KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:22 KJV “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

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It is great to be young. Youthfulness is a period of real physiological liberty. By this statement, I mean that as a youth, your physical features are  at their peak of strength. When one is at  the infant stage, their physical features may not have fully developed. At Old age, his features might be growing weak, yet in the youthful period, every aspect of his or her body  is at its peak of strength and performance.

It is in this very period that the body wishes to express itself in every way possible. The lustful  drive between the man and woman  is equally very high. Other passionate physical drives, such as light food ,alcohol, etc., are also very high. This poses a great temptation to the youth.

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It is in the light of all that I have discussed above that the youth must heed the scriptural counsel and flee every form of lust. Dear child of God, the truth is that despite the drive and passions of youthfulness, you have been saved from the controls and dictates of the flesh. You are not a man or woman of the senses, Rom 8:9 KJV”, But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”.Do not surrender to the disposition of youthfulness.

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The flesh may long for a thing, but it is what occupies the mind that controls  your action. You are dead with Jesus, and so it is no longer your old nature of sin. Fill your consciousness with the knowledge of complete righteousness. You can do this by meditating on your true state of holiness in Jesus. Eph 4:24 KJV” And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” You can do this by saying to yourself, I have put on my new self, which is created after God in true righteousness and holiness. Repeat this for  over an hour.

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The advice is to flee youthful lust. This means  associations that would ignite your passion for wrong things must be firmly avoided. Pictures ,videos and scenes that can draw your attention towards those things  are your enemies, avoid them. The scripture also advises us on things we have to occupy ourselves with or pursue. These are righteousness, faith, charity and peace with them that call on the name of the Lord with a pure heart. This statement  also means look out for those who are not living sensually and relate more with them.

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THOUGHT:BE CONTROLLED BY THE TRUTH OF HOLINESS AND NOT YOUR FEELINGS

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FURTHER STUDIES

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1Co 6:11 KJV” And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

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2Co 7:1 KJV Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:20 KJV But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

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In our previous study, we concluded that God uses vessels that set themselves apart from carnal and all impure things  . We saw that God makes certain vessels with very high potentials . These are extra gifted, yet if they were effective, then according to the  bible , they ought to be purged. Joh 15:2 KJV “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” For any tree or person to be very productive, he or she must be purged. What does purging entail?

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In normal life, purging entails cutting off some portions of a plant and shaping it up . Purging has to do with disciplining oneself such that one restrains or controls oneself to fully fit into God’s laid-down standards. This can involve forsaking certain time-wasting habits to give yourself more hours in prayer. It also involves giving yourself to the study of the word of God and reading books of anointed men of God. Another aspect of purging is to forsake sin and all forms of carnal lifestyle that dishonour the ways of God. You can not bear much fruit without purging.

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Now, what really takes place when one is purged?1 Corinthians 3:12 tells us that one may not be a golden or silver vessel, but he or she can build with golden or silver materials that would yield results of one who is golden. Your dedication is a form of purging that  allows the Spirit to do in your life. 1Co 3:10 KJV” According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” Dear one, the main issue is about how you build. Note that it is not a luxury to consistently spend hours in prayer every day, yet after a good season of such dedicated moments of prayer, you would realise an aura around you that brings amazing results into your work.

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I have seen people who did not matter so much in the work of God. They never encountered any special divine visitation, yet their decision to allow themselves to be purged brought a great move of God into their lives. They soon realised people are touched and convicted of sin when they share the word with them. The sick get well when they pray for them.

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THOUGHT: PURGING  PROFITS PERPETUALLY

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Rom 12:1 KJV” I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

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2Co 6:17-18  KJV” Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:20 KJV “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.”

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Our key scripture is very unique. It explains God’s dealings with His children as well as  the role of each person in God’s vineyard. The scripture speaks further,  it speaks of God’s grace concerning God’s election , choices and gifts.

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The scripture says God does not have only one type of vessel  but has varying forms. Note: none of the vessels made themselves the particular form that they are. It is God who makes a vessel of gold, and another of silver ,wood and earth? From this context, the vessels never made themselves; it is the grace of God that formed them for specific purposes. We can draw the example from what goes on in our homes, just as the scripture said  about what happens in a great house. This can be likened to the home of a very rich man who buys various vessels for specific purposes. A golden vessel would definitely be for a very honourable purpose. An earthenware vessel would be for a far lesser honourable use.

