Give and Gain

TEXT: Acts 5:1-9, MORE LESSONS: Lk.6:38

Giving to God is one of the fastest ways to prosper in life. Unfortunately the devil has blinded believers to this great truth. However the truth cannot die, but the ignorant will suffer. The word 'give' in our text is immediately followed by the reward,...and it shall be given unto you;....Lk.6:38. Such is the speed of return that every wise believer must key into.

Peter gave his empty boat and he had an unprecedented harvest of fish so much that the boat began to sink, and the fishermen beckoned to their partners for help. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings and the Bible says in the same night, In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee II Chron.1:7. Friend, give and gain! Let's count a few gains of giving.

1. It shall be given back – Lk.6:38.

2. Ceaseless harvest – Gen.8:22.

3. Opens the windows of Heaven - Mal. 3:10.

4. It stops the devourer - Mal.3:11.

5. All nations shall call you blessed - Mal.3:12.

6. Blessing in all areas of your work - Deut.15:10.

7. Stirs God's love - 2Cor.9:7.

8. It guarantees a treasure in Heaven and a future on the earth - Lk.12:33.

9. Makes you more blessed - Acts 20:35.

10. It brings God's supply according to the riches of Heaven - Phil.4:19.

The spiritual law of giving is patterned after the natural law of sowing and reaping. If the law of sowing and reaping is real and working, obviously the law of giving and harvest is real and working. What we eat will die, but what we give must live and reproduce. Whatever you don't want to lose must be given out because you gain only what you give. This law does not function just by knowledge, it is activated by practice. Even those who teach it don't get the result until they practise it.

My spiritual father taught me something that changed my life of giving and stopped poverty in my entire life. He said, Whatever is not enough to satisfy you is a seed, Don't eat it, give it as a seed. Whatever makes you hate giving is your enemy, separate from it. Give to God's work and God's servants at every opportunity.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Ask God to lead you to a definite contribution to His Kingdom this year.

* Thank God for putting a source of prosperity in the Scripture.

* Rebuke everything in you that makes you hate giving.

* Ask God to fill you with the spirit of giving.

* Release the flood gate harvest over all your seeds, past, present and future.

 Promise God you will no longer be a robber of tithe, offering and firstfruits.

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Fear Not II

TEXT: Acts 27:20-25, MORE LESSONS: Deut 20:8

No one has ever succeeded in life with fear. Victory is not for the fearful (Deut 20:8). Even the Almighty God will not take a fearful man with Him to battle to do a miracle Judg.7:3). If you hate to be horrified put the truth breaker--fear--out of you, Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me Psa.55:5. The fearful will not make Heaven, But the fearful, ...shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire .... Rev.21:8. What says the Lord when the f u t u r e l o o k s b l e a k ? . . . Fear not....Gen.15:1. When facing a red sea, ...Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD,.... Exo.14:13. Worried about an enemy? ...the LORD your God he shall fight for you Deut 3:22 or faced with a new assignment or a challenge like Joshua, ...Be strong and of a good courage;.... Josh.1:9, etc.

No man has ever solved any problem or come up with a solution by fear, rather men cast out fear, worry and anxiety in order to solve problems and bring solutions. Confronted by a terrible crisis of shipwreck on the high seas for fifteen days without hope of rescue, Paul found courage and hope in what God had said to him, For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me vs 23 - 25. That is the same word I bring to you today, ...Fear not.... Like Paul, you will reach your goal you will not derail.

Believe whatever God has said to you directly or in His Word. Don't get troubled by the evil and threats you see and hear all around. Hold on to God and His Word, rebuke fear and still the storm, like Jesus did when attacked by the storm. Victory is sure. Lift up your hand and shout, I believe God.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Say, I cast the spirit of fear out of my destiny.

* Rebuke every storm you can see around your life.

* Pray against everything that you fear and cancel them from ever coming to pass.-Job 3:25

 Make a list of things you greatly fear.

 Before 5pm today find a promise in the Bible that stands against each of the listed fears.

 Wake up before midnight and use the promises to speak against your list. Give thanks after prayer and destroy the list.

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Fear Not I

TEXT: Mk.4:36-41, MORE LESSONS: 2Tim.1:7

The dictionary defines fear as an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger. Going by this definition, fear is experiencing what has not happened. It is about being tormented by something that has not happened. The worst torment is that the thing feared has not happened and may never happen, yet you have already tasted the pain.

In the peak of the terrorist attacks on the Christians in northern Nigeria a few years back, several people migrated to the south for fear of being killed. A family chose to go back to their home town in south west Nigeria. Unfortunately as they were driving into the town a crisis broke out and they were mistaken for a fleeing enemy and were all slaughtered by their own people. I am not sure their movement was at God's direction, rather they were moved by fear. The problem was not the relocation but the reason for it.

