GOD, MY GUIDE

“They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: - Psalms 115:5.” It is wickedness to serve other gods. Why would a man turn from the Most Merciful, Gracious, Compassionate and Loving Father only to turn to the one whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy? I know must people will say it is because of ignorance or foolishness. This is more than foolishness or ignorance. It is wickedness. An undiluted one at that. And you see, because this is wickedness, there are woes attached to being wicked such as   no peace – “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked – Is. 48:22.” There is another in Psalms 7:11, the anger of God; – “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” There is no peace for the wicked. Since it is the wicked that yields to idolatry, one of the woes is no peace. Ah! It is a fearful thing to be in a state of no peace. A state of restlessness and chaos, a state of pandemonium and unrest. A state of tormen...

  “For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly – Deuteronomy 7:4.” The first part of this topic focused on the ways and reasons idolatry appeals to man’s interest and desire. It didn’t necessarily mention or show the woes of idolatry. But beginning with this and for the next two days, we shall consider some of the woes or dangers of idolatry. I don’t want to water it down by using dangers. Let us stick to the woes to know and show how serious this is. Yes, it is that serious. The text used yesterday in the book of Psalms 16:4 states that – “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.” Mind the multiplicity of the word “sorrow.” It is in plural form, meaning, they are more than one. Like legion, they are many. Since we have them multiplied, it means we ca...

  “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips – Psalms 16:4.” The first commandment given to us by God is “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me – Exodus 20:3.” Have you ever asked yourself, why did God bring this in? He knows there is every possibility and tendency for man to do so. You see man, that creature called man, he always loves to try something new. You can see that in his taste, desire, pursuit and feeling. The old does not always make sense to him. As it is written in Deuteronomy 32:17 – “They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” God knew that there were other things that would come newly which would appeal to man’s interest and pleasure. To this end, the Lord had warned us beforehand. And you see, to before warned is to before harmed. It is possible we aren’t going to...

  “Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land – Exodus 1:10.” In the book of James, the Lord made it known to us in the scriptures that there four kinds of wisdom, namely: devilish, sensual, earthly and that which is from above. “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish – James 3:15.” With this it should be settled in our heart that there seems to be diverse kinds of wisdom in this world. It is important to know the true wisdom. We must exercise our heart in Spirit to know what kind of wisdom is in operation. What the world calls wisdom is different from what God calls wisdom. Remember, Jesus Christ once said – “…for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light – Luke 16:8.” This is not to commend the world or the generation therein to mean the...

  “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men – Romans 12:18.” A story was told about a kingdom where there was peace and serenity within its walls and among the inhabitants therein. It was full of order and decency until there was an uproar of war and uneasiness. This development displeased the King that He had to make diligent search about the origin of this. It was discovered that one of his delegates took the honour to himself to rule the people. Rebellion! Having known this, a decree was made to deal with that subject who caused the kingdom to experience such pandemonium. The culprit was found and sent on exile. Sadly, this subject and his cohorts were sent packing from this kingdom only for them to go the other kingdom which the King already gave to another one his subjects to rule. These rebels came to cause unrest. The event narrated above is found in the account of Revelation chapter twelve. God is the King, the devil is the rebellious subj...

  “Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap – Psalms 69:22.” Food has been the major medium and means of making many a mighty man to fall. Spiritually speaking, even when it comes to how principalities, powers and rulers of darkness operate, some of their activities are often carried out through prepared table (food). Some people’s origin of ailment and diseases is traceable to a form of concoction or delicacy prepared for them either physically or spiritually (through dreams). And as long as they believe in this, it comes to pass in their life. Have you been told that there are cases where glories and destinies are exchanged and changed at the table of food prepared? If you haven’t come by any, take the incidence between Esau and Jacob for example. Consider the ways of the wicked and see how many people food has been used to cage or set as a trap. Let every Naboth take heed to see to the welfare of th...

  “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over – Psalms 23:5.” Table in must cases signifies an object or place where meal is set. So ideally, we can say it is where members of family gather to eat. Scripturally, almost every passage where table is mentioned is attached to food. Where it is divinely used, then sacrifice is substituted for food. When there is a table made by men for God, such table is said to accept or accommodate sacrifice. In this case, we can therefore infer that table can be prepared by man for man or God and God can also make table for man. The table man makes for God is used for sacrifice while the one prepared by God for man is said to be full of all blessings according to the need of the moment. It is the table prepared by God for man we shall speak of today. In the text above, we shall consider three points. First the beneficiary of the prepared table. The state and position of t...