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The scriptures also teach that the attitude and commitment that a man uses in his or her work show whether he is building with gold , silver ,clay or hay. This is about the motive and the degree of sacrifice that a man commits in doing what he does. 1Co 3:12 KJV” Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;” It is only the Lord who knows what each one is building with. Each one’s work would be judged by fire at the end of the age. If it were of gold or silver, it would stand.1 Corinth 3:13

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Back to our key scripture, the Lord says a vessel’s state matters, yet the ability of the vessel being  used depends on how clean it is. If a golden vessel is dirty with filth all over it, the earthenware vessel that is clean and pure would be chosen and used.2 Tim 2:21. The golden vessel was for a very honourable use, yet its impure nature has dishonoured it. We have seen certain highly gifted individuals, yet they are not mightily used of God , while others who may not be so gifted are used.

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THOUGHT: GOD USES PURGED VESSELS.

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FURTHER STUDIES

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2Ti 2:21 KJV” If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

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Joh 17:19 KJV And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:19 KJV” Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

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Christians  bear the name of Christ.2 Corinthians 6:15 says what concord has Christ with Belial. And what  part has he that believes with an infidel? This verse and other verses  in 2 Corinthians 6 refer directly  to the Christian. The Christian is called Christ. This is a very honourable state or name. The bible says everyone who is called Christ must depart from iniquity. Iniquity is simply unrighteousness. The believers in Jesus are called righteousness( 2 Corinth 6:14.You are also called the temple of God.2Co 6:16 KJV” And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

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In light of all these, the scripture says the Christian must leave every unclean thing. 2Co 6:17 KJV” Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”  Dear child of God, it should never be a normal thing for you to cherish sin. The bible  says you are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has ordained that you walk in them. You are a pure breed of perfect Holiness, and living upright is your normal way of life.

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Why is the Christian called Christ? The bible says your old self died with Jesus. The new man alive in you is the Spirit of Christ. Gal 2:20 KJV” I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” It is Christ who is presently  alive in you and me. Our true name is Christ. If you are  called Mark, then you are Christ Mark , Samuel is Christ Samuel, and Akosus is Christ  Akosua. This is what the  bible calls a mystery, which has now been brought to light. Col 1:27 KJV “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

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It is in the light of the above that the bible says let him who bears the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

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THOUGHT:SIN IS NOT IN YOUR MEMBERS, GIVE IT NO PLACE.

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Rom 6:14 KJV” For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

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Rom 6:19 KJV I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:19 KJV” Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

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Once again, the scriptures assure that the foundation of the Lord standeth sure. This is a figurative statement referring to His immutability. This speaks  of God’s unchanging nature. God ‘s faithfulness remains constant. He knows those who are His. Nothing is hidden from Him. Heb 4:13 KJV “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” God knows those who are living for Him and those who do not.

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The bible says  anyone who has believed in Jesus has the seal of the Holy Spirit, Eph 1:13 KJV In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. God has a seal on all those who are His. The Holy Spirit is our seal. The question that each one must ask themselves is whether I am submitted to the Lordship of Jesus? Am I living to the glory of  God? The bible says God  knows everything about us. Make a decision to live to please Him in all you do.

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I want to give the following illustration to show you that God knows everything about us. Once, I sat alone in my room watching a preaching program of a man of God. As I tuned to a particular man of God, I said in my heart that’ I do not like the way this man presents his messages’.After talking to myself, I received a phone call in which the person who was over ten kilometres away said to me that the Lord says , ” You are watching a particular man of God, and He does not like the comments you are making about His servant, because you have no idea the  kind of sacrifice that this man has made for Him. This person even went on to call the name of the man of  God.

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I was alone in my room, yet He revealed everything I was saying in my head to another person. God knows you totally. You can not hide from doing anything outside his awareness. If you do right, He sees you; if you do wrong, you are still before Him.

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THOUGHT:THE LORD KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU, SO JUST LIVE RIGHTLY

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Psa 139:4 KJV” For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”

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Psa 139:8 KJV” If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:17 KJV” And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus.”

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Apostle Paul admonishes Timothy to be wary of those who teach error. He said this kind of teaching is like cancer that eats up the flesh and ultimately destroys the whole body. This, he mentioned, was Hymenaeus and Philetus. Hymenaeus taught that the resurrection had already occurred. 2 Tim 2:18. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he stated that he had given him to satan so he learns not to blaspheme. This statement that Apostle Paul made reveals a very important truth about Christianity. It shows that this faith is purely supernatural and very real. When Ananias and his wife Sapphira tried to lie to the church ,Apostle Peter gave them over to satan to destroy their body which happened in reality, Acts 5:1-10. A certain faith would have physically attacked the culprits and killed them.

