Author: ambc1

Preamble:

The Path of the just/righteous is as the shining light says Prov.4:18……

• We have established in our last lesson that the righteousness we are talking about is the imputed righteousness of God given to every child of God.
• We are made righteous in Christ through the work of atonement and sacrifice on the Calvary’s cross.
•  Our task before God today is to seek what is the mind of God concerning the way of righteous, what it implies to walk the ways of the righteous and the outcomes of the life of the righteous.

PRAYER: May God open our eyes and heart of understanding.

 The way of the Righteous and What it Implies : Proverbs 4:18a

1. This is the pathway of the saints who does not do anything outside the counsel of the Lord.

 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful- Psalm 1:1. Their posture always is to avoid ungodliness.

2. The lifestyle of Children of God who work in the light of God and shun the way of darkness- Ephesians 5:8-11; Matt.5:14. We have been called out of the dark world of sin to walk in the marvellous light of God. ( 1 Pet. 2:9). The righteous have nothing to do with the work of darkness and they cannot tolerate them ( Eph.5:11).
3. The lifestyle that stand out for God in terms of being blameless and faultless– Phil.2:15. Gen. 6:9 ( Noah); Eph.1:4 & 1 Thes.3:13 (all children of God); In the corrupt world, the righteous remains undaunted, focused on living like Christ at all times. ”so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people-” Phil 2:15- NLT.  Daniel was a perfect example of living righteously (Daniel 6:4-5). 
4. They walk consistently in the commandment and all ordinances of God– Luke 1:5-6; Psalm 1:2;18:22-23; Joshua 1:8.  Job declared ” my feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His ways without turning aside”.
5. Walking in uprightness and integrity of Heart- 2 Kings 20:5; Psalm 15:2 (1-5). Integrity and uprightness of the heart is a quality of a righteous man. The wholeness of heart speaks of undivided loyalty to God. Matt.6:33 message typifies life of the righteous. Solomon recognised the uprightness of His Father David before God at all times( 1 Kings 3:6; 9:4, but he refused to followed his steps ( 1 Kings 11:4)

1. Outcome of walking in the ways of the Righteous

But the path of the just is as the shining light…

• The shining light speaks of the outcome of living righteously. We shall begin to live in order of shining light where darkness has no control
• The righteous shall be bold and fearless– Prov.28:1

2. They will judge the obedience of others– II Cor.10:4-6
3. They enjoy communion and fellowship of the Lord– Psalm 24 :1-3; 16:11a; 14:5; 1 Kings 9:3,5
4. They attract rewards and the blessings of God– 1 Kings 3:14, 6:12;1 Sam.26:23&  Psa.118:24; Psa.24:4-6.  …10He opens their ears to correction and commands that they turn from iniquity. 11If they obey and serve Him, then they end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness. 12But if they do not obey, then they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.…Job 36:10-12
5. The righteous shall live in dominion- Psalm 37:29-30

Conclusion

THE CENTRAL TRUTH HERE IS THAT GOD WANTS US TO BEGIN TO WALK IN THE PATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS SO WE CAN MOVE INTO NEXT LEVELS SHINNING.

2 TIMOTHY 2:15

RECAP

▪With reference to our previous lesson, who are the people the Bible referred to as “God’s People” and why are they so referred?

▪Mention the three covenants we examined in our last lesson and briefly state their meaning to us today.

4. The Covenant of Abraham (Abrahamic Covenant)

God made an unconditional covenant with Abraham, containing seven covenant promises. Look up Gen. 12:1-3. God fulfilled all His promises to Abraham.

▪Take particular note of the 7th promise (Gen. 12:3c) “…in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

▪God fulfilled this promise by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth as the Saviour of the world, to be born in the flesh from the descendants of Abraham. Check Matt. 1:1-17; Gal. 3:16.

Meaning

▪Christ is the ultimate offspring of Abraham (Matt. 1:1).

▪All who received Christ as Saviour are the true heirs of Abraham and have all the rights and privileges thereof.

▪If you’re Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heir according to the promise. See Gal. 3:28-29.

5. The Covenant of Moses (Mosaic Covenant)

Mosaic Covenant was a conditional agreement between God and the people of Israel that was mediated by Moses. See Exod. 19:3-6, 8.

▪The people of Israel had to fulfil God’s stipulations in this covenant to stay and prosper in the land God had given them. Look up Exd. 20:3-4, 7-8,12-17; 23:28, 32-33; 24:3,7.

▪None of the Israelites were pure before God through the keeping of this covenant, because it was impossible for anyone to obey it perfectly. The command regarding Sabbath for example, attracts capital punishment if violated. See Exd. 31:14.

