Thoughts of Our Fathers (TOF)

READ: Judges 15:1-20

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;...

Hebrews 6:1

In Judges Chapter 15, we read about Samson's revenge on his father-in-law for giving his bride to his best man. It is a child who would act as Samson did. There are simpler ways of burning a farm. The man was clearly childish in his thinking. Yet, at the same time, he was a very mature man who gave reasonable judgements for at least twenty years.

There are many Christians like that. Their level of understanding of God's Word is excellent, yet they are so childish.

A child is very unsteady and unstable. There are many childish Christians who cannot settle down in any church. They just cannot belong anywhere. They are unsteady and unstable, yet they have great knowledge. It takes maturity to belong to a church.

Children are often easily hurt, and they need a lot of attention. In the church setting, anybody who behaves in this manner is considered a child. Such people sometimes know many Scriptures and have been Christians for a long time, yet they still get easily hurt and need much attention. A mature person doesn't seek attention, but rather gives it.

Maturity is needed in every facet of our lives. It takes a mature man to settle down with one of the many beautiful ladies he sees around him. That is why people respect married men.

Are you mature and yet childish?

READ: Exodus 15:26

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings...

Malachi 4:2

Unfortunately, extreme faith teachings have given the impression that God is against medicine. They have left us with the impression that God would like to replace all medical personnel with pastors. They left us with a feeling that to take medicine was sinful or unspiritual.

In one church, over forty-five people died because they refused to take medicine. Parents rejected medicine for their little children because of their belief in faith healing. Eventually , the pastor himself fell ill but refused medication. By and by , he was brought to church in a wheel chair, still refusing medical help until he died.

This kind of thing throws the healing ministry into confusion. We all tend to move away from an area of confusion. This is why many have turned away from the healing ministry. In spite of the confusion you cannot discount the reality of God's healing power.

God is not trying to replace hospitals and doctors with pastors and evangelists. God gave the wisdom for medical science. Both streams of healing are ordained of God and are not contrary to each other. God does heal and if you believe in Him, you will actually see people being healed. You will see miracles! You will witness the power of God in manifestation!

We have to understand the balance between medical science and God’s power.

READ: Titus 2:4-5

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house...

Psalm 128:3

Eve was created to be Adam's helper. A married woman must aim to help, project, motivate, uplift and promote her husband.

It is very important for a wife to love her husband, otherwise it will be very difficult to perform the marital responsibilities of submission, sex etc. and generally, to do what God's Word teaches her to do as a Christian spouse. The Bible teaches clearly that wives should submit to their husbands. Christian wives will do well to obey this Scripture (1 Peter 3:1-3).

Every wife has a God-given duty to satisfy the sexual needs of her husband. Usually, the need to have sex is greater for a man than for a woman, and many wives find their husbands' persistent advances for sex a bother. A wife should know and understand that if she does not take care of her husband's sexual needs, she may push him to seek fulfilment elsewhere and this will lead to a lot of heartache and pain.

Food is also another thing, which is very important to a man. It is the duty of a wife to produce nice, tasty meals for her husband and the rest of the household. She must introduce a lot of variety in the food she prepares and be very innovative.

Finally, a good wife should provide nice, supportive company and friendship. She should chat with her husband when he is quiet, and encourage him when he is downhearted.

These simple acts help to strengthen the friendship and companionship in the marriage.

READ: 1 Corinthians 1:18-30
...Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:24

A leader is someone who employs wisdom as an essential tool of life. Christian leaders have the task of combining the Spirit of God and the wisdom of God. That is the will of God. Every Christian leader must learn to achieve a balance between the power and the wisdom. That is what I want you to get as you read this. Christ Jesus is not only power to us. He is power and wisdom.

When you are able to effectively combine the power and the wisdom of God, you will succeed as a leader. If you are a pastor, do not rely solely on spiritual direction; remember that pastors are supposed to use their minds as well. If you use your mind, God will lift you up in ministry.

I once noticed a church that was meeting in somebody's house in an exclusive and quiet residential neighbourhood. The prayer, the worship and the praise were so loud and offensive that no one on the entire street could concentrate as long as they were shouting through their microphones. The pastor was anointed and he had the power of God at work for him. Unfortunately , he had left out wisdom. They were using a public address system meant for large halls and hundreds of people. I thought to myself, "Very soon this church will be shut down by the neighbours or the police."

Never use power without wisdom and never use wisdom without power!

