Learning from Matthew 25:23

Understanding God's definition of Success

Learning to serve like Jesus served (Phil. 2:3)

WETIN BIBLE TOK ABOUT VAIN WORSHIP?
Mathew 15.9-10

So many pipo tin say dem fit worship God anyhow and still go heaven. Nor be true. The truth be say e get the kind worship wey you go give baba God and He nor go take am and that kind of worship nai we dey call vain worship.
Abeg take time listen to this message as our Brother Arison do justice to am.
Make God bless you yanfu yanfu as you dey listen in Christ name Amen.

Day 7: Jesus Finished the Work
Text: John 19:30 — "It is finished."
Message:
There are no more powerful words in human history than the three Jesus uttered on the cross: “It is finished.” Those words weren’t spoken in defeat, weakness, or resignation. They were spoken in strength—an eternal proclamation that the plan of salvation was complete, the power of sin was broken, and the path to reconciliation with God was fully opened.
What Jesus finished on the cross was the fulfillment of a plan set in motion before the foundation of the world. From the moment man fell in the Garden of Eden, a rescue mission began. Through every shadow in the Old Testament—the Passover lamb, the bronze serpent lifted in the wilderness, the sacrifices in the temple—God was pointing forward to a single moment when His Son would hang between heaven and earth and cry out, “It is finished.”
He didn't say "I am finished." He said "It is finished." That means your shame, your guilt, your condemnation—finished. Your fear, your curse, your addiction—finished. Your past, no matter how dark, has no power over your future when you are in Christ. That’s not wishful thinking. That’s the solid foundation of our faith.
Let’s revisit the emotional story of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39–43). This man lived a life of crime, rebellion, and dishonor. By all earthly standards, he deserved the punishment he was receiving. Yet in his final moments, when he could do no good deeds, when he had no more time to make up for his past, he simply looked to Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me…”
Jesus replied, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise.”
Why? Because “It is finished.” Grace was extended not because the thief earned it, but because Jesus purchased it.
The same goes for you. You may feel like you've failed too many times, or that your prayers have gone unanswered for too long. You may be carrying regrets that feel heavier than you can bear. But the cross declares that Jesus already bore them. Every whip, every nail, every drop of blood had a purpose—to give you freedom.
Some still try to earn what Jesus already gave freely. They live in spiritual exhaustion, striving to be good enough, holy enough, or acceptable. But the Gospel is not about your effort; it’s about His finished work.
“By one sacrifice, He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” — Hebrews 10:14
What does this mean for you today?
• You don’t fight for victory—you fight from victory.
• You’re not striving for forgiveness—you’re already forgiven.
• You’re not abandoned—you are accepted in the Beloved.
• You don’t walk alone—the Spirit of God lives in you because of the cross.
No more condemnation. No more fear. The debt is cancelled. The door is open. You are invited—not just to visit God's presence, but to dwell there.
If Jesus finished the work, stop trying to finish what He already completed. Instead, rest in it. Walk in it. Trust in it. Live like it’s true—because it is.
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Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
I thank You for finishing the work I could never do on my own. You carried the weight of my sin, the shame of my past, and the punishment I deserved—and You paid it all with Your blood.
When You said “It is finished,” You declared that I am no longer bound. My chains are broken, my record is cleared, and my soul is redeemed.
Father, I ask for forgiveness for the times I’ve tried to earn what You already gave. Teach me to walk in the freedom, the peace, and the confidence that comes from knowing it’s already done.
Today, I lay every burden at the foot of the cross—my pain, my questions, my struggles—and I trust You with the outcome. Help me live not in defeat, but in the power of the finished work.
Like the thief on the cross, I say: “Lord, remember me.” And I know, because of Your mercy, You will.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Day 6: Speak Life, Not Defeat
Text: Proverbs 18:21 — "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
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Message:
Words are not just sounds that come out of our mouths. They are spiritual instruments — seeds that either produce life or death. Many times, we are quick to blame the devil, our background, or other people for our stagnation, yet we fail to recognize the power that lies in our own mouths.
The Bible says that we will eat the fruit of what we speak — whether good or bad. That means every time you speak defeat, fear, or failure, you plant seeds that will eventually bear bitter fruit. On the other hand, when you speak faith, truth, and life, you partner with God’s Word, and those seeds will produce fruit in due time.
Sadly, many Christians today live defeated lives, not because God failed them, but because they’ve declared defeat long before the battle even began. They say things like:
• “This sickness will kill me.”
• “I will never get married.”
• “There’s no hope for my child.”
• “My situation is beyond repair.”
These words may sound honest in the moment, but they are dangerous. They create an atmosphere where God’s power is hindered by our unbelief. God does not respond to complaints — He responds to faith-filled words.
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Emotional Biblical Story: Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1–10)
In Ezekiel 37, God takes the prophet Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones — not just dead, but very dry bones. It was a scene of total hopelessness. This was Israel’s spiritual state: defeated, scattered, lifeless.
Then God asks a question that seems almost cruel:
“Son of man, can these bones live?”
Ezekiel wisely answers, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
God then commands Ezekiel to speak to the bones. Not to mourn, not to analyze, not to strategize — but to prophesy. Ezekiel had to say, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” He was instructed to speak what God said, not what the situation looked like.
And when he did, the bones rattled, came together, gained flesh, and eventually stood up — a vast army.
What brought the transformation? Words. Spirit-filled, God-given words spoken in faith.
This isn’t just a story of a prophet — it’s a story for you. Maybe your own life feels like a valley of dry bones:
• A dead marriage
• A lost child
• A shattered dream
• A delayed promise
• A body wracked with pain
God is asking you today: Can these bones live?
The answer lies in what you are willing to speak.
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Speak What God Says:
God doesn’t ask you to lie about your situation — He asks you to speak His truth into it. Say:
• “I shall not die, but live to declare the works of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:17)
• “I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath.” (Deuteronomy 28:13)
• “My God shall supply all my needs.” (Philippians 4:19)
• “By His stripes I am healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
This is not “positive thinking.” This is faith speaking, aligning your voice with heaven.
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Reflection:
Take a moment and examine the pattern of your speech. What do you say when you're frustrated? What do you declare over your children, your finances, your ministry, your body, or your future?
If your words were seeds, what kind of harvest would you expect?
Remember, life and death are in your tongue. Speak like someone who believes God still moves mountains. Speak life into that dead place. You may not see results overnight, but keep speaking — your words are working underground. A harvest is coming.
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Prayer:
Father in Heaven,
Thank You for reminding me that my words carry power. I confess that I have often spoken carelessly — in fear, frustration, or doubt — and for that, I repent. I ask for Your mercy and grace.
Lord, I want to be like Ezekiel. Teach me to speak life, not death. Give me the courage to prophesy to the dry bones in my life. Let my lips be instruments of Your truth and not tools of the enemy. I declare today that every dead dream, every broken promise, and every dry season in my life shall live again — in Jesus’ name.
I pray for those who feel hopeless today — for the weary mother, the broken man, the sick child, the struggling believer. May Your Word revive their spirit. May new life come forth as we speak in faith.
Let Your promises be my language. Let Your truth be my confession. Let Your Spirit breathe upon every dry bone in my life.
In Jesus’ powerful name I pray,
Amen.

