KEY SCRIPTURE: John 14:27” Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

In the last part of our key scripture, the Lord said, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. The Lord knew very well that there would be a lot of situations and moments that could cause many to be troubled or even afraid.

In John 16:33, the Lord explained that, “these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. In the world, there would always be tribulations. Satan, the arch enemy of God, and his children raise all kinds of attacks against the people of God. The Lord tells us not to be troubled or to be afraid. A good look at the Lord’s statement in John 16:33 reveals something very powerful: He says in Him we shall have peace, but in the world, we shall have tribulation. This statement would literally be interpreted that the Lord will always give peace to us, while the world comes with its tribulations and antagonism.

When do the children of God become troubled and even afraid? When the child of God loses awareness of the presence of God because he or she fails to keep the promises of God at heart. One such promise is Hebrews 13:5-6: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”.

The Lord is forever with us. He has promised never to leave us. The word used in Hebrews 13:5b is an emphasis. The real wording reads. “I will not in any way fail you nor give 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) (Amp Bible). This is a very strong message of assurance, and every child of God must meditate on these words. This would make your heart ready to stand with the Lord, no matter the challenge that comes against you.

The other thing to do at that time of trial is to confess the promises that the Lord has given us. Hebrews 13:6 says,” ……he has said so that we may boldly say….” Say what the Lord has said boldly.

Do not be worried about whatever comes your way. The presence of the Lord will see you through.

CONFESSION

I am in Christ, in the world, trouble and challenges may abound, but none of these things move me, for I am well secured in the Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Daniel 3:16-17 ” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.”

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

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

One strong promise that our Lord Jesus has left every Christian is His peace.

What is the peace of the Lord? In Philippians 4:6, 7, the apostle Paul talks about this peace of God. He said, “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.

He tells us to be careful about nothing. Nothing means nothing at all. No worries whatsoever, but rather give over the issues to him in prayer with Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the act that consummates our faith. The peace of God then comes as a guard to protect our minds and hearts. The peace of the Lord is not just a mental state. It is a supernatural power that protects our minds and hearts; it also passes human understanding. In times when one should have been unnecessarily troubled, this peace comes into action to keep our hearts and minds.

Please remember that our minds and hearts are two aspects of our being that, if affected or destroyed, there is nothing to be done to that individual. If an individual’s mind goes bad, he or she is useful for nothing. The proper functioning of the mind is simply indispensable. The heart is the centre of life for a man. A dead heart means a dead man. Any adverse state of your heart will render a man devastated.

The peace of God is the authority of God that makes nothing able to affect him. His throne is never under any threat. He is all-powerful; it is God’s Omnipotence that comes to secure us. This is only made possible when we put our trust in Him. This is how the bible says it in Isaiah 43:2: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

THE PEACE OF GOD IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD THAT STAYS WITH US ALWAYS.

In every challenge, be assured of His presence.

CONFESSION

I am never moved or worried about anything, for your presence gives me a lasting peace that makes me triumph always.

FURTHER STUDIES.

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”.

Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee”.

Prayer Point: In the name of Jesus, because the Lord is with me, nothing will forever disturb my peace.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 14:27. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

Jesus said, Peace I leave with you. My peace do I give to you.” True peace has eluded a lot of people. Peace is not the absence of trouble. Peace is an inner tranquillity irrespective of what you have heard, seen or what may be happening around you.

He said His peace is not the kind the world gives. What kind of peace does the world give? The worldly peace is basically how comfortable the natural things can bring or make for you. This has led men to do everything to get the things of this world. Proverb 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right unto man, but the end, therefore, is the way unto death”. Men have continually chased after riches, pleasure, and fame, yet they are still very miserable.

 I always ask the people I share the gospel with one-on-one level, whether they have peace? Most of them say they have no peace. People go to any lengths to get riches. Riches are a blessing, yet riches without Jesus cannot give peace. The bible said many have pierced themselves with many sorrows because of the lust for riches (1st Timothy 6:10). Peace can’t be found in anything outside. It is found only in the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Some have also sought peace in oriental meditations. These people focus their minds on certain things to the point that their minds become empty. In this way, they anticipate getting peace. Please ask every sincere one in these practices if they really have peace?  True peace can only be found in one person; Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

No one comes to Him and leaves without His peace. The scripture says we enter into peace with God when a man places his faith in Him. (Romans 5:1). “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus.”. You can have the peace that Jesus gives.

