Not So I

Saturday 12 November
READ: Matt. 25: 1-10
MORE LESSON: Prov. 1:10

In the parable of the ten virgins, the five foolish virgins were unprepared so they didn't have enough oil; making them unable to enter when the bridegroom came. The five wise virgins paid the price of extra oil and didn't fall into the same error as the foolish virgins. When the bridegroom came, the five foolish virgins asked the wise ones to give them oil so that they could share. Everybody's lamp had gone dim and the little oil remaining was sufficient just to get the wise virgins in. If shared, it would do both parties no good. It would be enough for neither of them so the wise virgins did a wise thing. They said, Not so... when requested to share their oil. Many times knowing when to say no and having the boldness to say it is a display of wisdom. The wise virgins were saved from being locked out with the foolish because they knew how to say, 'not so.’
You must know how to say 'no' to invitations to do what is not in the best interest of God and of your purpose in life. You must know how to say 'not so' to temptations and sin. The willingness to fit into everything presented and what I call wanting normalcy is what destroys so many people. You should not be afraid of refusing requests that will not prosper the plan of God for your life. If someone wants to borrow your vehicle to carry another man’s wife to commit adultery, will you agree because you don't want to offend him? No. You should say, 'not so.' To go far in life and make Heaven, you must know how to say 'not so' to men at the appropriate time.
You must also know how to say 'not so' to the devil. When satan tempts you, you should tell him, ‘not so’. When sickness and affliction knock on the door and want to enter into your life, you use your mouth to shut the door. Tell them that there is no space in your body for them. If poverty tries to join with your life, you say, “Not so”. Even when poverty advocates try to convince you that Lazarus in Jesus' story in the Bible was poor and still made Heaven so you can be poor and still make Heaven, tell them that it was so for Lazarus but for you, 'not so'. Today, I want to encourage you to know when to refuse what is being presented to you and doesn't glorify God. Refuse what will damage your destiny. When offered to bear the consequence for another man's foolishness, say 'not so'.

Prayer/Action
* Receive courage to say no to anything that is ungodly, in Jesus’ name.
* I renounce every ungodily alliance and relationship, in Jesus’ name.
* I shall not sell my birth right no matter the challenge I face today.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
In the remaining days of this year, Jehovah will order my steps to the locations of my lifting, in the name of Jesus.