HOW TO STUDY (MEDITATE) ON THE WORD EFFECTIVELY

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8 KJV

This is maybe the most common scripture that speaks about meditating on God's Word. Jesus said "haven't you read...."? He expects us to read the scriptures to gain deep insights. Studying the Bible is a command for a victorious Christian life. Our text encourages us to always study/meditate on the Word on a regular.

Jesus responded, “Haven’t you ever read what King David and his men did when they were hungry?

Matthew 12:3 TPT

If God places so much emphasis on His Word and He commands that we study the Word, how come we Christians find it a tad difficult studying the word?

There are different ways to study the Bible and what we will do tonight is run through almost all of them. Then we will major on how to study the Word as a foundation of faith and answered prayers

I'll run through a few reasons why people dont study the Bible

1. They don’t know how to study the bible. This is because either they’ve not been taught or they’re not self-taught. Job 33;33 , Ps 27;11. Most of us dont study the Bible because we've not been taught

And that's the reason for tonight's teaching. To equip people with knowledge on how to study the Word

2. Lack of hunger. People will study if they have the hunger. A lot of us have hunger for praise and worship (which isn’t bad) but it can’t replace bible study. Hunger for church activities, food, spouse, business etc. In fact, quite a number of us will prefer to be on social media than read our Bible, true?
It's because we dont have hunger for the Word

3. It’s not a priority. We do't see studying the Word as a priority

4. Hindering Spirits 2 cor 2;11

5. Bible reading goals. Most of us have set goals in life. When we want to marry, the type of career we want etc. But until we set Bible reading Goals, we might find it hard to read the Bible. Dr Mike Murdock has a Bible reading goal of 40 chapters per day. Wow. Late Myles Munroe reads through the Bible twice every year

I once heard Rev. George Adegboye say he has read the bible from cover to cover over 200 times. And i'm sure none of us are as busy as any of these men. In fact that;s why i didn't include being busy amongst the reasons why people don't study the bible. We are never too busy for what we prioritize

So let me dish out a few facts about the Bible and show you why its so easy through the Bible. The bible consists of two parts; the old and new testaments or covenants. With 69 books and 1189 chapters broken down into 31,173 verses, the bible has an estimated 800, 000 words.

It takes roughly 58 hours to read the bible with the inner voice and 71 hours to read at pulpit rate.
This means that it takes less than 3 days to read through the entire bible. If you read an hour a day, you’ll read through in just about 3 months. The gospels are a total 89 chapters and if you read 3 chapters a day, you’re done in a month. In fact if you read the Bible for one hour everyday, you'll read it from cover to cover 4 times in a year

SO, WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE FOR NOT READING THE BIBLE? I'll try to move very fast because there's so much to cover

When should we study the Bible?
1. Study when you are physically alert. (Some in the early morning, others late at night). 
 2. Study when you are not interrupted. 
 3. Study when you can focus on the Scriptures. 
 4. Study a little each day (forget about spending all day in the Word). 
 5. Study immediately before teaching (like taking an exam, study all semester, but   review before the exam).

Why should we study the Bible as Christians?
The study of the Bible is foundational to our growth as a Christian.  Therefore, every Christian should plan to study the Bible, similar to the way one eats food to grow physically.  Actually, several parallels may be drawn between good eating habits and a healthy approach to Bible study.

 Five Simple Steps to Studying the Bible

1: Observation
Observation is the first and most important step in how to study the Bible. As you read the Bible text, you need to look carefully at what is said, and how it is said. Look for:
a) Terms, not words. Words can have many meanings, but terms are words used in a specific way in a specific context. (For instance, the word trunk could apply to a tree, a car, or a storage box. However, when you read, “That tree has a very large trunk,” you know exactly what the word means, which makes it a term.)

b) Cause-and-effect: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things”

c) Literary form. The Bible is literature, and the three main types of literature in the Bible are discourse (the epistles), prose (Old Testament history), and poetry (the Psalms). Considering the type of literature makes a great deal of difference when you read and interpret the Scriptures.

d) Atmosphere. The author had a particular reason or burden for writing each passage, chapter, and book. Be sure you notice the mood or tone or urgency of the writing.

e)  Emphasis. The amount of space or the number of chapters or verses devoted to a specific topic will reveal the importance of that topic (for example, note the emphasis of Romans 9 and Psalms 119).

f)  Repetition. This is another way an author demonstrates that something is important. One reading of 1 Corinthians 13, where the author uses the word “love” nine times in only 13 verses, communicates to us that love is the focal point of these 13 verses.

g) Comparisons and contrasts. For example, “You have heard that it was said…but I say to you…” (Matthew 5:21).