The disciples of Jesus Christ were tormented by fear in our text. Three things were responsible for this.

1) They saw the great storm. One of the greatest sources of fear is what a man sees. Jesus was sleeping, so He didn't see the storm, thus He was not part of the fear. Even when He woke up and saw the wind, He did not allow what He saw to affect Him, rather He confronted it. Mind what you see on television, the streets, newspapers and magazines. They can be sources of fear.

2) Most of the disciples were fishermen, who must have had different dangerous experiences on the water and now those past experiences must have flashed through their minds as they saw the storm. Learn to put old experiences behind you in order to succeed in life. Experience can be a good teacher but it can also be a bad master. Be courageous, try again what you abandoned, this could be your chance, don't respond to situations with the fear of yesterday.

3) The disciples were afraid because of stories of shipwreck they must have heard. And now the story was becoming real, they cried out of fear. Be strong, don't give in to the old stories you have heard, trust God that your case will be different. Victory over fear can only come if you refuse to give in to all the negative things you have seen, heard, experienced or thought about. Jesus says faith is the opposite of fear and fear will flee when faith is exercised (v40). Feed your mind and spirit with God's Word, positive testimonies, good company and your fear will bow to faith.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Pray against every weapon of fear shot at you by Satan to make you lose strength in battle.

* Prophesy that fear will not rule over your life.

* Release the spirit of love, courage and sound mind upon you.

* Rebuke the spirit of shipwreck over your life. I pray for you, you will not sink in the river of life.

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Enoch

READ: Gen 5:22, MORE LESSONS: Rev.22:10-12

Thank God for the addition of the story of Enoch in the Bible. I honestly think that the Bible would not have been complete without the story of Enoch and God. There are many things about the story of Enoch that touch me; among them is his long life, 365 years. 365 days make a year, except a leap year but for Enoch he got a year for each day. This is maximising of days, what a gift! Israel had that type of extension but to the negative. Their 40 day journey from Egypt to Canaan was turned to 40 years, a day for a year.

Unlike Enoch who spent his addition in communion with God, Israel spent their extension in hard labour. The lesson here is for holy living, Enoch got a robust 365 years in place of 365 days while for wrong living, Israel had their 40 days turned into 40 years of pain! There is always a pay day for all that you do, whether negative or positive, as Ecc.12:14 says, The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

Another challenging thing about Enoch is that he had his first child at 65 (v21) when by today's standard, he should have done with child bearing. I connect with this to prophesy to you, whatever your destiny is waiting for, no matter how delayed, the God of Enoch will remember you and grant you your heart desire. I speak from my spirit, you will no longer be held down nor denied your godly requests.

Another lesson from Enoch, and perhaps the most outstanding, 300 years of steady, unbroken relationship with God! No wonder God took him away to Himself, bypassing death. Enoch truly deserved it. May we all walk in such testimony, may we live without one day out of fellowship with God. No matter the temptations, challenges, lack and pain, may we be able to say like Paul, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ..neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God....Rom.8:37-39.

May we never have a reason to be separated from God for one minute from now on until we see Jesus face to face. Enoch walked steadily with God. After he had Methuselah, he lived another 300 years, having more sons and daughters v22 (MSG).

PRAYER/ACTION

* Thank God for a challenging gift like Enoch.

* Ask God for a graceful life like Enoch’s.

* Ask God for the grace to live permanently in His presence.

* Declare that the sun will not have dominion over you anymore.

 Create a little time today and do a study on Enoch.

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Strengthened for Battle

TEXT: Eph.6:10-18, MORE LESSONS: 2Tim.2:1-7

Strength is defined as a state of being strong. A strong army, strong financial base, strong personality etc.  all speak of strength. In this age everything is about strength, from the cradle to the grave, from Egypt to Canaan. Weakness is the absence of strength and a weak Christian is a defeated Christian. Wherever there is weakness failure is imminent, so if you hate to fail, you must increase your strength.

There is nothing that makes a man succeed that is related with weakness. Grace, anointing, help, glory are all strength related. Apostle Paul ends his letter to the Ephesians, ...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might Eph 6:10. Then he enumerates what the Ephesians must do to be strong. They are to put on God’s armour made of truth, righteousness, preaching of the Gospel of peace, faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, i.e. the Word of God, constant prayer and supplication in the spirit , being watchful always , perseverance and intercessory life (Eph.6:14-18). An armour is a protective covering which Paul wants us to wear in order to resist the enemy and as a shield to stop the arrows that Satan aims at us Eph.6:13,16).

