I receive my answers as I trust in His word.

Amen.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hab 2:3 KJV “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

2Sa 22:31 KJV “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:17 KJV “Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.”

Faith is that supernatural power of God, that works through the heart of men and knows no impossibility. Mar 9:23 KJV” Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”. The wording of our key scripture suggests the Lord Jesus came to know that Lazarus had been dead, for four days when He got to Bethany where Mary and Martha were. Knowing that he had been in the grave for four days, did not move Him. Jesus had been in touch with the Father, and so He knew what was going to be the outcome of the condition.

Circumstances  or situations has overwhelmed many because they look at the enormity of the event, and not at the almightiness of God, and what He has said in His word. Jeremiah 32:17 KJV “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

Apostle Smith Wigglesworth, used to say, he is not moved by the circumstances but rather, he is moved by what he believes. According to the bible your faith in God, is the great force to calm down every opposition. Every threatening condition is an opposition, and your faith can stop it. Eph 6:16 KJV” Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

In light of the great potency of our faith,  and its corresponding importance, we must make sure our faith is ever ready to deal with every opposition that comes against us. Remember faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Give time to receiving the word that builds faith in you. Praying often in the Spirit also builds up the faith of a man. One who prays often, naturally feels prepared to stand up against the threats of darkness. Jud 1:20 KJV” But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, “The other things that strengthen faith is to put the word of God into practice. Do everything to raise your faith to a higher level always.

CONFESSION

My faith is my victory against any opposition I encounter. I win always over every attack of the devil, and do not submit to the threat or magnitude of the condition. With faith all things are possible to him who believes.

THOUGHT: LET THE GREATNESS ,OR THE POTENTIALS OF FAITH, CONTROL YOU , THAN THE MAGNITUDE OF THE CHALLENGE.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mar 5:34 KJV “And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”

1Jn 5:4 KJV “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”.

KEY SCRIPTURE Joh 11:16 KJV” Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him”.

Words are documents in the Spirit, that gives God and His angels the right to assist us or permits Satan and his demons the grounds to invade one’s life and destroy him or her. Mat 12:37 KJV” For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”: According to Ps 45:1, the tongue is  pen of a ready writer. It writes matters or decrees that can set you free or bind and make a mess of you. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit thereof. Prov 18;21.

In our key scripture Thomas answering the Lord” s statement concerning the death of Lazarus, said , Let us go and die with him. The Lord talked about going to raise  him up, he, Thomas, was speaking about going to die with him. What was the essence of such a statement ?It was purely a careless statement. Col 4:6 KJV “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” To avoid such careless ways of speaking; we must heed the following advice. James 1:19 KJV” Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”:

Now, how should we speak according to the scriptures:

1.   Speak the truth Eph 4;15

2.   Speak in love Eph 4:15

3. Speak words born in faith 2nd Cor 4:13

4. Speak words of hope Ps 32:7

5. Speak thoughtful words. James 1: 19

6. Speak respectfully

7. Speak thankfully 1st Chron.16:8

8. Speak praisefully Ps 30:12

9. Speak joyfully

The above way of speaking are deeply rooted in the scriptures. You must avoid all words that the word of God forbids us from saying. Example of such words are; insults, lies, hopeless words, words of doubt and unbelief, words of fear, careless words, character defaming words, words of reproach, unthoughtful words. The child of God must not allow any of these to proceed from his mouth.1Pe 3:10 KJV For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

CONFESSION

Thanks to you, oh God my father, for the truth of your word. I give my heart to your word in total submission. I speak therefore the words inspired by the Spirit of God. My words bring glory to God, blesses men and promotes my life, in Jesus’ name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jas 3:2 KJV” For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”

Psa 45:1 KJV” To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”

John 11:15 KJV” And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.”

We can easily make a sound deduction from our key scripture, the following acknowledgment.

 God has, two main purposes, for whatever He does,

1. To bring glory to himself
2.  To bring blessing to men.

God does nothing outside of these two reasons. In case the outcome seems bad to our understanding, may we never lose sight of these two important reasons. Lazarus’ death appeared as a bad event yet the Lord said, it was good He was not there. If He had been there, the tears and the persistence of the sisters could have made Him heal Him. Healing was not what He wanted His disciples to know about Him. He wanted them to know how He could raise one who was four days dead. This turn of events would bring glory to God and would also inspire their faith to believe Him, in all situations.

In Luke 2:14, the angels who appeared to the shepherd who watched their flocks by night said in. Luke 2:14 KJV” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men”. Once again, we see Glory going to the Lord, and peace or blessing towards men. In the light of all that has been said we must always relate to God, on this acknowledgment, knowing He works all things for our good. Rom 8:28 KJV” And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This knowledge should make us love and absolutely trust Him in everything we do.

