BACK TO JERICHO?

READ: LUKE 10:30-33

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said a traveller had left Jerusalem for Jericho. On his way he met trouble. Let us consider what Jericho is all about. When you think of Jericho, the first thing that strikes you is curses. Joshua placed a curse on Jericho after its defeat: “And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that rises up and builds this city Jericho: he shall the foundation thereof in his first born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.” (Joshua 6:26).
Galatians 3:13 says that Christ redeems us from the curse of the law when we are part of Jerusalem. This means that Jericho is a place where curses are in operation. Are you yet to be born again? Are a regular worshipper in the church but still living in sin? Are you suffering from curses and spells? Leave Jericho immediately and come into Jerusalem, the city of peace. All those curses will be taken away and you will be free to achieve your potential.
Jericho also reminds us of defeat. Those tough walls came crumbling down. After the victory, the children of Israel sinned and were defeated by their enemies. Someone who is not sanctified will be defeated – defeated by sin, Satan, enemies and circumstances of life. Are you living in defeat? This can be reversed in Christ Jesus. In addition to this, Jericho reminds us of blindness. We see poor and blind Bartimaeus on the Jericho road. Are mortgaging your spiritual sight to sin?
Anyone leaving Jerusalem for Jericho is in trouble. On his way the traveller in our reading was attacked by thieves. Anyone leaving sanctification for sin should expect demonic attacks. The thieves first removed the clothes of the traveller. Anyone who steps out of Jerusalem will lose his salvation. Also the traveller was beaten and left half-dead. A backslider is half-dead. His contact with God is lost and as result, he will dwell in the congregation of the dead.(Proverbs 21:16). Are you gradually returning to Jericho? Or are you already there? Repent today and return to the city of peace.

MEMORIZE: REVELATION 19:8 –And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.   

HOW HE LEADS

READ: 1 KINGS 19:12-13

An issue that disturbs many Christians is how they can know God’s will for marriage. How does God speak to his people? There are several ways. He can speak directly – you hear his voice distinctly. In Acts 9:9-20, the Lord asked Ananias to go to a particular street called ‘straight’ and ask at the house of  Judas for one Saul of Tarsus, who was praying. This shows that God knows your name, address, your birthplace and other details about you. So God can tell you tell you all the details about your spouse long before you meet her, such as her address, height, size of shoe, name and complexion.
When God has supplied details of your spouse, you can note them down. As brothers begin to approach you, check their details and see if there is any match. Keep to what God has shown you. Another way God can lead you is by speaking the information you need into your heart. This will be in form of the still, small voice and you will know it is who has spoken. In our reading, God used that voice to speak to Elijah. Also, the Lord will confirm it in order to assure you. In Acts 13:1-3, we read that after God had spoken to Paul and Barnabas concerning a task he wanted them to do, he confirmed it before others.
God also leads his children through dreams and visions. For instance in Matthew 2:13, 19-20, God warned Joseph of Herod’s plot to kill baby Jesus and told him to escape to Egypt; and when Herod died, he told Joseph to return to Galilee. God can show you your spouse through dreams and visions. But be careful to subject such dreams to rigorous prayers for confirmation or cancellation, because Satan easily manipulates the use of such media. God could also give you Scriptures to ascertain whether a brother is his choice for you or not. These may drop into your spirit while praying. If the Scripture is not clear to you, ask for the understanding. In addition, you will an inner, inexplicable peace when you meet with your spouse. James 3:17 says the wisdom of God is peaceful. The Lord will have to confirm his choice to both of you so that you can agree to enter into marriage (Amos 3:3). The Lord will guide your steps aright to the place he has planned for you.  

MEMORIZE: PROVERBS 4:18 –But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.   

