Today Study

LET JESUS COME INTO YOUR HEART

Memory Verse: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).

Text: John 3:14-18; Acts 4:12

There are emptiness in the hearts and lives of unsaved people. Such vacuum, many people seek to fill every day through man-made solutions. These are short-term hopelessness persist unless one embraces Christ in genuine salvation. The Lord Jesus Himself has paid for our peace and salvation. 

Question 1: Why do we need Jesus in our heart?

Jesus, the Son of God, is the Saviour of the world; He is the Prince of peace. When we allow Him into our hearts, He becomes our Lord, forgives our sins, saves us and delivers us from the consequences of sin. He also blots our our sinful past records and gives us a new, beautiful life and future. He then begins to guide and lead us aright. He gives us joy, peace and hope that nothing else, and no one else can give us in the world.

Question 2: What are the dangers in postponing or refusing salvation, from the following passages?

(i) Psalm 7:11

(ii) Isaiah 33:14

The lives of sinning people are miserable. Unfortunately, Satan deceives some of them with a false sense of enjoyment and peace. However, sin invariably results in pain, wrath of God, disappointment, fearfulness and eternity in the lake of fire. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation...." (Hebrews 2:3). It is foolish for any youth to postpone his day of salvation, as death can happen anytime.

Question 3: From the following Scriptures, what must one do to be saved?

(i) Psalm 32:5

(ii) Isaiah 55:7

(iii) Acts 16:31

The Lord is not willing that any one should perish. He stands knocking at the door of their heart. Sinning people must listen to the voice of Jesus, acknowledge their sins, confess and forsake them. Backsliders should also return to the Lord. Christ is the way, the only way to eternal joy. Believe and receive Him into your heart today, and be sure of eternal glory.

I pray as you made the decision today, the Lord we have mercy on you and liberate your life from the power of darkness to eternal glory in Jesus name (Amen)

STUDY THREE

BENEFITS OF THE NEW LIFE

Text: Romans 8:1-8

The benefits of the new life in Jesus Christ are so many that they cannot all be mentioned in one study. Some of the blessings are for this present time, some for future life on earth, and much more await believers in heaven.

    First of all, we who were once strangers and enemies of God because of sin are brought near and reconciled to God. We become His sons and daughters (1 John 3:1). This high position bought for us through the blood of Christ makes it possible for us to ask whatever we need from God with a definite assurance to receive.

     Second, we have peace within and are at rest from the oppression of the enemy - Satan (Matthew 11:28; John 14:27). Third,  the life of holiness which is impossible to a sinner becomes easy. Fourth, we are able to bear the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). Fifth, we have hope in Christ.

    Sixth, we show, manifest and radiate Christ's love to others. We become more approachable, dependable, caring and less burdensome to others. Seventh, with God now our all-sufficient heavenly Father, we lack nothing; Eight, when we pray now through Christ, God listens. He hears and answers our prayers. Indeed, great and numerous are our benefits in Christ.

STUDY TWO

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Text: 1 John 3:1-10; 5:13; Ephesians 2:1-8; Romans 8:10-17

The moment we genuinely repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we begin a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Three things happen to you when you make this important decision. First, you suddenly come alive, and realize how evil and sinful fleshly pleasures are. You used to enjoy those sins because you were spiritually dead. Now alive, you hate sins and abstain from all appearances of evil. Second, as Jesus was raised from dead, so too you are raised from the death of past sinful life. Third, as Jesus was elevated, promoted and taken up after His resurrection to sit in high places with God, so are we raised up, elevated and promoted in Christ.

          One of the tricks of devil is to make believers, especially young converts, doubt their salvation. If any doubt raises in your heart as to whether you are saved, all you need do is choose to believe the promise of God which says. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the (free) gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

         The Bible does not say that we are saved only when we feel so. Salvation is by faith, not by feeling. But how do we know that we have eternal? We can know we have eternal life on the basis of God's word, not according to our feelings. Feelings come and go, but God's word stands forever (Psalm 119:89). Do not try to feel saved. Stand on God's word. Do not depend on your feelings for assurance of salvation, get assurance from God's Spirit and by standing on His word (Romans 8:16)

STUDY ONE

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Text: Romans 5:1-21

 Justification is one of the major teaching of the Bible. In a legal sense, it means to declare just or righteous. It is to be acquainted through atonement or redemption on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to save us from sin. It is not the same as repentance. whereas repentance is the act of sinner who seeks God's mercy and pardon for his sins, justification is God's act of declaring the repentant sinner free, pardoned and guiltless. He becomes free from sin and its consequences (Romans 4:5-8; 5:18-19; 8:33-34; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Acts 13:38-39; Romans3:24-26.

