Honouring Fathers I

Text: Proverbs 24:6
More lessons: Proverbs 4:7-9
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 79-81

Instruction is key to wisdom. Where ever people honour counsel, mistakes are minimized and impact, maximized. And this is the purpose of a father; because of his wealth of experiences and longevity on the paths of life, he can provide value instruction. It is not who you listen to that determines your safety and success, it is whose counsel you honour. If we will be better than those who have gone ahead of us, we cannot afford to make the same mistakes that they made. 

We must glean from their failures and successes together and find useful truths about the journey so that we can fly faster and further. This is so not just for spiritual things but in every sphere of influence and work of life. Isaac newton always accrued his record breaking success to 'standing on the shoulders of giants'. No wonder he was such an enigma in his field. God is our heavenly Father; but how can we say we honour our Father in heaven if we do not honour our earthly fathers? Not just biological but all those who God has arranged to be ahead of you for the purpose of instruction and wise counsel.

This is the reason why the enemy is vehemently attacking our church and homes today, in divorce and breaking of spiritual authority. As long as he can keep the coming generation from parental and spiritual counsel and guidance, he can easily perpetrate his evil in their minds, lives and communities at large. This is why the Bible is given to us so that we can learn from other peoples’ mistakes, successes, pains and joys to create out a safe map for the journey ahead because the sincerity of a traveller is in vain if his maps are wrong. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works: 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

Needful it is to say that one of the most profound ways to tap into the wisdom and counsel of fathers is to ask questions. You cannot afford to have more answers than questions; really, you shouldn't because it is only those who ask who know. Knowledge will not come by osmosis, we must ask to know, seek to find and knock to enjoy open doors. It is no coincidence that we are all created with two ears but one mouth so that we can listen more than talk because those who listen for wisdom will have something to say but those who don't will talk because they have to say something. Wisdom is not an option for high-flyers. Choose wise counsel today by honouring fathers.

Prayer/Action
* Ask for God’s guidance in submitting yourself to fatherly counsel. 
Apologize to your parents for any wrong doing in the past today.
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Double Doors II

Text: John 10:7
MORE LESSONS: Revelation 3:7-8
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 76-78

To really tap into the powers of the Kingdom, we must learn the principles and protocols of it's legislation. There is a kingdom law in the spirit that permits only he that wields the keys to access the treasures therein. It was on the account of the validity of this principle that Jesus while commissioning Simon Peter as the apostolic spear head of the early church, And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven: It is obvious and apparent that Jesus could only have given keys because there are doors; kingdom doors. 

Doors that can only be opened and accessed by the Key bearing kings. So He was revealing something unmistakable about walking in dominion in heaven and on the earth. He wanted Peter and everyone of us to pay attention to the significance of spiritual keys. Keys stand for revelation, access and authority. The power of a key is not in it's size, but in it's ability to snap open the mechanism behind giant doors. Most and generally, keys to large doors and gates are not big themselves. They may be small, way smaller than hammers chisels or hack saws; but I will choose a key over Matthew 16:19. 

A hammer, a chisel or a saw because though it is smaller, it commands doors and gates of any size noiselessly, stresslessly and sweatlessly to open. Little wonder Jesus introduced Himself as the key wielder while speaking to the church in Philadelphia. Jesus wields the key of David. Glory! We know that David is the Old Testament type of a priest and prophet and king, therefore the key of David is that Key that can unlock any dimension and capacity of doors, including double doors. With Jesus there is unprecedented access to all doors. 

Prayer/Action
* Pray that God will always lead you to the doors you will open into your breakthrough.
Practically apply the key that unlocks all doors today.
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Double Doors I

Text: Isa 45:1-2
More lessons: Psalms 24:7-10
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 73-75

The finest treasures around are hidden behind the strongest fortifications possible. We don't want to throw pearls on the surface. Even so, the deep treasures of the earth and bounties of heaven are hid behind doors of depths and gates of heights.

Needful also to say that, the things we value in our houses may be protected by doors but cities and kingdoms set up double doors-two leaved gates to defend its wealth. Jesus said His church is marching on and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. He was directly saying that the responsibility of the church is to pierce through the double doors of hell, bind the strong man, take back everything the devil stole and advance heaven’ s agenda just as he exemplified when He snatched the keys of hell and the grave from the enemy and gave gifts to men. Revelation 1:18Every member of the body of Christ irrespective of tribe, or denomination wields the power to dismantle demonic gates, and unbuckle the blockades in the way of destiny fulfillment so that we can advance God's purposes in our lives and careers. 

Every one of us was born into a battle. It's the ultimate battle between the gates of hell and the gates of God. My simple logic has it that a gate is a massive door with arms in both directions (a double door) used to account for or control entry and exit between places. 

The enemy knows that he cannot plunder you if he cannot unlock your gates of protection and defense. Everything he does against you is to pull down the hedge of the Lord that is around you. One way to strengthen the Lord's gates around you is to walk in obedience. Sin undoubtedly pulls down the gates of righteousness around our lives. When God wants to bless you, He opens doors before you. This is your season of access to double doors. It is your time to enjoy maximum revelation and the delivery of all that God promised you. I see doors being removed from their hinges by the supernatural hand of God and gates that have limited you thus far, shattered under the glory of God. The name of Jesus is KEY! At the mention of that name, even double doors give way. When next you stand before that discouraging situation, call the name of Jesus and watch what you called impossible melt before your eyes like you were dreaming.

Prayer/Action
*Thank God for Jesus who is our eternal access to the Father.
*Pray that you will not fail/be feeble to take those treasures which belong to you in Jesus.
*Pray for grace and speed to grow into kingdom maturity/sonship so that your kingdom treasures can be allowed you.
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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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