From these verses, it is obvious that the Scripture, written over 2000 years ago, is now being fulfilled in our days. So you need to strengthen yourself for the battle. Verse 13 speaks of the “evil days” and verse 16 gives the definition of the evil day as a time when the devil will shot his “burning arrows” (G.H.T.D) at believers. The burning arrows are now all over-insecurity, church bombings, assassination of Christians, abject poverty, strange diseases, heresy, false prophets, worldly churches, worldly brethren in the name of liberty and globalisation, etc.

Beloved, it is war time; only those who wear their armour are safe. Look at those elements of the armour once again, and ensure that none is missing on you, from your helmet of salvation on the head to the Gospel sandals on the feet. That is the only way to be strong for the battle, the only key to guide against weakness and failure.

From today be armed with your weapons, put on your armour and you will be strengthened for the battle of faith. The song writer has rightly spoken, “Christians seek not yet reposed, hear your guiding angels say, thou art in the midst of foes, watch and pray”. Don't retreat. I hear our Captain say we shall overcome.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Give God thanks for not allowing you to be swept away by your weaknesses.

* Thank God for the provision of defensive armour ahead of the days of evil.

* Ask the Lord to empower you against every form of weakness in your Christian race.

* Prophesy the armour of God in Eph.6:14-18 to your life one by one.

 Create time to memorise all the armours today. Finally, prophesy that you will not lose any battle to weakness this year.

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Top Up II

TEXT: 2Pet. 1:1-5, MORE LESSONS: Col.1:1-10

Yesterday we established the fact that every anointed man of God needs a constant refilling of the anointing to stay relevant and useful. The point is that anything in use must be serviced to remain useful. This is true of both the human and material world. Anything you use without refilling must finish. However usage is not the only way by which a resource can be depleted. It could also be by leakage. Leakage is defined as the undesired and gradual escape of any material resulting in a loss.

Anointing can leak as a result of carelessness in a believer as it happened to Samson, a man highly anointed but he fell into immorality. Samson's anointing actually leaked because he never knew power was escaping out of him until Delilah was done with him and he found himself empty, …And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him Judges 16:20. Talkativeness, evil company, lack of self discipline, hatred, variance, wrath, emulation, strife, sedition, heresy, envying, murder, drunkenness, reveling (Gal 5:19-21), cause spiritual leakage among others, which a believer must avoid. How do you avoid leakage of anointing?

Purge yourself of all carnal/fleshly living and set your affection on things above, Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness,…. Col 3:5. Our text says keep adding, ... II Pet.1:5-6. The addition leads to maturity, ...they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful….2Pet.1:8. It concludes in verse 9, But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off....

These are keys to a fruitful life. The anointing of God is for fruitful living the secret of which is constant addition to whatever already exists. Top up; block any leakage and constantly add to your oil. Don't wait until you notice dryness before refilling, that may be too dangerous. The wisdom of the five virgins was in the extra oil they carried for top up when the bridegroom delayed. Add, and don't ever stop adding until you see Jesus. giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness

PRAYER/ACTION

* Ask God to keep you thirsty for more of Him.

* Tell the Lord to help you never to think you have enough of Him.

* Ask God to end every spiritual leakage in your life.

* Lift your hands up and begin to ask the Spirit of God to pour upon you His power.

* Today, join hands with somebody of like mind and say a word of prayer for your pastor/mentor.

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Top Up I

TEXT: Matt.14:15-23, MORE LESSONS: Prov. 4:23-26

Anything that is in constant use needs to be topped up or else it will finish; this includes, but not A limited to, the anointing of God upon a person. In Luke 8:46 when the woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus' garment, Jesus immediately noticed and commented. That was a proof that each time Jesus ministered, there was a drop in the anointing, though the anointing upon Him was without measure. It is commendable that Jesus was sensitive enough to know that something left Him; but the absence of such sensitivity has caused many church workers and ministers disastrous losses. Some work and have no sense that the anointing in them is reducing with every service until weakness begins to manifest, occasioned by emptiness. This is more with ministers without spiritual back-up in form of prayer supporters.

Several times Paul repeatedly solicits for prayer, Brethren, pray for us 1 Thess. 5:25, Finally, brethren, pray for us…. 2Thess.3:1, Pray for us: for…. Heb13:18. Jesus, though God, never flowed in the anointing without refilling and topping up. In our reading, after the miracle of multiplying bread and fish, He refused to go into celebration but rather withdrew to top up the anointing with hours of prayer (v23). In fact, He was there until about 3am in the morning (v25).

We all must learn from Jesus’ example. We must learn to pray not only before service/programme but after. The prayer after must be as serious as the one before the programme. Praying after a service helps you first to give the glory back to God, renew your strength and to begin the preparation for the next one.

