Strengthened For Battle

READ: Eph.6:10-18
MORE LESSONS: 2Tim.2:1-7
Bible Reading in One Year: Acts 3-5

Strength is defined as a state of being strong. A strong army, strong financial base, strong personality e.t.c. all speak of strength. In this age everything is about strength, from the cradle to the grave, from Egypt to Canaan. Weakness is the absence of strength and a weak Christian is a defeated Christian. Wherever there is weakness, failure is imminent. So if you hate to fail, you must increase your strength.

There is nothing that makes a man succeed that is related with weakness. Grace, anointing, help, glory are all strength related. Apostle Paul ends his letter to the Ephesians, ...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might Eph 6:10. Then he enumerates what the Ephesians must do to be strong. They are to put on God’s armour made of truth, righteousness, preaching of the Gospel of peace, faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, i.e the Word of God, constant prayer and supplication in the spirit, being watchful always, perseverance and intercessory life (Eph.6:14-18). An armour is a protective covering which Paul wants us to wear in order to resist the enemy and as a shield to stop the arrows that satan aims at us (Eph.6:13,16)

From these verses, it is obvious that the Scripture, written over 2000 years ago, is now being fulfilled in our days. So you need to strengthen yourself for the battle. Verse 13 speaks of the “evil days” and verse 16 gives the definition of the evil day as a time when the devil will shot his “burning arrows” (G.H.T.D) at believers. The burning arrows are now all over-insecurity, church bombings, assassination of Christians, abject poverty, strange diseases, heresy, false prophets, worldly churches, worldly brethren in the name of liberty and globalisation, e.t.c.

Beloved, it is war time, only those who wear their armour are safe. Look at those elements of the armour once again, and ensure that none is missing on you, from your helmet of salvation on the head to the Gospel sandals on the feet. That is the only way to be strong for the battle. Guide against weakness and failure.

From today be armed with your weapons, put on your armour and you will be strengthened for the battle of faith. The song writer has rightly spoken, “Christians seek not yet reposed, hear your guiding angels say, thou art in the midst of foes, watch and pray”. Don't retreat. I hear our Captain say we shall overcome.

Prayer / Action
* Give God thanks for not allowing you to be swept away by your weaknesses.
* Thank God for the provision of defensive armour ahead of the days of evil.
* Ask the Lord to empower you against every form of weakness in your Christian race.
* Prophesy the armour of God in Eph.6:14-18 to your life one by one.
Create time to memorise all the armours today. Finally, prophesy that you will not loose any battle to weakness this year.

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Perilous Times II

READ: II Tim 3: 2-3
MORE LESSONS: I Jn 2: 18-24
Bible Reading in One Year: Acts 6-9

We started by pointing out the attitudes in the world and the Church that indicate that we are truly in the last days. Today we shall consider more of these attitudes.
For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad, they will be hard hearted and never give in to others: IITim 3: 2-3 (TLB).

The Living Bible translates the word rendered 'unholy' in King James Version of the Bible as 'thoroughly bad'; and truly this present world is thoroughly bad. Men are without natural affection in a world where homosexualism is being legalised. Even among children we have had to minister deliverance from homosexualism on primary school pupils. The world has truly become thoroughly bad. This shows that the coming of the Lord is here.
Being unthankful is very prevalent and each `person has to check himself or herself on this. How thankful have you been to God and to man? Anybody who is not thankful to man cannot be thankful to God. Many people take things for granted. Everybody keeps emphasizing rights, while neglecting their obligations and then they proceed to take privileges for rights. As a child, you must know that all that your parents are doing for you should be seen as a privilege not a right. All of us should know that being alive, waking up every morning and breathing are all privileges from God not rights. Taking things for granted is one of the reasons why people are ungrateful.

Ingratitude is a sign of ignorance of the cost of doing good. Many people look at what somebody has done for them and feel that the person should have done more but they are ignorant that it could have cost the person a great sacrifice to do even that which he did. Being unthankful is a demonic trait; there is such as the spirit of ingratitude that rules over peoples' lives. That spirit will not rule in your destiny, in Jesus’ name. Many live an unthankful life because they always see challenges ahead and do not pay attention to the ones that they have overcome. Such people need to see well by not focusing on challenges even though they exists; they should focus on the victories that God has helped them to win.

