Widows and orphans

READ: Job 29:11-16
MORE LESSONS: Psa. 68:5-6
Bible Reading in One Year: Job 28-31

One of the issues that are emphasised in the Bible is the divine directive to help widows, orphans and the less privileged. There is a divine commandment to everyone not to deprive the fatherless of justice, or deny widows their rights (Deut 24:17). In sum, God's Word instructs us to be fair in our dealings with people, especially widows, orphans and the less privileged in the society. God is concerned about His children, and He is much more attentive to widows and orphans (Jn.14:18)because God does not leave His children comfortless.

Though the widows and orphans are always on God's heart, how often are you burdened for them? When last did you encourage a widow or orphan with your kindness? I urge you to renew or make a commitment to the widows and orphans around you. Pray more for God's grace for them, minister to them out of your abundance, speak for them where their voice cannot be heard, encourage them, etc. God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love shown to them in His name (Heb 6:10).

A widow was once encouraged not to lose heart after the demise of her husband. She was told that her husband was only a bread winner and that God the bread giver will always be there for her. Based on that, she was asked to pull herself together and cheer up. She responded by saying, I know God is the bread giver but I am afraid there is no one out there to win the bread for me. Avail yourself the opportunity to be a bread winner, under God, for a widow and orphan around you because God wants to use what you have to ease their burden. Make yourself available for one today and, ...by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men: 2 Cor. 9:13.

To the widows and orphans out there, since God presents Himself as a Father to the fatherless and a defender of widows (Ps 68:5), you are in a place of God's special grace and His grace shall be sufficient for you!

Prayer/Action
* Call to mind the widows and orphans that you know and intercede for them.
* Pray that the church will not experience an increase of widows and orphans.
* Pray that God raise helpers for every widow and orphan looking up to Him.

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Nothing Failing

READ: Ps. 90:14-17
MORE LESSONS: Gen 47:15
Bible Reading in One Year: Job 25-27

Except God establishes the work of a man's hand, the efforts and struggles involved in such work are bound to fail. Without enlisting God in it, the journey of twelve months is too far for anyone to make alone without encountering failure and frustration. No wonder the Psalmist says, Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain: Psalm 127:1.

Sometimes things don't go the way we want. A promising marriage moving to the brink of failure, the loss of job because of 'downsizing', the weather ruining one’s crops, wasted harvest, the loss of a dependable friend and loved ones, wasted academic effort, etc. These situations are evident of failure and wastage which most of the time are beyond our comprehension because of the contrary forces that are at work against us. The only factor that saves a man from failing or wasting away is God Himself. If nothing must fail or waste, you must consciously allow God to champion your life course for it is written, …for by strength shall no man prevail:1 Sam 2:9.

Our text says that the economy of Egypt was so bad that even money failed (Gen 47:15). However, when God helps a man, it doesn't matter how bad things are, God will make a way of escape to actualise His will for you. Whoever God empowers cannot fail and whatever He blesses cannot waste. For God therefore to prosper your work this year, ask Him to empower you for success, fruitfulness and increase.

More importantly, set the Lord always before you and live by His instructions so that you can be lifted above failure and wastage. May you not fail or waste away in the year.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to empower you not to fail.
* Pray that your health will not fail this year.
* Pray that nothing you do this year will amount to a waste.
* Rebuke all forces of failure and wastage militating against you.

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Nigeria shall Rise Again

Read: Eph. 6:18-19
More Lessons: II Chro. 7:13-14
Bible Reading in One Year: Job 21-24

Nigeria is a land of destiny. While the colonial masters, in the era of the scramble for Africa, were busy, especially in West Africa, splitting ancient kingdoms into national boundaries, Lord Lugard, the commander of the Niger area, amalgamated the Southern and Northern Protectorates of the Niger area into what is now Nigeria in 1914. With over 600 languages, Nigeria has remained united geographically from that time. Since her political independence in 1960, the country has witnessed political turmoil, civil war, riots, ethnic and religious violence, bad leadership leading to the plundering of the nation's wealth and subsequently, widespread poverty, and more recently the onslaught of terrorists threatening our corporate existence. That Nigeria has survived all the threats and still stands as a geographical entity shows that the hands of God are upon the nation.