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Back to our topic, we ought to be very much aware of erroneous teachings. One such teaching, which is even taught on state platforms, is that Christians and Muslims are serving the same God. This is a very big error and has led certain untaught people to be led astray. The Quran clearly teaches that Allah can not have a son, while the bible teaches that God is our Father, whose Son is Jesus. The Quran also says in Surah 4:157 that Jesus was not crucified. But rather it was made to appear that he was crucified. The whole message of the bible is about God’s redemptive plan for humanity. The peak of this is faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. The Quran  teaches that one can finally be accepted into heaven if one’s righteousness exceed his sins.Well, the bible says we are saved by grace through faith, that is to believe in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

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The Lord Jesus taught that Christians must love and pray for those who persecute them. The Quran teaches differently. How could we be serving the same God? This is not true, and those who teach such things must stop it. According to the bible Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life; no one comes to the Father besides Him. The Quran says Jesus is just a prophet, but the bible teaches He is God the I am, and the Alpha and Omega(Joh 8:58 KJV Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.)(Rev 22:13 KJV I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.).I have heard certain Muslim clerics ask where Jesus said in the bible that he is God. These two statements clearly show that he said he is God.

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These teachings clearly show that Islam and Christianity are never serving the same God. Do not overthrow the faith of some individuals with such teachings.

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THOUGHT: IT IS NEVER TRUE THAT CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS ARE SERVING THE SAME GOD.

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Act 4:12 KJV” Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

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Rev 12:9 KJV” And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:16 KJV “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

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Apostle Paul advises Timothy to shun profane and vain babblings . Profane speech is ungodly discussions whiles vain babblings are empty or useless words. The scripture said this would breed more ungodliness. Proverbs  4:23 admonishes us to guard our hearts with all diligence, for out of it are the issues  of life. Words are always seeds. Scriptural ,godly words would definitely build faith and stir up more godliness. Unscriptural or profane words would foster more ungodly desires, leading to a very vile or wrong disposition

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How do we encounter profane and empty words ? We may have such people speaking profanely normally, people who do not recognise us as holy servants of God. These people may be our classmates, our childhood friends or any kind of group that is worldly. The scripture said shun such words getting into your mind and hearts. How do you shun such words ? You may stay away from such  associations, or you politely ask them to change the topic if you happen to be in their midst. Never assume that you are so spiritual that bad seeds would not grow in you if they find themselves in there.

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As much as you must prevent  people from sowing ungodly seeds into our hearts, you must also keep yourself from watching videos that have the tendency to corrupt your morals. There are certain pornographic sites that should be a no-go area for you. There are  also some films that do not make any positive contributions to your faith or morals, but can rather affect both morals and faith in a very negative way. 1 Th 5:22 KJV” Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

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Present-day social media is waging a relentless war on most Christians. This has raised lots of believers with no love for the master. They are almost always embedded in mobile phones . They are definitely not watching faith-based activities that can support their faith or morals, but rather worthless scenes that have nothing Christian to do with it. The end results are Christians with no passion for prayer, soul-winning or love for God. May we heed the apostle Paul’s counsel to shun every form of profane or vain babblings.

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THOUGHT:WRONG WORDS ARE SEEDS WITH A VERY DANGEROUS POTENTIAL

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FURTHER STUDIES

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1Co 15:33 KJV Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

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Eph 4:29 KJV” Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:15 NET “Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.”

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The King James version of the bible put our key scripture as follows 2Ti 2:15 KJV “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The word study as used in the King James version is the Greek word ” spoudazo” which means ” to be diligent” or to be alert”.The word study, therefore, means to be diligent or do everything in thy power to show yourself approved  of God. The call and, therefore, the subsequent desire of every child of God is to be approved of Him. The scripture described our Lord Jesus as a man approved of God, ɓÿ signs and wonders. ( Acts 2:33).This verse clearly shows that the great manifestation of power by Jesus is because he was approved by God. Dear one, you need to be approved by God. The scripture says you must be diligent about the scriptures or be  disciplined to learn the scriptures such that you you would be able to rightly teach the scriptures.

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This call to stand approved is not only about teaching the scriptures but honouring God’s word in all you do.1 Sam 18:5 said the following  about David:”And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants”. David was very diligent to show himself approved before the king by behaving wisely. Definitely, his actions were in agreement with the word of God. The scripture also referred to Daniel as having an excellent Spirit. (Daniel 6:3).This meant he organised his life fully according to the word of God.