After you've started observing as you Study the Word, the next thing you do is ask a couple of questions for deeper insights

2. Ask the Who? What? Where? When?
Who are the people in this passage? What is happening in this passage? Where is this story taking place? When in time (of day, of the year, in history) is it?
Asking these four “Wh” questions can help you notice terms and identify atmosphere. The answers will also enable you to use your imagination to recreate the scene you’re reading about.
As you answer the “Wh” questions and imagine the event, you’ll probably come up with some questions of your own.

Asking those additional questions for understanding will help to build a bridge between observation (the first step) and interpretation (the second step) of the Bible study process.

4.Interpretation
Interpretation is discovering the meaning of a passage, the author’s main thought or idea. Answering the questions that arise during observation will help you in the process of interpretation. Five clues (called “the five C’s”) can help you determine the author’s main point(s):

a. Context. You can answer 75 percent of your questions about a passage when you read the text. Reading the text involves looking at the near context (the verse immediately before and after) as well as the far context (the paragraph or the chapter that precedes and/or follows the passage you’re studying).

b. Cross-references. Let Scripture interpret Scripture. That is, let other passages in the Bible shed light on the passage you are looking at. At the same time, be careful not to assume that the same word or phrase in two different passages means the same thing.

c. Culture. The Bible was written long ago, so when we interpret it, we need to understand it from the writers’ cultural context.

d. Conclusion. Having answered your questions for understanding by means of context, cross-reference, and culture, you can make a preliminary statement of the passage’s meaning. Remember that if your passage consists of more than one paragraph, the author may be presenting more than one thought or idea.

e. Consultation. Reading books known as commentaries, which are written by Bible scholars, can help you interpret Scripture.

5. Application
The Bible says we shouldn't be just hearers but also doers of the Word

Application is why we study the Bible. We want our lives to change; we want to be obedient to God and to grow more like Jesus Christ. After we have observed a passage and interpreted or understood it to the best of our ability, we must then apply its truth to our own life.

You’ll want to ask the following questions of every passage of Scripture you study:
● How does the truth revealed here affect my relationship with God?
● How does this truth affect my relationship with others?
● How does this truth affect me?
● How does this truth affect my response to the enemy, Satan?

The application step is not completed by simply answering these questions; the key is putting into practice what God has taught you in your study. Although at any given moment you cannot be consciously applying everything you’re learning in Bible study, you can be consciously applying something. And when you work on applying a truth to your life, God will bless your efforts by, as noted earlier, conforming you to the image of Jesus Christ.

Techniques to studying the Bible

1. Random 
This is the lazy man approach to studying the bible. It entails opening a random passage from the scriptures and reading. I’ve outlined four points by which this method can be maximized.
1. What is the POINT of the passage?
2. Where is this thought found in PARALLEL passage?
3. What are the PROBLEMS in this passage?

4. What are some PRACTICAL applications for this passage?

2. Studying a Biography
This is perhaps the most interesting mode of studying the scriptures as it has to do with people, history and stories. There are 2,930 people mentioned in the Bible, and we can learn valuable lessons from studying their lives. Pick someone you would like to study, and using a concordance, a topical Bible or a proper-name index found in the back of some Bibles, look up every mention of that person.
The Psalmist wrote, "I cling to Your testimonies" (Ps. 119:31) and considered them his counselors (Ps. 119:24).  Understanding this principle, Paul repeatedly called upon those he reached for Christ to follow the example of the Christian life he modeled for them in his own life (II Thess. 3:7, 9; I Cor. 11:1; Phil. 4:9).

Phil 4:9
 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

1Cor 11:1
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

2 Thess 3 : 7-9 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.

3. Chapter and Verse
When you study individual chapters and verses, look closely at the text. Sometimes it helps to compare different translations, or look up words in a Bible dictionary. Ask yourself:

• What is the principal subject of the chapter?
• What is a key verse? Consider memorizing it.
• What other portions of scripture buttresses this chapter or key verses
• Who are the principal characters?
• Is there any example to follow or to avoid?
Each chapter has a theme. Be sure to understand the theme of each chapter while reading Examples of scriptures and themes
• The Creation of the World in Genesis 1
• The Fall of Humanity in Genesis 3
• The Lord as Our Shepherd in Psalm 23
• The New Birth in John 3
• The Nature of Love in 1 Corinthians 13

• The Nature of Faith in Hebrews 11

4. Book Study
We can discover many truths from in-depth study of a specific book within the Bible. Each of the sixty-six books of the Bible has a particular emphasis and/or theme.  When the prophet first preached his sermons or an apostle first wrote a letter, they were trying to communicate a specific thought or theme.  These themes are best understood in the context of the whole content of the book.  When we study the Bible by book, we learn the major lessons of the Scripture in the manner that the human authors of Scripture intended to teach them.

