The Mercy of God

Monday 9 February
Text: Mark 10:46 – 52
MORE LESSON: Psa. 102: 13

The mercy of God is the multipurpose key that brings solution to all problems of life. Whatever need or prayer request you have in life, asking for the mercy of God covers them all. When you receive mercy from God, you freely find salvation, forgiveness, healing, defence, wealth, promotion or any blessing you need. The prayer for mercy is always answered because mercy is a language that Heaven always listens to. In Mark 10: 46, we find the story of blind Bartimaeus. We are not told how he became blind but the blindness is a handicap and he became a roadside beggar, thus he became distinct in a negative way.

There are some problems, sickness and affliction that isolate a man physically, socially, spiritually from the good of the society; they make him not to be able to enter into the class of his colleagues anymore. Bartimaeus is identified by his ailment, it is like a surname to him as he is called Blind Bartimaeus. There are some problems that become like surname to whoever has them; you hear people referred to as 'That Sick Sister', 'That Poor Brother', 'That Barren Woman' etc. But today, whatever problem the enemy has used to rename you will be erased by the mercy of Jehovah, in Jesus’ name.

On a fateful day, Jesus Christ is in town and Bartimaeus hears that Jesus is passing by. Bartimaeus has lots of prayer requests as he is blind, poor and isolated, but he asks for only one thing - the mercy of God. It interests me that Bartimeaus asks for mercy from Jesus and not sight, money or healing. The reason is that he knows that if the Lord would have mercy on him, he would receive everything that he wants. No wonder when the cry of mercy catches the attention of Jesus, the next thing Jesus tells him is, What do you want me to do for you?...: Mark 10:51. The Lord gives him a blank cheque to ask anything he wants and his request is granted because mercy has located him.

Today I want you to lift your voice and ask for God's mercy. Whatever problem you need God to deal with, whether sin, sickness, poverty, barrenness, failure, academics or any form of affliction, just cry to God for His mercy and it will locate you. Also, whatever blessing you need in life, do not trust in your ability, qualifications or work, ask the mercy that is obtained through the Blood of Jesus to give it to you. Today is your day of finding mercy with God, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer/Action
* Ask that the mercy of God will stand for you in God’s presence today.
* Ask that God will visit the matters of your life by His mercies and make the impossible possible in your life.
* Say like Bartineaus, Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Jesus, I put my hands in Your hands today; I shall not fear a fall and I shall not sink, in Jesus’ mighty name.

Hand of Help II

Sunday 8 February
READ: Psa. 3:1-4 M
ORE LESSON: Psa 3: 1 - 8

There are times when people conclude that even God cannot help one in a situation. It is easier to bear when only one person reaches this conclusion but when you have a number of people saying this, then the matter is critical because if God cannot help, then one is finished. When David was in a similar situation he lamented, LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God: Psa. 3: 1 -2
Men concluded that there was no help for David in God. What a way to conclude on another man's matter! They talked as if they had a conference with God and He agreed with them that He was not going to offer help to David. I have observed that people talk more about the predicament of others behind them but in David's case they told him to his face. But thank God David knew his God, so he countered, But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head: Psa. 3:3.

David knew that men's opinion was not God's conclusion concerning him. And so he cried to the Lord and He heard him. God is faithful. Help comes from the ability to look up to God and not to man. No man has ever trusted the arm of flesh and succeeded. Therefore, when everything has failed, it is time to look up to God and confess your confidence in Him. The most interesting thing in all this scenario is David's choice of words. He said God is his glory, not man. In the midst of a shameful and hopeless situation, he knew he had glory. These are words that Heaven cannot hear and go to sleep. When there is no assurance of sound health, no hope of bearing children, situations have battered you so much that you are down cast, you must defy your situation as David did and cry to God who is able to lift up your head.

The following keys will help you provoke the help of God in any situation:
- Faith in God who is greater than all men.
- Keep your focus on God. Challenges are pressures aimed at keeping your focus away from God.
- Mind your attitude in difficult times- your thoughts, your speech and your actions.
Help is coming your way today. David encouraged himself in the Lord and spoke right, Do the same today and you will see God's hand of help in great and mighty ways.

Prayer/Action
* Declare like David ...Thou, oh Lord, art a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of mine head.
* Ask God to turn every negative word of your enemies to celebration and testimony for you.
* Give God thanks because your destiny is not in the enemy’s hand, but in God’s hand.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, my going out and coming in today and throughout 2015 is in Your hands, I shall not end my day in a casket, in Jesus’ mighty name.

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.