READ: John 8:42-47
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever

Psalm 119:160

The truth will tell you where you are and where you are not! The truth will also tell you where to go. Many pastors need to start telling the truth about the size of their congregations. When you know the actual number of souls you are ministering to, you will be motivated to work harder.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32

One day, I asked my data officer to tell me how many people were in church. When he gave me the figure, I was depressed for one week. I realized that our church was very small. I had a long way to go! If you cannot tell yourself the truth, you cannot be a good leader.

Many businesses do not make any profit at all! When you add up the real costs of their operations, you discover that they are actually making a loss. If managers were honest, they would take the necessary hard decisions. That is what leadership does.

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved?…

Luke 13:23

Jesus answered and told him that there is a narrow gate and few people are entering through that gate. This was the truth. Leaders need to deal with reality . Without real figures, a Chief Executive cannot take sound financial decisions. Every leader must ensure that he has the real picture.

READ: Luke 22:31-34, 47-62

Peter said unto him...I will lay down my life for thy sake.

John 13:37

Teachings on loyalty must be remembered in the hour of temptation. As with all temptations, it is important to remember the things we have learnt when it really matters.

I have heard people make profound declarations of commitment. That is exactly what Peter did. But when it really mattered, Peter forgot all the things he had said. You must remember the things you say. Of what use is a husband who says sweet words at his wedding reception but forgets them two years later? Of what use is a man who says on his wedding night, "I will love you forever" but dumps you after seven years? Forever does not mean seven years! Forever means forever!

Thank God, Peter had a second chance. Peter was the most vocal apostle. Everyone remembered Peter's declarations. All four Gospels record this incident and that is significant (Matthew 26:33; Mark 14:29; John 13:37). You must realize that the writers of the Gospel did not always record the same events.

You must remember the pronouncements you make both in public and in private. You must remember the letters you write. It is easy to write things and to make promises. However, it seems we all have a tendency to forget what we have said in the past.

READ: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God...

Acts 20:28

At no time in the history of Christianity has the conduct and lifestyle of the clergy come under such scrutiny! The onus therefore falls on us who are called into this ministry to live up to certain standards.

The challenges and realities of modern-day ministry are fraught with all sorts of pressures. The pressures of finances, the pressures of family and the pressures of human expectations are just a few of the many demands of ministry. These pressures in the Lord's work, are often the causes of improper behaviour in a minister's relations with others. In the ministry, an oversight can lead to improper conduct and create an unfortunate misrepresentation of what we stand for.

When God calls a man, He calls him first to follow Him, and then to learn of Him. We are never to stop learning. The ministry is a long road of continuous education. One of the things that Paul instructed us to learn of him was his manner of life. In other words, we are to follow the ethical principles that influenced his professional conduct as a minister.

Ethical practices are upright, sound, honourable, moral, lawful, above-board, and full of integrity. Unethical behaviour on the other hand, is that which is indecent, unfair, improper, dishonourable, shady , unscrupulous and maybe even crooked.

It is my prayer that as God's minister, you will adopt guidelines which are profitable for instruction in righteousness.

READ: 1 Samuel 16:14-23
...all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

1 Corinthians 10:23

Every Christian must be careful of secular music no matter how harmless it appears. Christian musicians must not play secular music if they want to be truly spiritual. When an evil spirit tormented King Saul, instrumental music was used to drive away the demons. Dear friend, if music can drive away demons, surely it is able to attract them too! Be careful about what you listen to because it may attract demons to your life. Much of the unspiritual Gospel music on the market is charged with evil spirits. People are filled with spirits of lust and violence when they listen to certain kinds of music.

I will share with you three other biblical accounts, which warn us about playing with the wrong music. First, Satan (Lucifer) was created to worship God (Ezekiel 28:13). Now, this gift of music has been corrupted and used to fight against God.

Second, as a minstrel played, the Spirit of God came upon Elisha and he prophesied (2 Kings 3:14-16).

Third, when the musicians in the temple played instruments and worshipped God, the presence of God filled the house. (2 Chronicles 5:13).

Surely , we must learn from these accounts that the right kind of singing and the right kind of instrumental music will bring in the presence of God. Many times, I have felt the presence of God as I listened to anointed and inspired music. Music is truly a powerful medium that takes you into the presence of God.

READ: Genesis 14:18-24; 15:1-6

Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase...

Proverbs 3:9

Do you have power? Money? A husband? A wife? Cars? A position? You must remember that these things are from the Lord. Abraham knew that secret. He knew that he had to acknowledge God for his success in life so he gave tithes. He gave a significant chunk of his money to the Lord.

