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.