Day 5: Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17 — "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
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Message:
The devil is a master accuser. He’s relentless in digging up our past, throwing it in our face, and convincing us that we are nothing more than the sum of our worst decisions. He wants us to wear shame like a cloak, to see ourselves as disqualified, damaged, and dirty. His strategy is to keep us stuck—paralyzed by guilt, silenced by regret, and robbed of our future.
But the Word of God declares a truth that shatters those lies: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” This is not symbolic. It is spiritual and real. When you come into Christ, God doesn’t just patch you up—He makes you new. He doesn’t just forgive you—He recreates you from the inside out. The old you, with all its mistakes, failures, and shame, is gone. What remains is a redeemed person, marked by grace and destined for purpose.
Your past does not have veto power over your future. Your identity is no longer defined by what you did, but by what Christ did on the cross. You are not the addict, the liar, the fornicator, the failure, the backslider. You are the forgiven, the redeemed, the beloved, the chosen, the sanctified. God's specialty is in rewriting stories, turning testaments of brokenness into testimonies of grace.
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Emotional Biblical Story: The Story of Rahab
Rahab’s story is one of the most powerful demonstrations of how God can rewrite a person’s destiny regardless of their past. She lived in Jericho, a city known for its wickedness. As a prostitute, Rahab was a woman whose life was associated with sin, shame, and exploitation. In society’s eyes, she was unworthy of attention, unclean, and unsuitable for any kind of noble future.
Yet, when the Israelite spies entered the city, something stirred in Rahab’s heart. She had heard of the God of Israel—the One who parted the Red Sea, the One who delivered His people from Egypt. And despite her background, she chose to believe. She risked her life by hiding the spies, not out of fear, but out of faith. Her confession was bold: “The Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11).
That act of faith forever changed her story. Instead of perishing with the rest of Jericho, Rahab was saved. But God didn’t stop at her salvation—He wove her into the very fabric of His redemptive plan. Rahab later married Salmon, a man of Israel, and they had a son named Boaz, who became the great-grandfather of King David. Eventually, Rahab was listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 1:5). From the house of shame to the lineage of the Savior—Rahab's past was no match for God's grace.
This story teaches us that God is not looking for perfect people—He’s looking for available hearts. A stained past does not stop God from birthing a glorious future. Rahab’s life reminds us that faith, even from the most unlikely person, activates divine transformation. It doesn’t matter how far gone you feel or how deep the mess is—God’s grace goes deeper still.
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Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the transforming power of being in Christ. Thank You that my past no longer defines me and has no authority over my destiny. I bring every sin, every failure, every regret before You, and I lay them at the foot of the cross. I receive Your forgiveness, not because I deserve it, but because You freely give it through Your Son.
Help me, Lord, to walk daily in the truth that I am a new creation. Break every chain of shame and silence every voice of condemnation that tries to speak louder than Your promises. Just as You did with Rahab, use my life as a trophy of grace—a testimony that You still change lives and call the unqualified. Let my story reflect Your mercy and inspire others to trust You.
I step out of the shadows of my past and into the light of my calling. I embrace the future You have for me, knowing it is filled with purpose and hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Encouragement:
Don’t let the scars of your past rob you of the beauty of your future. God is not consulting your history to determine your destiny. If Rahab could go from a harlot to a heroine, from shame to significance, then you too can rise from your lowest point. You are not beyond redemption. In Christ, your story is not over—it’s just beginning. Let grace have the final say. Let God rewrite the narrative. You are a new creation. Walk like it. Live like it. Believe it.