  “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.– Psalms 23:5.” Previously, we have discussed on this topic. It was based on the table God prepared for His people. This is important and very essential to our daily living. We discovered that the table God prepares is full of His blessings and it is meant for His people and not all men. Yes, God loves all men. He creates all men. Nevertheless, there are some special benefits that are reserved for His own. The table prepared was made for His children before their enemies. This means the table and the provisions it contained are not meant for all men. Having examined the first table, it is necessary to consider the second table prepared. This form of table is that which a man made for God. Recall, the first was prepared by God for men but this is prepared by men for God. It is a table of sacrifice unto the Lord. We said earlier that the table prep...

  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death - Proverbs 14 : 27. Fountain is defined to be a place or portion where water issues out. It is the natural form of a spring. Also, fountain can be said to be the place where something originates. It is quite different from foundation in the sense that it is lively. Yes, this appears to be one of the reasons fountain is different from foundation. As we have given the definition of fountain in this wise, it in this form we shall connect with the verse above, where the fear of the Lord is said to be the fountain of life. You must have read in the scriptures where there was a warning or caution given to us that - guard thy heart with all diligence... Why? True, you need to know the reason for this instruction. The reason given is ...out of it are the issues of life. In this case, we can liken issues here to fountain as earlier described. So by inference, where issues of life is to be used as founta...

  "We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak – 2Corinthians 4:13.” Word is powerful. This is because word carries authority. We have heard about men and women in authority whose word bound to whomsoever it was spoken. In Scriptures, people’s life was sharpened and others got theirs destroyed due to the same. Words are not what we should take for granted. God is word. More so, God is word, as it is written for us in the book of John. This is to tell us The WORD is not just word. It more than joining alphabets together and pronouncing them to produce a sound after vibrating in the air or wind. This is more than word. Take for instance, as we have known that God is the Word, consider the following also: “ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear – Hebrews 11:3 .” This is to tell...

  “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world – Philippians 2:15.” Christ Jesus gave us an example by making it known to us that Hs is the light of the world – “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world – Jn. 9:5.” By Him we can know what is expected of light. Jesus is our perfect example for light. Thereafter, in His sermon on the mount, He taught the disciples to know – “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid – Mat. 5:14.” We may begin to ask the function of light and the purpose it serves. Before we continue, let’s examine one or two points. We are told that God is light – 1Jn. 1:5. Jesus makes it known to us that He is light. This assertion is valid because we are sure that He is the word of God and God had commanded light to shine out of darkness. With this understanding, Christ also told us that we (the ...

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses – Matthew 6:15.” Nothing matters to a convicted prisoner behind bars like freedom. The same goes to the sinner; nothing matters more to him other than forgiveness and the pardon from the Saviour. Unforgiveness in the heart of a man can be a roadblock to making progress in life, destiny and in anything at all. What is it that man has done to you that made you resolve you will never forgive? Remember, if you think you have right not to forgive anyone, God has more right than you but He forgives anyway. Jesus Christ in one of His parables told us about a servant who owed his master certain amount of money. He pleaded with his master and he forgave him. This same servant saw another servant who owed him a small amount compared to what he owed the master (let’s say in ratio 1 to 500). He took his fellow servant and imprisoned him. When the news got to the master, he ordered for the arrest and i...

  “O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall – Genesis 49:6.” Anger is not to be taken lightly. Most noble actions have been tainted and tarnished due to this. There were men and women in history who fought for noble cause and did valiantly only to spoil the whole exploits with anger. In the text above, two brothers, Simeon and Levi, were cursed because of their anger. This delayed their progress for over four hundred and thirty years. It was until when Levi decided to be on the Lord’s side that we could say things became better because God had them for His inheritance – Exodus 32:26. Yet, there was a form of delay in progress for over four centuries before they could make tangible progress. As much as we know that Esau later became great, among many other factors, anger was key because he was wroth against his brother, Jacob. So hot was hi...