Come to Him in faith. Acknowledge that He can give you the peace you need. Accept Him as the Lord over your life today.

  CONFESSION

Lord Jesus, you came to end my turmoil and inner suffering. I accept you as the Lord over my life. Today, I received your peace right now. Thank you, Jesus, that I have your peace now.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”.

Prayer Point: In the name of Jesus, I refuse to let anything dominate my life, robbing me of the peace of God.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 12:24-25 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”.

It is said that a dead goat fears no knife. The man who loves not his life is not moved by whatever Satan does

The Lord’s statement in John 12:25 shows one of the strongest points to overcome the devil. In Revelation 12:11, the bible reveals that the saints overcame the devil by the blood of the lamb, the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives even unto death. The third point says, “and they loved not their lives even unto death”. This rhymes with what the Lord said that he that loves his life shall lose it, but he that hates his life in this world shall save it. To love your life means you can’t walk with God.

 The just shall live by faith. Faith is to believe the word of God, even if there is nothing physical or visible to prove it. Anyone who loves their life is very cautious about everything. Like Thomas, he would not believe until he had seen. But note: to live this way is called carnality. The bible says the carnal person is an enemy of God and cannot be subject to the law of God. It is also described as death (Romans 8:6-8).

 Indeed, to love your life is to lose it. Satan would dominate and control the man who loves his life.

Just listen to what Satan said to the Lord about Job 2:4: “And Satan answered the Lord, and said skin for skin, yea, all that a man has will he give for his life”. Dear brother and Sister, Satan knows very well that men love their lives and they would sacrifice anything for their lives. They would sacrifice their commitment to God for their lives. This was Satan’s strongest point against Job, and knows that that attack cannot fail.

If a man would give his life unto the Lord and love the Lord above his life, then. Satan is forever crippled in the affairs of this man. The ultimate attack on any man in his life is death. If that man values Jesus and his way above his life, that man is truly free and will be able to overcome and handle whatever Satan brings his way.

THE ONLY WAY TO DEFEAT SATAN PERPETUALLY IS TO LOSE YOUR LIFE  INTO JESUS’ HANDS.

  CONFESSION

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for showing me the way to true freedom. I live my life for you and put my absolute confidence in whatever you say.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Revelation 12:11” And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives even unto death.

Prayer Point: In Jesus’ name, I commit my whole life to loving Jesus and living for Him.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 12:24-25” Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”.

The Lord Jesus spoke in verse 25 of our key scripture that “He that loves his life shall lose it, but he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”. In this scripture, the Lord taught us about true self-preservation.

The world and its secular thinking teach us to protect what we have and keep our lives. The love for self and the craze to secure it have led men to act in ways that have opposed God’s way. Indeed, the love for self-according to the bible, is the cause of so many problems in our world these last days. (2nd Timothy 3:1, 2) There would be perilous times in the last days because men shall be lovers of themselves.

The Lord in that scripture (John 12:25) meant, if a man would tend the control of his life into the hands of God, he would live a very meaningful and very productive life, but when the man is scared about turning his life over to God’s hands, then he would lose it. In Matthew 14:15-21, the bible narrates the story of the multiplication of bread to feed the multitudes. What would have happened if this boy had feared to keep his bread and fish? There would have been no multiplication of bread. The boy was not afraid of losing those loaves. He gave them over to the Lord. He went home with a basket full of fish and loaves.

The best way to preserve your life is to turn it over to the Lord. To turn your life over to the Lord means you must love and appreciate His interests, His ways, against your personal ambitions, choices, and views. He said you must hate yourself. He was not talking about doing harm to yourself, but choosing his way over yours. A life given to the Lord is infused with divine life.

Apostle Paul remarked in Philippians 1:21 that “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. This philosophy of Paul made his life experience an outstanding one. He lived in joy, overcame the devil, and has affected many generations with his experiences and teachings. He loved the Lord and hated his life, so he preserved his life.

 CONFESSION

To be truly living is to live for Jesus and not for yourself. I am living for Jesus, and so my life is exceedingly fruitful and successful.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Matthew 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 12:24-25” Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”.

Our Lord Jesus said that, truly, truly, except a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it abides alone. This statement gives answers to everyone who feels he has no helper, a victim, or are not privileged.

The Lord says that everyone’s prosperity, success, and fulfilment are hidden within himself or herself. Some people are always begging for assistance and recognition. They feel life has not been fair to them. There are even some who have decided to use violence to rob those whom they think have been privileged. Some even label every successful man as a criminal. Please, if you fall into any of these categories, then do take this study very seriously. God never placed your ability to be successful in another person. Others may assist, supply certain things you may be lacking, yet the ability to be great is hidden in the inside of you. Stop looking outside and know that God placed it there.