Examples of scriptures and themes
• God is Love = John
• Prayer = James
• Worship, praise and prayer = Psalms
• Love poems = Songs of Solomon

5. Topical Study
We can also study the Bible by focusing on what it says about specific topics. What is God's take on anxiety, prayer, sexual purity or trust?
Using a topical Bible or a concordance, look up all the references to a specific topic. Ask yourself these questions:

• What is a working definition of the topic?
• How do all the verses relate together?
• What have you learned about the topic and what does it tell you about God?
• Which of these verses would be good to memorize?

6. Storyline/ Parables
Storylines and parables like character study is often very interesting. I mean who won’t be happy reading about the 17-year-old lad who brings down an 8 ft tall giant. Or the Christmas story or even the lady who became a queen by winning a beauty pageant and later on went to save her people.
Since all Scripture is inspired and profitable, then it includes biblical narratives.  Reminding his readers about the experiences of Israel in the wilderness, Paul wrote, "Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted" (1 Cor. 10:6).

How to study Storylines and Parables

a. Determine the climate, history, geography, businesses and living conditions where the story took place.
b. Determine main characteristics of the people in the story.
c. Determine the people who acted and those who reacted.
d. Look behind the words of the conversation to the meaning of their messages.
e. Determine the positive principles in the story that can be applied and the negative principles to be avoided.

f. What contextual conditions/promises applied only to the characters of the story and what universal principle can be applied to your today

The bible consists of two parts; the old and new testaments or covenants. With 69 books and 1189
chapters broken down into 31,173 verses, the bible has an estimated 800, 000 words. It takes roughly 58 hours to read the bible with the inner voice and 71 hours to read at pulpit rate. This means that it takes less than 3 days to read through the entire bible. If you read an hour a day, you’ll read through in just about 3 months. The gospels are a total 89 chapters and if you read 3 chapters a day, you’re done in a month. So why don’t people study the bible?

The Word, Transformation and Answered Prayers

It's best to read through the Word over and over again. The convener of Word Alive understands this and that's why she said we should start reading the new testament again.

You see, you get fresh insights and new revelations every time you read the scriptures. Now here’s the best part; somehow what you’ve read is embedded in your mind especially if it’s repetitive. Everything we read, hear and watch is somewhat embedded in us

Faith comes by hearing/reading the Word of God
Roms 10:17

Roms 12:2

...but be transformed by the renewing of your mind

The word of God renews our minds everytime we read it

That's why Josh 1:8 commands us to meditate daily

Jesus says the Words are Spirit and Life.


We draw life daily when we study daily

How are we transformed by the word

1. It jacks up our faith
Rom 10:17

2. There's a supply of the Spirit and Life of God.

3. It gives joy

Ps 119:111
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

4. The Word gives us wisdom

Ps 119:130
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple

5. It gives peace unspeakable

Ps 119:165
Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble”

6. The Word guides us in our daily lives and decision making

Ps 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

 Studying the Word to get Answers to Prayers

Step 1: ASK

A-Ask in accordance with the scriptures. Search out scriptures in line with your specific requests. If you study the Word on a regular, scriptures will readily pop into your mind as you pray. You can also use a concordance or even use Google. Search out scriptures and ask God for that which you desire in prayer.

Example:
Remi is praying for husband. So she will go into the Bible to search out scriptures that speak about marriage.

a) He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.” – Proverbs 18:22

b) Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies
Proverbs 31:10

“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.” – Proverbs 12:4


Prayer: Dear father, I'm your daughter of noble character, I ask that you bring a son of yours who understands that your daughter is worth far above rubies and will love me as Christ loves the church

Step 2.

S-SEEK
Seek out more of God's promise in His Word concerning what you're asking. Remember that faith is the substance of what is not seen. That substance is the tangible Word of God. Hold fast to your profession of faith as seen in the Word and fashion your confession with the promise you found.

Now, the Word is on your inside. The seeking at this stage is done with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps you to search out an answer to your prayer in scripture. Either while you read the Word, you see the exact passage that speaks to the situation or He will bring to your remembrance a specific scripture that speaks to the situation.

This will be your profession of faith and you will hinge your confession based on this scriptures.

Example:
So Remi is reading the Bible and sees this passage (in a new light)

1 Sam 16:11-12
11. So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered. "He is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." 12. So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; this is the one."

At this point she realises it's non of her toasters but a certain fine boy who's is a pastor (a sherperd)

Please note: Your enlist the help of the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues over your prayer request.

Step 3

K-Knock consistently with tongues and thanksgiving. Remember the angel told Daniel (Dan 10:12-14)that God answered his prayers the very day he prayed but the Prince of Persia blocked his answered prayers for 21 days. Daniel's persistence in the place of prayer delivered the answers. So likewise we must keep knocking with tongues and thanksgiving over that which we've asked the father for till we get it.

