Victory Over Satan

Key verse: “These shall make war with the lamb, and the lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

The rash of unyielding problems all over the world clearly indicates the imminence of the end of this world and the revelation of Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords. The shed-blood at Calvary assures us of enduring victory.
The battle lines are drawn, and the greatest confrontation in the history of the world is about to begin. The Antichrist and false prophets have   gathered armies to wage war against Christ and His saints. In their pride and self-will, they prepare to fight against their creator. This shows how rebellious and perverted their thinking is.
Victory was won on the cross when Jesus Christ died for our sin. Although the Bible presents the world as estranged from God and seized by Satan, Christians must wage continual warfare against him and his cohorts. One of Christ’s purposes for coming to the earth was to bind Satan and set at liberty those enslaved by him. Christians have dominion over evil powers because Christ has given us His power and authority to cast out devils; “they shall speak with new tongues, and they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17,18). We too can experience all round victory through faith in Christ.
As Christians, we should be confident that God won the final victory and He is in control of everything. The final blow has been given on the cross where Christ proclaimed, “It is finished”. He has triumphed over sin, Satan, affliction, oppression, sickness and poverty. It has all been accomplished on the cross. As you believe today, Victory is sure and you shall continue to live a victorious Christian life by abiding continually in the Lord and His word.
Thought for today: Christ in you is greater than Satan in the world.

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PROGRESS DESPITE PROBLEMS

"And Gideon... and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them"   

 (Judges 8:4)

The name Gideon means "Destroyer," "Mighty warrior," or "Feller (of trees)". As a young man, Gideon was working in his father's wheat farm inside a grape plantation hidden from the Midianites and other plunderers. The people of Israel have been under grievous siege from the Midianites and the Amalekites. The Hebrews were driven into the mountains and caves; their farmlands and livestock were plundered to the extent that artificial famine was created in the land, and people were deeply impoverished.  It was under this circumstance that God chose Gideon to liberate the Israelites from bondage. In the Bible passage above, God granted Gideon and Israel decisive victory over their enemies.

            As young people, you are likely to face some battles of life. Oppositions and persecutions will come your way. But when you call upon God, he will surely come to your rescue. Trust God and never lean on the arms of flesh. Just as the people of God conquered their enemies, victory will surely come your way in Jesus' name.

Challenge:       It is never over until it is over.

Prayer:             Lord, give me victory.

Further reading: Joshua 10:8-14

Quote:             Never lean on the arms of flesh

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CONTENTMENT IN EVERYTHING

"I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content"      (Philippians 4:11)

Apostle Paul before his conversion had everything at his beck and call. He had fame, influence and power. As a well trained lawyer, he had great prospects in the Jewish establishment. After his conversion, he took to tent-making alongside his evangelistic ministry so as to provide himself with basic necessities of life. He spoke in the passage above about his life of self-denial and contentment.

            As a young person, you can face a lot of challenging situations. All you need to do is to have a relationship with Christ. And you can do this by repenting of your sins and surrendering your life to Christ, if you have not done so. Remember also that God has promises for his children in all situations of life. Believe in God’s promises that proffer solutions to your present predicaments. The Lord is willing to save and deliver you from every unpleasant condition. You must therefore rise and claim God’s promises for your life.

Challenge:       Learn to be satisfied with what God has given you.

Prayer:             God, give me the spirit of contentment.

Further reading: 1 Timothy 6:3-12

Quote:      God has promises for His children.

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WORRY NOT

"Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not, neither do they reap... yet your heavenly father feedeth them.        "              (Matthew 6:26)

The birds are far lower creatures than man. They are not made in God's image. They do not possess eternal souls. Their existence does not go beyond this earth. Their lifespan is far shorter. They are not endowed with such sophisticated brain as man has. Yet, they are sustained by God. And not one of them is forgotten before God. No wonder, they do not bother themselves. What a challenge for boys and girls! You are created in God's image. If you have repented of sins and have Christ as your Saviour,  you can lay claim to heavenly inheritance.

            All that pertain to godliness has been freely made available to God’s children, one of whom is worth more than all of earth’s wealth put together. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. If God cares for the birds, will he not help His children to pass their examination, pay school fees, or secure admission? Yes, of course. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Challenge:  Why not put your trust in God.

Prayer:        God, take away all anxieties from me.

Further reading: Philippians 4:19

Quote:   You are created in God's image.

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SPEND YOUR TIME WISELY AND GODLY

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time..." 

 (Ephesians 5: 15, 16)

Great leaders of the world are known for self-discipline and good time management. Diligent youngsters should learn to use their time well. Time is so precious and it must be gainfully engaged. All humans on earth are given the same allotment of hours and minutes in a day. Disciplined students maximize their time for profitable ventures.

