KEY SCRIPTURE: Psalms 47:8 “God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness”.

God is holy and lives in holiness. Everything about Him is attributed to be holy. Just consider the following:

Psalms 89:35 “Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.” God swears an oath and will not swear by his power or might. He did not swear by his name. God swore by His Holiness. Psalms 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, forever. This implies the very dwelling place of God is holy.

How does the angels address Him? Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. These special angels do not rest throughout eternity. All that they say to the Lord Holy, Holy Holy. Indeed, holiness is the foundation of His being and Holiness remains the only grounds He relates with everything. EVERYTHING THAT WILL HAVE ANYTHING DOING WITH GOD MUST BE HOLY. It was on the basis of this, that our Lord Jesus would have to die to deliver us from sin so we could become a people as pure as Himself.  Colossians 1:22 ” In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”

Please just consider the way you are living? If God will only relate with holy things. Are you walking in holiness? Are you pure with no evil in you? Are you walking in the light? Are there hidden things of dishonesty about you.? What about living in love. Is there any hatred for or towards any man? How sincere are you? Beloved brother and sister, if you are not holy then. According to the revelation of scripture God cannot relate with you. Dear child of God, do not hide under the pretext of God’s grace and keep living in sin.  GRACE IS GOD’S DIVINE PROVISION FOR PERFECTION. (Rom 6:14) It is your fear and trembling at His word that allows that heavenly ability of uprightness to function in you. The fear and trembling at His word is our FAITH in the word that opens up His supplies which is His grace to live right. Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Please remember without holiness, no man will see the Lord. Dear child of God the coming of the Lord is nigh and God is calling on the church to sit up and prepare adequately for Him. Pray in fear for him till your heart is ready to walk FULLY in His ways.

PRAYER

O heavenly Father, I pray that every carelessness will from today be taken away from me. That my actions and thoughts will continually be accepted before you.

FURTHER STUDIES

Revelation 3:15-16 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”

Ephesians 5:27 ” That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1:16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Holiness is the nature of God. It is an attribute of Got. It is also a communicable attribute of God. This means his creatures like mankind can also be holy. Love and kindness etc. are all communicable attributes of God. His nature or attribute like omnipotence, omnipresence, and His immutability or His ability not to change are all not communicable. That is, He does not share it with man. No man is immutable, omnipresent, or omniscient.

As discussed above man can be holy and must be Holy.

What does it mean to be holy? Holiness comes from the Hebrew word Qodesh and the Greek word Hagios. They all have the idea to be sanctified, hallowed, dedicated or separated critical assessment of the meaning of Holiness in relation to God, is that holiness is purity, absence of evil, perfect light, perfect love and perfect justice. Holiness in relation to God is a FULL EXPRESSION OF HIS MORAL UPRIGHTNESS.I use the word ‘ in relation to God’ so man could get a reference point when man considers God’s demand for him to be Holy.

From the above description we see holiness as a complete package. You can’t talk about holiness and leave out love for your fellow man, or fairness to all persons at all times. In our definition of holiness, we said it also involves absence of evil. What is evil? I will categorise evil into three aspects

1.Evil is anything that destroys good (John 10:10a)

2 Evil is anything that defiles (Jude 1:8)

3 Evil is anything that breaks God’s law or word (1st John 3:4)

Holiness is perfect light. James 1:17 reveals God is light with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. There is no shadow in light .Light is pure. Light is very proactive, always revealing all under its influence. Holiness hides nothing but manifests the truth.

God is love and true love is always sincere. This is the God kind of love which have no sense of selfishness. The God kind of love shows His holiness

The last aspect of holiness to look at, is the fact that holiness is perfect justice. This is uprightness and fairness to all and under all circumstances. It is this aspect of holiness that makes God treat all men equally and favors non.

These explanations give us the clear portraits of holiness. It gives us a platform to stand on and make the journey into this very amazing topic, called Holiness.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father give me a clear understanding of these things as well as the ability to fully walk in them. I receive a transformation of my life as we go through this study. I thank you father in Jesus name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:26. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We bring the curtain down on the character study of Paul. What kind of man was Apostle Paul?

 Apostle Paul was an outstanding successful servant of Christ.  His success was not the worldly concept of success. The worldly success is to possess wealth and to be of great affluence.  He was successful in revealing Jesus to his world.  Galatians 1:16 “To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:”

 Paul lived as a dead man for Christ.  Acts 20:24 ” But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God”.

