IGNORED BY SATAN?

READ: JOHN 15:18-19

The fact that Jezebel resolved to kill Elijah shows that he was noted in hell. Satan cannot ignore those who destroy his evil plans and schemes. He searches for their lives. If Satan ignores you; then you are in trouble. If Satan does not trouble or attack you anymore, it certainly reveals certain unsavoury things about you.
It shows that you could have compromised and now is on the same side with him. It means God is no more interested in you. It means God no longer loves you because Satan will hate all those that God loves. It also means that he already has you in his pocket or cage: Why should he struggle with his prisoner? When last were you a victim of unprovoked assault? When last were you persecuted for your faith in Christ? When last did you suffer attacks from the kingdom of darkness?
“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree, and he requested himself that he might die, and said, it is enough now, Oh LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4).
Elijah was discouraged to the point of asking God to kill him. If he really meant to die, he would have waited for Jezebel to fulfill her threat. God is no murderer but Satan is (John 10:10). Some people run from Satan and their enemies who want to kill them and they come to surrender their lives to Christ in church. After some time, they meet with some problems; they begin to roll on the floor of the church, asking God to take their lives. They are as insincere as Elijah here. God is not a killer.
Some lessons we learn here are that there is no spiritual height that can exempt you from the arrow of discouragement. If Elijah can be discouraged, any other man of God can. You only have to stand and resist the arrows of discouragement, or else you will fall victim. Secondly, that you are down does not mean you are out; that you failed in those attempts does not mean you will never make it. Try again. Rise from your fall. Also, never believe any report that contradicts God’s word, no matter the source. The devil may bark but the Holy Spirit will not allow him to bite you.

MEMORIZE: ACTS 4:29 –And now, Lord, behold their threatening: and grant to Your servants, that with all boldness they may speak Your word.

FRATERNITY OF GAZERS

READ: 2 KINGS 2:5-7

After I became born again, I realized I had a long way to go. I observed that market women were taking giant strides in spiritual matters while I did not know my right hand from my left. This created a deep hunger in me and I took the challenge to excel spiritually. I devoted a lot of time to praying, fasting, and evangelizing and activities that would make me grow spiritually. Not long after, some believers started cautioning me, saying, ‘Take it easy.’ Even if you don’t, you will soon cool down. We have been in the race long before you. The palm frond that grows with the intention of reaching the sky should remember that other palm fronds have not succeeded in reaching that height?
I refused to fall into their spiritual death trap, resolving never to grow cold, God helping me. Their statement provoked in me a new resolve to be hungrier for the Lord each new day. The Lord has faithfully sustained me since then.
If you must stand out, you must be prepared to turn deaf ears to any satanic voice that will quench the fire in you. That satanic plan is channeled through those who are close to you. Satan can even discourage you through a carnal-minded and spiritually insensitive leader like Eli (1 Samuel 1:12-16). Another common feature in average people is that they are lazy, envious and slothful. Where do you stand? Do you kill people’s visions or dream or do you help them realize it? Do you suppress those who are gifted, probably gifted than you, because they are under you? If you do so, it is another case of king Saul versus David. Remember, David will always prevail no matter the efforts of king Saul.
According to our reading, average people always sit on the fence. Like the fifty sons of the prophets, they will keep a distance and watch. When they come to the church, they are happy to sit on clean pew without bothering how to be involved in doing it. As ministers under a pastor, rather than support their leader, they will say, ‘Let us see how he will execute the project.’ Lastly, average people always give excuse in order not to be involved in a given project. They will say, ‘Take it easy, they are giants on the land. Do not go far! If you are in the class of average people, come out now.

MEMORIZE: 2 KINGS 2:7 –And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood to view afar off; and they two stood by Jordan.

DEFINED BY ABILITY

READ: MATTHEW 25:41-30

God has a great vision for us. He also has made provisions for the visions to be realized. You have your part to play and God has His. This is why 1 Corinthians 3:9 says, “For we are labourers together with God. You are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building.” This great vision is broken into smaller segments for every one of us. For instance, you may win Zamfara state (Northern Nigeria) for Jesus while another fellow wins Anambra state (Eastern Nigeria). There may be somebody to whom God will give the whole of Nigeria.
God is the Creator. He saved us and divided talents among His children. Before doing this, He knew the individual abilities of all His children. The one who had ability for five talents, He gave five. He gave two talents to the one who had ability to handle two. The one, who could only handle one, got one. After distributing the talents, God expects each recipient to trade with them and have one hundred percent gain. The one with two talents, who gains another two, has scored one hundred percent. The one with five talents who gains four more has scored eighty percent and will be rated to have under-performed in comparison with the one with two.    
“But all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
God is not a task master. He works with your ability. If He has assigned a task to you, it is because His grace can see you through. If God knows that your ability is for a village, He will not give you a town. If He knows that your ability is for a country, He will not limit you to a state. God will give you what you are able to handle. Are you among those who are saying, my present assignment is far below my ability? Stop complaining. Do your present assignment faithfully and the Lord will give you something more. The Holy Spirit is given to you to profit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 12:7). What profit have you recorded since you claimed to have received the Holy Spirit baptism? How many souls have you won? How many people have you prayed and fasted with to have their problem solved? Where is the result of the word of God you have been hearing? Where is the profit in your character and life-style?

MEMORIZE: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:11 –But all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.