▪Also, to be guilty of one law is to be guilty of all! Check James 2:10-11.

Meaning

▪This covenant shows us the impossibility of keeping God’s law perfectly and the need for a Saviour who is a perfect Son of Israel, who would obey God’s law in all things and be the once-for-all sacrifice for sin. Check Rom. 5:19; Heb. 7:27. See Jesus’ obedience in Jn. 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 10:17-18; 12:49-50; 15:10.

▪It also shows that, because of indwelling sin, the law is a taskmaster that humans can never appease (Jn. 8:34; Rom. 3:20). Only through faith in Christ one is declared righteous before God (Rom. 3:22).

Reflection: Briefly explain how God sees a believer as being righteous before Him.

6. The Covenant of David (Davidic Covenant)

God promised unconditionally to put a son of David on the throne and establish his kingdom forever. See 2Sam. 7:12-13. ▪︎David’s son, Solomon, ruled over Israel but a condition was introduced to the covenant (see 1Kings 9:4-5) which he failed to keep (Check 1Kings 11:4,6).

▪Only David’s descendant, Jesus, was the true and faithful son deserving of the everlasting throne of David. See Matt. 1:1,6, 17. Compare Lk. 18:38.

Meaning

▪Unlike human rulers, who disappoint us with their failure to rule justly, Jesus obeyed God in all things and earned the right to rule in glory forever. Check Phil .2:8-9; Rev 11:15. ▪We can take comfort in knowing that the resurrected Christ is the One truly righteous King who has secured eternal life for believers and will also put an end to all injustice and evil one day (Rev. 21:3-4).

PSALM 23: 1-6

Preamble

• To nurture is to care for and encourage growth and development.
• Care refer both to the actions of providing for someone’s needs, and also to feeling concern or interest about someone.
• God is more than capable of caring and nurturing His children
• This characteristic of God is reveal clearly in women and mothers

THE CARING AND NURTURING SHEPHERD- Psalm 23:1

• Who else can guarantee our care this much, but God the shepherd

• God’s nurture and care for us is stated in Matthew 6:31-32 says “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’  Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek first the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
• His nurturing nature will provide everything we need in that season. 1 Peter 5:8-Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Psalm 55:22 “

1. The good shepherd with a full sense of responsibility toward each of his sheep. He knew and identified each sheep by the name he had given it. (John 10:3, 11,14; Psalm 100:3.

2. He is a Shepherd who deeply cares about each of his sheep, including the “little ones– Matt.18:14; Psalm 80:1  Ezekiel 34:11–12

3. He ensure optimal welfare for all His sheep and will go any length to protect them- Luke 15:5-6: Ezekiel 34:14; Psalm 78:52- But He made His own people go forth like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock; Isaiah 40:11-He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.

Rev.7: 16-17- He will cars for us till the utmost end.

THE DEPTH AND MAGNITUDE OF GOD’S CARE AND NURTURING

1. The Lord is my Shepherd-  THAT’S RELATIONSHIP! – Psalm 78:52; 80:1; 1 Pet.2:25; Isaiah 40:11

2. I shall not want-  THAT’S SUPPLY! Psalm 34:9-10; Philippians4:19- 

3. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures- THAT’S REST! Ezekiel 34:14–15; Psalm 65:11-13:

4. He leadeth me beside still waters– THAT’S REFRESHMENT! – Rev.7:17

5. He restoreth my soul– THAT’S HEALING! 

6. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness-THAT’S GUIDANCE! 

7. For His name sake– THAT’S PURPOSE AND PEROGATIVE MERCY

8. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death– THAT’S TESTING!/ TRIAL OF FAITH

9. I will fear no evil – THAT’S PROTECTION!

10. For thou art with me –  THAT’S FAITHFULNESS! 

11. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me-      THAT’S COMFORT AND PEACE

12. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies-  THAT’S HOPE AND ASSURANCE

13. Thou anointest my head with oil–   THAT’S CONSECRATION AND INNER STRENGHT

14. My cup runneth over– THAT’S ABUNDANCE! 

15. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life  -THAT’S BLESSING! 

16. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord-    THAT’S SECURITY AND PRESERVATION

17. Forever!       THAT’S ETERNITY!!!

SECURING SUSTAINED CARE AND NURTURING

1. Come unto Him- Matt.11:28; Isaiah

2. Cast your care- 1 Pet.5:17; Psalm 52:22

3. Connect with Him – John 15:5-6

ACTS 16:6-10; JOB 33:14-16; 1 SAM. 3

Hearing and following God’s voice guarantees divine satisfaction.

