KEY SCRIPTURE: John 12:7 KJV “Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.”

Judas ignorantly and carnally accused Mary Magdalene of wasting a very costly ointment. He claimed the ointment could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. The Lord quickly corrected him that, he was wrong. He revealed to him, the hidden reason for which God led her to do it. She was selfless about the whole thing. She loved much and so wanted to give her best. Her sincere heart placed her in the center of the will of God to anoint the body of Jesus for His burial.

True love is not selfish. It does not seek her own way, but joyfully, gives. Love does not give to take advantage of the receiver. Love does not make mistakes. Love functions on sincere motives, with no selfish intentions. God always sees the heart condition and weighs every intention from that position. Love is the basic essence of life. It gives meaning to life.1Jn 3:14 KJV “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”. Decide never to give place to selfishness and the taking advantage of others. To live that way is to live in death.

Judas set himself on the path of destruction by choosing to be selfish.  He lived with his personal interest and expressed false positive concerns. All were intended to gain an advantage to steal In the long run he ended up betraying the Lord, which complicated matters for him to commit suicide. The path of love is a sure path to avoid errors and ultimate regrets. Creation was designed to sustain itself by freely giving whatever the creator adorned it with. When man decided to be selfish, then creation went on the path of self-destruction. Get back to love and become truly free.

CONFESSION

God, my Father is love, and so love is my nature. I joyfully express my love for all people. Hatred and selfishness are poison to the human soul and kills all who live by them. I refuse to be selfish or hate my neighbour. I am forever alive because I abide in love.

THOUGHT: A LOVING HEART IS GOD’S INSTRUMENT, BRINGING ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS OF OTHERS.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Jn 3:18 KJV “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.’

1Co 13:3 KJV “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not  love, it profiteth me nothing.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 12:5 KJV: Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

When Mary Magdalene anointed Jesus’ feet with the very costly ointment, Judas commented as follows, Joh 12:5 KJV” Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” He said it was a waste of money for that ointment to be poured on Jesus. What he said appeared to be a good thought, yet the bible explained further that, he said so, because he kept the money bag of the group, and used to steal some of it. Besides his intention being wrong, it was an inditement on the wisdom of Jesus for allowing such a ‘wastage’ on Him. It further exposes the level of spirituality he was. Judas was carnal in many respects.

In the first place, how could he accuse the Lord of allowing a misuse of something, that could be of benefit to the poor? The position and carnality of Judas are, unfortunately, the condition of many Christians who have not allowed the scriptures to rule their hearts. These are the people who consider it a wastage to invest money to hold crusades, for the salvation of souls. Such people see everything wrong, with their church, organising continuous fasting programs. The worse of it is when they raise their voice against the church organising, continuously witnessing outreaches. They see nothing wrong with holding picnics, and other social activities. I do not say, these social activities are wrong, my point is, such people will quickly oppose spiritual activities, but are ready to participate in party sessions and other social programs of the church.

Sadly, these kinds of brethren, never join in general church, or group fasting, and are mostly absent from church activities. Dear one, if you find yourself in such a condition, then you are backsliding, and carnality is eating you up. Check yourself, you would find out that, your desire to read the bible is gone. Your desire to pray is also dying. Nothing urges you to win others for Jesus. Dear one if these descriptions fit your state, then be humble and call on the Lord to forgive you, and also repent from that state.

PRAYER

Thank you, heavenly Father, for your love and the truth of your word. I submit myself to whatever you say. I choose to live according to your word and abstain from every form of carnality. I allow the word to rule my life

THOUGHT: CARNAL PEOPLE DESTROY CHURCHES IF NOT DETECTED

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 8:7 KJV” Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

Phi 3:18 KJV “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 12:3 KJV” Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.”

