KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:30 KJV “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory”.

Among the many things that we have to be concerned about and expect to happen to us, is the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. No child of God must feel discouraged in expecting the coming of the Lord. The Lord says we must watch and pray so that we would not be overtaken by surfeiting, drunkenness and the cares of this world (Luke 21:34). Indeed, that which makes people lose awareness of the coming of the Lord is when their hearts are overtaken by the things of the world. Remember Lot’s wife. Her heart was so much in Sodom and its lust that, she could not go on with her husband, but had to look back and so, she became a pillar of salt. Refuse to let the world stay in your heart, and your heart in the world.

The following are some of the reasons why the Lord will come back, and so we must keep expecting His return. Expecting his return helps us to live right. 1Jn 3:3 KJV “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure”.

1.The coming of Christ is to bring man into God’s original program for creating him. To live in peace, without sin, sicknesses and in perfect relationship with the father. REV 21:4

2.The coming of Christ is a moment for God to reward all His Children who have lived faithfully for Him (James 1:12)

3.He is coming to judge all the ungodliness and unrighteous of men. (Rev 20:11) The wicked shall not go unpunished.

In the light of the above the Bible has given definite statements that tells us about the certainty of His coming.

Matthew chapter 24 speaks mainly on the second coming of our Lord Jesus. The Bible lists the following which almost all have come to pass, with just a few happening or yet to happen.

1 False Christ

2 Wars and Rumors of wars

3 Conflicts among nations

4. Betrayal of brethren

5.False prophets and teachers

6.Iniquity abounding

7Love of many waxing cold

8.The gospel spreading across the globe

9.Pestilences, famine and natural disasters in divers’ places

10. The introduction of the microchip on the forehead or the right arm also fulfills the scriptures prediction of the anti-christ who would rule a major portion of the world. Rev 13:16

All these must put us in a state of expectancy of his return.

CONFESSION

I have the hope of Christ eminent return. I keep myself pure and work hard to expand His reign in the hearts of men.

FURTHER STUDIES

Revelations 13:16 KJV” And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads”:

Revelations 21:4 KJV” And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Peter 3:9 KJV” The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”.

The message about the soon return of our Lord Jesus is preached all over, yet a number of people somehow doubt its reality. The scriptures rightly predicted the kind of words men would be saying in the last days. ” And saying, where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2nd Pet 3:4). The Lord tells us never to follow the thinking of these scoffers. A day to the Lord is as a thousand years, whiles a thousand is as a day. What men call years gone by is nothing before the Lord, and we should never allow the supposed failed expectation to influence anyone from looking forward to his return.

Our key scripture teaches us that God is not slack, concerning His promises, but he is longsuffering to us-ward, so non should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The promise of the Lord’s coming is very clear and emphatic throughout the Bible. Acts 1:11 KJV Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven”. These are clear unambiguous statements that leaves no doubt in one’s mind.

There are a lot of Christians who know of these things yet, they do not fully expect him to come soon and doubt whether He would come at all. Their believe is seen in their actions and how much they labour for the Lord in anticipation of the His return. The Lord advices us to watch and pray so we would be counted worthy to escape all that would be coming on the world (Luke 21:36). If you get discouraged in the coming of the Lord, then you have lost faith in the validity of the bible and sadly lost faith in God. You have therefore lost your salvation; this means if you die today you would end up in hell. The implications of getting discouraged in the second coming of the Lord is very serious and terrible.

Do not allow the spirit of anti-Christ to take a hold of you.

CONFESSION

I believe in God, and totally ascribe to the validity of the Bible. Jesus is coming back again to rapture the church, and I believe that. I am expecting His return any day and so live in that light.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Peter 3:3 KJV “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts.

Luke 21:33 KJV” Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares”.

KEY SCRIPTURE :1 Samuel 13:13 KJV” And Samuel said to Saul, thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now, would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever”.

King Saul and the armies of Israel were on a battle field against the armies of the Philistines. A sacrificial offering had to be made unto the Lord before they went into that battle. Prophet Samuel had told Saul to wait till he comes to make that sacrifice. Saul waited for a week and the men of Israel had started scattering because of the enemies. King Saul in the light of the pressure on him, decided to make the sacrifice himself, something he knew very well, he was not supposed to do. The Lord said to Saul, through Samuel that, because he had not been patient to wait for the will of God to be perfected, the throne had been taken from him and given to another man.

