Jan & Feb 2025
RENEWING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD IN THE NEW YEAR.
Key Verse: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
This Week: 1st Month, 1st Week - Jan 5, 2025
Theme: – Seeking God First
Scriptural Reference: Matthew 6:33
Memory Verse: “And My God Will Supply All Your Needs According To His Riches In Glory By Christ Name” Philippians 4:19
Objective: By the end of the lesson, Readers should –
1. Realize the importance of prioritizing God in all areas of life.
2. Understand how Bible reading and worship can be incorporated into daily routines.
3. Be able to generate ways they can seek God each day
Content:
Introduction:
Just as Elisha instructed; “Do mine first” God is calling out on you today to “DO HIS FIRST”, and all you have been laboring about will simply start falling into places right before your eyes.
“So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, just then the widow woman was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a jar, so that I can drink”. And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand”.
And she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have a loaf, but only a handful of flour in a barrel, and a little oil in a jug. And, look, I am gathering two sticks, so that I can go in and prepare it for myself and my son, so that we can eat it, and die”.
And Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said, but with it make for me a little cake first, and bring it to me, and afterwards make for yourself and for your son.
For thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘The barrel of flour will not be exhausted, and the jug of oil will not fail, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth”.”
1 Kings 17:10-14
And so it is that the widow never lacked bread till the famine was over. God will always cater for His own as a matter of priority over others.
Main Lessons:
1. Prioritize Spiritual things above worldly things
Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”
Whatever happens in the physical is first settled the spiritual. Physical is just an extension of the spiritual. Know this: Joseph’s being a Governor has been sanctioned in the spiritual when he had the dream of the brothers bowing down to him, he remained focused and eventual found himself there as second in command of the whole Egyptian kingdom. In journey that lies in between, he remained focus, prioritizing God’s wish and commandment, ignoring worldly pleasures. Worldly pleasures will only drag you father away from God’s presence. The farther you are from God, the more doomed you become.
We should be committed to eternal values above temporary gains. We must seek God’s will and purpose in all aspects of life. We must align our actions with faith and nurturing our soul through prayer, scripture study and worship.
Please note that this mindset does not dismiss worldly responsibilities but ensures they are managed in a way that glorifies God.
2. Pray Often
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”. Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God”
Communication is key. Can two walk together unless they agree? Can two agree without communication? Communication with God is key to a worthy relationship with Him.
How do we communicate with God? By talking to Him in prayer. Prayer, shows our commitment to Him. Prayer expresses our appreciation of Him. Prayer puts through our requirement and requests to Him. Prayer expresses our mood. Prayer exposes our fears and our troubles. Prayer presents us as we are to God. We are actually our words at the end. So, our prayer reveals us to God.
Since our prayers analyze us to Him, we should (a) Start and end our day with prayer – dedicating time to God in the morning and before we sleep. (b) Pray in the moment – whisper a prayer in response to daily blessings, challenges or decisions. (c) Set reminders – schedule moments for prayers during your day. (d) Pray with others – join in family or group prayers in church. (e) Use scripture to pray – use biblical passages to align your requests with God’s words
3. Learn Directly From The Scripture
Psalm 119:105 “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Joshua 1:8 “Keep this book of the law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night”.
Study His words. Read the bible often, meditate and ponder on the words, build your world around the words. When you do this often, your knowledge in his words increase, then you grow spiritually, you get guidance and wisdom whenever required, you are encouraged and comforted in difficult times. His words correct and convict
Here are some tips: (a) Set a consistent time – make it an habit. (b) Pray before reading – ask for understanding and wisdom. (c) Start with a plan. (d) meditate on key verses (e) Take notes (f) Use bible tools for deeper understanding (g) Share with others.
4. Be In HIS Presence Always
Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fulness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore
James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Consider yourself as if you are always in His presence. Being in His presence always gives you (a) Peace in chaos – calms fear and gives assurance during trials. (b) Strength and Renewal (c) Clarity and guidance (d) Transformation – you are changed as you align with Him (e) Joy and fulfillment – true joy is found in communion with God.
Staying in His presence requires (i) Prayerfulness 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ii) meditating on scripture Psalm 1:2 (iii) Praising and worshipping Him Psalm 22:3 (iv) Living obediently John 14:23 (v) Gratitude – thank Him for everything, attribute everything to Him 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (vi)Fellowship with believers Matt 18:20 (vii) Be Still – create quiet moment to rest in His presence and listen to His voice Ps 46:10
Application:
1. Create time daily for prayer; talk to father frequently
2. Read the scripture frequently
3. Always know that He is with you always, you are always ih His presence.
Questions: Note your questions here
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Pastor Olufemi Samuel Ogundele
(Grace Deliverance Bible Ministries.)
e-mail – olufemi@hiswordsandyou.com
olusamdel@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +234 803 473 0895
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