 He did not live to be wealthy but lived to lift the name of Jesus high up in all men. 2 Corinthians 6:10 “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things”.

 He was a deeply spiritual man.  Philippians 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

 He was given an abundance of revelations concerning the dispensation of grace. Ephesians 3:2, 4 ” If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you ward:

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)”

 To fulfill his mission, he survived a lot of death threatening circumstances. 1 Corinthians 15:31 ” I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily”.

 He never married or had any child so he could effectively fulfill his mission.1 Corinthians 7:33 ” But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.”

 He met his death as a Victor and a fulfilled person.  2 Timothy 4:6-7 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

If a man of like passions has been so successful why can’t you also be so successful. Take a clue from him and do great things for Jesus.

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus I receive grace and the heart to live a fearless life for you. Lord I surrender all to honor your name alone.

KEY SCRIPTURE :Acts 28:23 ” And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.”

Apostle Paul finally got to Rome. All the prisoners were put in prison as the law demanded, yet Paul had a whole house to himself, but with a guard. He could receive visitors as much as where he was staying could accommodate them.

Apostle Paul invited the Jewish community in Rome so he could share the word of God with them. Throughout the studies of Paul, we see that, it was his custom to first share the word with the Jewish community first, before getting to the gentile. CHARITY ALWAYS, BEGINS AT HOME. The following is how Paul communicated to the Jews. Acts 28:23. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Paul was speaking to a people whose knowledge was mainly from the laws of Moses and the prophets, so he explained the gospel from that angle to them. We live at a time when we have various influences. The following are some of the persuasions and must share the gospel from scriptures that addresses their particular persuasions.

1.We have Religious people to reach out to

2.We have the careless sinners to reach.

3.We have atheists to reach out to.

4 We have those who accepts every religion as the way to reach to

5.We have the confused to reach to

6We have the deceived (Christian sects, e.g. JW, LATTER DAY SAINTS) to reach, and many more.

To effectively reach out to these various groups, you would have to rightly divide the word of truth to them, please find my series of teachings on personal evangelism (SIMPLE TRUTH 2017). Go through that material and you would learn how to share God’s word effectively to these different persuasions. In the absence of that material, you need a good grasp of the Bible as a° whole. Get to know the °persuasions of these various groups concerned. Look for the relevant scriptures that address their topics Apply the scriptures intelligently trusting the Lord to win them ultimately. Pray much for any group of people you seek to win for Christ.

PRAYER

Lord I pray for all men, that in your mercy you would reveal yourself to all those who stubbornly resist the gospel. Grant me wisdom to win them for your kingdom.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Timothy 2:15 ” Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:10 ” Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary”.

Apostle Paul manifested the glory of God on the island of Melita. After Paul had healed Publius father, the bible said the following in verse 9.”  So, when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were cured”.

The scriptures added that after the mass healings, the inhabitants also honored them with many honors. They also put on board the things they needed for their journey. Be mindful of the fact that they had thrown their valuables into the sea when the storm was against them. Now, through the power of the Holy Spirit working in Paul they received such favor that all their valuables that were lost were given back to them. No selfless servant of God shall lack the presence of God that brings solution in times of need.

Apostle Peter asked the Lord.in Mark 10:28 “…Lo   , we have left all, and have followed thee. The following was the Lord’s answer, Mark 10:30 ” But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” The Lord said those who have left all to follow him shall receive a hundredfold of what they left plus persecutions. To serve Christ is to present the news and message that brings liberty to men. Such a man would equally be blessed by those he has served with the good news. The only caution is that no man of God should merchandise the power of God. God’s grace should not be sold for money. This is an abuse of the power of God.

According to the Lord Jesus, true servants of God have a hundredfold of what they have lost. Let’s all be careful about how we attack certain men of God. As a child of God, you may be endangering your own life by doing so. You may not know the degree of sacrifices they have made for God. Attacking them may bring you against God’s anger. Dear child of God if you are a Christian then you may be very cautious about speaking against certain men of God. There are some people whose actions are purely against God’s word and we only relate or talk about their actions in relation to the revealed will of God.

PRAYER

I pray for all true servants of God to lead. Very selfless lives and to be true light to many who are seeking to know the truth. May the Lord also expose every wolf in sheep ”s cloths.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 14:4 ” Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand”.

Matthew 7:15 ” Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:8 ” And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him”.

 Apostle continue with his exploits on the island of Melita. Paul healed the father of Publius who had fever and dysentery. He healed many that were sick. Paul was a man who knew his God. True knowledge of God is the bases for doing exploits in His name Jesus. Daniel 11:32 “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits”.

