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.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 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.”

After Lazarus was raised up from the dead, he came out bound by the grave clothes. He was alive, yet He could not see. He could not talk or even use his hands. He had to hop to move forward. This is the picture of some individuals who come into Christ. The scripture says God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. (Col 1:13) This scripture means when we are saved, the power of the evil bondage over our lives, is broken. This is the position of the scripture, yet many at the moment of conversion were either not well enlightened scripturally concerning this truth or had certain things they did not open up to break free from, that still held them bound.

In light of the above, there are a number of people who come into Christ, yet are like the resurrected Lazarus. They are so bound to certain bondages, such that they must be set, free. I am aware of some who are set free the very day they were born again. I remember a chain given to me by an occultic pastor, got vanished from my neck, the very day I got born again. We have met countless people who have found it difficult to live a successful Christian life because they had contaminated themselves with mallams, fetish priests, etc. Some have swallowed cowries, charms, and all kinds of soul ties that had to be broken.

Some of these ones may need proper teaching to get them free. Others may need to be prayed for and set free from whatever ‘grave clothes’ that have been used to tie them down.  Dear reader, what state do you find yourself? Is there a particular evil pattern that keeps relapsing in your life and family? You may be having streams of nightmares that assault your sleep and make life miserable for you. For most of such people, you may need proper instruction in God’s word, and through that, you would learn how to break loose from those bondages. Others must be prayed for. If you find yourself in such a condition, look for a brother or sister, with a good knowledge of the scriptures, and who has been successful in getting others free from such a state. I believe such a one, would be able to know what to do after listening to your case.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great salvation, which has brought lasting peace to many. I pray for those who find themselves in muddy waters and do not know how to walk out. May the truth of your word get home to them, and set them free in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDIES

Joh 8:32 KJV “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

2Co 10:4 KJV (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

KEY SCRIPTURE Joh 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.”

After the Lord asked Lazarus to come forth, the man, who has been dead for four days suddenly came out. The whole scene was a spectacle of miracles.

The first was the resurrection life that took a hold of his dead and decaying body and brought it to life.

The next miracle was the power that lifted the man who was bound from head to toe to his feet. How did he manage to get up? It was the ability of Spirit that got him on his feet.

The next miracle was how he managed to move toward the entrance. Remember that his face had been tied up and therefore could see nothing. All these were done by the mighty intelligent. Holy Ghost

I have taken time to analyse the point-by-point miraculous acts that marked Lazarus’s resurrection. I have done this to show you that, no matter how bad your state may be the power of God is mighty enough and cannot be limited by any condition. Many people do not receive their miracles from God because they are limited by their minds. Miracles are wrought by the almighty Spirit of God. Job 26:13 KJV” By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.” To garnish is to beautify or add up the finishings to a thing. Just consider how detailed creation is, the order of the solar system, consider your own body too, how excellent He designed us.

This must move you to be filled with praise. The psalmist David wrote in Psalms 19:1 KJV ” The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Take time to reflect on the many works of God and allow your heart to be filled with His praises. As you grow in acknowledging His magnificence, you would lose all of the stress that difficult issues in your life may be causing you. You would be anxious at nothing, and in all things, you would trust God enough to commit the issues to Him and allow His peace to guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen

CONFESSION

God my Father is still in the miracle business. I put my confidence in Him and trust Him to see me through that which my mind has no answers. His power always perfects all things because I trust Him. Glory be to His name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jer 32:17 KJV “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

1Ch 16:8 KJV “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 11:43 KJV” And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.”

During our Lord Jesus’ ministry, He demonstrated that one could speak to inanimate objects and situations to obey and they did. He spoke to raging storms to be at peace, He spoke to withered hands to be whole and they became well. He cursed to a fig tree, Mark 11:14 KJV” And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.” The Bible said the tree died from its roots. He then said to His disciples, “Whosoever, shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed and enter the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that, those things he says, shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he says.” Mk 11 :23.

Lazarus, was dead for four days, and could be described as an inanimate object yet the Lord knew that life is spiritual. The spiritual has power over the natural. In the case of Lazarus, the Lord called his spirit from the spirit realm. Please note that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Every organ was totally dead, and had started decaying. Calling Lazarus to come forth meant, his spirit, was to enter him, and regenerate all that was dead.

Where did the life which was to stir up his spirit to come into his body and regenerate him, come from? This life was in His words. The scripture says God has ordained power in your mouth. Ps 8:2.

Use your mouth against whatever comes against you. Do not think others are powerful, and you are not. Jesus is the same unto all. Rom 10:12.

What makes certain Christians less powerful than others? A man who has not learnt to keep his promises cannot have that resolute confidence in the words that proceed from his mouth. The one who gives his word to do a thing, but does the opposite, easily doubt himself. This is why many cannot see great things proceeding from what they say.

The other reason why some do not find their words making great impact, is that, they do not speak with a consciousness of the Lord’s presence, who has heard whatever they said, and would act accordingly.

Those who say idle words would not have power in what they say. Idle words are words that do not inspire, instruct, encourage or bless in any way. Matt 12:36. Be serious about every word that comes out of your mouth.

CONFESSION

God my father has ordained strength in my mouth. I against every contrary to, condition, or problem, and I see the expected results. I do not give idle words, but I am very conscious about every word that proceed out of my  mouth.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 8:2 KJV “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.”

Matt 12:36 KJV “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 11:42 KJV “And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”

The Lord Jesus prayed unto the Father, by saying, “I know that you always hear me, but because of these ones, I said it that they would believe.” This statement implies, if it had not been for these people He would have spoken straight to the dead man, to rise from the dead and indeed, he would have risen. Jesus knew the Father was with Him always. He knew He had been given authority over all flesh. John 17:2 KJV” As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.”

Jesus knew what the Father had told Him, and He lived according to what the Father said to him. On a number of occasions, He healed multitudes without saying a prayer to the Father. He knew the Father was always with Him.

He had taken the Father at His word. The scriptures are full of countless promises. Every promise has God’s full barking. He said in Jeremiah 1: 12 that “Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.” This word hasten is also translated ‘to watch over His word to bring it to pass’. Today we have countless promises of God in His word to us. Like our master Jesus, we must believe them and act on them. We would see the same results and make the same impact as the Lord did.

Remember also what the scriptures said in Hebrews 13:8.He said Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This statement was a follow up to what He said in the preceding verse, Heb 13:7 KJV” Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation”. Here we are being advised to stay faithful to God’s word because we have the example and the results of the faith of many who preached God’s word to us .Since Jesus was faithful to them He would be also faithful to us for He is ever the same, and does not change. Glory be to God.

CONFESSION

Glory be to God, for His faithfulness, unto all generations. I fully trust my life on the unfailing word of God. My heart is always at rest as I depend on the word of God. God has always honoured His word in my life. Thank you, Jesus.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psa 119:89, 90 KJV LAMED.” For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.”

Heb 10:23 KJV ” Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) “