Gratitude highly pleases God, for it appreciates God for who He truly is; a good God. Many men are filled with sorrow, bitterness, and anger because they are constantly filled with the negatives and the unfulfilled issues in their lives. Most men even see God as the cause of their woes. They never sing a song of gratitude to God. These people are sadly blinded to the amazing and abundant blessings that surround them. Such people may have a loving family around them, yet they feel depressed because they fail to appreciate God for it. Another may have good health, but another thing he lacks becomes an unbearable weight. This should not make you moody. He should rather thank God for the great health provisions. If men would count God’s blessings and name them one by one, the so many stresses, afflicting them, would dry up into oblivion.

Mary Magdalene, was one who showed great appreciation, for all that the Lord had done for her. This was a woman, who had been delivered from seven evil spirits. Her dead brother who has been in the grave for four days was brought back to life. She could not hide her gratitude but had to get a very expensive perfume and pour it on the master’s feet. She also used her hair, a symbol of her glory to wipe His feet. Luke 7:38 KJV” And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment”. Mary was overwhelmed with gratitude.

This was an example of true gratitude. How did she go about it?

She wept as she washed His feet with the tears and her hair. She was very emotional. This was an act of worship as well. Worship or true gratitude must be emotional. She also acted out of knowledge, in considering all the benefits gained from the master. Worship should not only be emotional, but must also be out of knowledge. She also did it out of a willing heart. True worship must be willing. These three aspects of the human faculties, made her worship, an act of her total person. This teaches us that, worship is not just words of praise, but an expression of one’s being in total humility and love. How grateful have you being to the master in the great and wonderful blessings that the Lord has shown you?

CONFESSION

Thank you, beloved Father, for all the kindness you show me. Your angels watch over me each day. Every created thing you made was set up to be a blessing to men. I thank you most glorious Lord for all the many blessings you bestow on me.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Ch 16:34 KJV “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Psalms 103:2 KJV” Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 12:1 KJV “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.”

In our previous study we started looking at how to know and hear God’s voice. We realized in that study that, the Lord Jesus, had a consistent flowing ministry, because in the midst of the threats from the religious leaders, He could still move around, because He did so by the counsel of the Spirit. In today’s study, we would take an elaborate discussion on knowing and hearing God’s voice.

Let’s look at Romans 12:1,2

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. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The above instructions are the two major ways that place an individual in the frequency of the Spirit of God, to be able to know and also hear the voice of God.

To present your body as a living sacrifice, implies, God should have total control of all that you do. It also means to offer yourself to the Lord and turn away from sinful ways. The man who is living to please himself is not subjected to the ways of God, and cannot even receive or hear God speak to him. (Rom 8:7) After presenting yourself unto God, you seek for a renewal of the way you view life as a whole. You do this through a study of His word and meditation. A renewed mind would result in a changed nature that makes you sensitive to God. The scripture also added that, this makes you prove that which is God acceptable, and perfect will of God. The voice of God is a function of the will of God. You would then, freely know whether it is God speaking, the devil   or your own mind. As you keep doing what God says, your spiritual senses would grow to naturally know what the Lord may want you to know.

In what form, does God’s voice come to us?

1. It may come to you through the preaching of God’s word. 1 Thess 2:13

2. It can come as a dream, a vision, Genesis 40:5, Matt 2:12

3. Through certain circumstances, 1 Sam 9:5

4.   A still small voice 1st King’s 19:12

5. An audible voice as a friend speaks to you. Acts 9:2-4

The Christian who has obeyed the instructions of Rom 12:1 and 2, would have his or her senses trained to know that, this is God speaking to me.

The child of God, who hears God’s voice and decides to obey would have peace in himself. Col 3:15

CONFESSION

I commit my whole being unto God, as a living sacrifice in holiness and I give place to God’s word to   align my thinking with God’s way. This helps me to know God’s voice in whatever means it comes to me. The joy is in doing what it says.

FURTHER STUDIES

Heb 5:14 KJV” But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Joh 10:27 KJV “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 12:1 KJV “Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.”