 In the parable of the talents, Jesus taught that everyone was given some talent (Matthew 25:15-28). God never made a dummy. You have something special to offer mankind.

Within every seed are many trees and even a forest. There are countless fruits in that small seed, no matter how insignificant it may look. You are that seed with all the greatness in you.

All you need to do is plant it. Whoever you are, what you need to do is to commit your life to a course. You may start giving a wholehearted service to some people. Whatever you find to do, do it with all diligence (Proverb 10:4). Don’t do it because of what you intend to receive, do it with the primary purpose to bless the recipients of that service. You would always be rewarded for your satisfactory services.

Beloved, nobody was created to be unproductive, so long as the person is not mentally handicapped. Even if you have any deformity of some sort, you can still give your best.  Many have proved it. Don’t be limited in your mind. You were born great. Commit yourself to a worthy course by sacrificing your life for that course.

 CONFESSION

I was born with great potential. All these are hidden within me. As I sacrifice and dedicate myself to a course, all the hidden potentials go into action to be a blessing unto the world.

THOUGHT: BE A BLESSING AND YOU WOULD BE BLESSED

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 12:24” The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute”.

Proverbs 10:4” He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich”.

Prayer Point: I refuse to be poor and insignificant by committing my life to serving a righteous cause in Jesus’ name

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 12:24-25 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”.

Our Lord Jesus taught many principles for living. Our key scripture is a major principle for successful living.

It is a principle for a fulfilled life and true self-preservation. In John 12:24, the Lord makes a statement of emphasis, “truly truly or verily verily,” implying it is an established fact and the only way to have a fulfilled life through multiplication of one’s self.

He said, “except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone”. There is no multiplication without sacrifice. There can be no form of higher yields if there are no selfless commitments.

Many people dream of a better future and fulfilment in life, yet they will not make any commitments. Great footballers who attract the admiration of all people are made by paying a very costly price. They have personal training and exercises when the rest of the team is resting. They go the extra mile when their colleagues only make one mile. They discomfort themselves today to be comforted tomorrow.  Great leaders like our Lord JESUS Christ, Apostle Paul, and many more achieved so much because they did not live for themselves but sacrificed their lives for the sake of many. Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:19, “for though I be free from all men, yet have I made my self-servant unto all, that I might gain them all”.

 My father, Opanin Kofi Somuah of blessed memory, once said to me, “If you want your enterprise to grow and become large, then you must not be a boss over the establishment but a servant to it “. Everything and everybody appreciates service, and no one likes to be dominated. Anything dominated will soon leave you or find a way of escape, yet that which is served will stay and enjoy the service. The Lord said it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Giving is sacrificing, giving is planting, and giving always allows the miracle power in the seed to multiply. There is a power to multiply in every seed. It is called the embryo in biology. It cannot release its potential until the outer casing dies through planting.

CONFESSION

I believe in the law of multiplication, which is through sacrifice. I offer my life unto the Lord and allow it to grow and become a blessing unto many.

FURTHER STUDIES:

Acts 20:35” I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive”.

Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease”.

Prayer point: In the name of JESUS, I break myself free from every fear to sacrifice my life and all that I have for the cause of Christ.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:19” Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you”.

In the last part of our key scripture, the Lord said, And nothing shall by any means hurt you.  This is an aspect of scripture that many Christians have not believed enough to experience all that it entails. Please, what does the statement, nothing shall by any means hurt you, mean? Does the scripture mean exactly what it says? As we go through this study, may you ask the Lord to take away every tradition and deception of the devil (Colossians 2:8).

Dear child of God, please understand we are dealing with a very crafty devil. The bible says he is a liar and the father of it. Satan would always want to prove that God’s word is not true.

There is one principle about our heavenly Father that you have to know. God tries our hearts. He seeks that we prove our absolute confidence and trust in Him. In Proverbs 17:3, the bible says, “The fining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord trieth the heart”. Gold is proven in the furnace as all its impurities are burnt away by the very high temperature, so the pure gold remains. The trail of our faith also makes our faith true and pure (1st Peter 1:7). Many people give up in times of trial, and the enemy rather takes advantage and punishes them. Maintain your grounds no matter the opposition that comes against you and refuse to give up. Do as 1st Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith…”

When Lazarus was sick and the Lord was called, He said, this sickness is not unto death. But Lazarus died anyway? (John 11:4, 11).