I want you to notice a great blessing that came to Abraham after he paid his tithes. God was stirred to give more blessings to Abraham.

This was the first time that God specifically told Abraham that he was going to have his own special child which would not be his servant's child. Abraham had everything in the world but he didn't have a child. God knows what you don't have. He knows where your need is greatest. He gave Abraham what he could not buy with money.

Please read your Bible and see for yourself whether what I am saying is true or not. In Genesis 14 Abraham paid his tithes and then in Genesis 15 in the very next few verses, God told him that he was going to have his miracle. God blesses those who pay tithes. Miracles are for those who obey the principles of God's Word.

God gave you the job you have. The first fruit is for the Lord. Paying a tithe is not something that you must be reminded of. The fact that you are alive must remind you to pay tithes. When you give tithes to God, you become more spiritual. It makes you more committed. When your treasure is in the house of the Lord, you become interested in the church.

READ: Deuteronomy 28:45-48
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

Psalm 72:12

Poverty is a curse because the Word of God puts poverty in the category of a curse.

I am aware that some people take vows of poverty. I respect them for their great sacrifice to the Lord. However, I can see clearly that when God cursed the Israelites, poverty was one of the frustrations to expect. All the curses of Deuteronomy 28 lead to poverty. However, in Deuteronomy 28:48, you see it a bit more explicitly: "God shall set thee up in hunger, thirst, nakedness and in want."

Poverty leads to a lack of education. Hosea 4:6 says that people perish for lack of knowledge. An entire nation perishes when there is a lack of the knowledge of the arts, science, medicine, law, etc. Poverty is a curse because it is a vicious cycle. Poverty brings about an inability to be educated. The lack of education leads to more poverty. The wealthy remain in their riches, and the poverty of the poor deepens.

Poverty causes poor health and disease. The life expectancy for rich countries is much higher than that for poor countries. There is a significant difference between the figures of these two groups countries. This difference is very much related to the state of wealth.

Poverty is also a curse because it causes people to get drunk. Many poor people drink to forget about their insurmountable problems (Proverbs 31:7).

But the good news is this: God is the helper of the poor!

READ: Ruth 2:1-18

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven...
Ephesians 6:9

It has been noted that the greatest motivation for people in workplaces, is not money per se. A sense of self-worth and achievement is the highest motivation for workers. If someone does not feel important and appreciated, he often begins to look elsewhere. It is the duty of the head of the organisation (church or business) to make everyone feel important and appreciated. This is one of the most important ways to be loyal to the people who work under you.

The head of the organisation often wants his subordinates to appreciate him and honour him. However, this appreciation and honour must begin from the head. If you have a head who is uncaring, you will have a hard time. I would advise you to find the environment and leader under whom you can flourish. Move away peacefully and do not say bad things on your way out! Close every door gently! You may need to come back through that door one day.

One day, a young pastor said to his senior pastor, "I think the main reason why I am loyal to you is because you are a very loyal senior minister. You are very loyal to me." He added, "I feel that you have my welfare at heart. I feel that you want me to prosper. I sense that you want me to go as far as I possibly can. Because of this, I naturally find myself being loyal to you."

This young pastor was unknowingly expounding on a great principle of loyalty. Loyalty emanates from the head. Loyalty breeds more loyalty!

READ: Nehemiah 2:1-20

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

Proverbs 24:3

Many people think that it takes wealth and riches to build a house. From experience, I know that it takes wisdom and not money to build. People who are able to rally their resources together and use them wisely often become builders. What you build will testify of your leadership. Decide to build something for God in your lifetime.

Leadership qualities make a pastor acquire a church building for his church. A wise manager would acquire properties for his company. I can assure you that it takes the strength of leadership to build a nation. Weak leaders cannot build anything! A husband who builds a house for his wife and children is a true leader. Leadership is manifest by the presence of buildings.

Western countries have well developed infrastructure revealing the kind of leadership they have enjoyed. African countries that have been ruled by illiterate dictators and vampire-style despots, have very little infrastructure. Truly , buildings and development are signs of good leadership.

Solomon was a wise leader. Consider what he said: I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them...

Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

Nehemiah, one of the great leaders of the Bible, motivated the people of God to rise up and build. His famous sermon was simple - arise and build!

READ: Exodus 34:1-9

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Psalm 145:18

Set a regular time when you meet God. It is very important that you set a regular time for your quiet time. Life is such that important things are often overlooked. If you do not schedule a constant period for a quiet time, I assure you that you will leave it out. The best time for a quiet time is first thing in the morning.