Day 4: God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Things
Text: 1 Corinthians 1:27 — "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
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Message:
In a world obsessed with titles, accolades, and qualifications, it’s easy to believe that God only uses the best and the brightest. But Scripture repeatedly shows the opposite. God chooses the lowly, the forgotten, the unlikely—those the world sees as "ordinary"—to accomplish His most extraordinary purposes.
You don’t need to have a spotless past, a perfect résumé, or a large following for God to use you. All you need is a willing heart and obedient faith. God delights in taking what man considers small and turning it into something mighty for His glory.
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Emotional Biblical Story: David the Shepherd Boy
Consider young David. He was the youngest of eight sons, left to tend sheep while his older brothers were presented before the prophet Samuel. No one, not even his own father, thought he was king material. Yet God saw his heart.
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
While others saw a shepherd boy, God saw a king. While others laughed at the idea of a boy facing Goliath, God empowered him to conquer a giant with just a sling and a stone. David wasn’t trained in warfare. He didn’t have Saul’s armor. He had faith—and that was enough for God.
Lessons from David’s Story:
• God sees your potential even when others overlook you. David wasn’t invited to the lineup of potential kings. His own father underestimated him. But the anointing found him in the field. The lesson? Man may leave you out, but God will seek you out.
• Preparation happens in obscurity. The time David spent with the sheep wasn’t wasted. He learned courage by fighting lions and bears. He developed intimacy with God through worship. Don’t despise your hidden seasons—they are where God trains you for your public assignments.
• Faith is more powerful than physical strength. Goliath was a trained warrior; David was a youth with conviction. Your confidence in God will always outweigh the threats you face.
• You don’t need to wear someone else’s armor. Saul tried to clothe David in royal armor, but it didn’t fit. What God will use to elevate you isn’t borrowed methods or man-made titles—it’s what He’s already equipped you with.
• Victory brings glory to God, not self. When David triumphed, he didn’t boast in himself. He declared, “The battle is the Lord’s.” (1 Samuel 17:47). Your testimony is not for your fame but for God’s glory.
Your own “shepherd field”—that place where you’ve been overlooked—might just be where God is preparing you for your Goliath moment. Like David, you may be ordinary by the world’s standards, but in God’s hands, you are chosen for something great.
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Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for seeing value in me even when the world overlooks me. Thank You for reminding me that I don’t have to be perfect or powerful for You to use me.
Lord, just as You used David, Moses, and the disciples—ordinary people—to do extraordinary things, I surrender myself into Your hands. Remove the doubt and fear that hold me back. Help me trust in Your strength, not my own.
Use my life to bring glory to Your name. Let my weaknesses become a platform for Your power. And when people see what You’ve done through me, may they know that it was only by Your grace.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
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✅ Reflection:
Think about the areas where you feel “not enough.” Surrender them to God and ask Him to use you anyway. He’s not looking for perfection—He’s looking for obedience.

