Topic: Do Your Best! [Sunday December 24, 2017]

Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men. — Acts 24:16

God is excellent. As His representatives, we should be too. So it’s important that we do our best in everything we put our hands to. We must be motivated to do our very best in whatever we set out to accomplish. Paul urges us to learn to prize what is excellent and of real value (Philippians 1:10 AMP). As we make excellence a way of life, we will have God’s joy and be good examples to the world.

You must sow excellence in order to reap an excellent harvest. We can’t expect excellent results in life when we don’t live a life of excellence. The Bible teaches us to develop diligence, steadfastness and determination—all of which will help us live lives of excellence.

I encourage you to do your best with any project or activity that God places in your path. Be diligent. Don’t leave things undone, but finish what you start to the best of your ability. Set your mind to be steadfast and determined. Commit yourself to excellent results.

God honors an attitude of excellence. Choose to do your best, and He will always empower you in the process.

Prayer Starter: God, I want to live a life of excellence. Strengthen me and help me to do my best in every situation with steadfastness, diligence and determination.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: Benefits of Supreme Love — Sunday 24, December 2017.

Memorise: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. – John 14:21

Read: John 14:20-23 (KJV)

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 21-23, Zachariah 11:15-12:9, Hymn: Sing Hymn 2: What A Friend We Have In Jesus

MESSAGE:

One of the greatest invitations we have from the Lord Jesus Christ is the call to love Him. In Matthew 10:37 he says,

“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

This invitation is not just to love Jesus, but to love Him supremely. It is a call to love Him above everyone who is precious to us: parents, children, family and friends. If you truly love someone, you would be ready to defend your love for that person at any cost. Sometimes, when you love two different people and the two parties are in disagreement over an issue, you will find yourself supporting the person you love more against the one you love less. When the Lord’s instructions are in conflict with the beliefs of loved ones, most people would choose to please their loved ones rather than obey the Lord’s instructions. Do you love Jesus above everyone and everything else? Do you love Him above your career, work, academic pursuit, etc?

There are great benefits for those who love Jesus supremely. First, Jesus says they will be regarded as being worthy of Him. They will be qualified to carry His banner everywhere they go, and they are assured of the backing of the Most High God. Also, according to John 14:21, if you love Jesus supremely, God the Father will make you the target of His love and you will bask in it. In addition, the Lord will manifest Himself to you. Check out all those who experienced a manifestation of the Lord, like Saul of Tarsus; their lives never remained the same (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). Furthermore, John 14:23 says,

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

From this scripture, another benefit of you loving Jesus supremely is that both Jesus Christ and God the Father will make your heart their permanent residence. If you experience the reality of this truth, you will enter into the realm of Heaven on earth, where no devil or demon dares to come near you (Deuteronomy 11:21). Are you satisfied with your relationship with the Godhead? Why stay where you are when you can take your love for Christ to the limits and have the Godhead fully living with you?

Key Point: Love is so powerful! You can love God to the extent that He will personally come and introduce Himself to you.

Hymn 2: What A Friend We Have In Jesus

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Topic — The Fruit Of The Spirit: Goodness And Faith [Sunday, 24th December 2017]

MEMORY VERSE: “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” – Ephesians 5:9

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 15:13-14

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

INTRODUCTION:

Goodness and faith are part of the vital characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Goodness in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good. Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Philippians 1:27; 2Thessalonians 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. These are the resulting character of someone who is allowing the Holy Spirit to develop his or her life.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. Goodness

2. Faith (Faithfulness)

GOODNESS

The Greek word translated “goodness”, agathosune, is defined as “uprightness of heart and life”. Agathosune is goodness for the benefit of others, not goodness simply for the sake of being virtuous. Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. It results in a life characterised by deeds motivated by righteousness and a desire to be a blessing. It is a moral characteristic of. Spirit-filled person. Expressions of goodness are as varied as the Spirit is creative. These may include confronting someone about a sin in love and firmness, giving to the poor (James 1:27), providing for one’s children, visiting the sick, etc. Goodness is not a quality we can manufacture on our own. Rather, it is a gift (James 1:17). As believers, we must allow the Holy Spirit to produce in us the fruit of goodness that others will see and glorify our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).