Example
Remi sees this and hinges her hope on this scripture. See, at this point she realises she's seen the answer to her prayer. It's all based on the fact that she's an ardent student of the Word

So her confession goes thus:

Father, I think you because you've prepared me for your son who's a shepherd over your people. I thank you because you'll bring him speedily without haste because two are better than one and I am the help suitable for him in ministry.

Then she continues in tongues and worship over this prayer: ... untill it's manifestation.

THANKSGIVING ATTITUDE

What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a mental or verbal expression of one's acknowledgement and appreciation of God's person. It's not just about singing praises to God. It's way more than that.

Thanksgiving is associated with praises,  offering, time, adoration and sacrifice. You can thank God with your substance and your substance is any thing that's of value to you. As Christians, thanksgiving is indispensable.

Psalm 107 v 1 says Oh, thank God—he's so good! His love never runs out (msg).

Through thanksgiving, we acknowledge the grace and forgiveness of God over our lives.

Thanksgiving is a Godly attitude because it is the will of God for every believer to be thankful to him at all times.
We can see this is 1 Thessalonians 5 v 18.

Can someone read 1 Thessalonians 5 vs 18 for us;

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I like this. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks. And it's God's perfect plan for us.

Thanksgiving is an Act and Attitude. It is determined by the knowledge of and confidence in the authority and accuracy of the word of God. That is, before you can understand the Act and Attitude of Thanksgiving, you must have eaten, digested and understood the word of God. It's only by this understanding that you can give effective thanksgiving.

Key word here is effective thanksgiving

Not just anyhowness thanksgiving.

However,  the attitude of Thanksgiving is more important than the act of Thanksgiving. This is because the heart is the originator of every act.

Can we check 1 Sam 16 v 7, Mathew 15 v 19.

1 Samuel 16 v 7, But God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart." (Msg)

For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
Matthew 15:19 NLT

This brings us to the issue of how we express our thanksgiving. Is our thanksgiving imposed/compelled? Is it from a broken and contrite heart? Is it offered grudgingly? Is it offered willingly and cheerfully? What kind of attitude do we use to render our thanksgiving?

Let's see Exodus 35 v 5.

Gather special gifts for the Lord. Each of you should decide in your heart what you will give. And then you should bring that gift to the Lord. Bring gold, silver, and bronze;
Exodus 35:5 ERV

Thank you. From this passage we can see that, Moses told the people that they should decide in their heart what they want to give God.

Also Roman 1 vs 21 talked about attitude in Thanksgiving.

It says,  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Kjv)

For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:21 NET

Our attitude in Thanksgiving can either be positive or negative. But as believers, we need to have a positive and right attitude when giving thanks, so our thankfulness can be effective.

We should always be in the right frame of mind when we are in the presence of God. We shouldn't be compelled to do things that are required of us by our Heavenly Father.

We should do these things willingly and cheerfully.

The choice behind how we give thanks determines how acceptable our thanksgiving is.

Why then should we give thanks?

Like we have read in the scriptures,
*we should give thanks because it's the will of God for us
* it's proven weapon of warfare (2 chronicles 20v 20-22)
* it honors God (2 Corinthians 4 v 15)

2 chronicles 20 v 20-22 says,
20 They were up early in the morning, ready to march into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, "Listen Judah and Jerusalem! Listen to what I have to say! Believe firmly in God, your God, and your lives will be firm! Believe in your prophets and you'll come out on top!"

21 After talking it over with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed a choir for God; dressed in holy robes, they were to march ahead of the troops, singing,

Give thanks to God, His love never quits.

22 As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead.

The people of Judah and Jerusalem were going to war and Jehoshaphat appointed choirs to praise God while they march and we read how that end. God gave them victory.

What should we thank God for?
We should thank God for,
* Salvation  
* Provisions 
* Faithfulness 
* Miracles 
* Mercy 
* Holiness 
*Deliverance 
* Life 
* Hope 
* Love, etc. It goes on and on. It's inexhaustible
 
When should we thank God?
At all times and for everything. When it is well with us, in adverse situations, sickness,  disappointment, tribulations, delay, etc....

There are abundance of benefits in thanksgiving. Some of them are peace, Joy,  Divine presence,  multiplication, victory, answered prayers.

I will like to end by saying, Thanksgiving for Christians particularly is voluntarily compulsory. 

Failure to engage in it cheerfully is filled with a lot of dangers such as loss of blessings, salvation, heaven (2 Samuel 6 v 20-23). Inability to access God's presence  (psalm 100v 3_4).

GOD THE FATHER

Our topic for tonight's teaching is
" God, The Father"

In the next hour or thereabout, I will be sharing what God, the Spirit has led me to write on God, the father

I believe this is for someone, especially for a time like this.

