2017 theme: " THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24

1. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 BE OBIDIENT – DO NOT DOUBT (Part 1) BE RIGHTEOUS (Part 2) BE TRUTHFUL (Part 3) SEEK AND FIND KNOWLEDGE (Part 4) DEMONSTRATE WORKS (Part 5) RELATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT(Part 6) DO NOT BREATHE ANXIETY (PART 7) SOW A SEED OF THANKSGIVING (PART 8) BE STEADFAST (PART 9) GIVE - THERE IS POWER IN GIVING (PART 10) PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS AVAILS MUCH (PART 11) THE DILIGENT’S EYE MUST BE OPEN (PART 12) GOD’s GLORY RAINS ON THOSE WHO FEAR HIM (PART 13) STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH (PART 14) CLEAN YOUR HOUSE (PART 15) SUMMARY: 16 KEY TOOLS FOR AN EFFECTIVE TOOL BOX (PART 16) TAKE CHARGE (PART 17) TAKE SMALL STEPS (PART 18) TAKE SMALL STEPS #2 (PART 19) – BEWARE OF MOCKERS AND SCOFFERS SOW FOR HIS TREASURE (PART 20) FIX YOUR THOUGHTSS ON JESUS (PART 21) NOT HOW SOON BUT HOW WELL (PART 22) GOD FIGHTS THE BATTLE OF THE DILIGENT (PART 23) SOMEONE ELECTED AS MANAGER MUST PROVE FAITHFUL (PART 24) AND THE GATES OF HAIL WILL NOT PREVAIL (PART 25) MAKE ALL EFFORTS TO RETAIN YOUR ELECTION (PART 26) DO NOT TOLERATE SIN (PART 27) THE DILIGENT IS STRONG AND BOLD (PART 28) STEADFASTNESS IS CRITICAL FOR LEADERSHIP (PART 29) YOU MUST GO ABOUT DOING GOOD (PART 30) THERE IS A REASON (PART 31)

2. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 THERE IS A REASON (PART 31) Brethren, we have been on the theme, asking God to make our hands rule. Today we are reminded that for God to even decide to bless and man and make him rule, there is a reason. It then means that in as much as we are asking God to let our hands rule, we must also be in search for the REASON He would want to do that for us. Scripture has thrown out a card of high value (wild card) that “ the diligent hands will rule.” Part of this diligence, as we learn today, is in our ability to discover why God will choose to make us rule….there is reason!

3. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 THERE IS A REASON (PART 31) In Gen 12:1-3, God through out a wild card to Abraham: “12 The Lordsaid to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;I will make your name great,    and you will be a blessing.3aI will bless those who bless you,    and whoever curses you I will curse; Brethren, it is easy for Abraham to run with the above wild card without noticing the small inscription of the reason for the blessing, mentioned in verse 3b “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

4. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 THERE IS A REASON (PART 31) If Abraham missed the 3b, no matter how earnestly he prayed, the blessings may never have come. But if he understood the 3b, and prayed with focus on it, all the blessings and even more will be poured on him. It is more important, therefore, to understand and focus on the reason than to focus on the blessing. As Abraham moved along, he was listening to God to know when he got to the place – the REASON - for his call/blessing. Even when he had to part ways with Lot, he was happy to take the dry land. He did not decided to choose the green-land (after all it is him that God promised to bless and not Lot). Abram believed that when he gets to the right land, God will first show him how that land will fulfill God’s purpose (God’s REASON).

5. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 THERE IS A REASON (PART 31) The Lord saw his heart: Gen 13: 14 The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” 18So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord. God had said to Abraham: “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen 12:3b). Abraham did not settle on any land until he got a confirmation. If Abraham focused on 12:1-3a, he would have taken the green-land (and not give it to Lot). His focus was on 12:3b.

6. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 THERE IS A REASON (PART 31) How about Jesus? Mary (His mother did not quite understand the reason for her son … Jesus) She tried to cling him to herself as a normal son. 30So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you shall give Him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. Mary’s actions did not show that she understood the REASON for her blessing. She clung so much to her “son” that she was often in opposite direction with him.

7. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 THERE IS A REASON (PART 31) In Luke 2: 41Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast. 43When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed. 44Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends. 45When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” 49“Why were you looking for Me?” He asked, “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.

8. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 THERE IS A REASON (PART 31) In John 2,1 a wedding took place at Cana .. .3When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” 4“Woman, why does this concern us?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” In Matthew 12: 46While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. 47Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” 48But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” 49Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. 50For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

9. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 THERE IS A REASON (PART 31) Brethren, unless we understand “the REASON”, we will have misplaced expectation and gratification. In Joshua 1, 1… God said to Joshua, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. JOSHUA WAS SMART NOT GET CARRIED AWAY BY THE BLESSINGS BUT FOCUSED ON THE REASON! 10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the

10. 2017 theme: "THE DILIGENT HANDS WILL RULE” Pro 12:24 THERE IS A REASON (PART 31) camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’” Brethren, the Lord is ready to make us rule. However, we must first understand that THERE IS A REASON, and focus on that reason. God’s blessings are often not about us but about how we can use the blessing to extend God’s love to others. As, we examine the areas we need God to let us rule, lets more importantly discover WHY God would approve that for us. GOD BLESS YOU!

11. 2017 PRAYER POINTS Prayer over the message of today “Lord, please extend your love to all nations through prayers offered on this alter (Psalm 117) Let our prayers be acceptable unto you. 3. Prayer for Leadership of Nations … a. Be anointed leaders of honour like Cyrus (Isa 45:1, Rm 9:21) b. Give them spirit of humility in leadership and wisdom to lead well c. Any leader that fails to obey God’s Word, should be replaced 4. Troubles/Wars in nations. 5. Leave no room for diseases; cleanse our land 6. Missions/Ministries & Missionaries/Ministers 7. Marriages, Children & families 8. Members of the fellowship – grace to be diligent 9 Needs in fellowship