In spite of the turn of events threatening Nigeria, God certainly has the nation in His agenda for the last days. Towards the middle of the last century, God sent a Scottish missionary by name Pa S.G Elton(of blessed memory) to Nigeria to prepare and ignite the Church in Nigeria for the end time move. The mighty move of God witnessed especially in the 1970s, culminating in raising global church leaders from the country, was as a result of the foundational assignment by the man of God. The era also brought economic wealth to Nigeria. Despite satanic confrontations of the Body of Christ in Nigeria, the country is only second to the United States in population of evangelical/pentecostal Christian and global church leadership today. Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa and one of the most endowed with human and natural resources in the world. Her citizens are resourceful and making marks in the global sphere of human endeavours.

Yet economically and technologically, Nigeria is still 'a sleeping giant', retrogressing while other nations less endowed and without the knowledge of the one and only true God are progressing. God is depending on the Church to lead the nation in repentance and seek divine mercies for Nigeria to arise again spiritually, economically and technologically with the Church at the forefront of leadership to fulfil her end time destiny. Prophesy to Nigeria from the Bible readings of today.

Prayer/Action
* Oh Lord, move Nigeria forward, in Jesus’ name.
* Let every force of the enemy at work in Nigeria catch fire, in Jesus’ name.

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The General Overseer and His Family

Read: Eph. 6:18-19
More Lessons: II Sam. 21:17
Bible Reading in One Year: Job 18-20.

A general overseer is a servant of God, called with a particular assignment or message to mankind. Such mission normally requires God calling or appointing other men (pastors and other church workers) to serve under the leadership of the general overseer. Overseeing men who work in church, ministry or commission is such a tremendous responsibility that only men that are genuinely called of God will be able to run the assignment with clear conscience before God and men, fight the good fight of faith and finish the course well.

The General Overseer of JAWOM Commission is our spiritual father (1 Cor 4:15), our prophet (Num 12:6), a Levite with his life wholly devoted to divine service (Num 8:14) and the light of Israel that must be shielded from strenuous and risky tasks (2 Sam 21: 17). Like the Levites and apostles of old, the General Overseer's life is wholly devoted to God (Num3:12), given unto prayers and the ministry of the word (Act 6:4). All JAWOMites and friends of the Commission must of necessity have a vital place for the ministry of the General Overseer in their heart by doing the following constantly: 1) Pray always for Daddy and Mummy Bakare for grace and utterance in making known the mystery of the Gospel. 2) Support him always in all his assignments as Aaron and Hur supported Moses (Exo.17:10-12), especially in church administration (Ex 24:14). 3). Give him and his family double honour at every opportunity, in his presence and absence. Honouring spiritual as well as biological parents earns a man prosperity and long life. 4) Care for him and his family financially and materially. No man ever gives sacrificially to men of God and lacks in the day of need.

To enjoy your full blessings and fulfilment under the ministry of the General Overseer, ensure you take heed to the following:
i) Don't despise him and his family. It is a dangerous thing to despise and speak evil of spiritual authority (Jude 8).
ii) Don't murmur about him (Num 14:36) or challenge his spiritual authority (Num 16: 1-4).
iii) Don't, by your action and inaction, make the work of the ministry difficult for him like Hymaneus and Alexander did to Paul and were penalised (1 Tim 1:20; 2 Tim 4:18). iv) Don't judge and condemn his actions, rather seek clarification and divine insight (Luke 6:37; 1 Cor 4:3. v) Don't rebel or gang up against him or his authority. God always defends His servants and severely punishes gangsters (Num12: 1-9).

Prayer/Action
* Oh Lord, preserve our general overseer and help him to fulfil your call over his life, in Jesus’ name.
* I declare an unending blessing upon the life and family of our general overseer, in Jesus’ name.

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