I do pray that as I share, you find the message from God, your father specially for you.
Amen

GOD, THE FATHER

A lot of Christians have various ideas of who God is (of course biblical and correct). From God Almighty, to God the Holy one, God unlimited, unquestionable, self existing, God the creator, God the King.....
The list is endless

Majority of us are far from the truth and reality of God as Father.

Of course, we know He is Father (the Bible says so)
We say and pray itbut most times we forget the direct implication of God being Father.

We see Him as God, the father but in reality, not so much as God, my father

Of course, our ideas of who God is (biblical) are actually true but tonight, for some reason, God is calling us beyond all of these knowledge of Him.

To see Him not just as the father but to know Him as our father

Everyone individually.
Not as the father of Jesus
Or the Father of every  believer but as your own father, personally.

Something like me calling God, Daddy Remi and believing/understanding that truly this is who He is: Daddy Remi

For so many of us, we know God the son very well. We know exactly who He is, we learn about Him daily. He is the content of the word we feed on, He is the word himself.

Same with God the spirit.
Even though this one is invincible, He dwells in us, we speak with Him, feel His presence, follow His leading as He orders our stepsm

We make statements like: _the Holy spirit is my best friend, He is my teacher, He reveals all things_

But when we think of the first person of the trinity, we see someone mighty, one big guy up there that no one can stand against.

Here is the gag, we actually do know God, the father (because we know His son) but most of us do not know God as our father

...we do not have a high priest that is out of touch with our reality

Who comes to mind?
Jesus (because High priest)

Remove High priest and say _we do not have a God that is not in touch with our realities_

Who comes to mind still?

God, the son. Jesus.

For some reason we've conditioned our mind to think it is only Christ that can relate.

Like God is just there to oversee all things and now that we keep messing up, He has cane in His hands to flog us but Jesus is there to intercede for us.

Jesus, the sweet first born begging for the rest of the children.

While this image of Christ is correct, the image of God, the father, is a little bit faulty.

God is not the one carrying cane to flog us.
It is sin and its repercussion

I don't know if we have tough kids here. Can you remember that time you did something really bad and your father disowned you?

Do you think it was really your siblings pleas that made him reconsider and accept you back? 😂 😂 😂

Like your father would have actually stood on his ground that you won't be his son if no one had begged

If this is our earthly father, how much more our heavenly father.

This is the same God that has been orchestrating ways for man to be reconciled back to Him since Adam fell.

Let's quickly branch at the parable of the prodigal/lost son (luke 15:11-16)

This son came to collect his inheritance (of course out of foolishness, greed and little or no reverence for the father). The father could have refused or disown him in acceptance but His love excuses even rebellion.

He granted the son's request.

I'm convinced the father was praying and looking down the streets daily, waiting for the son.

A love that waits

Son squanders everything, regained his senses and decided to go back to the father.

The father saw him from afar and ran to him, fell on his neck and kissed him

This is love that doesn't care how much it has been disappointed or left.
Love that doesn't care to go over what went wrong
Love that is ready to pick up
Love that had been waiting regardless

He ran and kissed Him.
A show of affection, acceptance, of deep and raw emotions.

This is our God.

God, your father actually has feelings, deep raw emotions flowing through Him. And He is not forming hard guy about it. He actually wants us to know Him as this

The son wanted to just be a servant on coming back.

I believe a lot of us are just like this son, we do not know how deep the father's love run

That is why some of us still think He is punishing us for something.

The son already gave himself punishment.
He felt he didn't deserve to be in that position again.

But you see the father's love? It is blind to faults.
It doesn't see our wrong.

It is not melted out to us according to what we do or don't.

The father's love is about the father's heart and not our actions

The son felt the only place he deserved was amongst servants. Now the father could simply have said, don't worry, you are still my son o (nothing spoil)

But no, He showed it.
Not just to the son who felt undeserving but to the world who had seen the son's supposed unforgivable sins

The father threw a party, for the son to know He was still son, accepted and loved.

The world and other sons ate of the food of the party. They were never to remind the son that he had no place in the family cos they joined in the welcoming party

The father did not hide the current state of His heart from the world watching or the son, broken.

He did this even with the knowledge that the son could still walk away tomorrow and repeat.

He did this knowing that He'd do it again even if the son walked away a thousand times

God is very much expressive with His feelings towards us

He doesn't just show it to us but to the world watching

But to really know Him in this light, we need to first stop seeing Him only as a strict father

For us to see God as father, we must first see Him as love

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8 ERV

This is His character. This is the motivation for all He does.