Notice that Moses had his quiet time in the morning.

A quiet time is an intimate time between you and your God. It is a private moment that you must cherish. You will notice that Moses could not have his quiet time in the presence of others. A quiet time is a time when you are alone with God. You cannot develop a personal relationship with someone unless you are alone with the person. It must be possible to withdraw yourself from the company of others so that you can be alone with God.

During your quiet time, it is helpful to create an atmosphere that is conducive for fellowship with God. You can do this by playing good worship music in the background. If you do not have any such music you can worship the Lord yourself. As you worship the Lord, the presence of the Lord will fill your room. God inhabits praises. There is an atmosphere in which God's presence thrives.

If you can afford it, you must create for yourself a private place in your home where you go to pray and meet with God.

READ: Ruth 1:1-22

…It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband…
Ruth 2:11

The Bible admonishes a spouse to honour his/her parents or parent figures and you must do the same (Ephesians 6:3).

Your in-laws are like adopted parents to you. You must try to love them unconditionally as we are admonished to do in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, even when you think they don't like you.

Do not complain about your spouse to your parents. Do not allow your parents to develop a habit of saying bad things about your spouse to you directly or indirectly. You are one. Let love cover the multitude of your partner's faults and seek pastoral counsel when you need help (Proverbs 10:12).

Know that your in-laws can do unacceptable things just like your parents. The difference is that you may not be able to tell your in-law your real sentiments without stirring up trouble; so learn to overlook certain things. Be yourself with your inlaws as far as you are not offensive.

Try not to discriminate between parents as to upkeep. Recognize the reality that not all sets of parents have the same needs, so do not try to make their needs identical. For example, one parent may need remittances but the other may need to be given gifts on birthdays and other special occasions. Usually, the woman may prompt the husband on care for the home. He should provide these needs with love (1 Timothy 5:8).

Your in-laws can pronounce a blessing on you depending on how you treat them. Ruth received an additional blessing.

READ: Isaiah 26:3, 4
…and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Genesis 3:16

God proclaimed a woman’s desire for a husband a curse because it was part of the woman's punishment for disobeying God. Marriage presents many frustrations to women across the globe.

Sometimes, single ladies plod through life like disappointed and disillusioned travellers, instead of living happy and fulfilled lives. The Scripture makes it clear that the husband will rule over the woman; that the woman will be dominated and governed by the man. This is also a curse. Yet, many women see oppressive men and desire to be ruled by them. Where does this irresistible desire come from? The answer is found in the curse pronounced in the Garden of Eden.

There are married women who have wise ideas and take good decisions. But they are ruled and dominated by foolish husbands. There are many men who do not exhibit the wisdom of a ruler who occupy the place of a governor in the marriage. It is very difficult to live with someone who does not lead in the right direction. It is distressing to follow a leader who is unreasonable. Yet, this is the lot of many women. This also is a curse!

Accepting that there is a curse is a first step to your victory. Understanding how this curse plays out is the key to getting your victory. Women, learn how to overcome this curse by finding your strength in God. Put your hope in God and develop a close personal relationship with Him.

READ: 1 Samuel 20:1-23

Woe unto them that call evil good…
Isaiah 5:20

People usually become attracted to something before they go for it. In the same way, if you approve of somebody who is doing the wrong thing, then you are likely to want to do the same thing yourself.

God expects the Christian to disapprove of evil. Although Saul was Jonathan's father, Jonathan acknowledged that the King, his father, was wrong in trying to kill David. David had done no wrong, but out of jealousy, Saul attempted to kill him.

Jonathan disassociated himself from what his father was doing and associated himself with the right, which was David. That is what a real Christian must do. You must not approve of what is wrong. You must be bold and say, "This is wrong, and that is right! And I stand for what is right."

From experience, I have noticed that if you praise evil, one day you will also commit the same evil. You become what you admire. If someone is a rebel and you approve of the person, one day you may also be a rebel. I watch for people who do not condemn the evil going on around them. The Christian should never approve of evil.

…Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good …

Malachi 2:17

Watch out for Christians who do not disapprove of evil; they are probably thinking of doing the same thing one day.

READ: 2 Samuel 15:12-23

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour...
Ecclesiastes 5:18

You will notice the phrase "behold that which I have seen". King Solomon often spoke about things that he noticed.