FAITH (FAITHFULNESS)

Faith is ‘believing without even seeing’. Hebrews 11:1 says.. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. Faithfulness is steadfastness, constancy or allegiance. It is carefulness in keeping what we are entrusted with. It is also the conviction that the Scriptures accurately reflect reality. Biblical faithfulness requires belief in what the Bible says about God – His existence, His works, and His character. Hebrews 11 gives a long list of men and women in the Old Testament who trusted God and were full of faith. These include: Abel (Hebrews 11:4); Enoch (Hebrews 11:5); Noah (Hebrews 11:7); Abraham and Sarah (Hebrews 11:8-11), etc. Believers must learn to trust God even when it seems He is silent (2Corinthians 5:7). Faithfulness must also be seen in our service unto God (Revelations 2:13) and relationship with fellow men (1Peter 5:12).

CONCLUSION:

We do not become a Christian on our own, and we cannot grow on our own (Philippians 2:13). Every good thing we do by faith is the fruit of the Spirit’s work in our lives.

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe goodness as a characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit.

2. Mention four heroes of faith.

TOPIC — THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS AND FAITH [SUNDAY, 24TH DECEMBER 2017]

OPENING PRAYER:

Father increase my faith. Help me to bear the fruit of goodness also.

MEMORY VERSE: “For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth” Ephesians 5:9.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 15:13-14

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

INTRODUCTION:

Goodness and faith are part of the vital characteristics of the fruit of the Holy spirit. Goodness in man is not a mere passive quality, but deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and the following of all moral good. Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true ( Phil 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. These are the resulting character of someone who is allowing the Holy Spirit to develop his or her life.

TEXT REVIEW: Romans 15:13-14

i. Gal5:22 identify goodness and faith as component of the fruit of the spirit.

ii. The Bible passage of today points out that believers are full of goodness through the power of the holy spirit. Rom. 15:13b and14b.

iii. This passage only mentions goodness without further details and one may not have an in-depth knowledge of its meaning unless we read through some verses of the chapters.

iv. Apostle Paul identifies the fruit of goodness as exemplifies by the brethren hereto referred in this passage. He said, “I myself, am persuaded of you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness”. V.14

v. What are the emblem of this goodness?

i. To bear the emblems of the weak. ROM 15:1

ii. Pleasing one’s neighbour i.e make neighbour happy. To edify and strengthen him/ her spiritually.

iii. Bearing the reproach of others as Christ. Rom. 15:2

iv. Receiving/accepting one another from the heart as Christ received us. Rom. 15:7

v. Becoming a servant and a minister of the gospel to the gentiles. Rom. 15:9 and 16

vi. To bear the fruit of goodness with these emblems is to allow the holy spirit fill our hearts without the knowledge and faith in the Lord and His word. Rom. 15:14.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. GOODNESS

2. FAITH (FAITHFULNESS)

GOODNESS

“Agathosume” in Greek means, uprightness of heart and life. It means goodness for the benefits of others.

i. Goodness is virtue and holiness in action.

ii. It is a desire to be a blessing to others.

iii. It is a moral characteristic of a spirit-filled person.

Other identities of goodness are:

i. Giving to the poor. James 1:27.

ii. Approaching a sinner in love with the aim of restoring him/her.

iii. Providing for one’s family wife, children and relatives.

iv. Visiting the sick.

v. Goodness may not be inborn. It is a gift of the spirit. James 1:17.

vi. The believers must allow the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of goodness in them to glorify God. Matt. 5:16

CLASS ACTIVITY 1:

Class members should share their experience (s) of goodness to others or recount instances of goodness they have demonstrated.