The Lord Jesus had been on the high alert wanted list of the religious leaders, yet He kept going to places that He had to go. He did that without any fear because He knew God’s agenda for Him. He knew the Passover time will be in six days’ time and that will be the time when He would be offered as God’s sacrificial lamb, for the sins of all men. In the light of what He knew from the Spirit of God, no enemy could lay his hands on Him, because that was not scheduled by the Lord. The Lord was successful, in His ministry because He was in constant fellowship with the Father. He acted on what He heard from the Father.

Many children of God would live more successfully, if they knew what the Father wanted them to do, say or go to, at each specific moment. If Jesus had not known the voice and leading of the Spirit of God, He would have still been in hiding. This subject of knowing the will, voice, and God’s timing for our lives is so important. The Lord said He does nothing without hearing from the Father. John 5:30 KJV” I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.:

 Now, how do I hear God’s voice and also know what He wants me to do? Romans 12:1 and 2 teach us what to do. Please read them.

1. Present your body as a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable unto God.
2.  Stop thinking and acting like worldly people do, rather, let the word of God change the way you think.

 These two steps would fine-tune you up to be able to know or hear God when He speaks. To be continued.

CONFESSION

Thank you, heavenly Father, for your mercies and kindness. Thank you for your will for my life. I do not walk like the world and do not live by their fears and worries for I receive your ways through the Spirit, and so I am always in the light.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 11:9 KJV” Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.”

Prov. 4:18 KJV” But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 11:57 KJV” Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.”

The high priest and the general body of the Pharisees have asked everyone who knows the whereabouts of Jesus, to report Him to them, so that they may arrest and crucify Him. Beloved readers these people were not just pursuing this agenda on their own accord but were remotely stirred by Satan. Satan and His host of demons are the orchestrators of all the atrocities that go on around.

These people, with their master, were feverishly looking for Jesus. How did the master react to them? The Lord did not allow their activities to threaten Him. He maintained His relationship with the Father and acted on His instruction. Never allow the activities of the enemy to dictate your behaviour. Many people respond to such threats or danger with fear. Isa 8:12 KJV” Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear nor be afraid.” Do not speak in line with what the enemy may be doing, nor act according to what he is doing. Remember what the Lord said in John 11:9, that there are twelve hours in the day, if a man walks in the day, he would not stumble. This means if you act according to what God is saying you would not be overwhelmed with darkness. Acting in fear is leaving the light or the day to go into darkness.

Although He did not allow the threats to control Him, he did not take their threats lightly. He kept Himself out of their reach. He did that by trusting the Father to keep His word, to preserve Him until the appointed time. Faith in God is the highest means to secure yourself. Psalms 91:1 KJV “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Going through Psalm 91 shows how God our Father preserves us from various dangers. All these securities, proceed from our dwelling in the secret place, that is placing your trust in the Lord. The evil one cannot lay any of his hands or works on you as you trust the Lord. Pls, Read through Psalm 91 meditating on it.

CONFESSION

I am fully aware of Satan’s agenda to destroy, yet he does not have the authority, and cannot execute any of his activities, so long as I put my trust in God. My faith is firmly in God, and give no attention to whatever I see, or hear. I continually win over every challenge he puts up against me.

FURTHER STUDIES

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

Isa 43:2 KJV” 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.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:54 KJV “Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.”

In our key scripture, the Lord Jesus was being pursued by the religious leaders to kill Him. The Lord wisely kept Himself from public gatherings. Why did He do that?

The Lord Jesus according to Matt 26:53 reads, ” Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? The Lord had legions of angels at His disposal. One legion is about two to six thousand. All these angels would protect Him, against these feeble leaders. What would have been the implication of employing angels to protect Him? That would have made Him simply unapproachable and very fearful. His ultimate program of coming to die for mankind would have been defeated.