 When it comes to doing the will of God, never attempt to help God. King Saul wanted to help God by offering the sacrifice that Samuel should have done. Some people could not wait on God to bless them with a baby, but rather went for other women, to get babies for them. Abraham and Sarah agreed to help fulfill the will of God, by going for Hagar, Sarah’s maid. The result was Ishmael, of whom the Bible described as follows: “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren”. (Gen 16:12).

We are all aware of the descendants of Ishmael and the absolute fulfillment of this prophecy even in our days. In the fulness of time Sarah, although very old yet she got pregnant and gave birth to Isaac.

 Dear brother or sister never get discouraged in waiting for God. The Bible said when we allow patience to have her perfect work, we would intend be perfect and would not lack anything. (James 1:4) The will of God is God’s perfect standard for a victorious life. When men fail to do the will of God they always end up with negative repercussions. The youth in courting must wait for the marriage to be blessed before sex. The cause of the poor foundation of most marriages is the inability for the man and woman to keep from premarital sex.

CONFESSION

The way of God is the path of life. I continually live to please the Lord and l am ready to wait on him, no matter how long it takes. Doing His will is life.

FURTHER STUDIES

Prov 3:5 KJV “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.

Prov. 14:12 KJV” There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: James 1:13 KJV “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man”:

In our previous study we said that, God allows temptations to come the way of a Christian for various reasons, that go to benefit the child of God, when he or she endures and overcomes them. Our key scripture now, says God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man. There seems to be a difference in the use of the word temptation in both studies. The book of James clearly teaches that, although trial and temptation are used interchangeably in a number of scriptures, there is a clear difference in the two. According to James trials are challenges that come against us to stir up our faith into action. (James 1:2-5)

He reveals, also that temptation is when one is overtaken with lust that entices the individual. When this condition fully dominates the person, it gives birth to sin. (James 1:14-15). Temptation in this concept, cannot come from God, neither does he use this kind of temptation in any way. This kind of temptation is purely a work of the flesh, mainly motivated by the devil.

Many people find themselves in this kind of temptation and have consistently fallen. If you find yourself in such a situation, don’t get discouraged and give up. There are some people who have tried to fast to overcome these temptations, yet to no avail. Don’t be discouraged and bow to such a state.

Your answer is not just efforts, but an understanding of your freedom from sin and the proper application of the scriptures to live in victory. The Lord Jesus death and resurrection has totally freed you from every power of sin (Rom 6:14, 8:2,1st Corinth 6:17) It is up to you to accept and boldly declare that you are absolutely free from sin and can’t live in sin any longer. Don’t stop saying and believing that sin in any form cannot rule you. You would be free from any such wrong habit, if you don’t give up your right believing and declarations.

CONFESSION

I am free from the power of every sin. I have resurrected with Jesus and have His life that overcomes all sin. My flesh does not lead and control me in anyway.

FURTHER STUDIES

James 1:14 KJV. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Rom 8:2 KJV “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Mark 13:13 KJV” And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved“.

Temptation or trials will happen to every child of God. The Bible calls it the evil day. God allows it our way so we would overcome and bring glory to His name. They also come to make us perfect and complete when we overcome them. We must see them as great opportunities to make great strides in the Spirit. We must actually count it all joy when trials come our way. (James 1:2–5) There is also a glorious crown for all those who will overcome (1st Peter 5:4) We must therefore not be discouraged under temptations. Our Lord Jesus was tempted in all points yet he never sinned (Heb 4:15)

What made the master overcome all the grievous satanic temptations that came His way. He doggedly relied on the strength of the Holy Spirit. This was expressed in His commitment to prayer. He said to the disciples, pray that they may not enter into temptations. Mat 26:41 KJV “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”.

 Temptation from the master’s statement is a state or condition that one’s strength cannot stand. His statement also means that, your commitment to prayer makes divine strength available, to help you to overcome. The Lord added that in such trying moments, the spirit of a man may be willing to overcome yet cannot help, because the flesh which must carry out the action is helpless. Prayer would keep you strengthened, so you are not overwhelmed with it. Watch and pray.

When the Lord had to go unto the cross, he had to pray so much that, His sweat became as great drops of blood.

(Luke 22:44). Out of such agonizing prayers the Bible said the following “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him”(Luke 22:43)

  The Lord’s victory from this contest is deliverance for all humanity. Your victory is not your sole victory, but a solution to multitudes. You must not be discouraged in the moment of trial and difficulty. If the Lord overcame then you can likewise overcome.

CONFESSION

Temptations will come in various forms, but I always overcome them. I depend on the Lord through prayers and the word of God to overcome. I count it all joy as they come my way, for they make me more perfect.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jas 1:2-4 KJV “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers’ temptations; 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.

Luke 22:42 KJV Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Thess 5:14 KJV “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men”.

