Bible Study: How To Position Your Self For A Lifting Up

BIBLE TEXTS: 1 Samuel 2:8-10; Job 22:18-30; 36:7; Matthew 23:12.

When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. Job 22:29.

HOW TO POSITION YOUR SELF FOR A LIFTING UP

1. DETERMINE TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE.

1 Chron. 4:9-10. Mark 11:24; You cannot continue to do or behave the same way you did last year and expect a change. Jabez knew that a life sentence of suffering had been passed on him. He did not just fold his hand and blame his mother for his lot in life. He prayed and worked against the tide to subdue and subjugate what was designed to silence him. The place of Prayer cannot be compromised. Attend the prayer and fasting sessions for the year.

2. WORK ON YOUR HABIT.

Prov 22:29; Rom 12:11. Habit is a function of the ways you do things which in most cases is difficult to break away from. It is what metamorphosis into addition that finally enslaves and ensnares the individual. What is it that people complain about you ? Break out from it. It could be a habit of being glued to Facebook, tiktalk, whatsapp, pornography, lesbianism, slothful in getting things done, procrastinating what ought to be done with urgency etc. No first class material has business being on Facebook. He values time

3. REDEEM THE TIME.

Eph 5:16-17; Col 4:5. Time does not depend on anyone. You can only use and not own it. Make haste while it is day that you may be able to accomplish your desires. Paul’s counsel for those who have lost time in life is to endeavour to forget the past and press towards the mark for the prize of a high calling. Phil. 3:12-14

4. DON’T GIVE UP.

1 Sam 2:8-9; Isaiah 1:18-19; Matt 11:28; John 6:37. The devil cannot write your story. God is a game changer for as many that come unto Him will surely have their history rewritten.

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Luke 15:18

Must one suffer shame and suffocation from the backlash of sin before he is lifted up to a widely celebrated and fanfare reception party in honour of his decision to return? Between the season of the mess and the message of celebration is the DECISION to make. Sadly, many young boys and girls are carried away by the same wave of presumed “time to play life” , fashion etc, only to walk into untold hardship that completely drains and prepares him for his early grave.

Discussion

Do you think the decision to arise and return home by the prodigal son was an easy one? Defend your answer
What are some of the things that hinder people from being lifted up?
With reference to 1 Chron. 4:9-10, what made Jabez a unique son amongst others?
What contributive role did the habit of the prodigal son play in his crisis?
Identify the things that can hinder the lifting up of our youths and give counsel on what they can do to redeem the time.

READ: Short Prayer for Today 18 November 2024, Monday

PRACTICAL STEPS TO BEING LIFTED UP

God’s promises are to all, but He enters into covenant relationship with those who are eager to have the promises fulfilled. Isaiah 1:18-19

HOW OTHERS MADE IT

Jabez had a sentence of frustration in life, but he resolved it in the place of PRAYER. 1 Chron. 4:9-10; Matt 11:28
Jephthah was declared a vagabond by his family members, but rather than end up a wanderer, he used his God-given potentials and by FAITH, he turned his circumstances around. Judges 11:1-11; Heb 11:32-33
Joseph was thrown into the pit as a plan by his own brothers to frustrate his intimidating dreams of becoming great. Despite the apparent frustration, he never forgot God nor doubted his promises. He remained HOLY, and by divine fiat, he was LIFTED UP from the prison of pain to the palace of prosperity. Your case can be the same if you uphold God in all you do.
David was programmed by Saul to make his life miserable and useless. But David proved to Saul that no man born of a woman can bring down a man that has God’s anointing upon him no matter the army that is put together to fight him. There is no situation that is so particular to you that cannot be resolved. Determine to make a move this year, and you will be glad you did.

Bible Study: How To Position Your Self For A Lifting Up