Can I ask this question? Had the word of the Lord failed? Many children of God would have accepted that since Lazarus had died, it implied the word had failed. The Lord had said earlier that this sickness was not unto death. The Lord knew that His word had not failed. (Don’t also accept any condition that seems to suggest that what God said has failed). The Lord went on and raised the dead man to life, even after four days.

Satan would always put up a resistance. Staying with God’s word would constantly give us victory.

  Treading on the devil means challenging Satan with the word and acting on the word. When a Christian accepts what Satan is doing and refuses to oppose or resist the devil with the word, that Christian would be defeated.

 Dear child of God, you would not be hurt by any means as you stick to the word and do what it says.

 CONFESSION

God’s word is His authority. As I stay with the word and act on it, I always win over the devil, who is forever defeated.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death”.

Hebrews 4:2” For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:19” Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you”.

Some brethren teach God’s word as they claim Satan is powerless. Our key Scripture clearly teaches that Satan has some power, although He does not have any right to use that power

In our previous study, we learnt that our Lord Jesus gave us authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions.

What are serpents and scorpions? These creatures symbolize Satan and his demons. In Revelation 12:9, the bible said, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan….”

In Revelation 9:10, the following is said about scorpions, “…and there were stings in the tails: and their power was to hurt men five months”.

The serpents and scorpions stand for evil spirits. The Lord said we have the right to trample upon them. To trample means to stop them from menacing around. It also implies destroying their works. The Lord in that statement, reveals that the enemy has some power.

 What is the power of the enemy? The power of the enemy is seen in making men sick, poverty, causing accidents, influencing men to disobey God, and generally bringing discomfort to mankind. Satan’s power is generalised in the scriptures as darkness. Colossians 1:13. “Who has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear son”. Again, what is the real power of darkness? The real power of darkness is the absence of light. The word of God is light, and so long as the word of God dominates your life, the power of the devil is empty.

The Lord has given us His word, that tells us, “In Him (the word) was life and the life was the light of men, and the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended (over cometh, over power) it not” (John 11:4). The victory of the Christian is a commitment to the word. The word is light, and so long as a child of God stays with the word, the power of Satan would dry up into thin air.

The Lord ended with His statement in our key scripture that, because of the authority given to us. NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HURT US.

 CONFESSION

I have been given authority by the Lord Jesus to trample upon devils, and they would never mess up my life, as I apply God’s word to stop them.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Ephesians 3:10 “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God”,

Genesis 1:2-3 and the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Prayer Point: By the word of His power, I command every satanic operation in and around my life to stop in Jesus’ name.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:19” Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you”.

Our Lord Jesus received reports from His disciples about their exploits in evangelism. He remarked by saying, “I beheld Satan fall as lightning from heaven.” He then added the statement of our key scripture.

Whatever the Lord said to His disciples, He says the same to you and me today. The Lord said, “Behold I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the powers of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you”. This statement is an assurance of perfect security over the enemy.

 He first said,” …behold I give you power…”. The Lord gives us this ability by speaking forth words. *Every spiritual virtue is given by words, and it is accepted by faith. Anyone who hears this statement and accepts it personally actually has it.

Fellow child of God, Jesus says, he has given you power. You receive it by responding positively to him. You do this by believing what He said and then thanking Him verbally. You may say thank you, Lord, for giving me power to trample upon serpents and scorpions.

 The word translated power from the ancient Greek ” is the word “exousia”. This word in the Greek language is properly translated as authority. Authority is the right or liberty to use power. We have therefore been given the right or authority over these devils

Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions….” You have the divine mandate to tread or trample underfoot every power of the devil. Satan and his demons come against us in all sorts of challenges. Don’t feel victimized any time the enemy comes knocking at your door. (That is, bring a challenge to you) Prepare your mind with this understanding that, no matter the opposition Satan brings, you have been given the right to rule over that devil. Tell yourself I would surely overcome this condition.

 CONFESSION

I have been given the right to trample under my foot all satanic spirits in Jesus’ name, and they can not in any way hurt me. I indeed tread on all of them now in Jesus’ name.

FURTHER STUDIES.

2 Samuel 22:30 “For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leapt over a wall”.

Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen”.

Prayer Point: I pray, O Lord, that my eyes of understanding be enlightened in Jesus’ name.