Preamble

• What is hearing? Hearing is the ability to hear well or faculty to perceive sound.
• What is following? Following is coming after or as a result of ……

Lesson aim: to understand God’s voice per time for our lives and how he leads us to the divine future

1. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S VOICE
   • For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it -Job 33:14;
   • God always speaks and His words are powerful- Psalm 19; Amos 3:7; Numbers 12:6-8; Heb.1:1-2
   • God has his own ways of speaking to man, which are not those ways man expect all times. –
   • He may speak audibly, silently and secretly, in thunders and lightnings, (Exodus 19:16-20),
   • Regardless of ways He chose to speak, His words are nevertheless quite as effectually.
2. UNDERSTANDING HOW GOD SPEAKS
3. PRIMARY WAY GOD SPEAKS IS THROUGH HIS WRITTEN WORDS

• Bible is the most important and only infallible way God speaks- 2 Tim 3:16a
• It is God communicating His thoughts to you through the printed page- 2 Tim 3:16b
• No other books contain total truth from God
• It is the final authority over all issues- Matt.5:17-18; John 10:35

SECONDARY WAYS THAT GOD SPEAKS

• God never speaks against what He has written. – Rom.4:17; Luke 4:1-3;4,8,10
• God can never speak through evil spirit- Lev.19:31; Isaiah 8:19; 1 Cor.12:3; 1 John 4:2
• REVELATIONARY VOICES; Dreams; Vision; Trance- Job.33:15-16; Acts 10:9-20
• HOLY-SPIRIT GUIDANCE- Gal.5:16; John 1:14; Romans 8:14
  • INNER WITNESS AND/OR PEACE OF GOD- Romans 8:16; James 3:17; Prov.20:27/1 Cor.2:10- Holy Spirit communicating spiritual feelings/instructions to your own HUMAN SPIRIT- Phil.4:7; Col.3:15
  • THE FLOW OF SPONTANEOUS & PERSITENT THOUGHTS
  • PROPHECY- Acts 11:27-30; 13:1-3; 1 Cor.14:29,32-33
  • CIRCUMSTANTIAL EXPERINCES- Numb.22:25-28
• WHAT COULD LEAD TO IMPERCEPTION OF GOD’S VOICE

For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it -Job 33:14;

1. SPIRITUAL INSENSITIVITY- Man, often does not recognize God’s action in this silent teaching of his.-1 Kings 19:11-12; 1 Sam.3:1,7-10
2. WALKING AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD
3. CRAVING FOR BIG SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES –  Man wants something more startling, more sensational.  In our Lord’s time, the Jews demanded “a sign” – “a sign from heaven;” but no sign of the kind was given them.

Job now did not understand that God, whom he called upon to answer him (Job 10:2; Job 13:22; Job 23:5, etc.), was already speaking to him in various ways

1. WRONG MOTIVES & MINDSET- James 4:3

TIPS ON HOW TO HEAR FROM GOD

• Hearing the voice of God is something that everyone, Christian or not, wants to experience. Although we all want to hear God, actually doing it, for most of us, is sort of a mysterious process. We often don’t know how to hear God consistently, if at all.
• God ‘s voice is critical for our spiritual development.
• As we look at people in the Bible who heard from God, Samuel was one of the best. The story of Samuel is found in 1 Samuel 3:1-10.

1. Position yourself close to God

Samuel set his bed up in the temple, “where the ark of God was” (v.3 ESV). Samuel had never heard God speak before, he did not know what to expect, but what he did know was that if he hung around the temple

2. Find a place of regular service to God

In v.1 it says, “Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli” (ESV). If you want to hear the voice of God, you have to be doing the things of God. If you’re not serving, don’t wonder why you’re not hearing the voice of God.

3. Listen for God’s voice

Eli was “lying down in his usual place” (v.2 NIV), too preoccupied with his own interests to hear God. When God began speaking, he was not listening. Many times to hear what God is saying we have to slow down and take time to get close to God. We have to put aside our interests and lean in to hear what God is saying.

4. When God calls, respond eagerly

When Samuel heard the voice of the Lord he was immediately up and moving (v.4). If you want to hear the voice of God, you need to be ready to put into action what He tells you!

He wants to give you wisdom to lead your family, at your job, in your church, and in every area of life.

5. When God speaks, obey Him

Starting in this passage and throughout the rest of his life, Samuel consistently obeyed the Lord. No matter what God told him, Samuel did it. From that point on, “the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19 ESV). For us, the quickest way to turn off God’s voice is to disobey him.