A constant refilling after a programme is the secret of a greater tomorrow. This is as important for the ministers/leaders of a programme as well as the co-workers. If you want your leader to last and do more, whether he asks you for prayer or not, pray for him, back him up. It is easier to pray before the programme than after. Often brethren savour the joy of victory and the sense of fulfilment. But Jesus overcame all this and topped up after a miracle. I wish just a quarter of women who celebrated David after the killing of Goliath went back to raise an altar of prayer for David and his battle with Saul occasioned by that victory might have been tempered. Learn to refill, and start the preparation for the next assignment immediately after the last one.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Give thanks to God for being ever there to renew your strength.

* Ask God to help you be more sensitive to the state of your spirit.

* Proclaim that you will not dry up and you will not be a spiritual disaster.

* Put your hands on your head and for the next five minutes concentrate your thoughts on God and begin to say “Lord refill me now with Your Spirit”.

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Word for Triumph

TEXT: Gen 1:1-5, MORE LESSONS: Josh 14:6-7, 9, 10

The earth was without form and void until God's Word came to it. Life also is void, without form, and filled only with darkness until the Word of the Lord comes into it. I pray God give you understanding of this text because it is the root of all that you desire in life. Until God's Word comes into your life, just like the earth at creation, your life will simply remain empty and without form or beauty whatsoever.

From the text, this beautiful earth was an ugly, chaotic and shapeless place until Jehovah showed up and began to speak to it. Lazarus remained a dead man, rotten and smelling until his word came, …Lazarus, come forth Jn.11:43. Your situation remains dead and rotten until you locate and speak God's Word to it.

Although a prophet of God, Jeremiah remained unfocused, without direction and purposeless until his word came, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; … and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jere.1:5. The phrase, a prophet unto the nations, changed his perspective entirely, he stopped seeing himself as a local prophet sent only to Israel; now he knew he was an international prophet sent to nations. While thousands were dying in the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan, Joshua and Caleb were simply dreaming of the type of house they would have in Canaan, because they already had God's Word for the journey, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb … and Joshua …. Num.14:30. All the age mates of Simeon died of sickness, old age, attack, etc but Simeon refused to die like others, because he had God's Word that he would not die until he had seen the Saviour born (Lk.1:25-26). He lived until he saw the Saviour.

Caleb made it to Canaan but remained empty without any possession in the land until he laid hold on the Word of God for his life, Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day…. Josh.14:12. You too need to lay hold on God's Word for your life by reading, studying and praying God's Word into your situation or else you will be empty, void and shapeless like the earth was initially. When Joseph's Word came, he prevailed over the prison. Today, by God's Word I see you break your prison doors (Ps. 105:19-20).

PRAYER/ACTION

Start prophesying now over your life and destiny. Declare that:

* Your destiny will not be barren of anything good.

* You will reach your Canaan.

 You will triumph in life, spiritual and physical.

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Deceitfulness

TEXT: Matt.24:3-5, MORE LESSONS: Matt.7: 13-15

We are living at a very dangerous time that the Bible refers to as the end time. It is characterised by sad events, chief among which is the spirit of deceit and lie. Deceit is an act of concealment or distortion of the truth for the purpose of misleading someone. Satan's greatest enemy this end time is the truth, he knows that if the truth is allowed its rightful place, nobody will choose the lie or be in bondage; in other words, with truth at work all of Satan's activities will collapse. Any type of sin or evil work is an absence of the truth and the fullness of deceit.

This is why Satan chose to fight the truth. Satan has taken this battle beyond the world and introduced deceit into the Church. There is so much concealment of the truth in the global Church today. The Church that should have been the home of the truth is itself messed up!

Jesus saw it coming well over 2000 years ago, and warned, …Take heed that no man deceive you v.4. This places upon you the responsibility of ensuring that you live in the truth. You are responsible for whatever information you accept. Satan has no blame lying to you because that is his assignment but you have the blame if you accept his lies, if you don’t cross check the details with God's Word and man. Every lie of the devil is exposed and dealt with by the Word of God. If you will use the Bible as the standard for all that you do in life and decide never to do anything except it is expressly proven by God's Word, then you will likely not be a victim of deceit. Another vital tool to defeat lie is a Spirit-filled life and prayer.

These two added to the Bible will place you above deceit and lie, and you will never be a victim of falsehood. The phrase, …and shall deceive many v5 in our text, spoken by no less than Jesus, bothers my heart so much especially as I see the “many” already happening. I challenge you today to do all within you not to be among the “many” that shall be deceived. Rather be a part of the “few” that will find Heaven (Matt 13:14). Don't be deceived and don't be a deceiver. Be a child of God indeed; live by the Word of God only.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Pray that you will not be a victim of the end time deceitful spirit.

* Pray for the ever abiding Spirit of truth to guide you in this perilous times.

* Pray for the help of God never to accept anything until proven by God's Word.

