DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT.

 

You do not have to look for trouble before it locates you. Sometimes through no fault of yours you find yourself in a very difficult situation, between a rock and a hard place. Things start going wrong, everybody is against you and you can't make any sense of what is happening.

 

Scriptures:

Nehemiah  4:3-12

3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, "What they are building-if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!"4 Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength

God's Word And His Prophecy

Scripture: Luke 1: 57- 80

Luke 1: 57 – 66

Elizabeth, who was barren for so many years, now gives birth and the Bible says her neighbors and relatives shared in her joy, they were amazed at God’s greatness and even wondered what else lies ahead. We are surrounded by many who have lost hope and are discouraged, all they are waiting for is a barren Elizabeth (you and I) who will give birth thus announcing to them that God is mighty to deliver. No matter the barrenness that we may face, God is able to turn it around and bring joy.

Discuss why believers run from trials and want the easy way out, instead of trusting in God who is able to DELIVER them from all barrenness.

  

Luke 1: 67 – 75

Zechariah the priest angered angel Gabriel and his mouth was shut for a period till his son John was named. The Bible then said he was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. In the house of God is rebuke, correction, exhortation and more. These may bring about offenses. But when this happens what do we do? Many of us go away bitter, but let’s learn from Zechariah who allowed himself to be filled with the Holy Spirit and continue the work of God.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit and God’s word is an important ingredient to deal with offenses. Discuss

Luke 1: 76 – 80

Zechariah prophesied into his son’s life and John grew to fulfill this prophesy.  As believers filled with the Holy Spirit we can also speak to the dry bones, they will hear and rise again. The Bible says we should ask and we shall receive, seek and we shall find, knock and the door will be open. Most often we do not do persist in these. Zechariah’s word of prophesy did not fall to the ground but accomplished the purpose for which it was sent.

God’s words of prophesy will eventually come to pass. What part do believers play in achieving this? Discuss

CHAPTERS OF LIFE

Introduction:

Your life is a book containing many chapters. From beginning to end, each chapter plays a role in making you who you are. We have closed chapters that need to be opened, opened chapters with hidden blessings and also chapters which should be maintained.

Scriptures:

Luke 1: 1 – 18; Luke 1:26 – 33; Math. 1:18 – 25.

·         Which chapters have you closed?

·         Which chapters are you opening?

·         Which chapters are you maintaining?

Closed Chapters: -

Luke 1: 1 – 18

In this scripture Zechariah had closed the chapter of ever having a child with his wife Elizabeth.  He was a priest of God but had given up with regard to having a child and even doubted the angel that brought him good news about having a child.

Be encouraged because God is capable of opening every

Commitment to Christ's Church

What is commitment?
Commitment in general terms means dedicating ones full efforts and resources to a particular course.
Commitment to something means regarding the thing as very important and attending to it every time no matter the cost.
For example, many of us are committed to some general things such as dressing, eating, sleeping and wearing shoes .All these are things we do irrespective of our feelings or emotions without any pressure from any source. No one needs to be called several times on the phone or chased around by anyone before he/ she attends to these commitments. Sometimes we are so committed to these things that we feel awkward when we do not fulfil these obligations.

Showing Commitment to God
God also requires us to commit ourselves to His work and His church. A typical example of commitment to church and the work of God in the New Testament is that of Paul and his son Timothy (I Thessalonians 3:2, Hebrews 13:23, Romans 16:21).

The Need for Commitment To Christ

 
In our previous study we discovered that commitment is not anything that requires any new skill or special abilities, in actual fact we were all born with an ability to get committed. Everyone has this potential and can develop it to a higher level. When we become born again, Christ puts into our spirits the ministerial offices and the nine major spiritual gifts.
Every child of God can function in any of these ministry offices and operate these gifts. The new birth opens the door for these spiritual weapons to be formed in our spirit. The spiritual weapons needs to be DISCOVERED, DEVELOPED AND USED (D.D.U). One can only successfully D.D.U when there is a commitment to Christ’s Church.
Commitment is inborn; it comes naturally in various areas of our lives, in the same way the ministry offices and spiritual gifts are deposited in anyone who becomes born again. Spiritual gifts are special abilities given freely by God to every born again .Just like natural gifts, believers do not need to work for the gifts. God gives the gifts and He chooses who to give what to. The ministry offices and spiritual gifts require commitment to Discover, Develop and Use.

CONSIDER THIS
How can one D.D.U his / her spirituals weapons?

The Weapons Of Our Warfare…

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled
Ephesians 6: 1-12
Our last lesson on commitment focused on discovering, developing and using (D.D.U) our gifts in church. We also discovered what it means to be committed in Christ’s Church and the things you can do in Christ Home to show your commitment and hence aid you in discovering, developing and using your gifts.
In this lesson we are going to discuss the relationship

The Supernatural

Hebrews. 11: 1 – 34, Leviticus 26:3-13, Exodus 23:20-30, Colossians 1:15-23, Colossians 4:17, 1 Timothy 2:14-26

Faith in the Supernatural

It is human to use our five senses to predict what is about to happen. That is called walking in the flesh. That is opposed to walking in the spirit better still walking in the supernatural.

2 Kings 3:17 For this is what the Lord says; You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water,

Expecting the Supernatural

Many are called into the faith, they give their all, read the Bible, attend services including revivals, sow their seed, give offerings yet lack one major thing “ Expectation”, an expectant heart, anticipation.

Supernatural Finances

Who deceived who saying poverty brings joy to our God. Did you enjoy your week and month when financially you were down and had no resources or contacts to help you? I believe not.

Deut. 8: 17-18 (lays everything bare).

Supernatural Health

Above all else our health is very paramount. Weakness and disease in our bodies can be a limitation to our quest for a unique experience with our God. For the faint hearted any infirmity attacking them may distant them from focusing on the blessings from above.

Supernatural Offering

When we talk about an offering, money is inclusive but not the main object. We can offer ourselves sacrificially in many ways. Living a life pleasing to the Lord, giving God our time, living an