KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 4:45 KJV” Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.”

Life is about advancing and making a positive impact wherever you go. Our key scripture says the Lord was accepted in Galilee because the Galileans saw what the Lord did at the feast. The gift of a man shall make room for him, and bring him before great men. Proverbs 18:16. Your works shall always speak for you. This demands you put in your best. The Lord had come to do the will of the Father and He was absolutely given to that. He was not doing anything to project his image but only to glorify the Father. In the light of this He gave Himself over to prepare to be effective.

Let’s consider some of His preparatory acts to bring him to such a place of honour, impact and acceptance

1. He accepted to be baptised by John, to fulfill all righteousness Matt 3:15

2He was led by the Spirit to fast for forty days and nights. Matt 4:1

3 He maintained a consistent life of prayer every day. Mark 1:35

4 He found a group of men who He would teach, train and send them out. These men were to continue with His mission on earth after He had left the earth scene Matt 4:19

5.He started reaching out to propagate the good news of the kingdom of God, in the midst of a number of difficulties and challenges.

The difficulties were 1 A Jewish people who were expecting a conquering king type of Messiah.

2 A Jewish religious leadership who were legalistic, envious and hostile to His teachings. The Lord overcame all these difficulties.

We can follow the steps of our master to equally make great impacts in our world

1. Accepting to be baptised by John was an act of self-denial and humility. This is the first step into doing anything worthwhile for God.

2. Fasting and prayer is also vital to fine tune every servant of God for effectiveness.

3. A life of consistent prayer is also very vital to daily receive the support of the Spirit in all your endeavours

4. Jesus needed a team to work with. You have to function in a team, in a church setting and with a special role. If your heart is set on bringing glory to the father, then your impact would surely be felt and your gift would make a way for you.

THOUGHT: A READY HEART TO PLEASE THE FATHER WOULD EXCEL IN MINISTRY.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Timothy 4:6 KJV” If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”

1Timothy 1:5 KJV “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 4:44 KJV” For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.”

The office of a prophet is a very unique one. The prophet is a mouthpiece of God unto His people.2Ki 21:10 KJV” And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,” The prophet is not just a mouth piece of God, but storehouse of the power of God that manifests God’s works and acts to deliver, bless and restore the people of God. Prophets are God’s instruments to lead His people from the bondage and control of the devil.

 This makes a prophet a person of great honor, not a position of pride and manipulation of others but an instrument of God to answer lots of questions of men.

Although every prophet carries such an honor, on many occasions, the very people who are so close to him give him no honour. As a result of this these people do not receive the blessings that God has deposited in His vessel the prophet. Please read Mark 6:1-6. In this passage the Lord Himself went to his home town, and taught the scriptures, yet they questioned where did this one get this power? Is he not from among us? The following was the Lord’s remarks, Mark 6:4 KJV But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. The Lord could not heal and bless the people as he’s done elsewhere,

because of dishonour among His people.

Once a family relation of mine came to me, and informed me about his father who had been bed ridden at the hospital. I told him I would want to do something for his father. I took an handkerchief prayed over it and gave it to him to be sent to the father and he would be well. I added this word to him, ‘when you go don’t tell your father, I gave the ‘mantle’ or handkerchief to you. Just say a man of God gave it to me. Why did I say that? This man knew me from childhood, and would have despised the grace upon that mantle. The brother did as I told him, and the father was discharged a day after sending the mantle.

Dear one, never treat any instrument of God without honor.

 The value you place on a thing, will determine the virtue or power that would flow to you.

Never become too familiar with your pastor. Hold the word of God he teaches in very high esteem and your life would be lifted very high.

THOUGHT:  HONOUR YOUR PROPHET, SO YOU WOULD BE PROFITED.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Timothy 4:12 KJV “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Mark 6:5 KJV “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching and healed them.”

KEY SCRIPTURE Joh 4:41 KJV” And many more believed because of his own word;”

The Samaritans believed after the two-day encounter with the master. This is a message to all leaders of churches, that, it is the teaching of the word of truth that establishes real Christians. Prophecies and miracles are good, and confirms what the scripture has said, and at times excite people’s curiosity, but strong faith always comes by hearing the word of God (Rom 10:17).

When apostle Paul was leaving the brethren in Ephesus, he clearly told them,” I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them who are sanctified.”(Acts 20:32) Dear one it is the word of God that builds the child of God up, making him or her ready or qualified to take possession of his inheritance among all the saints.

The word must be taught clearly such that the new Christian establishes his faith in Jesus. We live in a day when knowledge has abounded so much that all kinds of strange teachings are going around. There are even some who have tried to discredit the bible. Many such people have disjointed teachings that one can only see, if he is systematically taught the word of God. He or she must have a settled mind on who Jesus is . Joh 17:3 KJV “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” The Lord taught that, salvation is knowing the Father and Himself. We would know and see the Lord working on our behalf as we do His word. Teach the new believer to show their faith by doing what the word says.