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Fellow Labourers

TEXT: Phil. 2:19-24, MORE LESSONS: Acts 28:13-15

Co-labourers are people appointed by God to fulfil their destiny through supporting their leader to do what God has appointed him to do. This way, both the appointed leader and his fellow workers/helpers fulfil destiny by working together although in different capacities. In the wisdom of God, no one church/ministry/assignment is raised to be headed by two persons side by side. Just as there is no human with two heads, in God's order, it is usually one leader, many followers. Any assignment, human or spiritual, that is saturated with competitors will fail, but where there are co-labourers, success is sure.

Every leader should deliberately pray for co-labourers in his/her assignment. A leader should also watch out for who is a co-labourer around him and draw such closer for greater collaboration. Among other things, co-labourers are people who:

1) Handle every assignment as though it is theirs personally, they do the work as if it is theirs.

2) Do not wait to be instructed or supervised to get the work done.

3) Never do eye service – whether the boss is present or not, they do whatever is required.

4) Work without attaching any condition to their service. They serve with little or no incentives.

5) Go extra mile – they are not restricted in service, they do as much as will bring result.

6) Are of absolute commitment – they are prepared to sink or float with their assignments.

7) Believe in and carry the spirit of their leader.

The ministry of Paul the apostle, though very tough and challenging, was made easy by the gift of men and women who were co–labourers, supporters, givers and helpers of all time, such as Timothy and Epaphroditus who Paul revered to severally as brothers, fellow workers, fellow soldiers, messengers and ministers (v25); they nearly died for the work (v30).

Are you a co-labourer or a problem in God's Kingdom?

PRAYER/ACTION

* Ask God for team spirit in every area of your service in His Kingdom.

* Pray for the grace to sacrificially love God and His work.

* Pray that God will send faithful co-labourers to His vineyard.

* Examine the seven steps above and ask yourself, under God, which of them you lack.

* Give thanks for the ones you have and pray that you will increase in them.

* Take practical steps on the ones you consider lacking in your life.

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Upload your Day/Year

TEXT: Ps 68:19, MORE LESSONS: Isa 46: 9-10

From the Scripture, it is clear that days, years and seasons are not the creation of man or any human authority, and God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and or days, and years Gen 1: 14.Since all are the creation of God, then days, years and seasons are spiritual things, not just natural occurrences.

The good news arising from this is that knowing the origin and source of days and years gives one the opportunity to determine how a day/year/season runs by going to the source. Everyone therefore who is connected to God, the author and creator of days/years/seasons, is also connected to the power of the day and can influence it. What a great thing to be able to influence what happens in your day/year/season.

No doubt the components of a day how that there is evil in it (Eph.5:16) but it also has good in it, Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits.… Psa.68:19. In essence, God made the day and uploads it daily with benefits. Therefore, all of God's children who have this knowledge of God as the creator and loader of everyday should not allow any evil in their day. By prayer to God you should daily upload your day, first thing in the morning every day of the year, with all the benefits that you want your day to bring and download them every second as you run in the day.

 The scripture you read, the prayer you say and the confession you make at the take-off of your day are your uploading process, and what you load into the day is what you download in the day. Every time you refuse to start your day with the Word and prayer you give Satan an opportunity to upload evil into your day. Days and seasons are spiritual, they are gifts from God with loaded benefits and every child of God should go through each day with this knowledge and take charge of what his or her day will be from the spiritual (God) at every start of the day/year, especially at the personal and family altar.

A day started with God as the Alpha and Omega cannot end in disaster, God will take charge. Upload your day from the beginning with God and your day will be loaded with benefits.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Ask the Lord to help you never to start a day/year without raising an altar to upload your day/year with blessings.

* Rebuke every evil intended from hell over this day.

* Declare your desires for this day/year and command them activated now.

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No Evil

TEXT: Luke 11:2-4, MORE LESSONS: Psa.23:4

Evil is described as anything wrong, bad, immoral, offensive, wicked or unrighteous. In the Lord's prayer, Jesus teaches us how to ensure that our lives are free from evil. He says pray that God will deliver you from evil, this is a great lesson. If you want to overcome evil anytime, it is not by wishing that evil will not happen to you, it is by praying against it.

When you pray against evil you are handing the devil over to God for a safe day from satanic intervention. This is because the devil is the origin of evil and his activities on the earth are on-going round the clock. The only way therefore to stop his activities over your life is by effective fervent prayer.

Jesus’ choice of words on this topic is worth noting, deliver us. First, the word “us” means nobody is exempted. Second, the word “deliver” implies evil is intended for us; therefore we all without exemption, pastor and congregation, need to ask God to deliver us from Satan’s evil intentions.

Paul the apostle further spoke on this when he wrote to the Ephesians, redeeming the time, because the days are evil Eph.5:16. If the days are evil then the people in the days are at risk, but they can conquer by prayer. The good thing is that, whatever the devil intends against us and our days can be stopped by the power of prayer.

