Faithful Helpers

READ: Rom.16:1-10
MORE LESSONS: Eph.6:21

Bible Reading in One Year: Job 8-10

There is an enviable term that has been used to describe particular categories of men and women across ages. This term describes some people as men of “timber and calibre”. This means people that have great worth, wealth and weight among the people in a community. Such are the men and women that are listed by Paul in today's reading. Consider the description of such brethren as we have in our text and pray earnestly that God will make you a person of “timber and calibre” to His glory, joy of your family and the progress of the nation.

First, such people have the ability to serve. The greatest men of God or leaders receiving commendation of many today are men of great service. Do you want to be well known? Then choose to serve. Second, such a person succours others, implying that they willingly help to bear the burdens of others without breaking under the weight. May God make you a pillar in His house to succour others from today. Third, there are people that laboured for Paul and others. This implies that faithful helpers don't shy away from responsibility or push it to others, they are solution givers. Churches or ministries that have such people flourish abundantly because such men and women labour much and are productive for which God is happy and the church is established.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, make me a pillar in Your house today.
* O God, empower and enrich me this year and use me to enrich others in my church, family and nation.
* Take steps to develop and advance yourself this year in order to lend to nations and not borrow from anyone.

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No Evil Memorial

READ: Psalm 91:1-10
MORE LESSONS: Psalm 27:1-3
Bible Reading in One Year: Job 5-7

Evil memorial is a sad event that brings sorrow or regret each time you remember. As long as satan has the freedom to move to and fro in his mission of stealing, killing and destruction (Jn. 10:10), evil will abound. Since the fall of man, evil has continued to grow from generation to generation in all areas of life such as natural disasters, hatred, killing, robbery, witchcraft, jealousy etc.

However, in all these, children of God have the privilege of divine defence. Central to the divine defence is the Word of God by which children of God are sustained all through life. A believer’s life is in the living Word and that is why he cannot easily be used for any evil experiment.

To prevent falling into evil you must wrap yourself in the Word of God, which keeps us hidden in God our refuge in a wicked world like ours. The devil cannot penetrate through the Word of God to harm you, that is why God reassuringly asserts, There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling: Psa. 91:10. Only the Master of the universe who has the power to kill and to give life can give such a decree. It is promises like this that give joy and boldness to the people of God.

There are two things you must do to activate this Word in your life and your loved ones. They are found in Romans 10:10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Therefore:
1. Believe in your heart that there shall not be any evil memorial concerning you and your loved ones. You must believe that it will not even come near you. You must carry this mentality in you over every aspect of your life.
2 ...with the mouth confession is made.... Now you must say and pray loud: I reject any evil memorial over me, my loved ones and my belongings for the Word of God says there shall no evil befall me, neither shall any plague come near my dwelling.
Don't fail to say these words out so as to activate the power in the Word. No evil memorial, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer /Action
* In the name of Jesus, my path shall turn to testimony.
* I cancel regrets over my life, in Jesus’ name.
* Evil is not permitted to come near me and all that have to do with me, in Jesus’ name.

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Thy Will be Done

READ: Luke 1:26-38
MORE LESSONS: Luke 11:1-2
Bible Reading in One Year: Job 1-4

A preacher once said that one must strictly follow spiritual instructions as a patient follows a doctor's prescription. If you will prosper in life you must observe and do according to the set pattern of God as encoded in His Word, And Moses...said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it: Deut. 32:44-47.

The will of God is His commandments. Until you make up your mind to obey them strictly and diligently you may not succeed in life. This informed God’s admonition to Joshua, This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do  according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success: Joshua 1:8. Let the will of God prevail over everything you do in every area of life and you will prosper. In our text, Mary says to the angel of God, … Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.... v.38. When you allow God to rule over your affairs, satan can’t hinder your progress. In fact, when others are being cast down you will testify, then will I arise and say Jehovah is my defence. God will defend His Word. Ensure you are in the will of God in all that you do - in business, journey, career, e.t.c.

In case you have missed it, it is not too late. The Bible says if you hear His voice today, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: Heb. 3:8. Now that you know God’s will and you have the Bible to continue in it, don't fail  to walk according to His will so that you will not fail or perish.

Finally, for you to be in God’s will, Proverbs says, Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man: Prov. 3:3-4. Habakkuk boldly declares, ...Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it: Hab.2:2. Receive grace to do according to the will of God from now.

Prayer/Actions
* Receive grace to walk according to the will of God all through your life, in Jesus’ name.
* I submit myself to the will of God over______________(mention the matter).
* I cast out every rebellious spirit against the will of God for my life.

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Deliver us from Evil

READ: Psa. 21:7-12
MORE LESSONS: Psa.
2:1-4
Bible Reading in One Year: Genesis 47-50 Evil is wickedness, it is anything that negates good. To be delivered from evil is to be set free from the destroyer because evil is a destroyer. It is to have dominion over every negative thing that rules over your life. Sickness and diseases are evil that you need to be delivered from, He sends His word and delivered them from their destruction: Ps. 107:20. You need to be delivered from ignorance of the Word and promises of God for your life, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… Hosea 4:6. When you know what the Word of God says concerning your situation you will be bold in trial. Caleb says, for it is said concerning me, Jesus says, for it is written, find the Word of God and you are delivered from anything that afflicts you.
Poverty is another evil that has made people to go into things that do not glorify God. It is a curse for which Christ has paid. Yet men worship men instead of God, some fornicate, all in a bid to make ends meet. Satan attempted it with Jesus when he demanded of Him, ...fall down and worship me: Matt.4:9. You will not bow to anybody because of what you will eat and wear, in Jesus’ name.
Evil can come from your enemy, For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform: Psa. 21:11. Today, God will deliver you from everyone that intends evil or imagines a mischievous device against you, in Jesus’ name. Evil can be spoken against a person in the form of a false report that is capable of tarnishing one’s image, spoil his record or even put him in trouble. It was done to Jesus.
There are also evil days as the Bible warns, Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not,.... Eccl. 12:1. Paul cautions, See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil: Eph. 5:15-16. Friend, the evil days are here!
Our nation like others is bedevilled with terrorism, political unrest, ethno-religious crises, natural disasters and epidemics. Several innocent people suffer for no just cause. What is the way out? Paul gives a clue to the way out, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil: Eph.6:10-11. Satan is the architect of all evil. The armour of God that you need to put on is a life of righteousness and holy living,equipped with the Word of God.
Today, you will be delivered from all evil, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, take evil far away from me.
* Deliver me from evil men wherever I go today, in Jesus’ name.
* I shall see no evil, I shall hear no evil from today, in Jesus’ name.

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