Lastly, the above insight should determine our motive for all that we do in the name of the Lord. We must do all things first to bring glory to His name, and never to ourselves .Secondly we ought to seek consistently the blessing or goodwill towards men. This approach forms the two major commandment Jesus taught us. These are, to love the Lord with all our being and to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matt 22: 37-39. This is what makes our actions acceptable unto the Lord.

CONFESSION

God is perpetually good, and I know whatever He does is for my good. I love Him with all that I am, and also love all men as i love myself.

THOUGHT: KNOWING GOD’S GOODNESS TOWARDS ME, TAKES EVERY FEAR FROM ME.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Jn 4:16 KJV “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

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.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:13 KJV” Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.”

In the discourse of the Lord with His disciples, Jesus talked about Lazarus sleeping, and so He was going there to wake Him up. The disciples also answered Him that, if he is sleeping then he would wake up by himself. These two views are not the same. There is

1. The sleep of death. John 11:11b, 13a Joh 11:11b&13a KJV “….Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death:

2. There is the sleep of rest that every one of us undergoes each day. Mark 4:38 KJV And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

3. There is sleep in sin. These are acts of darkness Rom 13:12 KJV” The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”

4. Finally there is the sleep of slumber. Prov 24:33 KJV” Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:”

 Sleep as a means of resting the body is God’s provision for men to renew their strength, yet the bible cautions against sleeping in sin, sleeping through laziness, and the sleep of death which could be a tool of the evil one against men.

Every child of God should be careful not to fall into the sleep of sin. The Bible calls sin, the work of darkness. Sin is getting into a partnership with the devil to execute his program. It is associated with sleep because one in such a condition is insensitive to God.1Th 5:5 KJV “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day:’ we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” Dear child of God, wake up from every sleep of sin. In light of this, THERE IS NO NIGHT for the child of God for we are permanently in the day(righteousness). Darkness must therefore not impede your walk in Christ.

There are some who are given to laziness. They would not pray, have no time to study the bible for themselves and are generally slothful. They have allowed their flesh to dictate to them always seeking someone to pray for them, and prophesy to them. These are sleeping in slumber, and their results is lack, poverty and deception by false prophets.

No child of God must sleep in slumber for we live by the Spirit and not by the flesh. Tell your flesh, your  spirit is in charge and not it.

CONFESSION

Thank you, Father, for the truth of your word. I am continually in the Spirit and give no place to the flesh. My life keeps advancing in all I do for I am led by the spirit as I live by the word.

THOUGHT: THE CHILD OF GOD LIVES IN GOD’S DAY, AND HAS NO ‘NIGHT’.

FURTHER STUDIES

Gal 5:17 KJV “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Rom 12:1 KJV “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

KEY SCRIPTURE; Joh 11:13 KJV” Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.”

To misunderstand an issue is to hold varying concepts concerning a particular issue. Experiences over the years have shown that men have misunderstood God on a number of issues. Isaiah 55:8 KJV” For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” God is Spirit (John 4:24) whiles men are mostly dominated by the flesh or the physical world. God lives in a world of absolute possibilities whiles men live in a realm of limits and impossibilities. Man’s wisdom keeps him from knowing God.1Co 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”.

In our key scripture, the Lord spoke of the death of Lazarus; but His disciples spoke of his physical sleep of rest. The Lord talked about going to raise him up, and that was also out of reality to his disciples. This state of misunderstanding is the reason for suffering on the part of men. God has always planned and desired the continuous peace and comfort of man. Gen 1:26 KJV” And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” God created man to be free and to be in charge.

Genesis 1:26 has the answer to this misunderstanding, between God and man. Man was created in the image of God. This means man was to function from his Spirit. Doing things from the Spirit put man in the realm of God, so he could easily agree with God. How does one act from the Spirit? This is achieved by acting in line with the word of God. TO BE SPIRITUAL, IS TO BE SCRIPTURAL. God says, His way of doing things is by His word. Isaiah 55:11.

CONFESSION

Thank you, heavenly father, for your great love for me, by creating me in your image. I function in the Spirit as I continually act on the word of God. In this I am in sync with God, having the blessings He has planned for me. Amen.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 8:5 KJV” For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Job 22:21 KJV” Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:10 KJV” But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”

The Lord stated in our key scripture that, if one walks in the night he will stumble because there is no light in him. Please note that men stumble not just because of the darkness, but according to the Lord, there is no light in them. What does it mean to stumble? Stumbling is simply falling out of the will of God. It is about evil having an advantage or dominion over one. The Lord talked about one not having light in himself. This means that an individual is not inclined to please God.