One other reason why people are ungrateful is that they do not think. It takes deep thought to be deeply and sincerely grateful. When you think, then you thank. Remember that being unthankful is one of the signs of the end. Be thankful.

Prayer/Action
* Pray against what the Bible calls “thoroughly bad” and declare that you will not be part of it.
* Pray that you will not be unthankful.
* Pray that the Church of God will not be ruined by the spirit of the end time.
* Pray that you will be part of God's Holy remnant to the end.

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Perilous Times I

READ: II Tim. 3:1-7
MORE LESSONS: I Tim 4: 1-6
Bible Reading in One Year: Acts 3-5

These are the very last days before the return of the Lord Jesus. We are in what the Bible calls the perilous times which are difficult times characterised by several happenings that indicate that the appearance of Jesus is any moment from now. The Bible mentions the indicators that make us know that we are in the end times. For men shall be lovers of their own selves.… This means people will be seeking their own interests without regard for the interest of God or others. As long as they make money, it doesn't matter what happens to others. You will agree that this is what is happening in our days; these are truly the last days.

The spirit of pride and boastfulness is on the rampage in the world; you must make sure that it does not rest on you. The pride and boastfulness of the world has found its way into the Church. Pride in church could be in the form of having an ability to do something and believing that nobody else can do it as well as you can. A musician, preacher or pastor might believe that unless he does something, it is not being well done and the congregation cannot be imparted. We have to watch against this spirit in our lives.

The level of rascality of children in this generation is unprecedented. Children are being disobedient to parents; parents now have to beg their children to do what they want them to do even though it is the right thing. But that's not correct! Parents should assert authority over their children to stop them from bringing disgrace to the family.

The liberty that children have as a result of knowledge and increased information in this generation is good. It is good to have a good rapport and be friends with our children to discuss matters with them and show them what the Word of God says about issues. But the place of respect and obedience to parents should never be forgotten.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: Eph 6:1-5 (KJV).

Uncontrolled behaviour in children is a sign of the end time. We should not allow it to thrive in our homes and churches. The reason we have looked at these signs is so that we can pray and watch against them. Watch and pray, therefore, that you will not be caught unaware by the spirit of the end time.

Prayer/Action
* Pray that you will not be a victim of the end time signs.
* Ask God to help you win over the end time spirits and powers.
* Pray against the spirit of lukewarmness, pride, boasting, covetousness, blasphemy and disobedience.

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Fellow Labourers

Text: Phil. 2:19-24
More Lessons: Acts 28:13-15
Bible Reading in One Year: Acts 1-2

Co-labourers are people appointed by God to fulfil their destiny through supporting their leader to do what God has appointed him to do. This way, both the appointed leader and his fellow workers/helpers fulfil destiny by working together although in different capacities. In the wisdom of God, no one church/ministry/assignment is raised to be headed by two persons side by side. Just as there is no human with two heads, in God's order, it is usually one leader, many followers. Any assignment, human or spiritual, that is saturated with competitors will fail, but where there are co-labourers, success is sure.

Every leader should deliberately pray for co-labourers in his/her assignment. A leader should also watch out for who is a co-labourer around him and draw such closer for greater collaboration. Among other things, co-labourers are people who:

1) Handle every assignment as though it is theirs personally, they do the work as if it is theirs.
2) Do not wait to be instructed or supervised to get the work done.
3) Never do eye service – whether the boss is present or not, they do whatever is required.
4) Work without attaching any condition to their service. They serve with little or no incentives.
5) Go extra mile – they are not restricted in service, they do as much as will bring result.
6) Are of absolute commitment – they are prepared to sink or float with their assignments.
7) Believe in and carry the spirit of their leader.

The ministry of Paul the apostle, though very tough and challenging, was made easy by the gift of men and women who were co–labourers, supporters, givers and helpers of all time, such as Timothy and Epaphroditus who Paul refered to severally as brothers, fellow workers, fellow soldiers, messengers and ministers (v25); they nearly died for the work (v30). Are you a co-labourer or a problem in God's Kingdom?

Prayer / Action
* Ask God for team spirit in every area of your service in His Kingdom.
* Pray for the grace to satisfactorily love God and His work.
* Pray that God will send faithful co-labourers to His vineyard.
* Examine the seven steps above and ask yourself, under God, which of them you lack.
* Give thanks for the ones you have and pray that you will increase in them.
* Take practical steps on the ones you consider lacking in your life.