Hand of Help I

Saturday 7 February
READ: Hab. 3:17-19
MORE LESSON: Psa. 46:1 - 3

The first text starts with 'although', which points to the fact that what is happening is contrary to expectation. The verse starts on a note of disappointment and from a negative perspective. The writer then goes ahead to list all the situations that obtain:
- the fig tree is not blossoming,
- there is no fruit in the vine,
- the olive does not yield despite all the efforts put in to make it produce,

- there is no yield in the sheep fold. When the animals no longer can produce, they are barren,
- the fields yield no food. This means that there is nothing to look forward to,
- there is no herd in the stalls.
You must understand that for an economy driven by agriculture, it is a terrible situation the prophet describes here. This definitely is a crisis situation and only help from the Lord can come to the rescue. Likewise, there are certain situations in life that only the help of God can save the day. Such situations include:
- When there is evidence that tomorrow does not hold much hope.
- When there is disappointment, and no hope.
- Only the living need help and so when one is alive but is as good as dead.
- When you look good on the outside but have terrible issues inside.
- When all things cannot work despite all the efforts applied.
Despite all these happenings, the prophet says even if all things fail, he will not be discouraged, but will rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of his salvation; that is real faith. The reason this man of God could rejoice in crisis is because he knows that the hand of help is coming for him. He is sure that the Lord God will strengthen and help him. I want you to believe that the same hand of help will come through for you today.

The hand of help comes to those who:
- In the midst of pain can give positive confessions.
- Keep having faith when situation seems contrary to their expectations.

- Believe God in the face of things that could make them doubt the promises of God.
Help comes from the ability to see God even when there is no evidence that He is there. Help will always locate such people because they have attracted the hand of God into their situation. So I charge you today, never give in to negative situations. Nothing should be allowed to steal your joy from you because the hand of help will reach you.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God for help in the day of battle, that you will not lack strength.
* Command the hand of help upon your day as you go out.
* Ask God for grace to trust Him in all situations.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
As mountains surround Jerusalem so will the angels of God surround me today and keep me in all my ways.

Walking On Water II

READ: Matt 14:29 - 32
MORE LESSON: Isa. 43:1 - 5

It is a great thing to get help from the Lord and experience miracles. However, many times you do the impossible but it doesn't last because you don’t know how to sustain it. So it is good to walk on water; it is also important to know how to keep walking and not sink.

Peter walks on water because his heart is fixed on the word of the Master to him. As long as his heart and eyes are on the word of the Lord, come, the water is submissive under him. But Peter’s miracle is not for long, But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink: Matt 14:30. Soon Peter cannot sustain the miraculous walk anymore. The reason Peter begins to sink is not because the power of Jesus has diminished, it is because he loses sight of the key to his miracle by being distracted. He removes his focus from the word of the Lord to him and begins to look at the storm.

Many also get a miracle from God and later loses focus and so cannot sustain the miracle, they begin to sink. How do you explain someone that is always in God's presence to pray, study and fellowship till he gets a miracle and after that, he stops going to church. Many get breakthrough in the place of prayer and after the breakthrough comes they get so busy with the miracle that they do not have time for prayer anymore. You will notice that many believers fast and pray seeking God for a spouse, job, business or admission to school, and after getting it they become distracted from the Lord. But receiving a miracle from God is not the end, you must sustain it. The way to sustain it is the way you get it: keep your eyes fixed on the Master. To continue walking on the water, you must continue to obtain help from the same hand that gets you started.

However, the good news is that when Peter begins to sink, he doesn't keep quiet, he shouts for help, . . . and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me: Matt 14:30. If you have experienced the help of God before and now you are sinking because you have been distracted, it is not too late to shout to Him for help. He is ever willing and able to help you. Jesus stretches his hand to Peter, catches him up and holds him as they both walk on water back to the boat. As you cry to the Lord for help today, He will hold you and you will walk on water once more.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to help you fix your focus on His Word only in every situation.
*Put one of your hands on your head, lift up the other and say to Jesus, Hold my hands and lift me up from every sinking situation of my life.
*Then wave your two hands in praise to God because you are never going to sink anymore.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, my faith looks up to You in the month of February; let me not be ashamed and let not my enemies triumph over me.