The Bible says those who do know their God shall wax strong and do exploits. Dear child of God, seek to know God for yourself. Sadly, a lot of people know their man of God, yet the God of this man they know not. The word says those who do know their God shall wax strong. Knowing God imparts stability, courage and decisiveness to a man. Failure in life is  mostly a function of weakness. Weakness breeds subjectivity

This is what makes people yield to various conditions that show up. A true knowledge of God  stabilizes your focus. There is no success in any endeavour without a decisive focus on what one is aiming at.

Apostle Paul declares in 2 Timothy 1:12 that “. I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

I ask again, do you know this God? How much prepared are you ready to commit everything into His hands? Paul’s achievements in Christ, were all due to his absolute dedication to Jesus based on his knowledge of Him. You can also know Him if you would seek for Him with all your heart.(Jeremiah 29:13)He says he will make himself known to you if you would keep His word and do them (John 14:21,22)You can also know Him as you search the scriptures. John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me”.

Remember, those who seek in truth always find

CONFESSION

I know the Lord. I am made strong and stable because of my knowledge of Him. Nothing moves or shakes me in this life. I am full of outstanding successes in all I do. God is always glorified in me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jeremiah 29:13 ” And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart”.

John 14:21 ” 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.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:3 &5 “And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.”

Paul. and the rest of the people on the ship arrived on an island called Melita, which in the present day is known as Malta.

The inhabitants of the island were extremely hospitable to them. They made some fire to keep them warm. Paul collected some sticks to add to the existing fire. Instantly a viper sprang out of the fire and fastened on his hand. Vipers are very poisonous and very aggressive snakes. The fire will even make it more aggressive since its life was threatened. This will make it instinctively sting or bite Paul. Paul did not act like a terrified person. He likewise shook off the beast into the fire.

Everybody present expected Paul to die. They waited for some moments and then concluded; he is a god. (Acts 28:6)This event explains something mysterious about the Christian. The scriptures teach that all those who received Jesus by believing on His name were given the power to become sons of God. Who is a son of God?  A son of God is a divine being in the class of God. A son of God is a god.

 Psalms 82:6 ” I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. I believe he knew that Jesus had said believers would take up serpents and it shall not hurt them. Mark 16:18. Now from the scriptural account Paul did not panic in any way. He quietly shook the creature into the fire. The secret of the Christian’s victory in this world is our faith in the word of God.

Paul did not wait till the hour of evil to look for faith to overcome. He was always ready. Faith is the victory that overcomes. (1st John 5:4). The scripture says all things are possible to them that believe. Our place in Christ has opened us into a world of possibilities. Feed your heart with God’s word ready always to shake off every evil attack into God’s ever ready fire to consume it.

What would have happened if Paul had panicked? There would have been no divine security for him. He would have died and God’s program for his life would have been aborted. NOTE: OUR SECURITY AS CHRISTIANS IS ONLY GUARANTEED ON THE BASES OF OUR FAITH IN GOD.

CONFESSION

I am deeply rooted in God. I am one with my Lord. My faith is always ready to overcome every fiery dart Satan throw at me. God is always glorified in me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Ephesians 6:16 ” Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

Matthew 14:30-31. ” But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:33. “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, this day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing”.

Once again Apostle Paul demonstrates leadership and also caused his light to shine so brightly. The Lord taught us in Matthew 5:16 that we should let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven. Paul did not hide his light under a bushel.

How did Paul go about demonstrating his light?

1.He was not quiet about his convictions. In a sense Paul was not shy or afraid to say what he felt God wanted the people to know. Many talents, potentials and abilities that could have blessed many and made celebrities out of certain individuals, are hidden or unused because those individuals were shy or afraid about voicing their views or standing up to say this is what I think. Real failure is not doing or saying what you are supposed to. Your fear to share the gospel to certain people at a specific moment could spell the doom and destruction of that person. Now listen to what the Lord says about we taking advantage of the moment, He asks us to say, what He has asked us to say .Jeremiah 1:17 “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”. The Lord says, if you fail to say what he asks you to tell whatsoever he commands you to tell them, you would be confounded before them.