This is what makes Him father
Love is why He had to send His son Jesus
Love is why we now have a personal person in the Holy Spirit

Jesus, while on earth was very intentional about seeing God as His father

From when He was found in the temple teaching at 12 ("didn't you know I'd be in my father's house")

To teaching His disciples to pray: our father

Even to the cross, where He commited His spirit back to His father

God, your father is interested in your everyday life.
He delights in fellowship with you
He runs to meet your even before you acknowledge Him
He is more eager to get intimate with you
He practically looks forward to it

Some of us might not have had good experiences with our earthly fathers, Even those of us that have had, God is telling us tonight that He is Our father.
Your father
He is the perfect father
His love and care? Perfect 👌
His attention to details? Super

Imagine if He knows the number of hair on your head, what do you think He is not aware of?

God wants you to see Him as who He has always been, Your Father

He is calling us to a place where we truly see the depth of His love, longing, intimacy, care and where we live the direct implications of these

God is not like a father, God is your father!

God is my Father!

Seeing and knowing Him as this changes a whole lot.

I don't know if we are all familiar with the Apostles creed

I will pick just the first part:

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth
Usually, almighty and creator carries more weight when we Confess this

Let's pause and start over

I believe in God, that He is my father

I believe in God, my father, that He is Almighty

I believe in God, my father, that He is Almighty and He is the one who created Heaven and earth out of nothing
As the creator of all things, my father has the earth and all of its Fullness in His control

There is a certain way you will behave if your father were to be the president of a country

The president is like a father to me is very different from the president is my father

The narrative changes the implications in our lives.

It changes our reaction to situations

It determines our control of situations

The burden, excess luggage, stress that life brings appear differently.

For those of us who do not really understand what the love of a father means, here is God calling us to His blossom.

For those of us who have lost our fathers, here is God reminding us that He is truly our father and we are not fatherless

For those of us with fathers still alive and active in our lives, here is God telling us that our earthly fathers do not compare for even they have a father in Him

Some of us are walking with so much luggage, burdened by life's expectations (culture, family, friends, church and even the ones we imposed on ourselves), trying to achieve this and that, and it is making us weary

I just saw a picture of a child carrying a heavy lunch box walking with the parent. The child keeps going slow because the lunch box is heavy for him at that point
The parent collects the lunch box from him and helps him with it

The sprit says to not forget that it is the parent that prepared the lunch box and of course knows exactly how heavy it is

So he won't watch and allow the child be slowed down or arrive late to school cos of that box. He helps to carry, not just the box but he lifts the child

God, the father
God, your father is saying tonight that He knows the burdens you carry
He is not oblivous of the weight life's expectations is pulling on you
He is not blind to all that is going on

Tonight, I have been sent to remind you, to remind me, that God, our Father is indeed our Father.

That we should never forget. We should live this

He will lift the weight
He will ease the burden
But first, we should know that He is Our father. That we may rest in His blossom, in reckless abandon just like every child.

Without fear
Without worry
All because we know and see Him as GOD, OUR FATHER

I pray for everyone tonight, that we accept God as our father and live out the direct implications of this.

That from this day, we believe and live truly as Children of God, the one who is almighty and creator of all things.

That we learn to just BE in the father's love.

Amen

Thank you all for your time.
God bless 

KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL

I'll be speaking on the Knowledge of His will

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 
Ephesians 5:17 NKJV

So don’t be foolish with your lives, but learn what the Lord wants you to do. 
Ephesians 5:17 ERV

What's a will?

Will:- To express desire, choice, consent, willingness, frequent customary or habitual action, natural tendency/disposition, Capabilitysufficiency,insistence, persistence
Command, exhortation, injunction

All connotes and explain will according to Merriam Webster

What's the association between God and Knowledge?

God is a God of knowledge, a knowing God. He knows all things; past, present, future.

“Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord  is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed. 
I Samuel 2:3 NKJV

He was pleased when Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge. 2 Chr 1:11-12

He walks with us according to our knowledge of Him, He works with you on your level and desire.

He doesn't appreciate ignorance.

“Who is this ignorant person saying these foolish things?
Job 38:2 ERV

“Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge?
JOB 38:2 AMP

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.
Hosea 4:6 NLT

Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they  have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst.
Isaiah 5:13 NKJV

All things created of him reveals knowledge

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 
Psalms 19:1‭-‬2 NKJV

He teaches, so we can know. 

He who instructs the nations, Does He not rebuke and punish, He who teaches man knowledge? 
PSALMS 94:10 AMP

Knowledge is embedded in His very core.

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant  fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. 
PROVERBS 1:7 AMP

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. 
Proverbs 15:14 NKJV

He uses knowledge to increase our strength.

Wisdom makes a man more powerful. Knowledge gives a man strength. 
Proverbs 24:5 ERV

Knowledge keeps us in love with Him.

And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, 
PHILIPPIANS 1:9 AMP

Knowledge is power😀

Why is His will important?

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ 
Isaiah 46:10 NIV

Because He's God, knows all, sees all, owns all...

