The Prayer of Jehosaphat

READ: 2 Chron. 20: 1-20
MORE LESSONS: James 5: 16
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 70-72

Several armies from three nations allied together to attack the land of Judah. The report came to Jehoshaphat the King of Judah that a great multitude was coming against him. This great man and prayer warrior at this time prayed a prayer that teaches some principles of prayers. When everything around Jehoshaphat was bad and there seemed to be no hope; instead of panicking, he went to God's altar in prayer and fasting. A man that will be mighty in prayers will know that the answer to every situation lies with God. 
When Jehoshaphat got to God's altar, he began to reason with God based on the things he had heard and read about Him in His Word. He said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel...saying, If, when evil cometh upon us, as the s word, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help: 2 Chron. 20:6-9. In this prayer, the king took God's Word back to Him. God could not but respond to such prayer. 
He was asking God to prove Himself in the matter at hand. Prayer is taking God's word back to Him. This is what moves God to action. When Jehoshaphat finished praying, he worshipped God because he believed that God had heard him. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD: 2 Chron. 20:18. He later proceeded to battle with praise singers leading the procession in accordance with God’s instruction. No wonder, they didn't need to fight, God gave them the victory. Step up your prayer. Don't just pray as a religious ritual, expect things to happen when you pray. Pray according to God's principles of prayer. Locate what God has said, either in His spoken or written Word. Believe and confess what He has said; take it before the throne of God and ask Him to let it be according to what He has said. That's what activates heaven. Heaven is not activated by crying and murmuring and complaining, but what God’s Word has said and by faith in His promises for effectiveness in the place of prayer. Knowledge and faith in his Word are great pre-requisites. Cross check your prayer with the word.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to give you the winning strategy for your battle like He gave Jehoshaphat.
* Say aloud, Lord, teach me to pray and help me in the place of prayer.
* We know how to pray by praying, set aside an hour today for the act of prayer.

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It is your Right to be Blessed

Text: Gen 27:30
MORE LESSONS: Deut. 28:1-2
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 67-69

Isaac had two children and when he was dying, he handed over that covenant to Jacob; that is the possession of the house of Jacob. Isaac said to Jacob, ‘the agreement between God, my father and I hand it over to you, Let it happen to you that you will be blessed, and be great. Jacob will have a great name, through Jacob the families of the earth shall be blessed. Isaac said to Jacob you go and enjoy that in your own time let it become a reality. There is an argument that Jacob was not the one actually due for the blessing, because the blessing was to be transferred to the first born. Remember that Esau lost his birth right to Jacob. So when Isaac gave the inheritance of that blessing to Jacob he was simply giving it to the first born. Remember also that after Jacob collected that promise, he ran from home because Esau was angry, bitter and looking for how to get it. But here in this scripture, the Bible says there is a possession meant for Jacob- a great name. In Jesus’ name you will have a great name. Those blessings were worth fighting for; that through Abraham all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Is that not a big thing?
Imagine that through you everyone who will be happy on the earth is because they are connected to you. Jacob got the blessing and ran away. Esau did everything to get it, but he could not get it. And to worsen the matter for Esau, the Bible says those things that God had promised Jacob, he will get them. You will remember that Jacob had his name changed to Israel which means everyone connected with Israel will receive the blessing of Genesis 12; they will be blessed, they will be great. The fact that you are connected to Abraham via Israel guarantees two things- that you are blessed and that you are great.
That is the promise God gave Abraham and it came to pass through Israel. If you are born again then you are connected to Abraham through Israel because Jesus came from Israel. Everybody connected with Jesus is blessed and must be great. That is the reason why in 2014 you shouldn't think yourself low or small. You shouldn't think yourself a cursed person. You are not cursed; you are blessed, you are favoured, you are a special person. Reject anything less because for being connected with Jesus through salvation, the blessing promised Abraham is yours.

Prayer/Action
Ask for the following covenant blessings in Gen. 27:28-29 to be fulfilled in your life.
The dew of heaven, the fatness of the earth, plenty of corn and wine, are yours. Claim them, Nations will bow down before you, Cursed be everyone that curses you and blessed be everyone that blesses you.

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Growing in the Prophetic II

Text: 2 Peter 1:21
More lessons: 1 Cor. 14:3-6
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 64-66

Theological research and philosophy alone will not sharpen your spiritual sensitivity in the Holy Ghost. Theology is from two Greek words: 'theo' which refers to 'God' and 'logy' meaning to 'study' or 'sensual knowledge', Theology is an attempt to study God but God cannot be studied, He can only be revealed by His Spirit. That is why we speak of the book of revelation not information. A heart that is after the knowing that comes from what is revealed will grow in the spirit of prophecy.
Secondly, students of prophecy must see that the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. As a tree is to a leaf, so is the testimony of Jesus to the Spirit of prophecy. Theology will provide a bed rock for sermonizing but the Spirit of prophecy has no respect for theology, it only responds to the heart and soul that is pulsing after the Father's heart. Only those who receive the testimony of Jesus - (those who are addicted to the words and works of Jesus, who will weigh every prophecy , trance, dream, open vision or angelic encounter on the balances of the person and principles of Jesus), will launch into strong prophetic depths and heights without perversion or pollution.
The original word 'testimony' is the same word rendered ' testament', and to every testament there is a testator. Jesus is the Testator of the new covenant. It is impossible to reflect the New Testament Spirit of prophecy in condemnation and judgmental utterance but in edification, exhortation and comfort. Yielding to the inner prompting of that testament of Jesus written on the tablets of your born-again heart will always lead to an eruption of the Spirit of prophecy.

Prayer/Action
* Pray that the Spirit of prophesy will envelop you afresh in your service to God.
Study a prophetic passage today and apply it to your life.

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Growing in the Prophetic I

Text: Revelation 19:10
More lessons: 2 Cor. 12:1-2
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 61-63

Today's text is extracted from the most mystical book in the entire Bible - the book of Revelation. It is a highly eschatological piece of divine literature that delivers its truths in signs, symbols, figures, and types. It was penned by John, the apostle who laid on Jesus' bosom at meals and was known by the twelve as the disciple Jesus loved. The book came after awesome encounters and 3rd heaven visitation on the island of Patmos where he was abandoned to die after attempts to kill him in boiling oil failed times and times again.
The thoughts that flow through most minds when it comes to the content of this book are those of fear and terror, scary creatures and bloody scenes. However, one truth about this prophetic book that everyone who wants to experience growth in the prophetic things of God must understand is that it is first and solely a revelation of Jesus Christ. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Revelation 1:1. If we must find increase in the prophetic, we must yearn for revelations of Jesus Christ. There are certain depths and heights in the Spirit of God that cannot be taught, they can only be caught. The scriptures declare that Paul was caught up into vision of the Lord, I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know — God knows: 2 Cor. 12:2.
We need to be caught up because the things we are being prepared to see and experience cannot be learned or researched. We must be brought into contact with the Spirit of revelation so that the things of God can be perceived and grasped by us. We are not mere mortals, we are spirit beings in mortal bodies and until we desire to be caught up into the spirit where we really belong we cannot see and participate in the prophetic manifestations of the Kingdom of God.

Prayer/Action
*Thank the father for access into the well of the prophetic
*Pray for a deeper insight in the things of God
*Pray for a fresh encounter with God that will change your life forever
*Ask for a discerning heart to clearly distinguish the prophetic that flows from God’s Spirit
*Pray against every counterfeit spirit around your life and destiny.

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