Therefore Jesus has taught us by this that evil exists in the air and the power to terminate it also exists; if you pray, you conquer the evil. If you don't pray, you become vulnerable to the evil. It's a choice. If you want to overcome the evil that is intended over you, give yourself to daily effective regular prayer without ceasing, And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Luke 18:1.

Jesus, the apostles, men of old and contemporary leaders of the Church have survived the evil of their days by prayer; we cannot do less today. Pray and turn all evil intended against you and your destiny to a testimony. It is possible.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Give thanks to God for providing a way of escape out of all evil.

* Ask God to empower you not to faint in the place of prayer.

* Ask God to deliver you from all evil intended for today.

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Pass the Baton

Friday, 19 July

TEXT: Acts 1:1-2, MORE LESSONS: John 9:4

The book of the Acts of the Apostles opens with a statement, what Jesus began to do and to teach. It is important to note that Jesus did not just teach the Word and the ways of God, He first did it before teaching it. However we are made to understand here that He only began the process of doing and teaching the Word. He has commissioned us disciples to continue what He began and bring it to a conclusion at the end of the age, when He will come back to gather in the harvest and reward His servants.

The book of the Acts is an account of how the early apostles continued with the task of world evangelism. The baton has been passed on from one generation to another. The book of the Acts is still being written and it is now your responsibility to add your chapter in this generation. As a person, in what ways are you going to partake in what Jesus began? What are you going to do to bring the harvest to a conclusion? Remember, you can pray, give, sing, teach, witness, contribute your skills and talents. You can give your money and house, expertise, e.t.c. so that the kingdom of this world might become the Kingdom of our God and His Christ. Pass the baton on with all you have and possess, it will not be in vain. What are you going to do for God in your generation?

Peter was a fisherman yet he made contributions that cannot be forgotten. Matthew was a tax collector, Luke was a physician and Paul was a professor emeritus. All of them made their mark. The disciples ran errands (Matt.21:2), Simeon the Cyrenian helped carry Jesus’ cross (Luk. 23:26), Joseph of Armathea provided His grave (Luk. 23:51-53). The Galilean women provided the perfume for His burial. What will you do with His grace upon your life? What will you do for your God and Saviour?

PRAYER/ACTION

* Ask God to anoint and use you to be part of those who will continue what Jesus began to teach and to do.

* Ask God to lead you to a definite contribution to His Kingdom this year.

* Pray that you will not keep away from God whatever you have that can advance the Kingdom of God.

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A Return to Gethsemane

Thursday, 18 July

TEXT: Lk. 22:39-44, MORE LESSONS: Psa.65:2

Gethsemane remains the practical example of what prayer ought to be by every standard. At Gethsemane, Jesus fought the battle of the last minute decision for the assignment of redemption. There has never been a record of prayer greater than this, And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood….vs 44.

What a passion, what a warfare! The enemy was pulling Jesus away from His divine mandate but by effective fervent prayer, Jesus battled and won, nevertheless not my will. It was a narrow escape, but He won and prevailed to pay the price of redemption and became the only Lamb of God who took away the sins of man. God heard His prayer and today all of Heaven and earth celebrate Him because of the victory. He won it first at Gethsemane.

Today, you too can win over your challenges, pains, troubles, affliction, e.t.c. if only you will do what Jesus did at Gethsemane. Give yourself to effective prayer, praying until Heaven responds. Even if it will take sweat dropping like blood in the place of prayer, labour! Already there is a promise, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened Matt.7:7-8.

Jesus has opened the floodgate of answer and now you can, …come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need Heb.4:16.

At Gethsemane Jesus faced the greatest temptation to His calling but by prayer He prevailed. You too can go to your own Gethsemane to obtain your much needed victory. James 5:16 says, ...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Set up your Gethsemane prayer altar now, God is waiting to answer.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Give God thanks because He answers prayer.

* Bring before God in serious, focused prayer those things that have been used by the devil to threaten your life.

* Ask God to grant you total victory like it happened at Gethsemane.

* Pray that in turbulent times, Heaven will send support.

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Blossom in your Wilderness

       Wednesday, 17 July

TEXT: 2Sam.17:27-29, MORE LESSONS: Psa.6:8-9

In our text, David was going through a wilderness experience. He had been driven out of the palace in Jerusalem by his own son, Absalom; his trusted friend Ahitophel had taken counsel against him. His concubines had been defiled publicly by his son, Absalom. The king had been humiliated and driven into the wilderness together with his royal troop with no food, or provision. All was hot and dry.

                                                      POSSIBILITY SUMMIT

Then God sent three men with abundant provision to refresh David in the wilderness. This is the way God works. When you find yourself in the wilderness of life for whatever reason, He sends provision to refresh you, so that even in the wilderness you can blossom.