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Dear one, your call to rightly divide the scripture is not only about presenting sermons, but it also involves living out the scriptures, such that  men behold  the light in you and glorify God. Do you know that the best way to reach people with the word is to demonstrate the practicality of the word? There is a Japanese proverb that says,” Your actions are so loud that I do not hear you when you speak”.Become a living epistle where others read the scripture from your day-to-day life experience. Note, you can not do until  you know so, be diligent to know the truth and then be a doer of the truth.

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THOUGHT: PROPER APPLICATION OF THE SCRIPTURES DISTINGUISHES YOU IN LIFE

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FURTHER STUDIES

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2Ti 3:16-17  KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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Ezr 7:10 KJV “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:13 KJV “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”

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The sun does not wait for all those who would be sleeping in their beds at 8am. If you wish to sleep for the whole day, the sun would rise and set with no regard for your absence. Our key scripture says if any man believes not, God does not change; He still remains God. He holds the universe in place and would show himself mighty to those who seek and obey Him. Those who do not seek and obey Him would never encounter Him. 2Ch 16:9 KJV” For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.”

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God is looking for those who believe in Him, so he would show Himself mighty unto such people. God has set systems for growth , achievement and victory in life, and those who take advantage of them would amount to these stated ambitions, while those who are lazy, wasting their precious time, would be serving those who took advantage of God’s provisions for growth. Pro 24:30 KJV” I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.” Rise up and take advantage of divine provisions. Improve on yourself through reading, never allow time, a universal resource, to be wasted, and life will deliver to you what you deserve.

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There are many who are crying over all kinds of poor , dejected conditions, asking why God has failed to answer them. Some are even bitter against God. Please, God is not the cause of your calamity, nor has He decided not to answer you. The scripture says He abides faithful. That is, He hears the prayers of all who believe in Him. Jesus said if you can believe all things are possible to him that believes. ( Mark 9:23)

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Some are only complaining to God instead of praying,others are hoping and postponing their answer ,instead  of receiving it now. There are even some who hold a mental assent and never fully take positive steps to have what they want.

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It is only those who believe and receive their answers who have them. GOD ALWAYS ABIDES FAITHFUL.

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THOUGHT: TO BELIEVE IS TO RECEIVE, BUT TO HOPE IS TO EXPECT OR ANTICIPATE TO HAVE IT IN THE FUTURE.

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Heb 11:1 ISV” Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists.”

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Joh 3:36 ISV” The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who disobeys the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:12 KJV” If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”

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Before the Lord was arrested and crucified,  He told His disciples that they would all deny Him when he was arrested. Peter came to him and said, if he is to die with him, he would, yet he would not deny Him. The Lord answered him as follows: Mat 26:34 KJV Jesus said unto him”, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” Peter did as the Lord had said . Dear child of God, the word says you must  not deny the Lord. Most of us would easily frown at Peter’s denial ,yet we deny the Lord in many instances. The serious aspect of it is that the Lord says if we deny Him, He will likewise deny us.

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May we consider a number of ways that one may deny Him? Whenever we refuse to share the gospel with another person after a strong urge to do so,we have denied the Lord.

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Anytime you fail to speak the truth but rather tell a lie, you have denied the Lord. To deny Him is a statement  of disowning Him. This sounds extreme when relating it to telling lies. Well, when one tells lies, it is like the devil stands before you, asking you to make a particular statement. Meanwhile, the Lord also stood before you and asked you to  speak the truth. You ignored the Lord’s word and chose what Satan told you. This is a complete disowning, and the Lord also says he would disown you.

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The next act of disowning the Lord is when we refuse to forgive those who have erred or offended us. The worst of it is when the person pleads for forgiveness, yet you refuse to have mercy and forgive him or her. The Lord has said clearly in the scriptures that if you fail to forgive, you will not be forgiven.

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Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, who has departed to be with the Lord, spoke about a Pastor who was raised from the dead in one of his meetings held  in Nigeria. When the man came back to life, after dying for almost two days, he said he went to hell, although he was a pastor. What sent Him to hell?. The wife offended him and was so angry that he drove away from the house in that state of anger. His car ran over a boulder, and it was smashed. This caused his death. He found himself in hell. It was in that condition that the wife went for his body from the mortuary and sent him to the program ,where he was prayed for and brought back to life. He refused to forgive his wife, and so he was refused access to heaven.

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Repent today of every one of these actions and live faithfully unto the Lord.

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THOUGHT: IT IS A VERY SERIOUS THING TO DENY THE LORD

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FURTHER STUDIES

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1Sa 2:30 KJV” Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

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Luk 13:27 KJV” But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”