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!”

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

Life always has something to threaten one about. These things come our way to prevent  us from  doing what we desire to become. There is no life without dangers, unfortunately many  have deprived themselves of great freedom in life because they decided to focus on the fears that they anticipated. Prov 22:13 KJV” The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.” According to the bible, it is those who lack the drive for achievement, who confuse their path with such concepts. They are called the slothful.

The disciples of Jesus came up with the idea that, it was not safe for Jesus to embark on the mission to go to Judea. Most discouragements normally come from those standing by. The brothers of David out of fear tried to discourage him from going to fight Goliath.1 Sam 17:28. David quickly turned from   him.1Sa 17:30 KJV” And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.”

Dear one, fear generated by anticipating dangers have the following effects;

1. They will rob you of any achievements

2. They can make you remain in your poverty level

3.They are only false evidence appearing real.

4. Opportunities may just skip away.

5. They often make you disobey God’s will for your life.

What to do? Ask yourself, the following questions

1. What has God said about this situation?

2. How real are those threats?

3. Would my conditions improve if I remain where I am, or if I should dare the situation, I may either fail or make it. The four lepers realised if they stayed in Samaria they would die of hunger, but if they went out they would either be killed or accepted. They chose the latter.

Always choose the condition with better chances.2 kings 7:1-9

CONFESSION

Thank you, Lord, for your abiding presence. Going forward gives your Spirit the ability to face every opposition. I choose to move forward and take my chances for change and greatness.

FURTHER STUDIES

2Ki 7:4 KJV “If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die”.

Num 13:30 KJV” And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:7 KJV” Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.”

God is forever faithful. The Lord will surely honour what He has promised  .To be faithful , is to be truthful and this is the intrinsic nature of God, that cannot change. When the Lord was informed about the sickness of Lazarus, Jesus said this sickness is not unto death, and it was meant to bring glory to the Son of God. This meant He would come over and minister unto him. In our key scripture  the Lord said to His disciples, let us go to Judea, that is where Lazarus was , and definitely to heal him.

Dear child of God you can count on the Lord’s word to come through for you. Jesus had delayed for two days, yet He finally decided to go and fulfill His word. God told Abraham, his descendants would go into captivity for 400 yrs.’ and He will deliver them. He did it as He said. God’s word is His bond. 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, and has he spoken, and will He not make it good? God cannot deny Himself. It is simply impossible for the Lord to fail in doing what He has said. Heb 6:18 KJV” That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

Beloved, although God promises, and will surely fulfill what He has said, we have a part to play, in bring that promise to pass. In certain promises, God gives certain conditions that would have to be fulfilled. An example is when He says, if you diligently hearken to my word, I will take all sicknesses from your midst. There are other instances that He gives no conditions attached, yet, even with such promises, one must pray and believe His word to come to pass. In the case of Israel in Egypt, they left Egypt after 430 years, because they did not start calling forth the promise into manifestation, early enough. When Daniel understood by the books of Jeremiah, that they were to be in exile for 70 years, he started praying and calling forth the prophecy into pass, and it happened just as God said it. Dan 9:2.Praying for  the fulfilment of the prophecy is a way of believing and receiving the answer.

CONFESSION.

Thank you, dear Father, for your unfailing faithfulness. I believe and trust in every word you have given to me. I rely on your word always and I always play my part to see your promise or prophecy come to pass. Thank you, Lord.

THOUGHT: GOD IS FAITHFUL WITH HIS PROMISES, YET, MAN MUST ALWAYS RECEIVE THEM BY FAITH.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Ti 1:18 KJV “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;”

Isa 53:1 KJV” Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:6 KJV “*When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.”

God chooses how to respond to man’s request, yet He always does that which would bless us. When the Lord heard about Lazarus condition, the scriptures said He waited for two extra days. We all know the outcome of Lazarus case; he was raised back to life. I believe the decision of the master to stay two more days generated lots of questions in the minds of Mary and Martha. How do you handle supposedly delays from the Lord. We have to always relate to the Lord, in the light of His revealed word. What has He said about answering our prayers?

The following are some scriptural statements about God’s terms for answering our requests as well as our proper actions to receive the answers.

1. 2^nd Corinth 1:20 KJV” For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” This scripture assures us that every promise of God has not a yes or no, but is already yes because of Jesus. If God promised to do a thing, then counting on Jesus perfect life and perfect sacrifice, and not on your goodness or holiness you believe God for it.

2.  Heb 6:12 KJV” That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” This verse teaches us that faith does not walk alone. It moves with patience. Faith is the confidence in God, and His word; saying if God promised it then, I have it. The role of patience is that, though I do not have it in hand physically, I wait with excitement, because God has answered it.

3. James 1:3,4 KJV” Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Once again in the delay of the answer faith is put to test and as you hold to your grounds that what God has said is true, patience thrives, and you are made perfect as the answer comes into reality. Your knowledge of God’s reality is made stronger and so you lose any sense of insecurity. A man’s sense of stability goes up when His assurance about God truthfulness goes up. This is what perfection in God is all about ,and the sense of want or insecurity is  also gone or lost.

CONFESSION

Thank you, my heavenly Father, for your faithfulness. Thank you for all your promises. I believe for whatever you have promised, and if its need be that I wait, I hesitate not, for you are always truthful.

THOUGHT: FAITH AND PATIENCE WOULD SURELY WIN.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psa 37:7 KJV” Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass”.

Psa 40:1 KJV “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:5 KJV” Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

In our previous study, we were reminded of the great love our Lord Jesus has for all of us. His love is without partiality. He loves all men equally. Matters of appointments, elections, choices and mercies may appear as if God chooses some over others, or one over another. This is not the case. God’s appointments and elections are always made to fulfill His eternal counsel. It is always up to these people shown mercy to live according to the word of God so they will indeed experience His favours.