The word says we should not be only hearers but doers James 1:23-25. It says further that when a man is a doer of the work, he shall be blessed in whatever he does. The lord would manifest himself to such a person. The first apostles were ready to die for their faith, because they encountered the resurrected Christ. Anyone who experiences the power and proof of Jesus’s presence would always be ready to trust and stand for Christ no matter the danger.

THOUGHT: STRONĢ CHRISTIANS ARE THOSE WHO DO THE WORD OF GOD

FURTHER STUDIES

John 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.”

John 14:19 KJV” Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 4:40 KJV “So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.”

When the people of Samaria came to Jesus, and heard Him speak, they pleaded with Him to stay two extra days, so they could hear. The Lord Jesus is the Living word of God. Whenever a person is truly converted, he would have a strong desire for the word of God and to fellowship with the brethren. When the apostles won the initial converts they did the following, Acts 2:46 KJV “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” Please note the scripture said they were daily in the temple. The temple was the public place of worship, and they met for the times of prayer, that is at nine o’clock in the morning, which is called the third our and again at three o’clock in the afternoon, which is the ninth hour in the Jewish daily time.

They also met in their homes to share meals and to break bread. Everyone who is sincerely converted loves to fellowship with other brethren. When a brother looses the sense and essence of fellowshipping with other brethren, he is backslidden. There may be some brethren who do join others to fellowship. Such people are also losing the fires of conversion. The people of Samaria with every excitement would not want Jesus to depart right away. Be mindful of the fact that, that arrangement was not planned for, yet because they had genuinely repented or converted, they wanted to fellowship around the word of God.

The word of God enjoins us not to neglect the assembly of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but we should keep admonitioning one another as we see the day approaching (Heb 10:25) Whenever you notice your brother or sister is staying away from the fellowshipping of the brethren, then quickly be alarmed and do everything to help him or her into the fold. No Christian can survive and sustain his faith without fellowshipping with the brethren. We are one body and always need one another to survive.

There are a number of reasons that make brethren distance themselves from the assembly of the household of faith. Some of these are

1. A sinful life

2. Offence by a member, a leader or the Pastor

3. I don’t have money syndrome

4. Shear lack of enthusiasm

5. Unanswered prayer

6. No definite reason

7. Owes a church member

8. Some T V program takes that time

9. any other reason

 Please note that, the underlying reason for not participating in church is lack of love for Jesus or a Spirit of backsliding that is drifting you away. Repent and address the cause and get unto fellowship with the brethren.

THOUGHT: ONE SIGN OF REAL VITALITY IS YOUR DESIRE FOR FOOD.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 2:42 KJV “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

1Peter 2:2 KJV “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 4:39 KJV” And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”

John testified in his account that, the Samaritan woman went to her townsfolks and testified about all Jesus said about her. She did not go about giving a long sermon, but just talked about the change that has come to her through her encounter with Jesus. Personal testimony is one of the very powerful means of communicating the gospel. When she talked to them about her encounter with Jesus, many believed and followed her to the master. The amazing truth is that everyone who has been genuinely converted has a personal testimony.

Personal testimonies can be used by the man who may not be so much vested in the word of God or anyone who has a very compelling testimony. Remember PROOFS CANNOT BE DENIED.

Personal testimonies may be presented in   three main stages

1. Your life before Christ.

2. Your encounter with Christ

3. The changes after surrendering to Jesus.

An example of a personal testimony used in sharing the gospel can be found in Acts 26:9-28

Now the break down into the three segments are as follows:

 1.His life before Christ Acts 26:9-12 Here he talked about how he violently persecuted the church. He even obtained authority from the chief priests to go and drag the Christians to be killed or imprisoned.

2. His encounter with Jesus. Acts 26:13-18

He talked about how Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. The mystery light that hit his eyes, which also blinded him, commissioning to send the gospel to the Gentile world.

3. The change of life after the encounter with Jesus. He talked about his quick response to the call and his subsequent commitment to the call.

Paul after his personal experience introduced Christ as Saviour who suffered, died and resurrected to show light unto all people (Acts 26:23).

King Agrippa hearing all this said to Paul, you almost persuaded me to be a Christian. Beloved personal testimonies are extremely powerful to communicate the good news. As you go about talking to people you may share personal testimony if led to do so. To those who might not have had any deeper knowledge of the scriptures then your personal testimonies would do a great deal. This week find a friend or anyone and share with him or her your personal testimony.

THOUGHT:  ONE MAY ARGUE WITH A TEACHING, BUT YOU CANNOT ARGUE WITH AN EVIDENCE

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 9:6 KJV “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do”.