FAITH (FAITHFULNESS)

i. Faith is believing without seeing. Heb. 11:1

ii. Faithfulness is steadfastness, consistency and allegiance.

iii. Faith as the fruit of the spirit is interpreted as FAITHFULNESS. Gal. 5:22

iv. Faithfulness is absolute loyalty to God and His word.

v. The Bible gave examples of people of faith who were faithful to their callings:

a. Abel gave an acceptable offering to God. Heb.11:14, Gen 4:4

b. Enoch walked with God and was translated. Heb. 11:5

c. Noah built an ark that could float on water even when there had not been any rain. Heb. 11:7

d. Abraham and Sarah waited for 100 and 90 years respectively to receive the promise.Heb.11: 8-11

vi. Believers must be faithful to trust God even when circumstances does not encourage such act. 2Cor. 5:7

vii. Believers must be faithful to God in service at all times. Rev. 2:13

viii. Believers must be faithful in their services to humanity always. 1pet. 5:12.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2:

Members should discuss the proof of their faithfulness to God. Giving example where possible to encourage one another.

SUMMARY:

Believers must yield the fruit of goodness and faithfulness to God and fellow neighbors.

CONCLUSION:

We do not become a Christian on our own, and we can not grow on our own. Phil 2:13. Every good thing we do by faith is the fruit of the spirit’s work in our life.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father let me affect my generation with goodness and be faithful to you to the end.

ASSIGNMENT:

Identify 5 areas to show goodness to your neighbours and 5 areas you can be faithful to God.

Topic — The Home: An Institution For Child Training (3)

Dear Reader,

In previous teachings, we saw the home as the first institution for child training and positive examples as the tool for raising great children. The teaching this week shall focus on an interesting subject titled: God’s Command to Teach.

From the beginning, God instructed parents to teach their children. Addressing the ancient Israelites, God said: And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

This kind of teaching requires much more than once-a-week session at Church services. It must be a regular practice; all week long, so that it becomes a lifestyle (Proverbs 22:6).

Abraham, called the friend of God in James 2:23, was well spoken of by God for teaching his children and household God’s ways. In Genesis 18:19 God said of Abraham: For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgement; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

King Solomon understood that when we reach maturity, we reflect the training we have received as children (Proverbs 22:6). History clearly shows that when Israel neglected teaching and obeying God’s commands as they were told to do in Deuteronomy 6, they suffered tragic results.

Apostle Paul wrote: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). This statement is simply a continuation of the same principle God gave the Israelites in the Old Testament.

Sometimes ago, I read a scripture that changed my perspective about child training: …A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother (Proverbs10:1). In other words, the son that is wise is the father’s, while the one that is foolish is the mother’s! That is why I told myself that I must be ready to accept responsibility, so that my children will not end up as fools.

In case you are a woman reading this article, you must rise up to the task and accept the responsibility of raising wise children. However, if you had your children before getting born again and they are thorns in your flesh, I want you to believe God for a miracle, for with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Today, we need to likewise teach our children God’s commands. These commands, when applied, provide a moral compass to guide their conduct for the rest of their lives.

How, then, can you effectively teach? Biblical passages on parenting show that God wants you to employ love, patience, dignity and respect in working with your children, just as He does with you. Love is the foundational principle for all Christian relationships (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35). Paul said obeying the Ten Commandments expresses love toward God and your neighbours (Romans 13:9-10).

Just as God instructs because He loves you; you must likewise instruct your children if you love them (Hebrews 12:7). Loving your children includes discipline. Establishing fair rules and consequences for breaking those rules has been described as setting up boundaries. The purpose for boundaries is that children learn appropriate behaviour and feel secure.

Your attitude towards your children is, perhaps, the most important consideration in proper child upbringing. Your words and actions show your children whether or not you love them.

To effectively obey the commandment on child training, you need to identify with Christ, by being born again. To be born again means confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord. If you are set for this, please say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Raising Godly Children, Understanding Motherhood, Building A Successful Family and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.