Many of us easily give up or get discouraged with others or and do not “suffer long” with their shortcomings. Our key scripture is a very profound one. It reveals four categories of people that we must relate with. They are as follows:

1 The unruly

2 The feebleminded

3 The Weak

4 All men.

The first group are those who have set themselves against divine systems and order. They act against the scripture as well as established authority. The instruction for them is that, they must be warned. If they repent, they are accepted and allowed to be part of the body. If they would not repent, they are treated in the light of their status. This means if they are acting out of deceit, they are helped to be free from deceit. If they are been treacherous or acting out of animosity, then they are treated as “publicans”. (Matt 18:15–18)

The second group are the feeble minded. These are those who are easily deceived, because they lack knowledge. They are often fearful and may act against the word of God, but are simply   just ignorant, and feeble minded. Such one’s must be comforted or strengthened. They are strengthened by teaching them the truth. Some of us give up or get discouraged with such people.

There is a third group which the Bible calls the weak. The weak may be the elderly or some who are physically challenged. They may express certain actions that reveal gross weakness in many ways. The bases of such weakness may be coming from age, an ailment or their inability to apply the scriptures. The Bible says, we must support such people. The word support means to hold to one firmly from falling or to hold up. This involves making sacrifices to perfect the shortcomings and lacks in that individual. To give up or get discouraged with such a one means leaving him or her to the mercy of their state.

(Eph 4:2)

The last group are all men. The Bible says we must be patient with all men. All men include, every kind of personalities we can think or imaging. Many people would not bear with the inconsistencies in people because they are not ready to lose some comfort they enjoy. Do not get discouraged in people. Show dislike for wrong actions but not dislike for the individual

CONFESSION

I understand that, all men are different from one another. I therefore attend to all men with love and wisdom. I do not get discouraged with any of them.

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 3:12 KJV” Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”;

1Thessalonians 5:15 KJV” See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Deut 2:3 KJV “Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward”.

When the children of Israel left Egypt for the promised land, they got to mount Seir and went round it for a number of times. They kept going round this mountain till the Lord spoke to Moses that they had compassed the mountain long enough. These people were getting away from their focus on the journey and kept staying at one location over a long time. On many occasions people out of neglect begin to lose the enthusiasm about going forward or getting on with whatever they are doing, only to give up.

In John 21:3, Simon Peter after the death of our Lord Jesus said to the rest of the disciples that he was going a fishing. This was a people who the Lord himself weaned from fishing when he was with them. Just a short while after the death of the master, although he had revealed himself to them after His resurrection, yet they still went back to fishing. This further establishes the fact that out of neglect or focus on a thing one can easily lose the zest in doing what he has been doing. If you do not concentrate on the importance of praying, studying or even a commitment to giving to charity, the interest will be dying gradually till you no more do it at all. The picture of this, is when a ship that has not been anchored drifts off over time. As the waves billows it moves of gradually till one can’t see it at all. Backsliding as a Christian normally happens out of neglect and a lack of focus.

In Hebrews 2:1, the Bible cautions us as follows, ” Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” .We need to take an earnest heed to whatever good thing we are doing less we lose our zeal and get  discouraged. Commitment to Marriages over time can lose the fire of love and certain important habits, may be left over time. Keep convincing yourself each day about the need to keep at whatever good thing you have been doing. You may write it out clearly so you would be constantly challenged when you read it. Habakkuk 2:2

CONFESSION

I keep myself inspired daily to be doing all the right things that I am supposed to do. I do not allow other matters which are not so important to get my attention in anyway. This makes me a high achiever in all I do.

FURTHER STUDIES

Habakkuk 2:2 KJV” And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it” 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”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Judge 1:19 KJV And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.

After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel inquired from the Lord about who should lead them. The Lord said Judah shall go up against the Canaanites. Judges 1:2. Judah indeed took the lead and started conquering.

In verse 19 of Judges 1, the Bible said “And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.” They drove out the Canaanites in the mountain, but could not drive out those in the valley. The Lord was with them all the same. Why did they turn back when they met the people in the valley? They met a stronger opposition, and so, doubted the word of God, which he had given.

Doubting or unbelief in the word of God is one of the major causes of discouragement. Reading through the accounts of the expedition of the Israelite to annex the promised lands, we realize they left quite a large area not annexed, because of unbelief. In numbers 13 and 14, the report of the ten spies were statement of unbelief, which created a great sense of discouragement among the Israelites. Num 14:1 KJV “And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night”.

Unbelief would rob a person of any superior source of strength to keep moving on. In cases when the opposition appear greater than your perception can, unbelief in the Lord will make you very helpless.