It's His world, we are His creation

We exist because He willed it 

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” 
Revelation 4:11 NIV

In Greek, will thelema means desire, pleasure,  choice, purpose.

What's God's will
- That we exist. Rev 4:11

- That all men be saved 
- that the saved men come to the knowledge of the truth 

who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 
1 Timothy 2:4 NIV

Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God , “ and not that he should turn from his ways and live? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God . “Therefore turn and live!” 
Ezekiel 18:23‭, ‬32 NKJV

His will is that we understand him in truth.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
I John 5:20 NKJV

That we live for Him.
To me, the only important thing about living is Christ. And even death would be for my benefit.
Philippians 1:21 ERV


so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but [lives] for the will and purpose of God.
1 PETER 4:2 AMP

 God's will is that we become sons through adoption.

He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—
EPHESIANS 1:5 AMP

That we become one as He is.

He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]—to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth.
EPHESIANS 1:9‭-‬10 AMP

His will is that we live in thanksgiving. 

in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 AMP

His will is that we see His as our savior and we live forever as He would and is.

For this is My Father’s will and purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him [as Savior] will have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.”
JOHN 6:40 AMP

His will is that we be delivered from evil.

who gave Himself [as a sacrifice to atone] for our sins [to save and sanctify us] so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father—
GALATIANS 1:4 AMP

Why should we do His will?

We receive direction. 

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:6 NKJV

In it we find satisfaction. 

But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
John 4:32‭, ‬34 NKJV

We judge rightly by it.

I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
John 5:30 NKJV


We find purpose by doing His will 

Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Acts 22:14‭-‬15 NKJV

We prove the goodness, acceptability, and perfection of His will by doing it.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 NKJV

We abide forever by doing His will.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
I John 2:17 NKJV

We receive our request by asking according to His will.


Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
I John 5:14 NKJV

Why is His will important?

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’
Isaiah 46:10 NKJV

 Because he knows the end.

Why is his will important?

It's access to his kingdom.
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
Matthew 7:21 NLT

 What's God's will for you?

That we be saved, know the truth, which brings the liberty and freedom of our predestinated sonship

 That's general for all believers

 What's His specific will for you?

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you.
PSALMS 32:8 AMP

 God's specific will for you:

That you walk worthy of Him, pleasing Him, you are fruitful in every good work, that you increase in the knowledge of Him

How do you know His will?

- Receive His word.
- Obey His word
- Study His word
- Pray 
- Give yourself to service (for/to/in Him)
- Ask Him
- Have the desire to know
- be steady with him
- Follow through with his leadings

 Lastly

Pray Colossians 1:9-10 till it drops🌚.

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Colossians 1:9‭-‬10 NLT

START OVER

So tonight our topic is START OVER

We talked on Keeping the fire burning last week

We continue from there today with Start Over

It's really very easy to sit in my bed and type telling everyone not to miss their prayers, to make sure they are active spiritually.

Everything is of course easier said (typed 😄) than done

You receive a message and you are so charged up.

Your spiritual life goes from 0 - 100 immediately

You are excited about your walk with God

You are looking forward to meeting with Him daily

Then all of a sudden there is no zeal to continue.

The last place you want to be is in the place of prayer.

You are so busy and there is really no time and this seems like a valid excuse

Or probably:

situations in your life are bad, really bad there is no energy to pray.

You are sinning and you are waiting to stop that thing so you can continue

You've procrastinated so much that you are not even sure you know how to do this prayer thing again

For some of us, we can't even spot the problem. We just know we are not praying.

We can feel the gap being created

Some of us go ahead to pretend that all is well.

While others just give themselves to isolation in this lack of Holy Zeal

For some people, the word of God becomes boring when it is preached

Or you listen to worship songs and they are just words meaning nothing, stirring nothing in you

Where ever you belong in this long list (which I know extends beyond), you are not alone

At different points in our lives, we feel this way

Starting over is a part almost everyone struggles with.

But we like it or not, it's a place we always have to come back to whenever we notice our spiritual fervour is not there or on days we are low

I've read books on prayer (will surely be reading more till I die).

I've been to trainings of prayer.

I've given sermons and taught others about prayer

But even I sometimes stop praying for a while, sometimes it's tiredness, boredom, no zeal, sin or even social media distractions

Before, it used to take me a long time to come back but I've learnt one secret in the past few years: God wants to meet with me even more than I want to meet with Him

💣💣

And He really is not looking at all the things holding me back

He also understands them

Infact, He understands my reasons more than I do. My high priest is in touch with my reality

Let's read Hebrews 4:14-16

Hebrews  4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We do not have a high priest that is not in touch with these feelings of infirmities, inadequacies, sins, name it

14-16 Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. MSG

Whatever it is that is keeping us away, Our High priest understands it perfectly.

He doesn't berate us for it.