The Lord had come to fulfill the will of God. He said, “thy will be done.” God had sent Him to give His life as a ransom for all men. He had to obey it to the letter. The time for His crucifixion was not ready then, so He had to humbly stay away from public life.

What does the Lord’s action teach us. As children of God, we do not live for ourselves. We are here to please the Lord in all that we do. In whatever state, social status or place that we may find ourselves, we must do all things, not to please ourselves. Christian marriages would be very peaceful, if couples decide to live according to the word or will of God.

The action of the Lord could be described as meekness. Meekness is strength under control. This is an attitude of not insisting on your rights for the sake of peace and cordial living among neighbours, partners, or family. Dear one, in our dealings with others, can we make certain concessions in order to broker peace and assist that association go forward?

There have been moments when two cars face each other at paths that are too narrow, for the two cars to move concurrently. These drivers, either, out of pride decide not to retreat for the neighbour to go. In some cases, they park the cars and other vehicles cannot pass by. This is when one must be meek, to throw away his pride or right and retreat to allow the other to go.

PRAYER

Father, I pray for all children of God, and all places that strive is dominating them. I pray that various persons will bring their strengths under control, or throw away their pride for peaceful co- existence in Jesus’ name.

THOUGHT: PRIDE ALWAYS MAKES FOOLS OF PEOPLE

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 12:18 KJV” If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

James 3:17 KJV” But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 11:50 KJV” Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.”

Satan had orchestrated to end the glorious activities of Jesus, and also put Him to an open shame. He had generated anger, bitterness mixed with tons of envy in the hearts of these religious leaders to crucify Jesus. To them, they were achieving their heart desire. This was an evil plan, yet in the plans and purposes of God it was the greatest act to settle once and for all, the redemption of mankind. The bible said if these people knew that the crucifixion of Jesus would have meant the salvation of all men, they would not have done so.1Co 2:8 KJV” Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

These people really meant to inflict so much suffering on the Lord Jesus. They took Him to the whipping post, and mutilated His body by using whips laded with lead balls, which tore out the flesh each time a stroke was given To them they were punishing Him yet in the mind of God, the sicknesses that were to come on men, were legally being paid for. Each stroke meant the healing of various diseases from people like you and me. They terribly meant it for  evil  yet the God of all love and wisdom was working it out for our good.

They stripped Him naked and nailed Him on the cross, to disgrace Him to the whole world, God turned it for good, by making, it breaks every power of lack, poverty and shame from you and me. He was very rich, yet on the cross, He could not even get a hand to drive away flies that came to sit on any portion of His body. He became a perfect picture of poverty, so that you could become a perfect example of the rich individual..2nd Corinth 8:9.

Dearly beloved as you may be going through this material, Satan is scheming his evil agenda against you, or there may be a condition that may be threatening, your life. Please give no thought to it. God with the so-called evil situation, is working out a glorious outcome for you. The power for MAKING God’s program to become real is to believe in what He has said. Give no thought to the threats of the evil one. He is weak, so long as you place no fear in Him. Your faith in God in such moments is the determinant of events. If your faith says yes to God, success, and celebration is bound to be your outcome. Feed your faith and keep praising God, for making every evil good.

CONFESSION

Glory be to God, I am not moved by whatever threat, challenge or problem that Satan may throw at me. My faith is solidly in the word of God, and that makes all things work out to my good and victory.   I am not moved by what I see or by what happens, but I am moved by my faith. I always have what I believe, not what happens.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mar 5:36 KJV “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.”

John 11:40 KJV” Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 11:47 KJV” Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.”

Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Some of the people believed in Him, others went to report the events to the high priest. In our key scripture  ,these  religious leaders met and discussed about what to do to Jesus. They just hated him. What was the reason for their hatred? They explained in the verse 48, that, since everyone was following Jesus, because of His miracles, the Roman authorities would soon come and take over their  Land. How realistic was that assertion? This was a man who could heal every sickness known to man. He could raise the dead. He could feed multitudes who were hungry. In a very fair world, He should have been seen as a great asset for all mankind

These people could not see the great blessing He was to all, but wanted Him dead. The real problem to them was envy. Anyone with an evil mind cannot analyse issues properly. Homes where partners allow ill motives to control them, make very dangerous judgements, and end up doing terrible things to each other. The best decision these religious leaders in Jesus’ time could come to was to crucify him. Was this the reward for Jesus’ tireless sacrifices of moving on foot across, the towns in Israel, healing multitudes. Feeding hungry people, delivering many who were under satanic bondages?

The bible gives a very good answer in the following verse Titus 1:15 KJV “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled”. The condition of a man’s heart determines how he sees life and therefore how he will relate to others. Many homes are boiling with rage because of evil negative thoughts about others, so they judge wrongly. They therefore mete out very unkind, or unfair treatment to others.

Please note, every action is a seed sown into your own life. Bad actions are bad seeds which you would surely reap the corresponding fruits. Good actions are good seeds, which you would also reap. These actions might injure another individual, yet it is a bad seed sown into your own life waiting for a harvest for you. Never get satisfied over your success in inflicting pain to your neighbour, for it is an evil seed sown into your own life, and you would surely harvest those evil fruits in its due time.

CONFESSION

Thank you, Lord, for the truth of your word. Men reap whatever they sow. I think rightly of all men. I make right and fair judgments about all men. I give no place to envy and hatred My heart is always at peace and have good favour from the Lord. I have a kind heart towards all.

FURTHER STUDIES

Gal 6:7, 8 KJV “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Mat 22:39 KJV “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 11:44 KJV” And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”

In our last study, we considered the many who come into Christ, yet like Lazarus they are bound from head to toe. How can such people free themselves?

When one is born again a lot of spiritual things take effect in his or her life. By coming to terms with the changes and the supernatural privileges available to him or her, he can get himself out of the bondages that may be holding him down.

Let’s consider some of the difficulties that some of these new believers may have to deal with.

1. Spirits of addiction to drugs, alcohol pornography, or masturbation.

2. Ungodly soul ties to the opposite sex, or even to the same sex

3. Demonic contaminations through Mallams, fetishism, with body incisions, swallowing cowries, etc.

4. Spiritual evil patterns in the Family that create cycles of failure, diseases, and stagnation.

5. Spiritual attacks through dreams, spiritual marriages, etc.

How can one in any of these free himself.?

To be free, you must come to terms with your place in Christ Anyone who has believed in Jesus is identified with Him, in His death, burial, and resurrection, and has also been glorified together with Him. Now you are seated in heaven in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:6), far above all principalities, powers or dominion, spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.

Every negative thing that has demonic sources are connected to this array of satanic ranks of demons or spirits. The word said you are seated higher and far above them. You have an authority far greater than whatever they have combined together. Stop feeling victimised, but start rejoicing that you have indeed been freed from them. You can’t be seated far above them, and be still under their bondage, it is not possible. The fact is, you would be feeling the urge to keep doing the wrong things. This is when you must acknowledge your position in Christ and say no to them.

These devils know they are defeated yet they try to cause you to doubt if you are indeed free. Feed yourself with the truth and resist them. If you stand your ground enough, they will leave you Remember what the Lord said; after you have done all, keep standing. Eph 6:14

Each time a suggestion or a compulsive power seems to incite you to do that wrong thing, QUICKLY use your tongue to resist that thought or voice. Keep resisting, till the feeling or urge leaves you.

In any of the above-listed cases, in which you resist yet things seem to be getting worse, please seek help from a brother or sister, who has a deeper insight into these things.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, through my faith in you, I am one with you. I am free from whatever, bondage that Satan used to hold me down. In your name, I resist every one of these devils and declare that I am free from their dominion. Thank you, Lord, for setting me free.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 8:36 KJV “If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Jas 4:7 KJV” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”