  “For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him – Genesis 26:14.” Previously, we considered pride as an enemy of progress. Today, we shall continue the list of the enemies but with another one – Envy. This enemy is a dangerous one. It is such a subtle weapon. Many people who are not pride happen to be envious. While the former is about high self-esteem, this is about low self-esteem. Pride often comes when people see that they have something which others don’t have but envy is when others have what you do not have. So, from the account written in the above scripture, it is discovered that a whole nation couldn’t progress because of this enemy. Why was it so? They envied a man – just a man. So, envy can be in an individual as well as a nation. The problem was not because the Lord blessed Isaac, the challenge was the envy in the heart of the people of Philistine. Envy stagnated them. Envy retarded them. Envy...

  “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble – James 4:6.” Read the text above again. What progress that anyone whom God resists can make? In the voice of Eli to his sons, this was what the aged man said – “ If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him?... – 1Sam. 2:25 .” When a man resists you, one can find a way out from another man who is more powerful and influential than the former. But when God resists, who can deliver? Pride is an enemy of progress. For pride Nebuchadnezzar became a beast losing his senses and his throne for seven years though his throne was preserved and restored to him thereafter. This might not be the case for others. Pride would have made Naaman to deny himself the supernatural healing God prepared for him. It was pride that caused the demise and the untimely death of that wise man called Ahithophel. Mark it, many g...

  “Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee – Deuteronomy 9:4.” We are in a world where many things go by the name - enemy. Even a righteous man can be called ot tagged by the wicked and unrighteous to be an enemy. As believers, each time the name “Enemy” is mentioned, what comes to mind is the devil. True, the devil is an enemy, likewise death. Some people even take their neighbours to be their enemies, believing that the woman next door or the man opposite their house is responsible for their predicaments. While this could be said to be appealing to reasons to be true, it is not the truth nonetheless. The truth is there are enemies within giving strength and access to these other enemies or agents earlier mentioned. While it is true that the Egyptians tormente...

  “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us – 2Coritnhians 1:20.” God is the Possessor of the Heaven and the Earth. The implication of this is that He has and owns everything. There is nothing too much or too strong for Him. There is no position so high that is not below the foot of God. What we must know is that there is nothing too much for God to do or give. This makes Him special and possibility specialist. He is not a liar. When He speaks, it is done. This is where we need to give earnest heed to those things which are revealed to us by and in His word. There is nothing too difficult for Him to do. Has He promised you? Most assuredly, He will do it. The Promise-Giver has the answer to all things. You have no need to be afraid about the fulfilment of the promise. There is no need to fret or feel embarrassed as to think it will not come to pass. The writer of Proverbs says – “ The preparations of the heart in man, and the ans...

  “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing – Revelation 5:12.” To be worthy is to deserve something. When the word deserve is used, it means sacrifice, service or act of benevolence has been rendered to which another act of appreciation or judgment assumed to be of equivalent to what was done is to be given. For instance, if a thief is caught and was punished, people would say “ that served him right ” or “ he deserved what was done to him .” On the other hand, when a man did exceptional well at his place of work and he is promoted, it is saved to be he deserved it. So, to deserve or to be worthy of something is to have a recompense of reward or judgement for the act of service or deed done. In direct application to our text, we see here that the Lamb of God, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ is said to be worthy of seven glorious and powerful virtues here, namely; pow...

  “And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it – Colossians 2:15.” There are powers and authorities. I would not have you ignorant that there are principalities and spiritual wickedness. Above all, let this mind be in you that all power belongs to God – “ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth – Matthew 28:18. ” That’s why you must have heard that Jesus power is Super-power. It is not as though we are making comparison because there is no power but God’s – “ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God – Romans 13:1. ” Today, we shall be considering the power of victory which is in Christ Jesus. In the book of Colossians, it is made known to us the manner with which every believer has victory through Christ Jesus. How? Christ Jesus the Saviour went ahead by His death and resurrection to c...

  “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound – Isaiah 61:1” Oil in the scripture symbolises anointing or it is used for such purpose “to anoint”, so is the Holy Spirit. For it is written, “ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him – Acts. 10:38 .” Therefore, we are to consider the Oil here as metaphor for the Holy Spirit. Hence, the Spirit of Gladness. From the text above, we see what the Spirit of gladness does. Among many functions, we have, preaching of good tidings, binding up broken-heart, proclamation of liberty and opening of prison. Without mincing words, there is no one unto whom these are performed that won’t be glad. This is to tell us that...