LEAVING JERUSALEM

READ: LUKE 10:25-30

In our reading, a certain man left Jerusalem for Jericho. Jerusalem means ‘city of peace’, while Jericho is the exact opposite. This traveller left the city of peace. He left the security of sanctification and decided to return to the world. On his way, he met with much misfortune – pain, poverty and danger. This means he had lost his peace. Such people are all around you; what are you doing to bring them back to Jerusalem?
One who is sanctified can be said to be living in Jerusalem also because Jerusalem is called the city of kings. In the millennial reign, Jesus Christ will rule from Jerusalem, making it the city of the King of kings. Living with the King of kings means that all your needs are met. (Philippians 4:19). You will be free from poverty, since your God is the richest person on the earth. Apart from this, you will be free of danger (Proverbs 21:31) because another name for your husband is Safety.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3).
Peace like river is yours when you are sanctified. How can you lack peace when you are to the Prince of Peace? Arriving at peace is one thing. Continuing in peace is another. It is the person whose mind is fully satisfied and permanently established in the Prince of Peace who is guaranteed continuity of peace. When the traveller left Jerusalem, he left p 

MEMORIZE: ISAIAH 26:3 –You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You.

FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

READ: REVELATION 2:8-10

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry...” (1 Timothy 1:12).
If you would serve God, you must be faithful to him. According to the verse above, Paul was counted faithful before he was employed by God in ministry. In the secular world, before a job is given to someone, he has to go through a series of stages and tests. Eventually, employers will draw up a shortlist and screen the best candidate for the job. Among other qualities employers look out for in the ideal candidate is faithfulness.
“Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulations ten days; be you faithful to death, and I will give you a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10). If the secular world requires men they can trust, men of integrity, how much more does God require such faithful men? In fact, from the above, God expects those who serve him to be faithful to death. This means that he expects you to execute whatever assignment he has given you, even if it costs you your life. The greater tasks require more highly committed and faithful men.
“Go, gather all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night and day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16).
Esther put her life on the line to save the nation. You too may have to lay down your life to save others. For God to use you, start by serving him with what you have. Use your money and time to serve him. If you do this well, God will begin to entrust you with bigger assignments. Start from the small things. When you are faithful in little things, he will make you master of great things. How faithful are you to his Highest Majesty?

MEMORIZE: 1 TIMOTHY 1:12 –And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry...  

MANIPULATION?

READ: ACTS 1:15-26

Divine guidance is vital for anyone contemplating marriage. This is because marriage can either make or mar you. You have to truly seek God’s face in prayer. It is very dangerous to move without God’s green light. “The meek will He will guide in judgement; and the meek will He teach His way.” (Psalm 25:9).
Many people pray to God for the right partner. Only a few receive guidance from him. God will only guide the meek: those who are humble, ready to listen, and prepared to obey his will. The fact here is that some Christians are not sincere as they would like us to believe. They may say, ‘Lord, give me your perfect will for my life in marriage. I am ready to do your will.’ But when God reveals his choice, they find fault with it and begin to dictate to God.
Immediately some Christians feel the person God is asking them to marry does not meet with their carnal standards, they begin to kick and even reject him or her for some other choice. Why do you ask God to choose for you if at the end of the day, you reject God’s choice? This is insincerity. God’s ways are not ours. God may choose someone you do not think is ‘your type’. It takes meekness to believe that God knows what is right for you and God’s choice is the best choice you can ever have.
Do not manipulate things to suit yourself. Some brothers, after making a carnal choice, will later fabricate a testimony to back up their desires. A sister once sought God’s will in marriage. God asked her to look out of the window and the man she would see was the one. It happened to be a young, handsome gateman who wanted to go to school but had no means. The sister told her pastor and on inviting the brother, he said God had spoken to him long before then but he had been afraid to tell her. The sister succumbed, sponsored the brother through school and they eventually married. Why not for once be sincere with god and ask him without anyone in mind? He will direct only those who allow him.  

  

MEMORIZE: PSALM 25:9 –The meek will He will guide in judgement; and the meek will He teach His way.