What does His understanding do?

Come to me and take what I am so READY to give

Take the mercy. Accept the Help

When He says we should take and accept, it means this help has been available even before we lost it.

He actually knew we will (might) lose it along the line

So Help has been there even before we ever missed it

He keeps stretching His arms to us with Help, take it, accept it.

Stop struggling

Don't stay down

It's alright

Just accept my help and let's start again

There is nothing you have done that God cares about. NOTHING!

He is not holding you to it one bit

Especially when it comes to sin and guilt

A lot of us stay away from praying cos we don't feel adequate

So we postpone till tomorrow when that guilt is off (sometimes it's even very little things o)

I've been here plenty times

But check this scripture out

All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.

Romans 5:20‭-‬21 MSG

God's forgiveness is Agressive. Heyyyyyyy 🔥🔥🔥

When whatever it is you have done stands where Grace is, it is knock out.

Grace always wins, hands down

The winning is even more superb than that quick beating AJ received

Probably you are thinking,  Christ doesn't know how the guilt of sin feels like.

He carried the sins of the world, of everyone at once.

Forget, He is in touch with this reality too.

Trials, tribulations, temptations, lack, name it

Let's read 2 Peter 1:5-9

(we focus on verse 9)

2 Peter  1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Look at the last sentence

Those that lack these qualities, it is because they have *forgotten* they have been made whole, they've been cleansed

They've forgotten God doesn't count scores

He doesn't hold our wrongdoings

Even when we are praying for forgiveness, God is just there like okay, can we continue from where we stopped

Nothing like, let me think about your sins first if it is forgivable

Let's just continue

A lot of us forget this part and it keeps us away from praying, from pursuing intimacy with God.

We feel we've not really been active or doing as we should, so we just shy away

Hey you Help is calling out to you. Accept it today.

Don't wait till tomorrow. Don't postpone it

If you ever hear an accusation, it is from the devil

Sometimes you want to even open this WhatsApp group but because you've missed for 5 days, you just leave it.

It's the devil

Same with church. You stop going for some days and the day you really want to go, you don't because of the days you didn't go

The enemy is the only one that makes us feel we are not enough or adequate for anything God.

He makes us think we are not Holy. Even if you did bad thing or sinned, And so?

The good things we do is not what makes us Holy. Holiness has little to do with how we behave or act right. It is not about the quality you possess, it is about your proximity to the Holy one (Intimacy!)

Holiness is more about where you are than what you do.

So it's fine if you've not been doing it well

Because our high priest is a correct guy, He doesn't leave us to find our way to where we need to be, He helps us to.

Where you are determines what we do

The seraphim are called Holy ones not because of who they are but because of where they are: they abide in the presence of the Holy one

So when the enemy tells you, " you've sinned, you can't pray.. You didn't pray yesterday you were watching Yoruba film bla bla

Tell yourself " Yes, I have sinned. Yes, I have missed prayers for stupid reasons. Yes I am down mentally. I am not even Holy at all, I need help that is why I have to come to God to take what He is ready to give: Mercy"

For some of us, the reason we don't pray is because we like sleep too much.

I know plenty Christians that are here. The minute it's time to pray, sleep must knock sha 😭😭

Let's go back to when Christ asked the disciples to pray and 3 times he met them snoring away

Matthew 26:40-46

Matthew  26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?  26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.  26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.  26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.  26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.  26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus woke them up 3 times. One would think Jesus would be angry at them

Ordinary pray and don't sleep, they cannot do and they were His disciples.

Maybe you've been sleeping off every time you try to pray or when it's time and you feel bad or guilty, watch Christ's reaction to the disciples.

He didn't punish or send them away

He didn't say I'm tired of you

He woke them up and picked up from He stopped. He even shared with them what is about to happen: The betrayer has come

Look at Jesus sharing revelation with people that were just asleep

No matter how long you've been away, your high priest is trying to wake you up, trying so hard to draw you back, hoping that you accept the Help and mercy He gives, so the relationship can continue

No accusations in between

Tonight, I beg us all

If for any reason we've stopped praying as we should or our intimate walk with God is not as it should be, *START OVER*

Start Over wherever you are, no matter how imperfect your worship or prayers might be at that point. Just start!. Your imperfect is lost in the ocean of His perfect

You just allow Him take your hands and help you. Receive the help that He gives

Don't forget, if you ever miss it at any point: START OVER!

Let us pray

Dear Lord, we thank you for your word
We thank you for your help that is ever available. We pray for everyone reading this that is stuck or moving backwards, they accept your help and pick up with you. They are strengthened.

And for those that do not need this teaching at this moment, Spirit of God we pray you be their reminder on the day this message will be valid for them.

This is not just a preaching for us Lord, it is a call to action. We respond adequately.

Amen!