All-Round Strength

READ: Isa. 40:28-31
MORE LESSONS: II Cor 12:9-10
Bible Reading in One Year: Genesis 33-36

God does not hold back His blessing but gives to all men liberally and upbraids not. He always gives His best and His all, For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance: Rom. 11:29. He was not satisfied with His Spirit coming upon man intermittently in the old covenant, so He came up with a new covenant where His Spirit permanently dwells in man. In the same way, God gives all-round strength to His people. Finding no one to send for man's redemption, He came down Himself, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth: Jn 1:14.

He gave all of Himself to rescue man from the shackles of sin. After accomplishing this task on the cross of Calvary and it was time to return to the Father, He never left us comfortless, He put in us, the totality of Himself in the Holy Ghost, to abide with us forever (Jn 14:16-17). Thus, ... we all, with unvailed face, the glory of the Lord beholding in a mirror, to the same image are being transformed, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord: II Cor 3:18(YLT).

Part of our heritage in God through the work of salvation is all-round strength because there is no iota of weakness or fainting in God, He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength...: Isa. 40:28-29. This is to say that God gives all-round strength to those who don't have. God is able to bring increase to your life from nothing as He did at creation when all things were made from things that can’t be seen (Heb 11:3). He has equally given to us all things that we need for godly life through the knowledge of Him, and has shared His glory with us and given us all-round strength (II Peter 1:3-4).

However, you may sometimes experience some moments of weakness in one area or the other in your life and quickly jump into conclusion that you have weakness in such area, forgetting that all-round strength is a function of knowledge and not feelings, ...the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits: Dan 11:32. Also II Peter 1:3 clarifies this truth. Even then people become strong after being weak. (Heb 11:34). Indeed, the strength of God is made perfect in weakness, so that when we are weak, then we are strong (II Cor 12:9-10).

This manifold wisdom is paradoxical, and cannot be understood by the devil; for if he had known, he would not have crucified the Lord of glory (I Cor 2:8). Though the resurrection of the dead is sown in weakness, it is raised in power (I Cor. 15:42-43). All-round strength is not a myth after all, but the expression of God’s divine nature in us through His knowledge. I Jn 4:17 makes it more explicit ...as he is, so are we in this world. In this new year of season of glory, Jehovah's everlasting strength will be manifested in every area of your life.

Prayer/Action
* Declare that God’s strength will be sufficient for you.
* Ask for God’s strength to be made manifest in your weakness.
* Declare all-round strength.

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Open Heaven

READ: Matt. 3:13 -17
MORE LESSONS:Mark 9:2-8
Bible Reading in One Year: Genesis 30-32

Open Heaven signifies being allowed access, passage or opportunity to the treasures of Heaven. It also signifies God’s approval of a man and all that he does.

Jesus, in fulfilling all righteousness, went to be baptised and had Heaven open upon Him. That marked the beginning of His manifestation to the world. The encounter was so captivating that none of the writers of the gospel omitted it in their account, And

John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him: John 1:32. The results of an open Heaven are telling. When a man experiences open Heaven: the good treasures of God are released to him (Deut. 28:12), God pours more-than-enough blessing upon him (Mal. 3:10), God releases His Spirit upon him(John 1;32), He announces him to the world as His own (Matt. 3:17) and there will be a rain of righteousness upon such a man.

Your daily desire should be to always operate under an open Heaven. Consistent prayer life will keep Heaven open upon your life. The prayer life of Jesus on earth made Him to have Heaven open continually upon Him. Also, having a right standing before God will open the Heaven upon a man as unrighteousness closes Heaven.

Stay out of sin and you will have God's attention drawn to your life. As you go out today, Heaven shall be open upon you and Heaven's attention will be drawn to you to bring into your life God's good treasures, in Jesus' name.

Prayer/Action
* Pray that Heaven will not close over your life.
* Ask God to help you to live a life that will always attract His presence.

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Fervent Spirit

READ: Acts 18:24-28
MORE LESSONS: Matt. 3:1-11
Bible Reading in One Year: Genesis 27-29

One of Paul's instructions to Christians in Rome about Christian lifestyle and service is, Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord : Rom. 12:11. He sees fervent spirit and effectiveness as necessary components of our service to the Lord. Being fervent in spirit signifies being zealous, enthusiastic, and not being indifferent. Diligence and fervency are qualities that God requires of His children because He expects us to be diligent and industrious in all our duties both to God and man, especially in the duties of our calling.

To be fervent is to be earnest; allow your heart to be engaged in everything you do. Be enthusiastic about working for God. Nothing should be done out of

hypocrisy, eye service, murmuring, grumbling or with indifference. The Bible condemns the attitude of Reuben, Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart: Judges 5:16.

Contrary to what the world believe, an idle, slothful person cannot be a Christian because Christianity doesn’t encourage idleness or slothfulness. Apollos has a testimony of being diligent among the Christians in Ephesus, This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John: Acts 18:25. After being taught of the way of the Lord, he became a useful tool in nurturing the believers in Corinth (I Cor. 3:6).

Paul also comments about Epaphras as always labouring fervently in prayer (Col 4:12), Phinehas also has a commendation for being zealous for God (Num 25:1), Jesus, our perfect example, says, ... My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work: John 4:34. To have a fervent spirit, be earnest, let your heart be engaged in what you do, be diligent in seeking God, be consistent and be at the forefront of Kingdom matters.

Prayer/Action
* Ask the Lord to renew the zeal for His work in your heart.
* Ask God to kindle a fresh fire upon your spirit.

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A Happy Home

READ: Psalm 127:1-5
MORE LESSONS: Jn. 13:17
Bible Reading in One Year: Genesis 23-26

Having a happy home is not only a function of the good things that family members can do for one another, but also of the presence of the Lord in the home. Wherever God is present, His fullness and goodness must be there.

Building a happy home is very important because the family is a vital part of the society. It is the home that feeds the society with people. Therefore the society is the true reflection of homes. If people at home are happy, the society will be a happy one. A happy home is a happy family and for the home to be happy there must be a harmonious relationship between husband, wife and children, which cannot happen unless members have learnt to be peaceable and friendly, as Paul enjoins, Follow peace with all men,….: Heb.12:14. When family members work for peace, there will be happiness in the home.

Making everyone feel he or she is a VIP in the family by accepting, trusting and liking one another can foster joy. Making sure the basic structure for the home is correct is also a necessity as it is prescribed in Eph.5:23-24:the husband being the head, the wife the help and supporter of the husband and children the blessing of the union, with all sharing responsibilities at home.

Putting in place suitable principles to seal the relationship is very essential; when forgiveness, giving, restitution and forbearance are practised, living together becomes a delight. Showing appreciation for every good gesture helps members to be able to do more. Also, if members know, accept and play their roles well at home, there will be no lapses or schism, and every one's need will be met (Eph.6:1-9).

One other great thing that keeps the family together is family altar where everyone keeps appointment with God every day; it is the church in the home where the husband can perform his headship role as the priest. When the family houses the ark of the Lord, God will be there and pour His goodness and blessing on the family.

Finally, for the home to be free from satanic activities such as divorce, separation, disagreement all the time, adultery, wayward children, sexual perversion, we must allow the wise Master Builder to build and keep our home for us. A happy home is cultivated by a collaborative effort with God Almighty the Creator of the family.

Prayer/Action
* Oh Lord, grant me grace to be an agent of Your goodness in my home, in Jesus' name.
* I destroy everything responsible for sorrow and pain in homes today, in Jesus' name.

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