Many have made serious mistakes in life because they factored not the place of God in their affairs, or did not enquire of the counsel of God. There are some very frustrated ministers of God today because they did not look out for God’s mind concerning what they wanted to do for God. Some have been duped by fraudsters concerning a particular business because they did not wait on the Lord for His counsel. Isa 30:1 KJV “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:” Such people are walking in darkness and would surely be encountering problems.

Dear one; what is your experience in life? There are some challenges that men face, just because of satanic aggression. There are others who created their own problems because they acted against God’s word. Walking in unbelief in God and His word would also hinder you from enjoying peace of mind.

Well, this should not be your experience. He said His desire for men is to experience that which goes on in heaven. That is why He asked us to pray saying, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  That is a life of peace power and praise unto God. It begins with a submission to God and refusing all the wrong ways that have come your way. Jas 4:7 KJV “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

CONFESSION

Thank you, father, for giving us the Holy Spirit, who is our guide and our counsellor. I seek His counsel in all that I do. I never stumble because His light leads me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Pro 3:5 KJV” Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding”.

Psalms 107:17, 18KJV Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:9 KJV” Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.”

During the days of the bible, Israel had a twelve-hour daytime and a twelve-hour night time. The daytime began at Six am (6 am) and ended at Six pm (6 pm). It was virtually light throughout most part of the day. The Lord said you cannot stumble when you have the light of the sun. What did the master mean by all these analogies?

He was answering the question posed to Him by His disciples, that since the Jews have been seeking to kill Him, wouldn’t it be dangerous for Him to go out among them? The Lord’s answer meant, He is walking by the counsel of the Spirit and would never make a mistake to be overtaken by evil. It also meant if one lives by the will of God, evil cannot overwhelm you.

What is the will of God? It is the word of God Psalms 119:105 KJV NUN. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” In the word is the light of men. This light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never overpowered it. This is the path or way of the just, which is like a shining light that shines brighter and brighter, unto the perfect day. The man who has chosen to walk the way of God has broken free from the deception of the world, which is fully steered by Satan and his cohorts.

In Luke 11 the Lord answered two questions posed by the Jews. These were asking Him to give them a  miraculous sign, and also accusing Him to be casting out devils by the Beelzebub. After speaking for a while, a woman shouted from the crowd, blessed is the breast that fed you. Jesus answered the following way, Luke 11:28 KJV” But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” By His answer He was saying, titles, fame, money, race, and whatever are not as important as knowing the will of God and doing it. This is the one main important thing in this life.

CONFESSION

The will of God is the most important thing in this life, and so I pursue it with all my heart and life. I cannot make a mistake doing what He has said.

FURTHER STUDIES

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.”

John 8:12 KJV” Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 11:8 KJV “His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?”

In our previous study, we looked at how events that may threaten our achievement in life function. This time we would consider some of the conditions that can generate this kind of fear, and consider also how we could make them insignificant.

Fear in any form is rooted in low esteem of who God is to us. Isaiah 8:12 KJV” Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this person 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.”  This scripture instructs us to set the Lord apart in our hearts. Make Him bigger, greater, and mightier than anything, person, or condition. Meditate on His greatness over a great while of time.

Now some instances or condition that creates fear, may not cause one to make advancement in life.

1. One may be gripped with fear if he is to make a venture into a new business terrain. Such fear is a result of little knowledge in that grey area. Seek counsel. Gather enough information about that venture from those who are well-informed about that area. Prov. 24:6 KJV For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in a multitude of counsellors there is safety.

2. When meeting a person of authority whom one has offended. If you happen to go meet such a one, you need to find an elderly person, whom that person of authority respects to go along with you. Ask him or her to speak for you.

3. Undertaking a project that is far bigger than your resources. You should move from resource to your source, and that is God. Be convinced that this is a work to glorify God alone, and also to be a blessing to men. Then act on the word of God for divine provision to get that job done.

4. One other fear that most Christians have, is the fear to meet strangers or others for the first time to share the gospel with them. The fear is what is going to be the response of such a person to you. Do they have difficult questions for me? Would I be able to answer them? All these anticipations are tricks of Satan to prevent you from meeting with people. The truth is, it is a real joy to be meeting new people every day. In Ghana, only a handful of people will really be antagonistic to you. The next attitude to help you overcome this kind of fear is to acknowledge that, the master has commanded you to go share the gospel. You are under compulsion, and must only obey that command. Paul says Woe is me if I preach not the gospel. Fill your mind with such thoughts, and make it drive you to be a daily witness of Jesus.

CONFESSION

I sanctify the Lord of host in my heart. I make Him my fear and my dread.  I give no place for fear of any man, condition, or situation. With my trust in God, nothing can put me down.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jer 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”.

1 Co 9:16 KJV “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”