God’s Five Purposes for every Believer

Thursday 16 April
READ: Rom. 8:28; Eph. 3:11 MORE LESSONS: Eph. 1:11

There are responsibilities to meet and privileges to enjoy as members of the Church. The responsibilities include:

(I) God wants you to be a member of His family, to have fellowship with Him and with one another. Following Christ is not just a matter of believing, it also involves belonging and living in cordial relationship with one another (I Pet. 1:3; Eph. 2:19).

(ii) God wants you to be a model of His character through discipleship; be like Christ in character (I Pet. 2:21). Maturity is not measured by one's learning but by one's lifestyle.

(iii) God wants you to be a minister of His grace (service or ministry) and to use the gifts, talents and opportunities He gives you to benefit others (I Pet. 4:10; Eph. 2:10).

(iv) God wants you to be a messenger of His love through evangelism (Acts 20:24; II Cor. 5:19-20). In fact, our mission here on earth is to tell others about Christ.

(v) God wants you to be a magnifier of His name in worship (Psa. 34:3). Each of us has a personal responsibility to worship God (Exo. 20:3) and not our job, family, money, property etc. God’s children are to be thankful for these responsibilities and privileges, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful: Col. 3:15.

Privileges of Believers
Spiritual and emotional benefits accrue from fulfilling the purposes mentioned above. Some of the privileges are:
(I) Worship helps people to focus on God.
(ii) Fellowship helps one to face life’s problems.
(iii) Discipleship helps to fortify one's faith.
(iv) Ministry helps one to find one's talents.
(v) Evangelism helps men fulfil their mission.

You were created for His purpose and may you discover and fulfil God's purpose for your life.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God for a clear vision of your purpose in life.
* Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide your steps to God’s plan for your life.
* Pray that you will not live a wasted life but a God-filled destiny.
** What do you know is God’s definite purpose for your life? How much of your time do you invest in it? Definite purpose is the key to a fruitful life.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
In the name of Jesus, I revoke and turn into blessing, every curse pronouncedupon my life; from now on, I shall be unstoppable.

Flee Fornication

Wednesday 15 April
READ: Eph.5:21-23
MORE LESSONS: I Cor. 6:9-10

Purity of life is one great priority of God. He ordained marriage to, among others, prevent immorality and every sexual sin. Sexual immorality is one of the most grievous sins; it almost ruined the nation of Israel. God in His anger burst out, …let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them….: Exo. 32:10. The Israelites pushed God to the wall when they engaged in immorality and God was ready to change His plan of taking them to the Promised Land. No matter how sure a promise may be, when you choose to tow the line of carnal passion, God will have no choice but to change His mind.

It is very sad today that teenagers and young people see nothing wrong with sex before marriage. Reports have it that 43% of teenagers see nothing wrong with sex before marriage and about 36% are either living with a man/woman for sexual reasons or intend to do so before they marry.

This is contrary to the Word of God, But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul...: Prov. 6:32-33.When you allow anybody to defile you sexually, you are choosing destruction, wound, dishonour and lasting reproach. God frowns at sex outside marriage and will severely punish anyone who ventures into it, Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge: Heb. 13:4. So determine to remain pure for your (future) partner because apart from its grievous consequences, it is disobedience to God.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to help you keep your bed undefiled.
* Immorality is in different shades and forms, pray that non of it will have a hold on your destiny.
* Rebuke the spirit of immorality that is at work in this generation.
** Promise God to keep His temple (your body) holy.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Lord, today, I repent of all the sins and mistakes I have ever committed that have given the enemy an in-road into my life and destiny; forgive me, oh Lord!

Burn The Bridge II

Tuesday 14 April
READ: Heb. 11:16-26
MORE LESSONS: Rev. 21;1-27

Paul admonished the Galatians, For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor: Gal. 2:18. Today’s reading further gives us reasons why Moses, Joshua and Caleb were not mindful of Egypt where they came from. They had a desire for the better country, a desire that was ever on their minds. They looked for a city which had foundations whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10). They were concerned about the city that God Himself prepared for them: the streets of gold, the beautiful mansions, the crown of life, eternity with God, etc. No wonder they were committed and never contemplated going back to Egypt.

Unlike Moses, Joshua and Caleb, the love and crave for the material things of this world have taken over many people who, like the rich fool in Lk. 12:13-21, have no desire for a better country (heaven). Rather, they are busy laying up treasures on earth, drinking, eating and making merry. You can know whether a man has a desire for heaven or not by the way he invests his treasures, time and energy: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also: Matt. 6:21.

Heaven is a better country because believers will be in God’s presence and will not be limited by time and space. That is where Paul, Peter, David are now. Nothing in this world compares with it. The rich man in Lazarus’ story saw it from hell and greatly desired it for himself and his siblings but it was too late. Today is the time to decide for heaven by surrendering your life to Jesus in everything, living a holy life and burning everything that drags you back to Egypt, no matter how valuable and expensive they may be.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to restore your first love for Him and His work.
* Ask for more of God in everything.
* Pray for a life totally focused and committed to eternal values.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
I plead the Blood of Jesus over this day and I refuse the enemy from having any memorial in it.

Burn the Bridge I

Monday 13 April
READ: Heb. 11:13-16
MORE LESSONS: Jn. 21:1-17

Moses, Joshua and Caleb left Egypt the same day with the others but, unlike others, they were able to see and enter the promised land (Canaan). As soon as they left Egypt, they destroyed the bridge (the thought of the garlic, onion, etc) that could still link them with Egypt. They had the opportunity and means to lead the people back to Egypt if they so wished but they never did that because the bridge that linked them to Egypt (friends, colleagues, neighbours) had been destroyed in their hearts. Their minds were made up.

Father Abraham was so determined (Gen. 24:1-9) not to return to his native land such that even to take a wife for Isaac, he sent his servant back to his people. As far as father Abraham was concerned, the bridge that linked him to his home town no longer existed. Elisha destroyed the bridge (the oxen) that had the potential of linking him back to his former profession after he accepted the call of God (I Kgs. 19:19-21).

Beloved, that unhealthy relationship that exists between you and that man, woman, boy or girl is a bridge that must be destroyed. What about the charm, that club you are a member of, those Egyptian garments in your wardrobe, etc; they are bridges that need to be destroyed. Determine to refuse every opportunity capable of linking you to your past life. Today, Let us... lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us: Heb. 12;1.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to help you put your old life behind you.
* Pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will never have a reason to desire any of the worldly things you left behind.
* Pray that every besetting sin be totally broken over your life.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, today, You will increase my greatness and comfort me on every side.