Hope for an Esau

TEXT: Gen. 27:30-40, MORE LESSONS: Heb. 4:16

The story of Esau has been told us from kindergarten. We know about the cause and consequences of Esau's action. Esau no doubt attracted judgment and hatred of God (Mal. 1:2-3) to himself by being nonchalant about his birthright. He lived out the prophecy that went ahead of him from the womb (Gen. 25:23). In Gen. 27:1, Esau is seen as the beloved son of Isaac who qualified for and was entitled to Isaac's blessing but thieves of destiny were privy to Isaac's intention to bless Esau. Say to yourself: My blessings can only be delayed, I will not be denied. Esau's destiny was hijacked by the subtlety of his own mother and brother and he narrowly missed his blessing (v30).

However, Esau rescued his destiny by insisting that his father give him just one blessing. When you access one blessing from God, you are made. Esau did not give up. What did he do? He wept aloud and he waited before his father without shame (Heb. 4:16). What do you do with what you believe in? Many of us have been quiet for too long in pain. It is time to ask the Father for just a blessing. Become agitated in your spirit that the dominion of the oppressor might come under your feet. (vs 39-40). Put your past behind you like Esau did in Gen. 33:4. Move forward so that you can access your blessings and have the testimony of Esau (Gen. 33:9).

Let this new glory not pass you by, stand up, be restless, take your stand as a child of God. He loves you, He proclaimed this Himself when He sent Jesus to redeem you. Take advantage of God’s promises and be persistent; pray especially when it seems all hope is lost like Esau. Do like the persistent widow in Lk. 18:1-10. There is hope for you if you don't give up holding on to God. He is the God of a second chance! If one is lost, there is hope for another. Stir up your spirit and call on God for help today.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Father, I take my stand in your presence, give me a blessing that will rescue my destiny today, in Jesus' name.

* Declare that no enemy of destiny will be able to rob you of your destiny.

* Proclaim today a day of restoration of everything that the enemy might have stolen.

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Peace in the Midst of Trouble

TEXT: Matt. 8:23-27, MORE LESSONS: Acts 16:23-26

Peace is not the absence of trouble, problems or challenges in one's life but the ability to rest or stay calm despite the troubles all around. The main reason why many people hardly stay calm in the time of trouble is that they don't remember God's abiding presence. If Jesus is right there in the boat of your life, it is impossible for the boat to go under.

Don't run up and down when you are faced with challenges of life. If God be for you nothing can be against you. God will never abandon His children, no matter the situation or circumstance of life. He was with the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:24), He was with Joseph in the prison (Gen. 39:21) and He was with Daniel in the lions' den (Dan. 6:22). When you remember that Christ is with you, you can act calmly in the face of painful and difficult situations. Jesus has the ability to calm a mighty storm, He will certainly calm the storms you are encountering and overcome any force of evil that comes against you.

One reason why people feel agitated in the face of storms is that they forget the promises of God - the Lord will deliver you from all your afflictions (Ps. 34:19). He will never assume the state of man to lie (Num. 23:23). If you are a child of God, He will deliver you from that sickness, barrenness, lack, oppression etc. Have the knowledge today that His Word has already gone ahead of you. Believe God for whatever He says in His Word that He is: a fortress (Ps. 18:2); a helper (Heb. 13:6); a healer (Exo. 15:26); a deliverer (Ps. 18:2); a sun and a shield (Ps. 84:11); a shepherd (Ps. 23:1) Your glory and the lifter up of your head (Ps. 3:3), a shield and a buckler (Ps. 91:4). Believe and stand on the promises and surely the storm will give way to peace.

Like Apostle Paul says in the midst of storm, …for I believe God.... Acts 27:25. Believe God despite the storm. I command peace to you, in Jesus' name.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Say, Lord, thank You for being the God that can be present in the storm.

* Say, I declare peace to every storm around me, in Jesus' name.

Today, take a worship and praise song, give thanks to God for His power to calm storms. Praise Him sincerely because I can hear in my spirit that the storm is over.

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Dare to be Different

TEXT: Gen. 5:1-25, MORE LESSONS: Dan. 1:1-9

Life is about choices; you write the report of your life (good or bad) through the choices you make. A man will continue to make the usual and common record for as long as he goes after the popular demand, thought or choice of the people. However, you need to dazzle your generation. The world is too small to contain you, make it impossible for the world  to predict you.

Enoch broke the record in his generation by being different. His walk with God was matchless, setting itself up as a paradigm of the perfect walk with God. He refused to be trapped in the mistakes and apathy of his peers and ancestors. Rather, Enoch was driven by a vision and purpose to make a difference in his time. No wonder he made a record no man has ever had. This is particularly outstanding considering the fact that Enoch, like other men, had a wife, children and probably had a job that kept him busy. However, he did not allow all this to hinder his consistent walk with God.

The decision you made to come to Jesus should carry with it a determination to walk with God despite your busy schedule and family demands. You can be the Enoch of your generation if you dare to be different in any way necessary. Remember, human excuses will not change the purpose of God that man should be in His likeness. Purpose in your heart to be like Daniel in Babylon who decided to be different from others by refusing the king's portion and he never regretted it. Choose to be different from the world today. Dare to be different at work, when others are lazy, idling, gossiping, and doing eye service, be committed to your assignment.

When your peers are living in worldly pleasure, fornicating, partying, and being riotous, be godly and different. Dare to be different in the society, in the neighbourhood, your compound, etc. Dare to be a Daniel, Paul, John. etc Dare to be a saint in a corrupt, decaying generation. Stand out for God.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Pray for courage and grace to be who God wants you to be in the face of opposition.

* Ask God for strength not to bow to temptation even if others bow.

* Thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit to make you a role model everywhere you go.

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A Foolish Act

TEXT: Exo. 12:32-42, MORE LESSONS: II Sam. 15:31

Sometimes when God wants to deal with your enemies, He makes them to behave foolishly. Can you imagine that when the Israelites were leaving Egypt permanently, they asked the Egyptians to lend them silver, gold and clothes? The Egyptians were foolish enough to give to the Israelites such as they required. Why did the Egyptians make that kind of foolish decision? Because God was behind it, And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required.... Exo. 12:36.

The Lord can cause your enemy to make a costly mistake in order to help you. When God wanted to take Esther to the throne, He made Vashti the queen to disobey the king her husband as recorded in Esther 1:12, But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

As a child of God, God can do anything for you. He can give men in exchange for your life, Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life Isa. 43:4.

God can take away the throne of your enemy for you to reign in his stead. Never be afraid of any boss that is threatening you as long as you know that your relationship with God is intact and that you discharge your duties as you should.

Believe God for divine intervention. The Lord will cause your enemies to make a costly mistake that will be your uplifting, in the mighty name of Jesus. Today is a great day for you. For your enemy to act foolishly to your benefit, you must act wisely by remaining committed to pleasing God in all that you think, say or do. Have a great day.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Ask God to turn all the counsel of your enemies to foolishness.

* Declare that your enemy will make a great mistake today to your advantage.

* Bless the Lord for being a great deliverer at all times by all means.

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