2. Paul demonstrated his light by loving the people. Loving people is always radiant. In love for them he stood before them, being concerned about their health status for not eating for two weeks. He advised them to take some food for the sake of their health. Acts 27:33 “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, this day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing”. Love is self-less and kind. Your demonstration of love would bring peace, trust and brotherliness to any group of people. It will make you shine, and the name of the Lord will be glorified

3. Apostle Paul also demonstrated his light by expressing his faith in God. Faith releases the supernatural power of God and brings answers to men. It always remains a wonder to natural men causing them to give glory to God. When the group of men on the ship were in a serious bewilderment, Paul spoke in faith assuring them that, non shall lose a strand of hair and that all will be safe. Acts 27:34b” ……. for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you”. As a child of God your words in a moment of crises, fear and despair must be of faith, bringing comfort and assurance to your audience Trust in God’s faithfulness, and speak of his protection, supplies and his love to save mankind from calamities. As a child of God, you are Christ representative, so speak in the name of the Lord and FOR Him.

CONFESSION

I am a representative of Christ and He is my Lord. I am not ashamed about anything, but to see His name honored and glorified. I shine to His glory, demonstrating   the love of God and the power of God to bless many lives

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 2:15. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world”;

John 2:11. “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:24. “Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee”

Apostle Paul came to the centurion and assured him to be of good cheer because there would no loss of life. What made Paul speak to the centurion this way?

Paul says an angel of the Lord whom he serves stood by him the previous night and said to him that he must stand before Caesar to share the gospel with him. The angel said something very incredible to Paul.in Acts 27:24. He said to Paul, “……, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee”. The angel tells him God has given to him all those who are with him. Why would God say every soul on the ship has been put in Paul’s hand? All that the angel said meant Paul had dedicated himself to God such that he was under a special supervision or a special protection because of his position in God. Just consider how he described his relation to the angel. Acts 27:23 “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve”, He said He is owned by God and lives to serve God.

Paul said I do not live for myself. This position made him simply very special to the point that his safety became the security of the rest of the people on the ship. If Paul had not been on the ship everyman on the ship would have been prepared to be destroyed.  The surety of Paul’s safety was his dedicated to God and the *assignment that he was committed to. He was to stand before Caesar to share the gospel with him and the people at the palace. The threats of the storms were too small to stop God’s agenda. Dear brother or sister, you can make yourself special in this life by taking an uncompromising stand for God and His work.     God’s agenda is the only thing that really matters in this life. What negative thing in this life can threaten or stop God’s agenda? Can disease, persecution, lack or any man whether weak or powerful be strong enough to stop God’s agenda for your life. Your life seems to be ordinary because you are not committed to any special business for God.

Apostle Paul assured them further; that he believed that everything would be as the angel said to him. Always believe God like a child would believe his parents. This is what releases the power of God for continual victory.

PRAYER

Dear father I pray and receive strength to be totally committed to your course for my life. Father in your name I will stand for any call you allow me to be part of.

FURTHER STUDIES

Job 22:29&30. “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, there is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands”.

Isaiah 55:5. “Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knows not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:21. ” But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss“

When the ship carrying Paul got to Crete Paul told the centurion who was taking charge of them that the voyage or journey would be dangerous and so they must not set off. Acts 27:10

“And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives”. The captain of the ship convinced the centurion not to consider what Paul said.

The following are some of the challenges that the crew on the ship went through. Acts 27:17 &18

“Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksand, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship”; These people went through hell because of the simple instruction they failed to heed to. Dear child of God, the scriptures are given for our admonition unto a life of peace.

The Psalmist said, He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me besides the still waters. Our souls are restored. Psalm 23: God’s word is a divine law and those who disobey shall have no peace. Romans 2:9 ‘Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile”; What is an evil act? Evil actions are simply not doing what the Lord asks you to do. The scripture says tribulation and anguish to every soul that does evil.

There are some Christians who are going through ‘hell’ and nothing seem to work out well for them. These brethren are simply being adamant to what the Spirit of God tells them to do. To some it is to break away from some relationship. For others it may be forgiving one who has hurt them, or to confess a wrong done. It may be a habit that the Holy Spirit tells you to stop. Until the prodigal son decided to turn away from His rebellious life there was no peace and no satisfaction for him. (Luke 15:11—32)

Paul and all that were on the ship struggled for survival to the point that they had to empty the ship of so much that was on it.  All these would not have happened if they had listened to Paul. What is that one thing God is asking you to stop?

PRAYER

O Father I pray that my spiritual senses would be sharpened to easily know or hear what you are saying to me at any moment. I also receive the ability to promptly do what you may be saying.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 3:5 &6. “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”