Morning Rush

Text: Num 14: 21-38
More Lessons:  Prov. 18:20-21
Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 4-6

Morning is characterised by activities carried out in a rush; a few prayers, reading God’s word, a shower, breakfast, etc and then rush to work. But morning can be the best part of your day. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me: Psa. 3:5 (NASB). The first part of the day which is called morning is usually not an easy time for people who are really busy. Waking up early in the morning for such people can be challenging. There is no doubt of the fact that different people see and use time differently. Morning people spring from bed very early ready to face whatever life may bring, while “night people's” day doesn't really begin until about 9'O clock in the morning. But long after “morning people” have gone to bed, “night people” are still full of enthusiasm. Whatever our time temperament is, God wants us to live wisely by making the best use of every opportunity we have.

Time is the currency of life; it is what we give in exchange for all that can be achieved. And God has season and time for all His purpose and for the fulfilment of His promise. Most of the time, God’s children don't know or discern when God is fulfilling some aspects of His purpose in their lives. Discernment of time and season is necessary in order to cooperate with God in purposeful actions. Jesus, at the wedding of Cana of Galilee was teaching His mother this aspect when He said, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come: Jn. 2:4. There is a set time for everything. However, to avoid morning rush, we must learn to commit our day to God's hand before using it. Each day is fresh and a gift from God. Planning our actions before the day begins makes it more meaningful. Being successful doesn’t have to be stressful. If we can plan, prioritise and schedule our priorities, we will find the day exciting and fulfilling. Early to sleep, early to rise. Making sure we have enough hours of sleep makes waking up and facing the day a delight. Rest and relaxation are important for a successful day. Have a great day.

Prayer/Action
* Repent for everytime you have planned and prioritized wrongly in the past.
* Ask God for wisdom to plan, prioritise and stay in God’s purpose.
* Thank God because it is His will to make you successful.

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Do not Sleep

Text: Acts 20:7-11
More Lessons:  Prov . 6:6-1 1
Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 1-3

Sleep is a natural periodic state of rest for the mind and body in which the eyes usually close and consciousness is completely or partially lost. Spiritually, it is a state of complete or partial unconsciousness, slumbering or loss of prophetic vision, and spiritual indifference often has great consequence.

However, there are times when sleep of the night is highly beneficial; after a duty is completed (Psa. 132:5), when it is necessary for good health (Psa. 3:5) and while trusting the Lord in times of need or pain (Psa. 4:8). But when sleep becomes excessive and done at the wrong time, it can lead to a great loss (Prov. 10:5). Some people have a problem of not being able to stay awake in church during services or night vigils. But the question is, is the problem your own doing? Do you come to church eager to be blessed or just to answer roll-call?

In our text today, Eutychus fell asleep and fell off a three-storey roof during Paul's sermon. But Paul raised him from the dead and went on preaching. Always sleeping during prayer or fellowship can be a sign of spiritual weakness, carelessness or spiritual attack on the believer. In fact, the Bible admonishes the believer not to love sleep because it is a great cause of poverty (Prov . 20:13).

Every adult should sleep to live and stay healthy and not live to sleep. As the coming of the Lord is very much at hand, spiritual slumbering is one of the attacks of the devil on the believer, which is why Apostle Paul in Rom.13:11 said, ...knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The Bible is written so that we can escape the perils of the end time. And if we will be able to escape, we must not sleep as others, Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation: I Thes. 5:6-8. Believers must wake up and be on duty for God in His Kingdom.

Prayer/Action
* Pray that the powers that make people spiritually indifferent to the things of God will not prevail over you.
* Ask the father to restore, sharpen and revamp any area of your spirit-man that is drained, or by His Spirit. cold, weak.

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The Way to Follow

Text: Matt. 4:18-22
More Lessons: Lk.5:11
Bible Reading in one Year: 2 & 3 John, Jude

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jn. 14:6. Showing people the way and providing the way is one of Jesus’ missions on earth. Because this world is made by the Lord, He is the best person to choose for us the direction to follow in it.

There is no one in Christ who should be confused; Jesus has been made the way, the truth and the light for all believers. Not knowing how to do what we should do was dealt with on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came to empower man. There are so many ways provided by God for us through which we can find direction, mentorship and example. Some of these ways are: the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, spiritual leaders, prayers etc. However, in our daily living many people prefer to seek other means. It is easier for young people to choose ideals or idols after which they pattern their lives. Rock singers, movie stars , television performers are followed today even by Christians because of their glamorous lives. Youths sometimes think that following this type of life will result in real happiness, but fun and games are not all there is to life.

In fact, you become what you follow. When Jesus called His disciples, He promised to make them what He is. He made no promises of either prosperity or fun. Instead, He called them to join Him in His work of soul wining. And how did the men react to His call? The Scripture tells us that Peter, Andrew, James and John left all to follow Him. Here is a list of things to pursue as we follow the Lord in the narrow way.
a. Love – I Cor. 14:1
b. All that is good – I Thes. 5:15
c. Righteousness and Godliness – I Tim. 6:11
d. Faith – IITim. 2:22
e. Patience – I Tim 6:11
f. Meekness – I Tim. 6:111
g. Peace – Heb. 12:14
h. Holiness – Heb. 12:14
i. Soul winning

Beloved, Jesus is still in need of ardent followers. As His call comes to you, will you follow Him in His prescribed ways?

Prayer/Action
* Ask the Lord for strength to follow Jesus even when it is painful and unpopular to do so.
* Declare today that you are walking in love, patience, meekness, righteousness and peace.

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What Kind of Fruit?

Text: Matt. 7:15-20
More Lessons: Luke 3:9
Bible Reading in one Year: 1 John 3-5

Jesus, in John 15:1 said; I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. He clarified this statement by comparing people to trees, vines and plants. Fruits are products of life. Many people may not be able to identify an orange tree unless they see an orange fruit growing on it or an apple tree unless they see an apple growing on it. As trees are identified by their fruits, so do people identify Christians by the fruits they produce.

Literal fruit bearing depends on the type of soil, the amount of rainfall in the year, the season and cultivation. In the same way, bearing fruit spiritually depends upon some factors:
1. Death to self: a Christian remains unfruitful unless he/she dies to self and the world. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit: Jn. 12:24. When as Christians, we love what the people of the world love and do what they do, we become unfruitful. But when we become new creatures in Christ Jesus we can bear good fruits, (Rom.7:4).
2. Abiding in Christ: living in Christ entails living a life that is pleasing unto God by consistent obedience to the word and the dictates of the Holy Spirit. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Jn. 15:4 Jesus is the vine while the believers are the branches; our faithfulness depends on our relationship with Jesus. It is as we yield to God on a daily basis and live a life of constantly abiding in Him that we can bear expected fruits (II Pet. 1:5-8).

The Bible makes us to understand that God wants us to produce the fruits of righteousness (Phil.1:11). God is honoured by fruitfulness. As true believers, you should see that your life, attitude, behaviour and influence are different because what people see in you is your fruit. What kind and how much fruit do others see in your life?

Prayer/Action
* Ask the Holy Spirit to destroy every seed, tree or fruit growing inside you that the Father has not planted.
* Declare that you receive grace today to bear fruits of righteousness every day of your life.
* Ask for the Spirit of obedience to flood your life.

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