Day 3: Delay Is Not Denial
Text: Habakkuk 2:3 — "Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
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Message:
Waiting can be one of the most painful seasons of life. When the doors don’t open, when prayers seem unanswered, and when silence is the only reply from heaven — discouragement creeps in. But God’s Word reminds us that a delay is not a denial. His timing is not like ours. He sees the full picture and moves in wisdom, not haste.
One of the most touching and emotional examples of this truth is found in the story of Lazarus, in John 11. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus: "Lord, the one you love is sick." They expected an immediate response — after all, Lazarus was Jesus’ close friend. But surprisingly, Jesus delayed. He stayed where He was for two more days. By the time He arrived, Lazarus was dead and buried for four days.
Martha met Him with words many of us have whispered in frustration:
"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
Mary fell at His feet, weeping. Those were gut-wrenching moments of grief and confusion. They had called on Jesus in faith, but it seemed He had come too late. Yet, what looked like a delay was really a setup for a greater revelation of His power. Jesus wept with them — showing His deep compassion — and then called Lazarus out of the grave.
He could have healed Lazarus from afar, but He chose resurrection over healing, to demonstrate that delay is not defeat — and that God's glory sometimes comes through our darkest moments.
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Lesson:
So maybe you’ve prayed for a child, a job, a breakthrough, or a restored relationship, and it seems heaven is silent. Don’t let delay sow the seeds of doubt. Trust the God who sees beyond your moment. He’s not ignoring you — He’s preparing the stage for something greater. God's delay is never without purpose. In the waiting, He is working — preparing you, building faith, aligning events, and ensuring that when the answer comes, it will be perfect and undeniable. Do not grow bitter in delay. Hold on to the promise, for it shall surely come.
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Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me today that delay is not the same as denial. Like Mary and Martha, I’ve sometimes felt like You didn’t show up when I needed You most. But I now understand You were never late — You were planning something greater. Teach me to trust Your timing and not lose heart in the wait. Strengthen my faith, just as You did for those who believed even at the tomb of Lazarus. Let my life testify that Your promises never fail, and that what You have spoken will come to pass — in Your perfect time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Reflection:
What promise have you laid in a “tomb” because of delay? Like Lazarus, God can still call it forth. Write that promise down again. Speak life over it in prayer. God's delay is a sign that He’s up to something bigger than you expect. Wait for it — it will surely come.

Day 2: Faith Can Move Mountains
Text: Matthew 17:20 — "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed... nothing will be impossible for you."
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Message:
The size of your faith is not what matters most; it is the presence of it. Even mustard-seed faith, when placed in the hands of the all-powerful God, can produce mighty results. In a world that praises self-confidence and visible strength, God invites us to trust Him, even in our smallest, weakest moments.
Many people delay taking steps forward because they believe they are not strong enough, not prepared enough, or not worthy enough. But Scripture teaches that God delights in using the weak, the overlooked, and the hesitant — because it reveals His power. Faith is not about how much you feel; it's about whom you trust.
Biblical Story: The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25–34)
For twelve long years, a woman suffered from a flow of blood. She had spent all she had on physicians, yet instead of getting better, she grew worse. She was isolated, unclean by the law, and invisible to society — a walking symbol of hopelessness.
But something changed the day she heard Jesus was passing by. She didn’t have a loud voice to call Him. She didn’t dare ask for attention. She didn’t even have strength to push through the crowd. All she had was a tiny, desperate faith.
"If I can just touch the hem of His garment, I will be made whole," she whispered in her heart.
And she did. One trembling reach, one small act of belief — and immediately, her bleeding stopped. Jesus felt power go out from Him and turned around, not to scold her, but to affirm her: “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”
This woman didn’t move a mountain with loud declarations or public faith — she simply believed, and acted. That’s mustard-seed faith.
Her story reminds us: It is not about the size of your faith, but the direction of it. Faith doesn’t deny the pain — it dares to believe that God is greater than it.
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Encouragement:
Whatever mountain you’re facing — be it financial hardship, health issues, broken relationships, or internal battles — don’t wait for perfect faith. Just reach out. Even a quiet prayer, a whispered trust, or a simple step forward can activate heaven’s response.
God does not ask for full understanding; He asks for belief. And when you believe, even in weakness, mountains begin to shift.
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Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I come before You today with the little faith I have. Sometimes I feel tired, overwhelmed, and unsure. But I believe — help my unbelief. Teach me to trust You, not based on what I see, but on who You are.
Like the woman who touched the hem of Your garment, I reach out today in faith. I may not have all the strength, but I know You are strong. I may not have all the answers, but I know You are wise.
Let my mustard-seed faith move the mountains in my life. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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Reflection Question:
What "mountain" are you asking God to move in this season? Will you take a small step of faith today, even if you feel afraid?