Take time to feed your faith. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17. Put your faith into work by acting on the word. This will strengthen your faith, so that in difficult and challenging times, you would not doubt God but rather trust him.

CONFESSION

I thank you Father for your word. I constantly feed my faith, and so I am ever ready for any opposition. I do not give in or give up. I am more than a conqueror.

FURTHER STUDIES

 Hebrews 10:35 KJV “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward”

Hebrews 11:33 KJV” Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,”

KEY, SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:5 KJV” And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself”.

Judas, a disciple of Jesus went and hanged himself. He was among the twelve who went into the towns casting out devils and healing the sick. In our times, he would be described as a powerful pastor. He got so depressed and discouraged that he went and hanged himself because, he betrayed the Lord of glory, and could not bear the guilt. If you give the devil the attention, he would give you direction. After he betrayed the Lord, and saw all that was done to him (Jesus), I could imagine the following thoughts going on in Judas’ mind. Judas begun to consider the worse thing he had done. All these were suggestings from the enemy. Satan then suggested to him that there was no way out of what he had done. He felt condemned. He then accepted the thought to kill himself as a way of settling the wrong he has done. All these were unscriptural thoughts patterns that revolved through his mind.

We have heard of certain Christians committing suicide. There have been some reports of some Pastor’s committing suicide. This means if you give in to unscriptural thoughts which are self-inflicting and condemning, you can end up that way. Please get this point clear, suicide is never an option under any condition. To take your life is murder, and God would judge and punish all murderers in hell fire. This is what the scripture says. There is therefore now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 8:1) God does not condemn you, so don’t condemn yourself. There is forgiveness in Jesus. There is no wrong act that the blood of Jesus cannot wipe away. Bring your sins and transgressions to Him and accept His forgiveness. (1st John 1:9)

Guilt is a very powerful state that can carry anyone into any depths he or she allows it. As a Christian you have received the very nature of God. It is called righteousness. As a nature it does not change. You did that wrong thing because you did not acknowledge that righteous nature which you are. 2Co 5:21 KJV “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”. By faith in Jesus you are the righteousness of God. Do not allow any guilt to control your thoughts, and then begin to direct your actions. Let your meditations be on the fact that you are the righteousness of God. Sin and wrong actions will lose their power when your heart acknowledges that you are the very righteousness of God. If you start thinking this way, the depression and sense of discouragement will all cease.

CONFESSION

I am the very righteousness of God. I do not allow guilt to rule my heart. If I err, I confess my sin but do not accept I am a sinner. As the righteousness of God sin can’t rule over me, neither does depression and ill feeling has a place in me.

FURTHER STUDIES

 1 John 1:9 KJV” If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

Romans 8:33 & 34KJV ” Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Mark 6:52 KJV” For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened”.

MEN get depressed and even given up when they lose touch with the power of God and the reality of His love. GOD has revealed Himself in His creation, yet some men in the times of challenges start questioning where is God, and whether He is concerned about them at all. Rom 1:20 KJV” For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse”: The children of Israel who were delivered from Egypt kept a cycle of murmuring and complaining, in spite of the mighty miracles God did in their midst. They felt discouraged to the point of requesting to go back to Egypt. (Num 14:2). They never considered any of the great signs and wonders God did through Moses, yet they complained.

Many of us might have encountered God’s power at a point in our lives. We may know someone who might have had an encounter with God of some kind. We have an evidence of God’s awesomeness in the creation all around us. Anyone who would be discouraged does so by refusing to consider any of the mighty revelations of God’s power. The Bible says Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Heb 13:8. He said this to buttress the point that those who preached God’s word to us, and experienced, God’s power, are an example to us. He says we must follow their example. If God did it for them, He will do same for us. God has Never failed any man and He can’t fail you, so hold on to Him.

Do not turn a deaf ear to these examples and experiences. When David encountered Goliath, it was the testimonies he had earlier that ENCOURAGED him to face Goliath and eventually conquer him. Let every past victory, testimony or whatever good you have known about God challenge you to move forward. Do not give up under any difficulty of any kind.

God’s word is full of examples of men and women who trusted in Him and so He came through for them. Let these example encourage you to remain faithful to God and His word. Keep moving forward till things work out well. The man who gives up has failed, but the one who is in the thick of affairs, sweating but will not give up, is a success yet to be revealed by time

PRAYER

Thank you, heavenly Father, for your great care and protection of my life. Your love for me abides the same. Your power rules over the universe. You are forever with me and that makes me to overcome.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 13:5. Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

Joshua 1:5 KJV” There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”.