When Israel was crossing the wilderness into their inheritance in Canaan, God gave them abundance of manna, meat and water from the Rock that followed them, to refresh their souls. The Lord will never leave nor forsake His people. What is it that you have been going through? In what wilderness experience have you found yourself? The Lord is there for you even in the wilderness. He will supply all that you need. He will send helpers who will bring provisions that you need. Even in the wilderness God is still a God of provision, He will furnish a table in the wilderness.

The only question today is, Who hath believed our report?....Isa.53:1. Who is ready to believe that God can do all things, including turning a wilderness to a table of provision, The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly…. Isa.35:1-2.

No matter the dry situation you are going through, call Jehovah to it. Hand over your position, debts, financial crisis to Him and leave them there with Him. If you believe in the power that makes the wilderness to blossom as the rose, you will see the miracle of the Lord.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Give God thanks for His power to make the wilderness to blossom.

* Pray that the Lord will send you abundance of what you need in your present situation.

* Pray for a divine intervention in the finance of your home, church and nation, and that you will have more than enough no matter the situation.

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The Path of the Just

   Tuesday, 16 July

TEXT: Prov.4:18-22, MORE LESSONS: Prov.12:13-14

The path of the just will shine better by the day because when a man is righteous and just, God takes him from glory to glory. No matter what happens the just does not diminish in strength and in status; rather he grows stronger by the day. The Bible is filled with the testimonies of several just men who were lifted by God by the reason of their lifestyles.

Of Abraham the Bible says, And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great…. Gen.24:35.

Of Isaac, And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: Gen.26:13.

Of David, And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him 2Sam.5:10.

Of Saul(Paul), But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus…. Acts 9:22.

Of Jesus Christ, He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree Lk.1:52

If you too will walk uprightly, living by faith daily and looking to Jesus, then He will move you from glory to glory and bless you and your children, The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Psa.115:14;Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side Psa.71:21

Today, make up your mind to walk uprightly with God on a day-to-day basis and He will increase you daily to the glory of His name.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Ask the Lord to take out of your life whatever it is that hinders you from walking uprightly.

* Ask the Lord to richly bless you and your household according to His promises.

* Ask the Lord to make you an agent of increase in the lives of other people.

* Declare that this year your path must shine more and more.

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Have You Been Baptised?

Monday, 15 July

TEXT: Mark 16:6, MORE LESSONS: Matt.28:18-20

It is unfortunate that many believers in Christ do not really understand the significance of water baptism after being born again. Many have funny ideas that are not in line with what the Lord Jesus and the apostles taught. Some believe in infant baptism but we can see from the scripture above that infant baptism cannot be valid.

Jesus says He that believes and is baptised shall be saved. Baptism is needful only after you have believed and personally received Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Baptising someone who has not believed is like white washing a sepulcher. A toddler has not reached the age to believe. Some believe in baptism by sprinkling, but the Bible says we are buried with him (Christ) in baptism (Rom 6:4). Baptism is actually from the Greek word batizo which means to dip, immerse, submerge or bury. Hence valid baptism is done by immersion in water after you have truly become born again.

Yet some say that baptism is not vital, and they cite the case of the thief on the cross who went to Heaven though he was not baptised in water. Now, are you a thief on the cross? There may be cases of people who receive Christ at their dying hour and have no opportunity to do water baptism. That is a narrow escape and God certainly has an arrangement for that. But for anyone who still has the opportunity after being born again to choose not to be baptised by immersion in water is violation of the Word of Christ.

Water baptism is a crucial part of the salvation process. It is the outward evidence that one has given one’s heart to the Lord. I t symbol i s e s one ’s identification with Christ’s death (buried in water) and His glorious resurrection (coming out of water). It is an indication that one has died to sin and received a glorious new life in Christ. On an issue as fundamental as the matter of the salvation of the soul, it is wise that you are not in any doubt that you have got it right. If you have never been baptised since you believed or it was done for you when you were an infant, go for water baptism now.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Pray that you will walk in the truth of the Gospel all the days of your life.

* Pray for your pastor that he will teach the truth of the Word of God without fear.

* Pray for every believer that has not been baptised in the proper way that their eyes shall open to the truth of the Scripture about water baptism.

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Law of Sowing and Reaping

     Sunday, 14 July

TEXT: Hos. 10:12, MORE LESSONS: 2Cor.9:6

Let it be known to you that life is about sowing and reaping, it is what you sow that you will reap. No man has ever succeeded in beating the law and no man ever will. If you sow the wind, you will reap whirlwind; If you sow to the flesh you will reap corruption; if you sow in righteousness you will reap mercy. God always gives to people according to their work. You will always earn the fruit of your doing. Where you are today is the result of the kind of seed you were sowing in the days gone by. If you continue to sow the same seed you will surely continue to reap the same result.

However, if you want a change of result you must also change the type of seed you sow. That is how God works and this is where repentance is called for. Repentance means change: change of mind, attitude, behaviour, habit and lifestyle. If you are tired of negative results in life, then repent and change your lifestyle. Sooner than later a new kind of harvest of righteousness, peace, joy, gladness, good will begin to show forth in your life.

Today, take a look at every area of your life, identify the area where you need a change. Be very sincere to yourself. Be decisive about the changes you need to effect. You must change for good. If you do you will begin to reap a harvest of joy and glory, spiritually and in all areas of life, Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken Amos 5:14.

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PRAYER/ACTION

* Repent of sowing bad seed. Ask the Lord to forgive you and deliver you from their consequences.

* Ask for the grace of God to begin to sow positively in the spirit all the days of your life.

* Pray that positive results will begin to follow you from now on. If there are people you have wronged or you hold in your heart, reconcile with them today.

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Go Forward, not Back and Forth

     Saturday, 13 July

TEXT: Acts 7:36, MORE LESSONS: Exo.7:3-5

My understanding of today's text is based on the New Living Translation (NLT), And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years Acts 7:36.

What a tragedy! The people moved back and forth in the wilderness, which explains why a journey that should take eleven days took forty years (Ex.14:15). Even then they did not make it to Canaan, except Joshua and Caleb, all because they did not believe or obey His Word in the wilderness.

Today, I rebuke every work of sin that can make you go back and forth in destiny. Indeed, it is time to stop retrogressing in your life's journey. I was troubled when I read Acts 7:36 and I prayed that stagnancy will not prevail over my life ever. And I pray for you, no more one step forward and three steps backward, in Jesus’ mighty name.

Now pray:

1. I shall not perish with the wicked in life.

2. I shall not die unfulfilled, I shall make it to Canaan.

3. The forces of backwardness and stagnancy shall not accompany me on my life journey.

4. I shall ever move forward and make progress.

5. I shall not live a life of disobedience which could bring God's wrath upon my life.

How do you avoid going back and forth?

1. Believe every Word God gives to you without doubt.

2. Let your obedience to the Word be prompt and total.

3. Do not listen to or company with anyone who tells you that God's Word cannot come to pass in your life.

4. Get rid of sin, lust and uncleanness in your life.

5. Develop the habit of listening attentively to God for His Word for you.

From today, you will go forward, steadily and consistently. Your pathway in life will shine more and more and you will not diminish, But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov.4:18.

PRAYER/ACTION

Using Ex.15:14 to pray: make a list of things that you have not been satisfied with, their level of progress and command them to begin to move forward from today.

Also use Josh.1:2-3; Job 8:7; Psa.84:7.

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Word Triumph II

          Friday, 12 July

TEXT: Psa.119:161-165, MORE LESSONS: Psa.19:7-8

The strength of God is hidden in His Word through His Spirit; so also the secrets of God are hidden in His Word. Therefore, no man that truly desires God can ignore His Word. Every conqueror in the Scripture, including Jesus, triumphed only by standing on the Word of God. That is why knowing God's Word is the secret of partaking in what God's Word can do.

Yesterday we examined what God's Word is capable of doing, now we want to see what God's Word is.

1. It is food for your soul- Matt.4:4.

2. It is medicine for your body- Prov.4:23-24.

3. It is your staff of authority- Matt.4:4,7.

4. It is the key to your prosperity - Psa.1:1-3.

5. It is the gateway to your good success in life - Josh.1:8.

6. It is your road map in your journey through life -Psa.119:105.

7. It is the anchor of permanent peace- Psa.119:165.

8. It is the power of righteousness - Psa. 119:11.

9. It is the light to your destiny pathway- Psa.119:105.

10. It has the power for great reward - Psa.19:11.

11. It is the secret of an established life- Matt.7:24-25.

12. It is the key to eternal life - Jn.5:24.

Jeremiah testifies,

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart…. Jer.15:16.

That will be your testimony too. God's Word will do you good and take you to the place of triumph, in the name of Jesus.

Therefore, this year, instead of running helter-skelter, anxious for solution, simply apply God's Word and stand to see what Jehovah will do by His Word. The Psalmist says, The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart….Psa.19:8. Keep your focus and trust in the Word of the Lord this year and

there shall be a rejoicing of the heart for you.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Declare that in 2013 you will hold on firmly to the Word of life which is able to settle all things concerning you.

* Pray that in the midst of storm you will be able to keep your focus and trust in the Word of God.

* Pray that everyday as you read the Word, you will discover the God of the Word more and more and that the Word will remain fresh in your life.

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