Acts 22:1 KJV “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 4:38 KJV “I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”

The Lord stated to His disciples that He sent them to reap where they had not laboured. He added that other men laboured, and they have entered into their labours. By this statement we understand that most of what some may achieve is only upon the effort of others.

We could partake of the grace of others to do exploits. Apostle Paul declares in Philip 1 :7 that “….ye are partakers of my grace …”.

We could see this in the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. When Elijah was to be taken to heaven, he asked Elisha, what is it that you want, that I may do for you? Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy Spirit (grace) be upon me. Now grace is an unmerited favor, yet a special grace does not just fall on anyone. There are definite acts, sacrifices and commitment that moves God to release this special grace upon a man. When Elijah stayed without food for forty days, Elisha was not part of it. When he spent hours in the presence of God labouring in prayer, Elisha was not part of it. It was these acts and sacrifices that established the presence of the Spirit mightily on Elijah. Now Elisha was asking to receive a double portion of that grace on Spirit. (Well, the double portion is the portion of the first born, not necessarily two times the anointing or grace. Deut 21:17).

In this context Elisha was going to reap from where he had not laboured. Our Lord Jesus spoke about when others have laboured at certain places, fasted and interceded for a people, even demonstrated the power of God, and yet others go there only to reap the souls. Let us note a few thoughts. The disciples went where the master asked them to go. Please go to where ever the Lord leads you.to go, please go there. As everything begin to go well with you, do not boast. Be a good reaper by learning all the skills in reaping. Make sure you are able to preserve the harvest and make it grow.

Now going back to reaping the blessing of another man, like the case of Elijah and Elisha, you must build your relationship with God to the point that it would no more be the God of Elijah, but the God of Elisha. This would come about as you dedicate your life to God and grow your relationship with Him. Elisha worked with God to the point that he was no longer calling on the God of Elijah but would call on God as his personal God. In reaping from where others have laboured, we start on what they did, but trust and depend on God to make it our labour in the long run.

THOUGHT: THE WORK OF GOD OS LIKE A RELAY EVENT, SOMEBODY SURFFERED TO GET YOU THE BATTON, DO YOUR BEST WITH IT.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 1:7 KJV “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”

Ephesians 4:16 KJV” From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 4:37 KJV” And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.”

Soul winning on many occasions is by corporate effort. The Lord spoke to the Samaritan woman, whiles the disciples were to reap from the Lord’s Labour. The Samaritan woman went to testify about Jesus. By her testimony many people in Samaria had come to hear about Jesus. This began the process to them being won and ultimately raised as followers of Jesus. Each person or child of God, must respond to the demand of the moment or condition in which he finds himself. In Jesus case He began the process by speaking to the woman, she continued with talking to her townsfolks. The rest was to be done by the disciples who would teach the people of Samaria and ground them in their faith.

In our various life experiences the process may even begin by making intercessions for some souls or even an individual. It could happen that another brother or sister will introduce that person to Christ. This could be at a church outreach program, like a crusade, or a mass one on one outreach program, where this person may be led to Christ. The follow up of this individual may be done by the same church or some other person. In some cases, one person demonstrates a Christlike life to a friend and leaves a great impression on his mind about following Jesus. This person may be finally led to Christ by another Christian, or some means designed by the Lord. All these are done by the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul the apostle, says it in the following manner.1Corinth 3:6 KJV” I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

Apostle Paul cautions all to build well.1 Corinth 3:10. Paul says a few things concerning this work of corporate labour in evangelism.

1. The one who plants and he who reaps should not boast in anyway, but rather God who brings the increase.1 Corinth 3:7

2. The sower and he that waters the seed are one, and they would all be rewarded.1 Corinth 3:8

3. We must all understand that we are labourers together with the Lord.

4. The most important advice of all this is that each one must play his role with the best of his ability.

Everyone’s work will be judged as passing through fire. The way you went about doing your part determines what stuff you are building with. Some are building with Gold.

Some are also building with silver, iron, wood, precious stones, hay or stubble. What would make for an abiding work.  Serve lovingly, sacrificially, in purity and then diligently.

THOUGHT:  GIVE YOUR BEST IN WHATEVER YOU DO FOR THE LORD.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 1:20 KJV “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

1 Corinth 9:22 KJV” To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:3 KJV “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

Today is St Valentine’s Day, and the world has come to accept it as the day of love. Many young girls may be breaking their virginity in the name of love. But please let me ask, what kind of love should make a teenage Christian girl to destroy her honor as a lady. Something which should have been presented to the future husband after her marriage rites have duly been given to her parents? Some husbands will also break their faithfulness to their wives. This should not be you, O child of God. Our key scripture said some time ago, we walked according to the course of the world, we lived by the lust of our flesh and were by nature children of wrath. We are no more in that kind of life. We are alive unto God and therefore alive unto holiness.