6. Read and study the Word of God

After God spoke to him in this passage, the Bible tells us, “The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there He revealed Himself to Samuel through His Word” (1 Samuel 3:21 NIV). If you want to hear from God, you have to know what the Bible says.

• WHAT WE STAND TO GAIN IN HEARING AND FOLLOWING HIS VOICE

God is speaking. He wants to give you wisdom to lead your family, at your job, in your church, and in every area of life.

1. Divine direction- Gen.26:2,12
2. Trans generational favour- Gen.26:3
3. Divine Rest- Gen. 26:6
4. Supernatural progress- vs 12-14

Psalm 59:9-10a

A.  Relying on The Ever- Reliable God

Life can let us down, people will let us down, but the Lord is always reliable.

Reliability is something that we crave in our relationships.

To be reliable simply means to be faithful; to be consistently good in quality or performance; to be trusted.

Faithful means to be utterly trustworthy and totally reliable.

And if there is someone that is utterly trustworthy and totally reliable, His name is Jesus. “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” Heb13:8

What He says, He does. What He does, He does with the best delivery for His children.- Isaiah 49:15

Our Savior Jesus Christ is reliable to give us strength for life’s journey.

Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Father, I thank You for being totally trustworthy and reliable.

Every time I call, whether night or day, You come and save me, thank You Lord, in Jesus Name.

B.  How to Successfully rely on God

1. Overcoming Human Perception of Timing- John 11:21 & 32.

When our timing does not sync with God’s timing we begin to doubt His reliability.

Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus, “the one You love is sick”. But Jesus did not respond based on their timing.

“Instead of coming immediately” He stayed behind even though He loved Lazarus.- John 11:6

Jesus eventually showed up after Lazarus had died and had been buried for four days.

Prayer:

God will show up for me today even where i have perceived He is late.

Jesus will arrive to turnaround my situation for testimony

Every dead issues of my will receive the living God today in Jesus’ name

So many people are waiting on Jesus but they are looking at the clock – our time – biological time; earth timing, factual clicking. 

You need to understand that that thing you are scared of, when Jesus shows up He is able to reverse it.

Prayer Declaration:

I have confidence in You, Jesus. I have confidence in You, any time, any day. I have confidence in You.

2.  Overcoming Human Perception of our Challenges- Mark.4:38-39.

At times, we look at the magnitude of our challenges and storm and they appear bigger than the omnipresent beside us.

Whatever He allows in our lives is not bigger than Him. All is to bring glory to His name- Job 1:13-19, 22 vs 42:2, 10

What He said He will do, He will do. If He needs to raise the dead, the dead will rise.

What are you going through that you think time has passed or too big for God?

Prayer Declaration:

No matter what i am passing through now, it will end in glory. It will bring glory to the name of the Lord

At the end of the day, I will rejoice over my challenges in the Name of Jesus.

Father, Your promise is that You will be with me till the end of time and there are no conditions to Your Word. I embrace Your reliability, in Jesus Name (Jude 24-25)

3. Overcoming Human Limitation of Reasoning, Knowledge and Logic – 2 Kings 7:2.

Some things appear too much for our common brain to reason and we think it is too true to believe

Man of God vs the officer- battle of supremacy

Do not put your logic in the way of the power of the Holy Spirit. It may not make any sense but guess what? God is involve

Prayer Declaration:

Father intervene in my affairs this day and turn terrible situations around for good in the name of Jesus

God of all possibilities, let there be divine intervention in the economy of Nigeria that things will be great again in the name of Jesus

Dear Lord, Beyond my limitations prove yourselves as God over our lives in Jesus’ name

Holy Spirit, help me, take me beyond every limitation logic has formed in my mind and help me to be discerning, in Jesus Name.

4.  Seeing God as the sole creator and the sustainer of creations- Col.1:16- 17

God is not just the creator. He is the sole creator

He also carry the power to watch over and sustain together all His creations

He can create any thing even what cannot be created- John 1:1,14. We can rely upon His word to achieve His will for us

Prayer Declaration:

As I continue my journey of 2024, even from tomorrow “My God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence and scarcity in Jesus Name.

5. His words and promises can ever can be trusted

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise” Heb.10:23.

It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise” Heb.11:11.

Why should we hold tightly without wavering in spite of the trouble; in spite of our timing or in spite of logic?

Because God can indeed be trusted to keep His promise.

John 11:4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

Prayer Declaration

As I continue in the journey of 2024, I speak the word of God into my life …….for Lazarus did not end in death …… my challenging circumstances (…..fill in)   will not  end in death, in Jesus Name