Walking On Water I

Thursday 5 February
READ: Matt 14:29
MORE LESSON: Jn. 14: 12-13

Jesus has just finished a miracle crusade and He asks the disciples to go over to the other side of the lake. He goes to pray on the mountain and in the night He walks on the water to meet the disciples on the lake. There is no way a man can walk on water except with divine help. Jesus is helped by God, that is why He walks on water and overtakes the disciples, who have earlier taken off in a boat. Peter sees Jesus walking on the water and he is wise enough to know that it is not possible by human effort but only by divine help. So he doesn't just step into the water saying, Isn't that Jesus walking on the water? Jesus wait, I'm coming too. He knows he cannot do it on his own, so he asks for help, Lord, if it's you, ...tell me to come to you on the water: Matt 14:28 (NIV).

I pray God will give you the wisdom to ask for help when you need it and not attempt, by your own power, an act that only the help of God can do for you. Peter knows what he is looking for and where to get it. He seeks a miracle and he knows it would not come by his natural ability but by the help of God, so he asks the Lord to bid him come. The Lord simply tells Peter to come (Matt 14: 29) and Peter walks on water. Actually Peter is not walking on the water, he is walking on the word of the Lord.

Walking on water denotes living a life of miracles; and you can so live and experience the help of God. All you need is to get a word from the Lord and ride on it. Like Peter, do not presume and jump into the water to start walking, you need to ask for help from the Lord. Today, whatever it is that you desire and you have not got, or whatever is the seemingly impossible situation that confronts you, what you need is help from above. Look to Heaven, talk to God and get the help that you need. I see God bring you help today as you walk on the water till you overtake those that have gone ahead of you, in Jesus’ mighty name.

Prayer/Action
Ask God for the fulfilment of Jn.14:12 in your life.
* Ask for the power to walk on top of every situation of your life.
* Rebuke fear that could hinder you from walking on top of situations.
* Give God thanks for His promises that you will do greater things.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
The strength of the Almighty God shall go with me into this new month and I shall see my desire in the land of the living, in Jesus’ mighty name.

The Secret Place of the Most High

Wednesday 4 February
READ: Psalm 91:1-16 MORE LESSON: Isa. 54:14-17

There is a place of constant and unfailing safety and security in life; it is the secret place of the Most High. This is the place that is beyond the reach of all evil. I want you to know that safety in life doesn't come from the armed forces, it comes from staying in the shadow of the Almighty. When God is your refuge and your fortress, He delivers you from the snare of the fowler, and the noisome pestilence. You don't have to be afraid of the terror by night and the arrow by day. You will not be touched by the pestilence that moves around in darkness or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

You will notice that the Scripture doesn't say there won’t be snares, wasting, destruction, pestilence and terror. It says they will always happen but it gives you the assurance that evil will not come near you and your family because you live in the secret place of the Most High.

As a ministry and commission, the Lord has given us the assurance of this scripture as a yearly prophetic declaration for many years now and it has never failed. Therefore know that you are covered by the shadow of the Almighty and no evil can happen to you. Angels of God are assigned from above to watch and guard you. So you have a security system that is superior to that provided by the police and military. Soldiers have their own troubles that keep them busy as well but the angels are up to the task of securing you. Your help and security are from above, not abroad.

The language that I want you to speak hence forth is, I have help from the Lord. No matter what, say to yourself, I have help. When the enemy comes roaring, tell him, No shaking, I have help. You have help because you dwell in the secret place of the Most High.

The last three verses of Ps 91 tell you what your portion is as evil goes on rampage around the world, Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation: Psa. 91:14-16.
God says He will set you on high and when He does, you can't be shaken. He promises to answer you when you call upon Him; that is assuring you of His help. He says He will be with you and deliver you. What a wonderful assurance from the God that cannot lie. To crown it all, He says He will satisfy you with long life and show you His salvation. Shout a loud Amen to the prayer.

Prayer/Action
Take five (5) verses from Psa. 91 and proclaim them over yourself, your family, church and nation.
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