Ephesians 2:2 says there is a prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. This spirit dictates the patterns and the order that the world should go. Do not be carried away with such a life. God’s word is very relevant today. It remains God’s perfect law of liberty. Anyone who humbles himself or herself to live by it will escape the deception of that old serpent. Sex is gradually been trivialised and watered down and made to look like something normal for people to practice freely. This is a lie from the pit of hell. Heb 13:4 KJV” Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” The scripture says sex is for the married, period. Those who engage in it outside the married home, come under the wrath of God. The word said, God will judge such people. His judgement may come in any form, and at His own time yet it will surely come.

Dear brother or sister go not on the way of the world. Every other sin a man commits may not be against his body, yet fornication is a sin against your very body.1 Corinth 6:18. The scriptures say flee from this sin.

 Many have found themselves in all kinds of irreparable states that left a sour taste in their mouths forever.

Keep yourself from the deceptions of the world. Be very wise and keep your vessel in holiness.1Th 4:3 KJV “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:” Stay away from all forms of compromised states or conditions

THOUGHT:  STAY AWAY FROM FORNICATION

FURTHER STUDIES

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

Prov 14:34 KJV” Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

 SIN IS A SINKER OF DESTINY

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 4:36 KJV “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”

God is a rewarder of diligent seekers. God as the judge of all (Ps 75:7) promotes, acquits, rewards and pays wages for good works and punishes, demotes and chastises the wicked. Winning souls is ranked a very high and important duty of the believer. The Lord said, he that reaps souls receives wages. Please note, the following verse, Heb 6:10 KJV ‘For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” It is an unrighteous thing to forget good done to you. God the righteous One would surely show that he is faithful. What is God’s wage that He gives His children who faithfully win souls?

God’s wage scheme is after the order of the following scripture. Matthew 6:33 KJV” But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Every soul winner is seeking first the kingdom of God and its righteousness.

The wages is therefore every good thing you may desire. God’s wages are first of all a crown of Glory and eternal rewards in the heavenly kingdom (Phil 4:1). In this present world it comes as any blessing of this life. They are basically the very things one may need. It may include financial blessings, marital blessings, protection, preservation of life, and favors of all kinds.

I watched an amazing testimony on YouTube of a man in Living Faith Church Worldwide also known as Winners Chapel International, whose left elbow was destroyed and so was sent to India for a surgery. A metallic hinge was fixed there so he could turn and move the elbow. Back at home in Nigeria the elbow started disturbing with very excruciating pains. Around that time his pastor Bishop David Oyedepo asked the church to go on soul winning. This man inspite of his painful condition decided to go and win souls. He won fourteen souls that very day. On the same night of that day, he saw in a dream that the hand was been operated upon. When he woke up from the sleep, the hinge that was fixed by the doctors was lying beside him on the bed with no sign of a cut on the arm. The hand was normal and pain free. He reaped the wages of his labour. This is God paying you your wage for reaping souls into the kingdom.

THOUGHT: THE LORD’S WAGES FOR THE REAPER OF SOULS IS SURE AND ALWAYS GREATER THAN YOUR INPUT

FURTHER STUDIES

1Corinth 15:58 KJV” Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Phi 4:1 KJV” Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 4:35 KJV Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

It is very normal for most people to post pond what must be done with urgency. The Lord Jesus brought a very important truth to the disciples concerning their approach h to evangelism. He said to them, do not say it is yet four months when the field will be ready for harvest. The time frame of four months is in relation to the time period between planting of grain till it is harvested. The Lord is saying, in the matter of souls, it is never sowing and waiting for harvest.

 Every moment is harvest time for souls.

2Tim 4:2 KJV “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Why should the harvesting of souls be a present hour matter?

 1.The time is short.

Rom 13:11 KJV “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”

2. The certainty of life of the unsaved to see the next day is not guaranteed. Luke vf112:20 KJV” But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”

3. A delay may mean Satan capturing his or heart for a worse state.

4. That moment may not occur again and you would not meet him or her again.

5. God is ready to save the lost at any day or time.2 Corinth 6:2b

6. Today is harvest time John 4:35.

Every child of God must be ready with the gospel. Apostle Paul says shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace Eph 6: 15.

What makes us prepared to win or harvest souls for Christ

1. Decide you would be ready always to share the gospel with someone.

2. Carry on you a gospel tract to give someone and take his contact if possible.

3. Do not allow any sinful life to get in your way, for sin would weigh you down and quench the fire in your heart.

4. Maintain a consistent time of prayer and fellowship with the Spirit.

5. Always remember to pray for sinners to come to the knowledge of Christ.

7. Never be afraid of the face or appearance of any man. Every man without Christ must be saved.

If you would do these, God would use you to save many into the kingdom of God.

THOUGHT: FOLLOW THE PROMPTING OF THE SPIRIT TO SHARE THE G OSPEL ALWAYS

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 52:7 KJV How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Matthew 28:19 KJV Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: