Prepared Goodness

Wednesday 31 August
READ: I Cor.2:6-13
MORE LESSON: Matt.25:34

Today's Scripture reading is good news for all who read it. In a world where good news is becoming scarce day by day, I have good news for you: “God has prepared goodness laid up for His own”, But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things God hath prepared for them that love Him: I Cor.2:9. In this same nation and generation, God has divine preparations for you. These include:
1. Overflowing blessings-thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies, thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over: Psa.23:5. In the presence of those who want to see you beg and cry, God has prepared a table of abundance for you. Everyone around you may be confessing lack and hunger, but I tell you today that you have a prepared table of fat things in abundance.
2. Treasure of goodness-Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men: Psa. 31:19. Believe God this morning; He has laid up goodness for you if you indeed trust in Him. Do you? Have you not shifted that trust to other things or men? Are you still trusting God to help you in times as these? If you trust God then you have access to the treasure of God's goodness.
3. A spiritual feast- Again he sent forth other servants saying, tell them which are bidden, behold I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage: Matt.22:4. God calls you to a prepared feast of great grace and abundant experiences in the Holy Ghost, so come and dine!
4. A heavenly home- In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you: Jn.14:2. God is the only Father that prepares for His children both in Heaven and earth. He prepares for His own not just here on earth but eternally. I urge you today to step into God's divine preparations for you. How? By revelation given by the Spirit of God. Take time to pray about your life before Him, commit your ways to His guidance and leadership and you will enjoy all that your loving Father has prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Lord, I believe Your Word and I step into the reality of divine provisions today.
* Holy Spirit, as I step out today, lead me into all that my Father has prepared for me in opportunities, increase and all fruitfulness.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Jesus thank You, because of You I didn't lose August and I shall not lose September, in the mighty name of Jesus.

A Good Time to Praise

Tuesday 30 August
READ: Acts 16:22-28
MORE LESSON: Eph. 1:3-4

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praise unto God: and the prisoners heard them: Act. 16:25. Is this how we react to hardship? Most of the time when trouble overwhelm us, we only plead with God for deliverance from the suffering, for healing of disease, for provision, for success and for God's quick intervention. We don't always remember to do as Paul and Silas did from the depths of jail cell, to offer thanks for God's loving-kindness, neither do we offer praise to God for giving us life and the blessed promise of eternal life.
There is this story of a man called Terry Waite, a courageous British negotiator during an international hostage crisis who went to Lebanon to arrange the release of prisoners. But he was also arrested and detained in solitary confinement. And through his long, lonely days and nights, not sure whether his life would be spared or not, he offered a prayer written in 1596 by Queen Elizabeth I. He expressed most humble and hearty thanks for manifold mercies so abundantly bestowed upon him as well as for God's preservation, regeneration, peace, gifts of seasons and times and great mercies exhibited by God in Jesus Christ.
When we do as Paul, Silas and Terry Waite did, we will surely get the result they got. It is sure that there are situations of life for which we find it difficult to thank God. But at that time, the best thing to do is to remember God's mercies of the past, give Him thanks for them and leave the present situation for God to handle as He did before.
Through the account of Paul and Silas, it is sure that one thing that makes God respond to men's situation quickly is praise and worship. Note that the Bible says, And suddenly... You need God's quick intervention: you need to do the unusual like them. You need to quit crying, murmuring or looking for men's connection to overcome the problem and worship like these apostles did. If you do it with the whole of your heart, you can be sure, the angel of the Lord will open the prison door and bring you out immediately (Acts 5:19). When we acknowledge God's great mercies, we are able to offer Him praise, even in pain and difficulty because praise comes naturally when we count our blessings.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Father God, there is no situation of life that You cannot handle, therefore I praise You.
* Thank You Father for Your unlimited mercies over my life.
* Oh Lord, I judge You able even in my present situation.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I am moving forward, I will not retreat, I will not go backward, I will gain speed more and more, in the name of Jesus.

Tired about What?

Monday 29 August
READ: Isa. 40:18-31
MORE LESSON: Isa. 40:31

One of the things the world is struggling with right now is how to overcome and cub stress. People are easily fatigued and tensed probably due to stress. Stress, fatigue and lack of rest are major issues confronting the working class of any society today. It is as if we don't have twenty four hours again because by the end of the day, you still find out that you have not finished what you planned to do that day. This is despite the fact that you have stretched yourself so much in the day.
Our choice today is not whether we will experience weariness or not, but what we will be weary about. Some people experience so much stress as a result of worry, fear and bitterness. Nothing saps a man of strength and agility like worry and fear. So to overcome weariness and stress, we must overcome sins that easily beset us. Heb. 12:1 says, ... let us lay aside every weight..., worry, fear, unforgiveness, bitterness are weights that easily sap people’s strength. On the contrary, we must exercise patience, which conserves strength and energy, makes a man feel fresh at all times and is the secret of strength in trouble. When we allow the Lord a place in our daily issues, negative feelings will no longer dominate us and we can use our God-given energy to serve God in areas we are capable. Our Creator also anticipates weariness in His finite creatures and promises to renew our strength if we wait on Him.
God's people sometimes suffer fatigue and even exhaustion and today's reading acknowledges that. He also understands that our need for strength like our need for food, is not a once for all provision; it is often needed. Someone said, “Ïf you are weary in life's race and driven by its hurried pace, then learn to wait upon the Lord: His strength will be your sure reward”. We must know that God gives strength in proportion to the strain. No wonder, the Bible says, God will not tempt us beyond that which we can bear, but will provide a way out of every difficulty situation. Prov. 3:5 says, Trust in the Lord all your; lean not unto thine own understanding. As you lean on the Lord, depending on Him for all your strength, you will begin to discover such tremendous strength and might that is far beyond what man can understand.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Father, thank You because I have an unfailing strength in You, in Jesus’ name
* I refuse stress and weariness of the body and spirit, in Jesus’ name.
* I put on my full strength and from now I will never be weak again, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Jesus, You are the light that the enemy cannot comprehend, continue to shine through me, in the name of Jesus.

Always the Same

Sunday 28 August
READ: Psa. 119:89-96
MORE LESSON: Matt. 24:35

But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you: I Pet. 1:25. Apostle Peter was making us to understand that each time the gospel is preached, eternal impact is being made, which is capable of doing what God can do because the Word of God is God (Jn. 1:1). It is not just that the Word of God is eternal, it is not also subject to any form of change, For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven: v 89. But we know that life is constantly changing. People change their minds, prices change, medicines and medical treatments change, fashion, treatments, government, music, appliances, seasons, houses and cars keep changing. Some changes are good and progressive, but some lead to insecurity, frustration and confusion.
However, it is reassuring to know that God and His Word are always the same. God never changes His mind. He will always do what He promises in His Word. You can trust the Word of God in any situation. If the Word of God says you are healed, there is no missing it. If the Word of God says you are blessed it is sure. God, the Word of God, cannot change because it is perfect, The law of God is perfect, concerting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple: Psa. 19:7. The Word of the Lord cannot change because it is pure ... the commandment of the LORD is pure: Psa. 19:8b. The Word of the Lord cannot change because it is sure; ...all his commandments are sure, they stand forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
Moreover, the changes we experience do not confuse Him because He knew they were coming. He is eternal and sees the future as clearly as the past. But if we must make it in this changing world, where things are changing very fast and almost faster than the speed of light, we must depend on God's changeless Word. His promises and principles are your security as you follow this unfailing guide through life. We must live our lives every day as the psalmist did. He said, I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word: Psa. 119:16. As you hold to the unchanging Word of God in the ever changing world, you are sure to make it.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Thank You Father God because You will fulfil all Your promises to me.
* God’s Word has never failed and it will surely not fail in my situation.
* The Word of God is sure and self fulfilling.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Lion of the tribe of Judah, thank You for being true to Your name all through this month, continue to be a terror to the enemies of my destiny, in the name of Jesus.

God's Kingdom

Saturday 27 August
READ: Rom.14:17-19
MORE LESSON: 1Pet.3:12

The Kingdom of God is far more than we think and much more simple than we can imagine. Paul the Apostle gave us three components of God's Kingdom on earth.
1. Righteousness, which means, doing what is right, good and excellent. Anyone who professes to be a part of God's Kingdom must do what is right at all times. He must not be involved in destruction, bad acts or live hypocritical life.
2. Peace: this is an undisturbed state of mind, absence of conflict, and serenity. Heb.12:14 says, Follow peace with all men.... This implies that anyone who claims to be a member of God's Kingdom must always strive to be at peace with all men. The expectation of the Scripture is, If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men: Rom.12:18. Children of God must not love strife, trouble making, division and pain for other people. A peaceful heart and life is a proof of God's presence in a person's life.
3. Joy in the Holy Ghost, the third attribute, is very crucial because joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Ghost. Having joy is an indication of a good relationship with God and people. One of the things God always ensures His children have is joy (Jn 16: 23-24).
If a man is able to serve God with these three great attributes of
the Kingdom, some benefits accrue to him. These benefits include:
1. Acceptability to God: the man has free access to all things.
2. Approval of men (Matt. 3:16-17). A man approved of men will not need to struggle to serve God among men.
3. Peace (good for edifying one another. (Rom. 15:1-3).
Beloved, this list summarises all that the believers should strive to be on the earth, and Heaven will not take anything less.

PRAYER/ACTION
* I destroy anything that is capable of taking me out of the Kingdom, in the name of Jesus.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, turn me to a spiritual magnet to attract and retain every blessing You send my way, in the name of Jesus.

Known by Works II

Friday 26 August
READ: John 5:12-19
MORE LESSON: Acts 9:36-40

A key statement of Jesus from the Bible text of today is verse 17, But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. The Bible in Basic English (BBE) puts that verse this way, But his answer was: My Father is still working even now, and so I am working. God is still working even now, you slept and woke up because God is still at work. That another person slept and did not wake up is because God is at work also. No man wakes or dies in sleep except God permits it. So, night and day, God is at work. In fact, God is who He is because of His works. God's works are so unique and peculiar that they cannot be mistaken for the works of other gods. God works, so every child of God must continue to work. You cannot give excuses why you cannot work any blessed day. There is no room for idleness, weariness or tiredness. God is still working even now, so beloved, get up and work.
Every child of God should also be known by specific works. Your works should be so outstanding that men should call you by your works. Carpenters, shoemakers, tailors, soldiers, police, lecturers, etc, are so called because of the works they do. Nobody will call a man by a vocation he is not known for doing. Our works for the Kingdom should also be evident to all men so much so that men could call us by the works we do.
When Tabitha also known as Dorcas died, her works stood up and spoke for her. Scripture records of her, this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did: Acts 9:36. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up: Acts 9:39-40. One can comfortably say that it was her works that brought her back to life.
Answer this question sincerely from your heart this morning, “What work will the brethren, your colleagues at work and your community associate with your name in your absence?” I pray for you today that your works will speak good, not evil of you, in Jesus’ mighty name.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Ask the LORD to forgive you of all works that do not speak well of His name in your life.
* Ask God for grace to shine as light everywhere you find yourself.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today, I receive from God the spirit of retention and performance, in the name of Jesus.

Known by Works I

Thursday 25 August
READ: James 2:17-18
MORE LESSON: John 5: 32-36

True Christianity is not only about the worship of God. It also has to do with doing works that make men glorify the God you serve. True Christianity is not just about faith; it is faith expressed by works. Anyone who is a Christian and is not known for exploits that make men marvel at the God he serves, needs to re-examine his Christianity. This fundamental truth is expressed in James 2:17-18 wherein the Apostle wrote, Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
Jesus said to His disciples in Matt.5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. In a previous verse, Jesus said to them, You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid: Matt. 5:14. Connecting the two verses, Jesus seems to be saying that the way to shine your light to the world is by doing works that make men glorify your Father who is in Heaven. He demonstrated this teaching by going about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil…: Acts.10:38. When Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees and elders to declare His personality, He simply referred them to His works. He told them that beyond the witness and testimony of John the Baptist about Him, His works testify that God sent Him (John 5:36).
You must be known for good works. If you remain relevant by your works, no one can cast aspersion on you. Even when they hate you because of your belief, by good works, you can shut their mouth. Everyone you ever impact on by works will never forget you or run you down even when others have a cause to do so. The man born- blind, whom Jesus healed in John 9, refused to be convinced of the Pharisees' “testimony” about Jesus. They told him, give praise to God, this man Jesus is a sinner (simply because Jesus healed the man on a Sabbath day, therefore breaking the Sabbath).
The man’s response was very interesting, He told them, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see: John 9:25. The blind man went on to educate them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.... vs. 30-33. Good works will defend a man, come rain come sun. Receive grace for good works today.

PRAYER/ACTION
* LORD, release fresh grace upon me for good works from today.
* Let my light so shine by good works to impact my generation.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
As the path of the just shines, so shall my path shine more and more unto the perfect day, in the name of Jesus.

Created Unique

Wednesday 24 August
READ: Exodus 2:1-4
MORE LESSON: Psalm 139:14

No child born into this world is a product of an accident. God carefully fashioned everyone and created a purpose which they are to fulfil. Nobody is in this world without a purpose and responsibility. One reason why some people do not succeed in entering into God's purpose for their lives is their parents’ lack of foresight of the manner of children God has given them. Since they lack understanding, they are not able to instruct, guide and direct the path of their children from infancy. Moses' parents had foresight. Moses was born at the time when all Israelites who gave birth to male children threw them into River Nile, in obedience to Pharaoh's decree. But when Moses' parents looked at the baby in their hand, they saw a “goodly”, “unique”, “fine”, “proper”, “extraordinary” child. They saw in that child a world-mover; a deliverer, a prophet, a miracle worker. They saw greatness, prosperity and success in their baby. What they saw in that baby made them to dare to disobey Pharaoh's decree and hid the child, By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment: Heb.11:23.
Parents, what good do you see in your children, and what are you doing to preserve that which you have seen in them? What are you doing now to help your children realise their dreams? It is unfortunate that some parents only see in their children folly, “block head”, “stupid child”, “you will never make it in life”, “good-for-nothing”, and these are what they yell at their children every time. What these parents do not know is that their words go a long way to rule over the destinies of their children. If you keep insulting your child as good for nothing and stupid, the forces of darkness may simply reckon your words as a curse upon that child and ride on that to afflict your child. Moses' parents saw in their child excellence, achievement, greatness, and they worked Moses into it.
It is possible that your parents never saw anything good in you, and those around you never assisted you to pursue your dreams, but how do you see yourself? Moses grew up in Pharaoh's house, but he never saw himself as an Egyptian, By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter: Heb.11:24. Now that you are grown up, your destiny is in your hand. It is how you see yourself that matters. God created you great, and has purposed to use you for great things. Begin now to see yourself the way God created you, and you will enter into your greatness.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Lord, open my eyes to see the unique gifts in me and my children.
* Grant me what it takes to nurture my uniqueness to fruition.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I command every weakness in my spiritual life and the weariness on my pilgrimage to give way to strength today, in the name of Jesus.

Be a Blessing, not a Curse

Tuesday 23 August
READ: Esther 6:1-3
MORE LESSON: Luke 5:1-8

One of the reasons why God granted you the opportunity to be alive, working, or schooling is to be a blessing to all who come your way. You are to use your position, profession and occupation to bless humanity. God has also programmed that through that position you will enter into His blessings and increase for your life, if only you will discharge your responsibility with a sense of service, not as a hireling. Unfortunately, many believers don't know this truth, and they handle opportunities to bless those that come their way, their offices, their business centres carelessly; they discharge their duty without a sense of commitment. Some even use their position to oppress others. For such people, their promotion has become a symbol of pain and curse for men.
In our passage today, Mordecai, an exile in Babylon, was privileged to serve as one of the keepers of the door of the king's chamber. It was his responsibility to defend the king. When his fellow door keepers plotted to assassinate the king, he exposed their plot. That was the beginning of his promotion in that land. If he had kept quiet, the plot may have succeeded, but Mordecai may lose his job after all, because a new king may not likely retain the same gate keepers.
In Exodus 1:15-21, the Hebrew midwives were handed over a decree from Pharaoh, When you are on duty and you see a Hebrew woman give birth to a son, kill him; if it is a girl let her live. It was an order from Pharaoh and whoever disobeys is doing so at the risk of his life. But the midwives approached their duties as midwives with the fear of God, and let the male children live. They were determined to be a blessing through their profession and not to be a tool in the hand of a superior officer to inflict pain on subordinates. When these midwives were confronted for failing to carry out the king's order, they simply explained with wisdom why it was difficult to implement the king's decree. Therefore, God blessed them and provided them their household (vs 20, 21). Be determined to be a blessing to others through your profession, occupation, and position of authority. Make up your mind that no one will use you to cause pain and affliction on others. Be determined to discharge your responsibility with every sense of commitment and loyalty, expose every kind of wickedness as Mordecai did. Your day of honour is at hand.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Repent of every mistake you made in using your position to cause pain for others.
* Ask the Lord to grant you the grace to serve humanity through your present occupation.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I receive grace to do mighty exploits for God in 2016 and nothing I do will fail, in the name of Jesus.

Example to Follow II

Monday 22 August
READ: Gen.17: 1-10
MORE LESSON: Rom.4:1-10; 18-22

We continue on the instruction of Jehovah God to us all, “Look unto Abraham”. There are more areas of obedience to God which Abraham complied to, worthy of emulation. He raised altars to Jehovah as he sojourned in the Promised Land (Gen.15: 9-17). Abraham obeyed God in ensuring a peaceful marriage between him and Sarah (Gen.16: 1-6). Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it: Eph.5:25. Though he shouldn't have practised the custom of the land in child bearing but rather should have encouraged Sarah in her discouragement, he loved her and valued their marriage, thus taking Hagar in.
Abraham obeyed God in establishing covenant tokens as instructed by God in circumcision of all males in his household (Gen.17:11-27). There are various covenant tokens in Christianity. Also, if you will walk with Jehovah and have a part in Him, you must obey these tokens as spelt out in the Bible, the manual for the Christian walk. Establish memorials and permanent flow of blessings by following covenant tokens of fellowship, offerings, tithes and vows.
Abraham obeyed God in practising hospitality (Gen.18:1-9). This act hastened the fulfilment of God's promise of childbearing. The Christian who is not hospitable contradicts the pattern of love given by God, Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality: Rom.12:13.
He also obeyed God in the ministry of praying for others including his enemies and his family (Gen.18:23-33). Even God had a testimony concerning Abraham's training of his household in righteousness (Gen. 18:19). Abraham's intercession contributed to the deliverance of Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham obeyed God in the ultimate test of sacrificing his son Isaac to God, though God did not allow the death of Isaac and gave a ram instead, lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me: Gen.22:12.
Abraham obeyed God in ensuring his child married an Israelite not Canaanite, Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness/ and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor.6:14. Be a friend of God by continual obedience to Him and He will make you a continuity for greatness in your generation as He did with Abraham.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Lord, help me walk with You that I might be a blessing to my generation like father Abraham.
**Make a list of areas in which you will obey the Lord this year and diligently adhere to them by His grace

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today, I rebuke any destiny blockage on my pathway, I turn road blocks to stepping stones, in the name of Jesus.

Example to Follow I

Sunday 21 August
READ: Isa.51:1-2
MORE LESSON: Gen. 12:1-10

There is a clear instruction in today's reading that calls all seekers of God to attention, Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him: Isa.51:2. Abraham is one unique man whose name is a reference point, across all religions and generations. His life before God is a pivotal story in the history of Jews and Christians. All worshippers of God are told to follow the pattern of Abraham in serving God. What was the peculiarity of father Abraham that Jehovah God could ask men of all generations to emulate him? Some people have suggested that Abraham lives on though dead because he is the father of faith, the friend of God and the centre of covenant that God instituted with both physical and spiritual Israelites. I quite agree with all these but the real reason why Abraham's life is still speaking though dead for thousands of years now is OBEDIENCE. This characteristic of Abraham is what God asks us to look on to in this great patriarch's life. Abraham had his faults as every man born of a woman has but he uniquely obeyed God.
The fifteen chapters of Genesis (11-25) are stringed with Abraham's life of obedience to God. We will trace some together so that each one of us will really be able to “look to Abraham”. He obeyed God when he was told to leave his roots and origin in his father's house to follow God (Gen.12: 1-5). He obeyed God by preferring Lot to himself though he was older and brought Lot, his nephew, out of Ur. He asked Lot to choose first and he would choose after Lot, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves: Phil.2:3.
Abraham obeyed God in paying of tithes (Gen.14:20). No wonder he was a prosperous man, as his servant testified (Gen. 24:35). Do you want to be great? Then, follow Abraham's pattern and tithe all that God gives you as income so that you can enter into material prosperity like father Abraham.
Abraham obeyed God by believing God's promises to him even in contradicting circumstances, And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith giving glory to God: Rom.4:19-20. Will you be considered righteous in God's sight? Then believe the promises of God no matter what you are passing through now.

PRAYER/ACTION
* I receive help from God to emulate Abraham the father of faith.
*Lord, give me strength to live a life of obedience to You.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, I dedicate my life to You, release Your grace in my life, make me a reflection of Your light to disperse darkness everywhere I go, in the name of Jesus.

A Great Rain

Saturday 20 August
READ: I Kgs. 18:1-2. 41-46
MORE LESSON: Gen. 7:18-19

Rain, the outpouring of water from the sky is always a great blessing to mankind. Whenever God sends rain upon the earth famine and dryness come to an end, there is beauty and fruitfulness and man and beast rejoice (Act. 14:17). However, God has used rain for other several reasons outside of provision.
At the time of Noah, God sent rain to separate and distinguish obedient people from disobedient ones. God had sent rain in times past to end men's trouble and put an end to enmity between people and every great rain results in a flood.
In our text, today, God says, I will send rain upon the earth: v1. This is a sure Word from God. And as God has done, I speak to you now: Your heaven is thick with clouds of abundant rain of God's goodness which is falling upon your destiny right now, in Jesus' name. The wind you have been experiencing is actually for a particular rain that God is bringing your way. Get ready. Like Ahab, arise and prepare for the rain because it is now.
However, may be you also need to do like Elijah the prophet to have it; he had to pray to get it. Noah had to build an ark according to God's prescription to fully benefit and avert being destroyed, when God's rain of wrath fell, And the waters prevailed and greatly increased: Gen. 7:18. When water prevailed upon the earth, it could not prevail over Noah's ark because he moved in obedience to God's instruction, but rather, the ark prevailed upon the water, The ark went upon the face of the water. As you stay in obedience to God, and His Word, you are sure to prevail over that which prevails over others, you cannot be a victim but a victor.
The Word of God must prevail in every situation of your life. What should matter to you in all situations is, “Thus saith the Lord' and that is how to stay above when others are sinking. When the water was fifteen cubits upward (Gen. 7:20), the water only lifted Noah and his family above everything by 15 cubits. Noah stayed above every other thing for 150 days. When we live in complete obedience to God's Word, we live in a possibility realm, no matter what is happening elsewhere.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Father, help me to do according to all Your commandments, in Jesus' name.
* Father, let the earth be broken for me and let Heaven be opened for me.
* In the flood of life, Lord Jesus, let my ark float.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
I have a God that has never failed, I shall never fail any more, in the name of Jesus.

What will God Do?

Friday 19 August
READ: Matt. 11:20-24
MORE LESSON: Matt. 7:7-8

The Almighty God is a great giver, all that He created are for the children of men and ours by asking. The Bible says, ...All things are yours.... There is nothing you can ever need that is not readily available. God says this in the book of Psalms, for every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills I know all, the fowls of the mountains: Psa. 50:10-13. God has all the things you will ever need and He is fully ready to give them to you. However, many times, we don't know what God will do out of our long list of things that need to be done.
You can be sure God will do what you demand of Him when you make the demand in faith. People may not give you what is due you but people and God may have to give you what you demand. So take the step of faith now and petition Heaven about your need. Even when you do not deserve it, God's mercy will be at work to make it available. All things are possible by mercy. The psalmist, testifying about God says, For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee: Psa. 86:5.
God will also give that which is good, not what you think is good. He says in His Word, Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Matt. 7:9-11. You can be sure that when you call God, the devil will not answer and when you ask for good you will not receive evil.
God also gives His children what they cannot even ask for. We don't always know all that we need, so God gives to us out of His goodness and mercy all that we need. . Matt. 21:22 says, And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall ask in prayer, believe receive. God can and will give you all that you can dare to ask Him. And since there is no limit to what God can do, there should be no limit to what you can also ask for; ask until you are satisfied.
There is nothing that is not available if we ask it in the name of Jesus, And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the father may be glorified in the son: Jn. 14:13. God wants to give you bread so that you can be satisfied and feed other people also. He will give you divine health, so that you can be well and become a healer to others who are sick. God will give you power on earth so that you can be free to deal with the enemy and his demons. He will give you spiritual gifts for effective Christian service on earth. He will give you abundant material blessings that you will not beg, but become so rich so that you can help the poor and lend unto many nations. God will give you anything you will ask Him right now!

PRAYER/ACTION
* Thank You Father for Your redeeming love that we have through Jesus Christ.
* Oh Lord, fill my life with all of Your goodness, in Jesus’ name.
* I will not lack anything that is good in my life, in Jesus’ mighty name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
In the name of Jesus, I shall serve Jehovah in my generation, I shall not be a tool of evil.

The Benefits of Resurrection

Wednesday 17 August
READ: I Cor. 15:51-55
MORE LESSON: Jn. 6:40

Jesus' resurrection was quite different from every other person who resurrected in the Bible: The Shunamite’s son (II Kgs. 4:32-35), Jarius’ daughter (Matt. 9:23-25), Lazarus of Bethany (Jn. 11:43-44), Dorcas (Act. 9:36-40). The Saviour resurrected wholly; He went to the Father with His body, He rose from the dead to go to the Father with His earthly body. The tomb where they laid Him was empty and many people testified to seeing Him before He went to His Father (Mk. 16:9, Matt. 28:9, Lk. 24:13-15). Every other person who resurrected died again, but Jesus did not see death again after He resurrected in power (Jn. 10:18). But we know that Jesus did not resurrect alone; the Bible testifies about it, And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many: Matt. 27:52-53.
The thief on the cross also resurrected and entered into paradise with Him. And that is to say that anyone who believes in the resurrection of Jesus Christ can resurrect from any difficult situation. The grave can open and you also will come out today, in Jesus' name.
When Jesus was about to resurrect , the request of tomorrow got a today's answer (Lk. 23:40-43). The man said when Jesus gets there, but Jesus said He will give it to him today. There is nothing God can do tomorrow that He cannot do now! Ask for it for now and you will receive it now.
Moreover, resurrection is a change: Jesus moved from a mud house to the heavenly house not made with hands, He moved from the streets of dust and coal tar to that of gold, from pain to glory and He is sitting at the right hand of the Father now. If Jesus experienced that change, you also can change, and you can change anything. Change is possible, even now.
And above all other things, Jesus did not die a sinner, He died as sin. He became sin for us, He put sin to death when He hanged on the tree. The truth about it is that, it is sin that actually died when Jesus went to the cross. And because He carried the sin, when He died, sin died eternally (Rom. 6:6-10). That is to say, that since sin is dead you are dead to it, but alive unto God. So, because Jesus resurrected, you are dead to sin, you are no longer under the compulsion of sin, you can say “ NO” to all the enticements of the eye and the flesh, You are alive in God and so you respond only to that which is godly and good.
By the resurrection of Christ from the dead, every believer is free to live the life of God. Christ has been made all things for us. Do you believe? What can the resurrection power do in you right now?

PRAYER/ACTION
* In the name of Jesus, I speak life to every dead situation of my life today.
* Death and grave have no power over me any longer, in Jesus’ mighty name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I prophesy against every evil tag of reproach hanging around my destiny, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Final Appointment

Tuesday 16 August
READ: : Luk. 16:19-31
MORE LESSON: Heb. 9:27

Death is a leveller, it happens to all. It is not only the poor or the needy that die, the rich also die, And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried: Lk. 16:22. We all have an appointment with our Maker, whether we are ready for it or not depends on what we do for Jesus now.
There was this story of an ambulance driver who indulged in alcohol trying to warm himself on a rainy Saturday morning by drinking on the job. He didn't get warm, but actually got lost with the corpse in the ambulance on the way to the cemetery. The funeral procession waited in vain at the grave for hours. Late that evening, the police found the driver asleep in the ambulance by the way side. By then it was too late for the burial, and the cemetery wouldn't accept the casket on Sunday. On Monday, the news paper reported that the body of the 82 years old woman was finally laid to rest two days late for the final appointment. But I am sure you know that appointment was kept right on time. The late burial did not alter the fact that her conscious soul had passed into eternity precisely at God's appointed time.
As Lazarus was carried immediately by the angels to Abraham's bosom and the ungodly rich man to hell will keep repeating itself until Christ comes, and will be true of every one of us. For the child of God, death immediately lifts the spirit into the presence of God (II Cor. 5:8). Death instantly closes the door to Heaven and opens another to Christless eternity called ”hell” where the unbelievers begin their eternity in torment of fire.
Someday, you will have to leave here and when you do, where will you be? That is, those who died on earth without Jesus will have to die again and shall have their part in the lake of fire. It is either that you are born again and stay born again or die again, “the second death” (Rev. 21:8). Choose to be born again so that you will not die again. You can do it right now! Say, Lord Jesus, I acknowledge you as my Lord and Saviour, save me now, forgive me my many sins, have mercy on me, give me power not to sin again and write my name in the Lamb book of Life. Thank You for saving me, now I'm born again and a candidate for Heaven when I die. One more step to take is to look for a believer in Christ to share your experience with immediately so that he will guide you on how to live your new life.

PRAYER/ACTION
* O Father, help me to keep my salvation experience to the end.
* Sin no longer has dominion over me, in Jesus’ name.
* Jesus, the Saviour of everyone in the world, save those who need salvation today, in Jesus’ mighty name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I receive the seal of the Holy Ghost to walk through a troop and leap over a wall without harm, in the name of Jesus.

Obedience and Service

Monday 15 August
READ: Job 36: 11
MORE LESSON: Luke 12: 43- 48

Obedience and service are a twin-set of virtues that will take a man to the high places of life. Prosperity in the Kingdom is linked to obedience and service. Isa. 1: 19 says, If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. This scripture points to us the power of obedience to the ways of God in making a man prosperous. As Job also declared, If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures: Job 36:11.
Psa. 23 shows the prosperity that follows a man when God is his shepherd. Being a sheep connotes obedience; sheep follow the shepherd's leading. When you obey the words of the Great Shepherd, you will move forward into prosperity. Success and progress is sure when you walk in covenant with God. A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties where each party has terms and conditions to obey. As a covenant child of God, you have to obey the terms that are revealed in His Word, only then is your success guaranteed.
Disobedience is terrible; it causes stagnation in life. In Jer. 7: 23 – 24, the Lord warned, I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward (NIV). Retrogression, stagnancy and hardship characterise a life of disobedience to God.
Psa. 89:20-21 shows the blessing of serving God, I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him. My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him (NIV). David was a servant and that was why God committed Himself to exalting him. When you serve God with all your might, you are on the pathway to the high places of life.
Service must be accompanied by obedience. There are some people that want to serve God but on their own terms and to suit their own methods. It is not enough to be a servant of God or a worker in His vineyard, you must be a servant that obeys. Luke 12: 47 says that a servant who knows his master's will, and does not do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. This refers to a man who was serving quite all right but he was not doing so according to the master's will. So he still was beaten with many stripes. Today as you purpose to serve God with all your ability and obey His instructions with all your heart, you will increase in every area of life, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Father, as I obey and serve You, I shall spend my days in prosperity and my years in pleasure, in Jesus’ name.
* Father, you found David, find me and anoint me with Your Holy oil for Your work and cause Your hand to sustain me, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
This new week, I shall not be a victim in any battle, I shall win and walk tall, in the name of Jesus.

He that Scattereth

Sunday 14 August
READ: Prov. 11: 24 – 26
MORE LESSON: Lk. 6:38

The laws of God are not the same with the laws of men. Isa. 55: 9 says, ...the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (NKJV). The way of God might be contrary to the ways of men but we must know that His way is superior.
In the world of economics and accounting, the way to have more money is to gather, accumulate and hoard what you have. However, in God's world, the way to have more is to let go of what you have. According to Prov 11: 24, There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. When you refuse to scatter what you have so that others can benefit from it, you have just signed to be poor. Economics tells you to conserve but that philosophy is the key to poverty. There are people who spent all their life gathering and they eventually die without benefiting from what they have gathered. When God gives to you, take what you need out of it and share the remaining with others. There is no need to keep amassing more than you need, be a giver and distributor who is a blessing to people.
Even in business, the secret of prosperity is in scattering and not hoarding. Prov 11: 26 says that the people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. You must determine to be a blessing to people with your service and product and not merely focus on gathering cut-throat profit at the detriment of people. When your service and product generously help the people to solve their problems, you will be blessed as you offer them. The secret of increase is in giving and scattering and not keeping and hoarding. When all you do is gather money at the detriment of people and good service, you will eventually lose the people and become poor. Abundant life is in giving.
You must focus on distributing, giving and being a blessing. When you are a blessing you will be blessed. According to Prov 11:25, The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself (NKJV). The water-pipe that delivers water from the supply board to the homes will also have its inside wet because it is distributing water. So as long as water must be distributed, the pipe will be wet. When you become the distributor, you will always have.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Ask God for grace to please Him always.
* Lord, I choose to be Your favourite. Please help me.
* Pray that you will find favour with God and men.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
No evil eye, hand, thought, imagination, or mouth is permitted any more over my destiny, I shall walk in victory, in the name of Jesus.

Labour not to be Rich

Saturday 13 August
READ: Prov. 23: 4
MORE LESSON: Psa. 127: 1 - 2

Psalm 24: 1 says, The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. This shows that everything men possess on earth actually belongs to God as He is the bona fide Land-Lord of the universe. When you understand the implication of this scripture, you will stop running helter-skelter in life. This means that no matter the gimmicks a man engages in, he cannot have anything except God lets him have it. John 3: 27 says, ...A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. The best wisdom in succeeding and prospering in life is to rest in God and seek to know how to follow His ways. Otherwise, a man can struggle, sweat, steal, burgle and do everything to acquire things and still at the end has nothing to show for it. Prov. 23:4 advises, Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. The point is to remove the mindset that hussles around to acquire things without resting in the grace of God from you. It is better to connect in faith to the principles of the Owner of the whole world than to toil from beginning to end of life without having time for the Almighty God because you want to have things – the very things which belong to Him.
If the Bible says 'labour not to be rich' and the same Bible wants you to be rich, then there must be a provision it has for your riches other than your labour. God's provision for your riches is connection to the Owner. When you personally become His heir and learn the principles of tapping ceaselessly from His resources, then you have the legal right to be blessed no matter where you live on the face of the earth. Therefore, if you are desirous of riches and you want to possess the things that your money cannot give you, the way is not to labour ceaselessly to obtain things but rather to labour to be connected to the Owner of all things. It is deception to think that the way to go in life is to go after money all your life and use it to purchase and own all that you want. People have tried that and they are now old and still they never got it. You do not need to labour to be rich; just labour to be connected to God who owns the earth, and all that is in it flows to you. The labour of connection is not burdensome. All it involves is to invite Jesus into your life and after giving your life to Him, discover His principles and start living by them. The best way to own all things is to become a child of the Owner of all things and live by His principles of connection and flow.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Ask God for the grace not to acquire wealth to the detriment of your spiritual well-being, in Jesus’ name.
* Receive grace to be directed by the Spirit of the Lord to where your land is flowing with milk and honey.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I prophesy against the arrows, missiles and spells from any evil altar against me, in the name of Jesus.

Determined to Win

Friday 12 August
READ: II Cor. 11: 23 - 33
MORE LESSON: Acts 28: 30 - 31

Paul's call included to witness the gospel of Christ before kings and rulers (Acts 9: 15). Despite much suffering and persecution, he went on to fulfil his mandate. The enemy tried all he could to stop him but he refused to be stopped. Many times he was whipped, stoned, left to die and imprisoned, however this man continued. He would be brought in bond before rulers for trial but he would use that opportunity to fulfil his call and preach to them. He testified in chains to both Jews and Gentiles and their kings.
A lot of things were determined to stop Paul from fulfilling his mandate but he also was determined to realise his call. There was a time when more than forty men bound themselves with an oath that they would not eat again till they have killed Paul. In other words, they made a vow that it was either they kill Paul or they die of self-starvation. However, God didn't hand His servant over to the plans of the enemies; Paul survived. I wonder what happened to his enemies; if they kept their oath not to eat, that meant starvation till death, and if they ate, the result of breaking a covenant is still death. So Paul survived and his enemies all died.
The highest ruler in the Roman Empire was Caesar and Paul appealed to go to Rome so that he could testify before Caesar. Through many tribulations, toils and snares, he was eventually on his way as a prisoner to Rome for the testimony of
Jesus. In Acts 27: 17 – 43, a furious storm arose in the sea and threatened the life of everyone on the ship. They all gave up and didn't eat for fourteen days as they resigned to the looming death, but Paul refused to die. He called upon God and the Angel of the Lord came and stood by him. It was because of Paul that every life on that ship, including the lives of his captors, was spared. Paul was determined to get to where he was going. Even after they survived the life threatening storm on the sea and escaped to land, the first thing that greeted Paul was a venomous snake bite (Acts 28: 3). This servant of God refused to die until he fulfilled God's mandate upon his life. He got to Rome and preached the gospel.
Vision is frustrated and life truncated without a determination to win. You need to make a decision that come what may, by the strength of God, you will continue till you arrive. Whatever threatens your vision and batters you, do not give up. Keep pressing on with a determination to arrive at your divine destination. Whatever storms, enemies, attacks or situations confront you, refuse to die till you win. You will arrive safely in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER/ACTION
* In the name of Jesus, I am a winner irrespective of challenges.
* I shall not be stopped, I shall achieve my purpose, in Jesus’ name.
* My light shall not be extinguished in destiny, in Jesus’ name

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
2016, I shall not be barren of good things, in the name of Jesus.

Keep from Idols

Thursday 11 August
READ: Exo. 20:3 - 5
MORE LESSON: II Chro. 33:15

In the text, God says, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image...: Exo. 20:3-4. A god is anything that you have exalted above God in your life. It may not be a physical image but something deep in your heart that has become number one apart from God. A god is anything that has taken the place of the One True God in your heart. Whatever you adore, worship or esteem so much that nobody can come near it or even touch it is becoming an idol. Whatever you rate so high that nothing, including the things of God, compares to it in your scale of priority has become a god.
Idolatry is love for things at the expense of love of God. This includes physical things that the eyes can see or intangible things that the eyes cannot see. Whether tangible or intangible, anything that has sat upon the throne that God is supposed to sit in your heart is an idol. It could be money, children, life-partner, success, fame or recognition. People would easily condemn a man who carves graven images and makes oblations and bows to them as an idolater. However, there are people that do not bow to graven images but are also idolaters; any man that has anything that is dearer to him than God is, is in idolatry. If you have money, house or anything that you can't allow even God to touch, then that very thing is your idol. How dare a man put anything above God? The Bible says that God is a jealous God (Ex 20:5). He will not accept you placing anything above Him. 1 John 5:21 says, Little children, keep yourselves from idols.... This scripture comes out as a command and not a suggestion or advice. The commandments of God are not to be negotiated; they are rules that must be obeyed and whose disobedience will incur severe consequences. If a man continues to hold anything dearer than God, he will pay for it in the day of reckoning. God can even take away that thing that is esteemed more than Him. This is the reason many live a life of loss rather than addition.
Today I want you to search your heart and set aside anything that wants to take the place of God. Also, it might not be a thing, it might be a person. Is there any man/woman that you have now loved more than God and is taking the place of God in your heart? You had better dethrone such a person so that only God can be God in your heart. As you reverence and worship God alone and you surrender all idols at His feet, you will see the greatness of the blessing that He will bring into your life. Amen.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Father, give me honour and praise in every place where I have seen shame, in Jesus’ name.
* Lord, let me have exceptional help as I go out today.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
The sun of righteousness shall rise for me today with goodness and progress on its wings.

Honour God with your Possessions

Wednesday 10 August
READ: Prov. 3: 9
MORE LESSON: Psa. 50: 7 - 15

The Bible says The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein: Psa. 24: 1. If everything already belongs to God, then the issue of giving to God actually needs to be seen in the proper perspective. When a man gives to God, he is actually handing over what belongs to God back to Him. It is not wise to withhold what belongs to God from Him and it is criminal to use what belongs to God to fight Him. When a man refuses to give tithes and offerings to God, God counts it as robbery (Mal 3: 8). This is because what you are withholding from God actually belongs to Him. Prov. 3: 9 says, Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase. When you give God what belongs to Him, you are not helping Him; you are honouring Him – acknowledging that it actually belongs to Him. Remember what the Lord says that . . . them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed: I Sam 2:30. The reason many struggle is because they have refused to honour Him who owns all things.
A man cannot have anything unless God gives it to Him (John 3: 27). Anything means anything – nothing that you have is not God's property that He gave you. There is a name for a care-taker who holds back the house rent he collected from the landlord. Every man on the face of the earth only holds whatever he has in trust for the Almighty God – the Land-Lord. The things of God must be used to honour Him.
God is the owner of all that we have and so we should be careful how we use His property. We should learn not to use anything God has given us as a possession to do anything contrary to the Word of God. Honouring God with our possessions is not just about giving, it includes using the things that God has given you to bring glory to Him. If you use God's car that He graciously gave to you to carry a lady who is not your wife to go and commit sin with her, you have used God's property to contravene His law. It is a very serious offence. If you see God's child in dire need and you have something that God has given you that can help this child of His and you refuse, you are using God's property against Him. Everything on earth is God's property and He doesn't want you to use His property in a wrong way. Wrong usage includes using the things God has given you to commit sin or to offend Him. Everything you have belongs to Him and you must use God's property in your custody in a way that honours Him.

PRAYER/ACTION
* I am sorry Lord for robbing You in anyway.
* By the power of the Holy Spirit, I shall honour God with my life and possessions, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Whatever makes this month a minus, I minus it today from my destiny, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Look Inside II

Tuesday 9 August
READ: II Kings 4: 1 – 8
MORE LESSON: Prov. 3: 13 - 14

People live in poverty and perpetual debt because they are always looking outside to somebody to give them what they need in life. A beggar will always lack; a man who believes that someone out there is responsible for his well being in life will always live in poverty because he will never look inside to discover the wealth that is in him. Any time you have a need of money and you start to think of people you could go to and receive money, you have missed the key to riches. Your default setting should rather be to look inward and search for what you can do that will bring you money.
We started yesterday to examine the story of the widow in 2 Kings 4: 1 – 8, she needed money and the prophet pointed her attention to the fact that there must be something inside her house that was the key to her prosperity. She, like many others, first claimed that she had nothing that could bring wealth but then she remembered that she had little oil. The oil is the symbol of ability, anointing, skill and grace. I want you to know that there is a miracle in your house. There is a little something inside you that can bring about the abundance that you desperately cry for and are looking up to people to give you. When she eventually agreed that she had something little that she could use, the prophet of God told her to go and get vessels from her neighbours because the little vessels in her house could not contain the wealth miracle that was about to happen. This implies that her present capacity was not enough for the level of wealth she wanted. She needed to go to her neighbours for capacity development. She needed to go and get more information, counsel and strategies from people that already had oil vessels. Don't beg people for money, beg them for vessels. Getting more vessels means capacity development. You need to develop that little thing in you by consulting experts and going for more training where necessary.
After getting more vessels, she stayed with her sons in the house and filled the vessels with oil. She developed her skill and capacity, polished and packaged it. Then the prophet told her, ...Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest: 2 Kings 4:7. You will notice the prophet told her to go and sell the oil and not to give it out. God is not against you making profit from the ability in you. In fact He gave you so that you and your children can live on it.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Ask God to bless your gifts/talents and cause them to enrich you, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to grant you divine enablement to utilise your abilities, gifts, profession etc to launch you to limelight, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I receive God's grace to function in this new month, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Look Inside I

Monday 8 August
READ: II Kings 4:1-8
MORE LESSON: Prov. 18: 16

A woman of Israel met Elisha and told him the story of her predicament: Her husband was a man of God who served God passionately and feared God but when the man died all he left behind was debt. The creditor was about to carry her two sons - the only joy she had left in life, and go and make them slaves to work for the repayment of their father's debt. Imagine that a man who was a child of God lived in poverty, died in poverty and left the problem of poverty behind for the next generation to cope with. This is why it is very important to learn and apply the principles that make for prosperity; or else a man could be born again and be poor if he does not apply God's principles for prospering.
Elisha helped the woman in the story by shifting her attention from the problem she had to the principle she needed to follow to get out of it. Elisha said to her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? 2 Kings 4: 2. Elisha was making her know that God had put something inside her house that was the solution to her poverty. God is not unfair; He has given everyone something that will take him out of poverty. That thing could be an ability, skill, idea or unique grace; whatever it is, it is the seed of prosperity. When Elisha asked this woman, she replied like most people I have met reply. She said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house...: 2 Kings 4:2. Eccl 5:9 says that Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. God is thus pointing your attention to the fact that every man on earth has something in his life that he can harness for profit. In addition, he says that even the king that you admire is only using something in him that he has, you also have something in you. However, many languish in poverty because they refuse to look inside themselves to discover the seed of their prosperity but are busy envying people who have taken the diligence to discover what is inside them and are making profit from it.
Thank God for this widow, after she said that she didn't have anything like many people say, she added, save a pot of oil. She believed she didn't have anything and the only thing she had was insignificant – a pot of oil. What can it do in the midst of such a big problem? You might say, I don't have anything and I don't have any skill - but you can plait hair. It was inside that 'pot of oil' that the prosperity of this woman laid. You have something that can bring you wealth in life, find it and use it.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Ask God to open your eyes to the opportunities that are around you, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God for insight into the giftings in you.
* Command all redundant gifts/talents in you to come alive.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I advance my goodness to greatness today, no reduction, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Distractions II

Sunday 7 August
READ: Eph. 3: 4 - 14
MORE LESSONS: Heb. 12: 1

Distraction takes away from distinction. In the text, Paul gives a list of all his qualifications and achievement. He went ahead to say that he overlooked all these things so that he might press towards the mark of Christ’s calling. He knew that those things were gain to him but he counted them loss so that he might gain Christ. Past success could pose as a distraction for you in entering into your next level. No man is above pressing forward; whether a pastor, doctor, professor or rich man. There is something you have not achieved that you can press towards. When you get to the stage where they talk about pressing forward and you feel that is for the young boys since you have arrived, then you are finished. A wise man says that when a man stops growing, he starts dying. You didn't come this far to start dying, refuse to be distracted by past success, move forward.
At other times, past failures could be the distraction.
A man might try something and fail and each time he wants to do another, he remembers the last failure and cowers in. As a child of God, the last failure is the steppingstone to the next success. When you try something and fail, do not be discouraged. Go back to the drawing board in your secret place with God, draw your goals and plans, and then re-launch. Failure is never final; refuse to take no for an answer. Try again till you achieve your target; remember the Word of the Lord, ...let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not: Gal 6:9. Refuse to faint till you achieve what you want.
Some people distract themselves by being busy-bodies. A believer that goes around talking about people behind them is going nowhere in destiny. Do not distract yourself talking about other people's results; get your own. A gossip is ever distracted; he is trying to look at other people and so is not focused on anything of his own. A goalless man is always distracted; he is trying to be like everybody he sees making it. Know what you stand for and where you belong and then get to work about it. Keep moving in destiny, don't worry about those who talk about you. In fact, give them enough to talk about. Finally, don't be distracted by problems, rather, be a problem solver. May be you see a need in a brother/sister's life, why not let God use you to meet that need. Don't join those that go around talking about what is supposed to be done in church and is not done, locate problems in church and solve them. Make being a problem solver your goal from henceforth and you will realise that you will not remain the same in destiny anymore.

PRAYER/ACTION
* I receive the grace to focus in destiny, in Jesus’ name.
* Lord, make me a problem solver and not a creator of problem for others, in Jesus’ name.
* I shall not faint, but remain focused, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today is my perfect day of all-round blessings, I rebuke whatever makes it less, in the name of Jesus.

Distractions I

Saturday 6 August
READ: Rom. 8: 35 - 39
MORE LESSON: Psa. 112: 7

Distraction is the enemy of distinction. You will only get to the throne if you refuse to give up or divert your gaze. Your heart has to be fixed like a flint on the glory ahead for your crown not to be taken by another. On your journey to your great destiny and eternal home, one thing you must fight ardently is distraction. Paul said, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus: Phil 3:13-14. He had to forget or remove his attention from some things that could serve as a distraction for him to get his prize.

Distraction in life comes from different sources; some internal and some external. Internal distractions come in the form of evil thoughts, intimidation from enemies and suggestions from satan that bombard your mind. You must deal with all these distractions by speaking and focusing only on the Word of the Lord. This is the reason the Bible says that you must guard your heart with all diligence (Prov. 4: 23). Sometimes you have to learn to deal with distraction by rebuking it. Jesus never dialogued with satan when he came to distract Him, He rebuked him with the Word. It was through dialoguing with satan that Eve missed her destiny (Gen 3: 1-6). Do not allow satan to put distractions into your mind, rebuke them in Jesus’ name.

Distractions can also come from without; Rom 8: 35-39 gives a list of things that might want to distract you from the love of God and your glorious assignment. However, the submission of Paul in this writing is that in all these things, we are more than conquerors. This means that greater is Christ that is in us than all the distractions that the enemy might bring. Therefore you must refuse to succumb to these distractions.

When bills, needs and challenges pile up and they want to lead you into anxiety and worry, refuse to be distracted. Remember, the Lord will supply all your needs (Phill. 4: 19). When people are shouting global economic recession and national scarcity, refuse to be distracted, you are from above and so you are above all that (Jn.3:31). When fashion, entertainment, latest technology and cars want to distract you from pursuing your purpose in life to pursuing things, remember that when you seek the Kingdom of God, things will be added to you (Matt 6: 33).

Refuse to be distracted by anything. Set your heart like a flint on getting to where you are destined for. Do not let false prophets and doctrines, scoffers, enemies or anything dissuade you from your goal in God. Go and get it.

PRAYER/ACTION
* I forbid every destiny distractor from manipulating my life, in Jesus’ name.
* I set my face like a flint, I shall achieve my goal, in Jesus’ name.
* Nothing shall dissuade me from my goal, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
The agents of goodness, mercy and favour shall be my companions all through this month and the rest of the year, in the name of Jesus.

Precious Name II

Friday 5 August
READ: I Jn. 5:9
MORE LESSON: Psa. 118:10-15

Today, we continue our meditation on the name of Jesus as we consider what is in the name. Today's reading brings home to us other benefits of the precious name of Jesus, These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God; that yea may know that ye have eternal life on the name of the son of God: I Jn. 5: 13. These benefits are:

1. The benefit clearly outlined here is that all that believe in the Lord Jesus have eternal life through the name.
2. True repentance and remission of sin come only by the name (Luke 24:47).

3. We have healing through the name of Jesus, Then Peter said, silver and gold have I not but such as I have give t thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk: Acts 3:6. There is healing in the name of Jesus for you today. Take it, rise up and walk!
4. There is wholeness and strength in the name, And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all: Acts 3:16. May the name of Jesus bring you perfect soundness today.

5. Benefit of the name is in the Scripture verse loved by all, The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe: Prov. 18:10. In these days of insecurity, run to the name and be safe. Daily hide all members of your family in the name before stepping out and God is bound to keep you safe according to His Word of promise that cannot fail

PRAYER/ACTION
* Safety, soundness and perfect health are mine, in the name of Jesus.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
This month, no more satanic manipulation of my life and destiny, in the name of Jesus.

Precious Name I

Thursday 4 August
READ: Phil. 2:5-11
MORE LESSON: Isa. 9:6

God has made adequate provision for successful Christian living for His children, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: II Pet 1:3. One strong provision of God for us is the name of Jesus. This name is at the centre of the Christian faith along with the Blood of Jesus and the Word of God. It's necessary to know and appreciate the efficacy of the name of Jesus. Victorious Christian living will be very difficult for anyone who does not know how to appropriate the power in the name.

There is need to meditate on the provision by the Blood. First, it's a name above every name (Phil 2:9). Any power behind any other name in this world or in the world to come must line up behind the name of Jesus. Second, the name of Jesus commands the respect of every being, human and spirit, visible and invisible, up above and down below, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: Phil.2:10.

The name of Jesus is the only name that brings all to their knees. That is why Jesus is above any prophet and king, born or yet to be born. In fact, in Rev.19:16, He is called the King of kings and Lord of lords. His name is an authority that all must obey. No other name wields such power. The authority of using the name of Jesus has been given to every child of God, And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do…: John.14:13. I urge you to take the name with you today, glorify it, proclaim it and use it.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Every knee over my life must bow, in the name of Jesus.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Let every marine, terrestrial and astral altars working against God's promises for my life be consumed by the power of the Holy Ghost on this fourth day of the new month, in the name of Jesus.

Power to be Sons III

Wednesday 3 August
READ: Rom.8:19-24
MORE LESSON: Psalm 82:6

Sons of God are gods. Having received the reinstatement of the nature (image and likeness of God) through Christ Jesus, we have become gods, representatives of the Great God, unto every one and everywhere God has sent us. When God sent Moses to Pharaoh in Egypt, God said to Moses, …See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet: Exo. 7:1. The desire to be gods was what made Adam and Eve to eat of the fruit that God instructed them not to eat. When satan came to Eve, he said, For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil: Gen.3:5. Adam and Eve, prior to the fall, had always been gods. They were created in the image and likeness of God; they carried the very nature of God.

Whatever Adam named the creatures of God, so were their names. When God came into the Garden of Eden in the cool of the night, Adam and Eve could fellowship with Him. Only gods and sons of God can fellowship with God. What satan told Eve therefore was a lie and a plot to rob them of their position as gods. As soon as Adam and Eve obeyed satan and ate of the fruit, they lost their right as gods and as sons of the Most High; and were consequently driven out from the presence of God.

As gods and sons of the Most High, you are to do what God would do anywhere you find yourself. God has made you god over every pharaoh that will not let the people of God go free to serve Him. Get up; set free everyone that comes your way whom satan the god of this world has put in bondage of sin and slavery. Execute the vengeance of our God, as it is written: Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD: Psalm 149:6-9. Gods don't live in fear, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father: Rom. 8:15. If you will arise and take your place in the hierarchy of the spirit, you will indeed be a blessing to your generation, For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God: Rom.8:19.

PRAYER/ACTION
* I put away every spirit of fear in and around me; I take my place as a god, the son of the Most High.
* I command the attributes of God in me to begin to manifest now, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I command the same angel that hit King Herod with worms while alive to hit all living enemies of my destiny today, in the name of Jesus.

Power to be Sons II

Tuesday 2 August
READ: Romans 8:1-4
MORE LESSON: Gal.5:24-25

One of the attributes of children of God is that they live in the Spirit and also walk in the Spirit. To live in the Spirit means to have your life encapsulated in the Spirit. In other words, your life is hid in the Holy Spirit. No wonder Colossian 3:3 says, For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. You dwell in the secret place of the most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).When you live in the Spirit, your life is no longer your own; you belong to the one you dwell in. The implication is that you no longer have a will of your own to pursue; you do not have a personal glory to seek after. You live for Him who loved you and accommodated you in Him.

When you live in the Spirit, you must also walk in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit is to keep steps with the Holy Spirit in all your ways. In other words, you live as instructed, directed, commanded and supervised by the Holy Spirit, And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him: Gen.5: 24. In Gen.17:1; the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Only when you practise walking with the Holy Spirit will you not fulfil (practise, exhibit, manifest, display) lust of the flesh. The works of the flesh (Gal.5:19-21) will always rear their ugly head.

When you walk in the Spirit, the Spirit of God will contend with the works of the flesh in, and prevents you from being overtaken. Note what Galatians 5:17-18 says, For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. The first verse of our Scripture reading expressly says only those who walk, not after the flesh but after the Spirit that are not condemned, For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God: Rom.8:13-14. Make up your mind to walk in the Spirit as from today. Tell yourself you will do only what the Spirit of God says and pray for the ability to hear and know His mind concerning all that has to do with your life.

PRAYER/ACTION
* LORD Jesus, I surrender my life to You that I may live and walk in the Holy Spirit.
* I receive the Spirit of adoption as a child of God; I shall walk in the Spirit and not fulfil the desires of the flesh.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Over the month of August I frustrate the tokens of liars and make all diviners mad over every area of my life and destiny, in the name of Jesus.