When God appointed Israel, He did that to use them as a means of showing to the rest of humanity, who He was, and how He relates with men. It therefore depended on the Israelites to accept that mercy by loving God, and then, living according to His revealed ways. If they disobeyed Him, He lovingly punished them. He had to establish a new covenant in dealing with all humanity, because the first covenant called the law was restricted to the Jews only. Its customs and ordinances were tailored for them, and that  could not be passed on to the rest of the world, because , of regional differences, environmental differences , which makes cultures to vary. Although God had the covenant with Israel, they were not His favourites. They only became favourites on the grounds of Abraham’s corresponding love and obedience to Him. God’s favour always extends to those who receive His love, by loving Him, and as a result keeping His commandments. Joh 14:21 KJV “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

When David whom God had covenanted to honour forever, turned away from God’s word, judgment came upon him and he nearly lost his throne. He was accepted when he repented and began to seek God. Dear one if God demonstrates any special favours towards you, let not that drive you crazy to dishonour him in any way. It is always God’s right to appoint, elect, or choose the people He so wishes to, yet it is expected of every man shown that mercy, to fear the Lord and apply God’ s word to his ways.

The other thing to know about God’s love is that, His love for us does not make His blessings automatically ours. We’ve got to receive them by faith. There are many good and faithful children of God yet they are suffering under all kinds of Satanic oppressions. The reason is that, it is one thing knowing about God’ s love and goodness towards us, and it is yet another thing to receive these blessings by faith

CONFESSION

God loves me, yet I only enjoy His love as I obey His word, honouring Him, in all I do. I experience His unfailing faithfulness by submitting totally to His love.

THOUGHT: GOD LOVES ALL, BUT IT IS ONLY THOSE WHO OBEY HIM THAT EXPERIENCE HIS FAVOURS.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mark 3:34, 35 KJV” And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”

Rom 2:27,29 KJV “And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:5 KJV “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

One concept that every child of God must come to terms with, is that God loves him or her. This means He thinks of you with great affection and strong emotions of concern. His mind and desire towards you, is that you might always have the best. The following scripture shows to us in a nutshell of how He thinks of you. Jer 29:11 KJV” For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Life will definitely be more meaningful if children of God deeply acknowledge that   the Lord deeply loves them. Mary and Martha knew this very well.

Do you know that Jesus deeply loves you. If you know that the Lord loves you, you would surely say with, David, that, the Lord loves me and so I do not worry about anything. Nothing will make you anxious. Now just consider the following word of assurance. Mat 7:11 KJV” If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? This verse shows us that God our heavenly Father is more concerned about our welfare, than our earthly Father. Secondly our earthly Fathers have limitations as men, as well as, selfish tendencies, that run through men. God our Father has no such deficiencies.

Dear one, despite all these powerful truths about our dear heavenly Father, life happenings may easily cloud this glorious picture of our God. Satan schemes to blackmail our Lord, to cause men to turn away from Him.

You must take time to build into your consciousness a full acknowledgement of His love. This can be done through meditation. You must come to the point to say with Polycarp a disciple of John the beloved, who was asked to deny the Lord or be burnt at stake. He said   ’86 years have I served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”

Polycarp’s Martyrdom (ca. 69-ca. 155) This was a man who was eternally sold out to the love of God.

CONFESSION

God loves me, this I know very well, and I am given to loving him in turn. I cannot allow the troubles and challenges of this life to burden me in any way. His love takes me from all fears.

THOUGHT: KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S LOVE, MAKES FAITH UNMOVABLE

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.”

Joh 15:13 KJV “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:4 KJV” When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby”.

God, the Almighty has a purpose for all things. He always determines the end from the beginning. In our story above, the Lord Jesus was told His friend Lazarus was sick. The Lord declared to His disciples who had no knowledge of the events surrounding the condition that, this sickness is not unto death.

Now, in the unfolding of the events Lazarus, although the master had said, he would not die, actually died. Has the word of the Lord failed? No, God’s word does not fail What is required of the Lord was to hold to His ground on the word and refuse to accept the physical contrary situations.

God’s word on a number of occasions makes certain declarations about the state of the child of God. In most cases, the real events that occur are very contrary to what we see in the scripture. For example, if the scripture said, no harm will befall you, yet, it seems evil is overwhelming you. Do we fold our hands and say God has failed? No. I believe the events of John 11 involving Jesus’s word concerning the outcome of Lazarus’ sickness were to show us all, how to relate and respond to seemingly failing words from the mouth of God.

The Bible said we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This statement literally talks about living in such a way that one would not fail God’s requirements for our eternal salvation. I believe it also involves applying the word of God judiciously to overcome situations that may want to prove the word of God wrong. God has already determined victory for you, keep your faith alive to experience that victory.

We would be learning about how Jesus worked out the miracle by resurrecting Lazarus from the dead; we would learn that, the Lord Jesus made sure that, He had no grounds for doubt or unbelieve, in all that happened. We would learn how he expressed his dislike for all the unbelief that various persons expressed in God and in Him. Raising Lazarus was a great test of faith. It was a test that came from the condition that had happened, as well as every other person who expressed unbelief in the positive words of faith that the master expressed.

May we learn from the master that every word of promise from God to us is expected by God to come to pass. The onus lies on us the recipients of the miracle, to hold on to the faithfulness of God for that miracle to come to pass.

CONFESSION

God’s word cannot be broken, so long as it is released. It has the potential and power to prevail. I put my confidence in God and in His word to work out my miracle. God’s word always proves true in my case always.

THOUGHT: GOD’S WORD IS EVER POWERFUL. IT IS OUR FAITH THAT MAKES IT REAL TO US.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Tim 6:12 KJV” Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Mark 9:23 KJV “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”