What you achieve at a given time becomes significant at the end of the day when your gains are finally summed up. The time wasted on joking, jesting, talking, and yelling instead of reading and studying your books can never be redeemed. You must learn to avoid careless or needless visitations, peer influence, unprofitable engagements that tend to waste your time. Computer or cell phone games, playing of cards, ludo or snooker will squander your time which could be spent for successful pursuit. It is students without ambition that spend all their time playing football and chess games at the expense of their studies. Self-discipline is must if you want to be a good time manager.

Challenge:       Time waits for no one.

Prayer:             Dear Lord, help me to manage my limited time.

 Further reading: Colossians 4:5

Quote:             Be a good time manager

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Persuade Them by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Key verse: “And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel” (Numbers 10:29).

One day, a lawyer visited a Christian who stayed at St. Louis, United States of America, to transact a business. After their business discussion and before they parted, the believer said to him: “I’ve often wanted to ask you a question, but I’ve been afraid to do so.” The lawyer asked: “What do you want to know?” The believer said: “I’ve wondered why you’re not a Christian.” The lawyer hung his head and said: “I know enough about the Bible to realize that it says no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God; and you know my weakness!” But the believer cut him short: “You’re avoiding my questions.” The lawyer replied: “Well, truthfully, I can’t recall anyone ever explaining how to become a Christian.” 

The believer picked his Bible and read some passages, explaining that all were under condemnation, but that Christ came to save the lost by dying on the cross for their sins. He added: “By receiving Him as your Substitute and Redeemer, you can be forgiven. If you’re willing to receive Jesus, let’s pray together.” 

As the believer led him into a prayer of repentance, the lawyer exclaimed: “O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of your servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit in my life.” Right there, he got converted and that lawyer was C.I. Scofield, who later edited the reference Bible that bears his name. 

What would have become of Scofield if that believer did not persuade him to accept Christ? Many people, today, have taken the back seat in obeying the Great Commission. Yet, souls are dying everyday, going to hell. From our text,  What plans do you have for your relatives, friends and others in God’s kingdom? Paul the Apostle said: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” (Romans 10:1). Why not pray to have such a burdened heart like Paul’s today.

Thought for today: Be a channel of blessing to the undeserving.

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Sincere Faith

Key verse: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Adoniran Judson, an American missionary, was jailed in Burma because of his stand for Christ. His ankles were chained, while his feet were bound to a bamboo pole. Yet, he was not perturbed. His conviction about Christ gave him a fulfilled and utmost joy to suffer for righteousness. A fellow prisoner, with a sneer, however, asked: “Dr. Judson, what about the prospect of the conversion of the heathen?” With undisturbed inner peace and delight, Judson replied: “The prospects are just as bright as the promises of God.” 

This aptly explains Paul’s situation, who, at the time he wrote this second letter to Timothy, was already in prison, awaiting conviction. Yet, he never bemoaned his circumstances. For some people, it could be a litany of complaints about their predicament. They might even say: “Look at my life. I have served the Lord all my life, but see where I have found myself now, only waiting to die unjustly at the hands of pagans and God could not do anything.” 

That was not for Paul. Rather, he profoundly regaled his apostleship, noting that it was by the will of God. Some people have the promise of death, which is of Satan, who came to steal, to kill and to destroy. For such people, Satan is at the driver’s seat in their lives. 

For Paul, God is the centrality of his existence. That was why, in spite of his challenges, he could still pray for Timothy, commending his godly virtues. Paul appreciated Timothy’s sincere and heart-felt conviction about Christ. Rather than bewail his own dilemma, which could make some people get discouraged in following Christ, Paul enjoined Timothy to “stir up the gift of God” in him.

How do you handle the challenges of life? Is your relationship with God self-serving or Christ-honouring? Are you a source of succour to brethren with daunting challenges? Ponder on these things and endeavour to become a channel of blessing to all. 

Thought for today: The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials.

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Endure hardship as discipline:Hebrews 12:7-11

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined--and everyone undergoes discipline--then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces

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Words Of Encouragement

How vigilant we must be to ensure that we don’t allow our impression of Jesus to be held captive by the prevailing mores of our secular culture! Rather, it is essential that we continue to return to the Gospels to ensure that the reverse occurs: to allow Jesus to hold our hearts and imaginations captive in response to the dominant thinking of our time. For exiles trying to live faithfully within the host empire of post-Christendom, the Gospel stories are our most dangerous memories. They continue to fire our imaginations and remind us that it’s possible to thrive on foreign soil while serving Yahweh, but it’s the kind of thriving that often rejects popular wisdom. These stories are the standards by which we judge all other stories, all other descriptors of life today. If, after reading these dangerous biblical stories, you can’t imagine Jesus the Messiah as a televangelist, strutting around on stage in a flashy suit, playing it up for the cameras, then you are forced to reject this image and seek another mode of being Christ today.

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