           The bible described sins as"the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). When a person sins, he becomes guilty for breaking God's law, and is condemned to face the penalty of sin. But when a sinner repents, God forgives him.

WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS ABOUT JUSTIFICATION

The law of God states that death is the punishment for sin (Romans 5:12; 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4; Amos 9:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Hebrews 2:3). The law of God is just and impartial. It is therefore part of His faithfulness to punish the wicked and reward the righteous.

WHY DO WE NEED JUSTIFICATION

Everyone on earth is born in sin, and none can save himself nor save others; for no man is morally good (or holy) enough to fulfill God's expectation of righteousness. To be declared guiltless, free and justified we all need someone who himself is free from sin to save us. This is why God gave us Jesus Christ - the sinless One (Romans 3:26; 8:3; Galatians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Mathew 10:41; 1 Timothy 1:19)

WHAT JUSTIFICATION DOES FOR US

i. Remission of Punishment: By the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. He paid or remitted the entire price for our sins. Anyone who believes in Him needs no more to suffer punishment for sin (Romans 4:5; 6:7). God declares him free and guiltless.

ii. Restoration to Favour: A sinner is a condemned criminal before God (John 3:18). But when he repents of all sins, God forgives and saves him. But beyond God's declaring the believer as free and guiltless, He also declares him righteous, as though he had never sinned (Galatians 3:6). This is what justification means. It is God's mark of approval or promotion of the repentant sinner to saint.

iii. Righteousness of God is imputed: The righteousness which the believer now has is not on the basis of his own deeds; it is God's righteousness which He gives or imputes on us through Jesus Christ our Saviour (Romans 3:25-26; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 3:9).

iv. Promise of Justification: Jesus Christ is righteous. When we receive Him by faith, we also receive His righteousness. One way of understanding this kind of faith is to see it as the response of the soul to God's offer of mercy and salvation. It is by grace. We do not work for it (Romans 3:24, 28; 5:19; 8:1; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 6:11; Philippians 3:9; Ephesians 2:8-9).

OUR DOORWAY TO PROSPERITY

Text: Proverbs 18:20-21 "A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth: from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit".

Our prosperity or otherwise is determined largely by the use of our tongue. Many have brought to themselves great trouble and evil with their tongue. Even though tiny compared with other parts of the body, it is the driver of our vehicle to prosperity.

Bishop David Oyedepo is fond of saying "A closed mouth is a closed destiny". Words we produce are very potent and powerful. Until God spoke, darkness covered the face of the earth. When He spoke, light came on board. You are likely to remain in that condition until yuou learn how to speak to the challenge.

We are not advised to use our tongue wrongly but wisely. There is a time to open our mouth widely for God to fill it with the right words (Psalm 81:10). God did not make mistake when He gave us two ear lobes and one tongue. We are to listen well before we respond. In Proverbs 18:6-7 we see how contention can be caused using our tongue unwisely. Unwholesome tongue promotes destruction as well. This is also confirmed in Proverbs 13:3.

You are to know that your doorway to your prosperity is your tongue. James 3:5. The tongue is likened to a fire - which consumes. The tongue is capable of generating death and life. With the tongue we praise God. With it men curse others. "Your mouth is the architect of your destiny. "So said Bishop David Abioye.

You must learn to use your tongue profitably, command the gates to open up, never speak death but life into your situation. Resemble Jesus our perfect master. Listen well. Dwell richly on the word of God. Rely on the Holy Ghost.

Pray with me, Father, cause me to use my tongue to bring healing and comfort to many today in Jesus name. Amen. 

WHEN YOUR GROANING GETS TO GOD

Text: Exodus 2:24-25 "So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob And God looked upon the children of Isreal, and God acknowledge them

Many times, when we groan that is; sometimes in a despairing or miserable tone, complain or grumble, God because of His infinite mercy do not repay us with what we deserve. As we know, He hates complaining or murmuring. He wants us to reason out with Him in prayers. Isaiah 1:18.

Rather than punish the people of Isreal, He decided to remember His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He ended their intractable agony. He terminated with strong hand their suffering.

Therefore, I strongly believe in my spirit that God shall have mercy on you and put an end to that challenge, plague or affliction and that disease of long continuance. Deuteronomy 28:59.

He will punish your oppressors and set you free from all forms of bondage from this day. His capacity is limitless. Just believe in Him.

Pray with me, Father, have mercy on me and my household forgives every error of the past and avenges me speedily in Jesus name. I shall not fail in Jesus name. (Amen)