Symptoms and signs reveal hidden things. They tell you about what is not obvious. You can detect familiarity by noticing little changes in people's attitude. Their comments, disinterest and yawning at meetings are all important indicators.

Betrayal is something that does not announce itself. You must look for the signs. If you fail to see the signs that leaders are supposed to notice, you will be at the mercy of traitors. Use symptoms and signs to detect unforgiveness. Many people claim to have forgiven others. In reality, they are full of bitterness. I use certain indicators to supervise the people who work for me. Accomplishing targets within a deadline is the most important indicator for me.

Use symptoms and signs to uncover future leaders. Paul did this. In 1 Timothy 3, he outlined the signs that Timothy was to look for in potential leaders. I think that the greatest sign of the call of God is the desire for ministry. I always look out for people who have a desire to work for God.

Keep your eyes open and see the things that others do not see. Often when I see my church members, I know when something is wrong. Why is that? As a leader, I use symptoms and signs.

READ: Ephesians 4:11-13
...and ye shall be witnesses unto me...
Acts 1:8

I have discovered that my church members become energized when they get involved in soul winning. Soul winning leads to church growth.

When your church members are engaged in fruitful activities, they have no time for petty quarrels that bring divisions. Pastors must teach their church members that a soul is a soul, and is precious to God. When church members are conscious of the souls that need to be won, their priorities become biblical priorities. Church splits and divisions are avoided. When too many Christians are in one place doing nothing, it often generates hurts, quarrels and wounds.

Some years ago, I had a vision. In this vision, I saw a human heart covered with blood. The heart was beating. God impressed upon my heart that day that the heartcry of Jesus Christ is the harvesting of souls. Jesus did not leave His throne for nothing! He came into this world to save sinners (Luke 19:10). When you win souls, you generate divine support for all that you are doing. As you read the Bible, you will discover that soul winning generates heavenly joy. There is a heavenly response to each soul won for the Lord (Luke 15:7, 10).

Did you know that divine protection is made available for all who take part in doing God's will? God says He will keep and protect you because you have set your love on Him (Psalm 91:14-16). Be a soul-winner today

READ: Philippians 4:11-19
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith...

1 Timothy 6:10

There are many references in the Bible regarding the importance of money (Ecclesiastes 7:12, Ecclesiastes 10:19, Haggai 2:8). However, the Bible also warns us about coveting after money , which is the root of all evil. Money is important for every venture. As long as we live in this world, it is indispensable.

You need to manage your finances properly by budgeting. These areas can guide you: Put God first (tithes, offerings); have some savings or investment; address your needs, not your wants; attend to your liabilities/obligations (debts, bills, remittances, blessing others); keep extra money for miscellaneous needs to afford for flexibility.

Spouses must mutually agree upon the use of housekeeping money. The husband must be realistic when disbursing housekeeping money and the wife must not be prodigal in her spending. Headship of the home extends to finances as well. No matter who earns more, the man must rule the finances of the home with wisdom and fairness. He must have a clear vision to better the lot of the family, e.g. plans to own a house someday. As a financial head, he must avoid stinginess and irresponsibility.

Lack of money must not be a permanent situation in the home. It is important to be mindful of the potential problems associated with lack of money, such as tension, quarrels, mistrust and suspicion. Know also the dangers of covetousness and comparison. Do not compare yourself with any other family. Be realistic.

READ: 2 Peter 1:2-8
But...the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things...
John 14:26

The Bible is replete with instances when the Holy Spirit became "visible" (shown, demonstrated, manifested) to believers. The Holy Spirit becomes visible to the average Christian through the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. His principal job is to teach and guide the Church. Every time you are in the presence of the teaching anointing, you must acknowledge the great presence of the Holy Spirit. When you read your Bible and begin to have deep revelation in the Word, the Holy Spirit is being manifest.

The primary way God makes Himself visible and relevant to us according to the above verse is, "to teach you all things". When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to believers, He was promising a teacher. You do not know the Holy Spirit if you do not know him as a teacher. The Holy Spirit brings two essential rewards to you through the teaching of God's Word. 2 Peter chapter 1, verse 3 says that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

When the Holy Spirit becomes a teacher to you, first, He will give you all things that pertain unto life! What are the things that pertain to life? The things that pertain to life are money , cars, clothes, houses, healing, good jobs, wife, children, health, education, long life, prosperity, peace, joy in the Holy Ghost, knowledge, wisdom, good pastors, friends, etc.

The second essential reward of the Holy Spirit when He teaches you the Word of God is that He gives you all things that pertain unto godliness!