Keep the Gates Closed

Wednesday 12 August
READ: Psa. 15:1-5
MORE LESSON: Prov. 4:23-27

In most Nigerian cities, many houses are fortified with strong iron gates and fences. Solomon, the wise king, counsels, Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life: Prov. 4:23. Our Lord Jesus further warns, For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murder, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: Matt. 15:19. Also, David in our text examined the root cause of the disqualification of many from the presence of God. He then provided a list of attitudes, habits and practices that qualify one to be in the presence of God. Uprightness, righteousness and truth in the heart, among others, are the top requirements for remaining in God's presence.

When a heart is porous, vices like backbiting, evil imagination, judgmental reproach of brethren and pride will dominate the character. However, a submissive, sanctified and consecrated life always seeks to keep the gates of his or her heart closed to rampaging habits and ways of life that dominate the present world.

Do you want to ascend to God's holy hill? Then keep your hearts with all diligence and close the gates to all influences of sin. These are important ingredients of revival in a world that is daily seeking to enroll thousands into hell. You must work out your salvation with trembling and contend earnestly for your faith (Jude 1:3). Mind your environment and company because many things going on around you are not good for your faith. Deny the devil access to your thoughts and actions and watch your life carefully to ensure that the enemy does not infiltrate it. Keep the gates closed.

Prayer/Action
* Invite God to come and regain firm control of your heart today and always.
* Pray against every negative influence from the sinful environment.
* Handover your heart to the Holy Spirit for an unbreakable contact and strength.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Lion of the tribe of Judah, I turn over all my battles to You; do not keep quiet, in the name of Jesus.

You Must be Born Again

Tuesday 11 August
READ: John 3: 1-18
MORE LESSON: John 1: 12-13

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? John 3:4. Not so many people are born again nor know what it means to be born again. “Born again” is not just a spiritual jagon, but refers to new birth by the Spirit and the Word of God. It is becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus. This can only be attained when we recognize that we were all born as sinners, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom. 3:23. It implies that until we consciously confess Jesus as our personal Saviour and repent of our sins, we are not yet born again.

Jesus said, Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again: Jn.3:7 It was Nicodemus who asked the first question Jesus was addressing here but it applies to everyone who fits into his class. He was the Hebrew equivalent of a college professor, a federal judge, and a bishop; all in-one. However, because he was born in sin, he needed a second birth – a spiritual birth. He needed to change the focus of his faith from religion to Jesus: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life. Only Jesus Christ can provide forgiveness and eternal life. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:...but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous: Rom. 5:12-19.

If Nicodemus, the best that religion could produce, needed to be born again, then Jesus’ Word certainly applies to all of us. How can we know when we and others are saved? It is when our second birth is accompanied by a changed life (II Cor. 5:17), when we begin to live a holy life (Rom.6:4-11), when we practise righteousness (1 John 2: 29) when we are able to love others as Christ loves us (1 John 3: 10), and daily live a victorious life (1John 5:4). All these are made possible by the indwelling Spirit of God in the believer. Dearly beloved, have you been born again? You need to be!

Prayer/Action
* I reject the spirit of religion, and receive the Spirit of adoption through the Lord Jesus.
* I apply the blood of Jesus to my soul and heart today, in Jesus’ name.
* I receive the forgiveness of sin through our Lord Jesus Christ; I am born again.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today, I command every inherited disease, known and unknown to me, operating under any guise to get out of my life now, in Jesus’ name.

Honour for Honour

Monday 10 August
READ: Matt.15:4-9
MORE LESSON: Eph.6:2-3

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Mal.1:6. One of the greatest sins a man can commit against God is despising His name. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain: Exo. 20:7.
God wants the work of His hand to honour Him because He is worthy, and when we do so God has a booty for us. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine: Prov. 3:9.

Moreover, it is not only the LORD the believer should honour. There are so many other relationships that require honour. These include our relationship with:
1. Christ – That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him: John 5:23. 
2. Parents – Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;): Eph. 6:2.
3. Aged – Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; Honour widows that are widows indeed: 1Tim 5:1,3.

4. Church officials – Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:: Phil. 2:25,29
5. Other persons – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another: Rom. 12:10
6. Priests and pastors – Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.: 1 Tim. 5:17
7. Wives – Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered: 1 Pt. 3:7.

8. Fathers –Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: Lk. 18:20.
9. Mothers – Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: Matt 19:19.
10. Kings and rulers – Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king: 1Peter 2:17.
11. Widows indeed – Honour widows that are widows indeed: 1 Tim 5:3.

Dearly beloved, honour begat honour. When you begin to honour God and man, you also begin to receive honour from both God and man.

Prayer/Action
* I receive the spirit of humility to honour all people always, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* Father, help me to honour You by the way I live my life, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* I receive the grace to work in honour as I honour others, in Jesus’ mighty name.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, in the name of Jesus, I command the foundation of every affliction over my destiny to collapse today, in Jesus’ name.

When your Friend says ‘No’

Sunday 9 August
READ: Luke 11:5-10
MORE LESSON: Luke 18:1-7

There are three lessons to learn about relationships from the Scripture reading today.

1. Getting answers to requests from dear friends may not be instant. Although true friends are not known to refuse to grant one another's requests in very difficult circumstances, the passage reveals that there could be times when dear friends could be at crossroads in attending to needs. Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? (vs. 5-11). Let it be registered in your heart this day that there could be times in your life that dear friends may neither come out to see you nor even refuse to open their doors to let you in. When such happens, you must manage the situation with wisdom. At such times some people may easily get discouraged and go away angrily to tell others nasty stories about their friends. Others may react by destroying the relationship or plan vengeance against their friend.

2. This passage shows us the way to get as much as you want from a friend who is reluctant to grant you your request. Sometimes you carry other people’s burdens in the way the friend in this passage did in order to meet the need of a friend to his friend who visited at an odd hour. The desire to meet his friend’s need, moved him to go to another friend who answered from within, and gave excuses. What do you do when you are humiliated for a good deed you sought to do for someone? Do you give it up or refrain from doing the good? What extent can you go in pursuing other people's needs even when you are being insulted?

3. When this friend was refused his request at first instance, he did not give up. He did not consider his friend's remark as insolence; he stood there knocking and pleading. Jesus thereafter remarked: Though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs: Luke 11:8.

When you persist on your request, you will get as much as you need. Whatever you may not get based on relationships is made very possible when you persist. Know for sure that the toughest of men will give in to your request in the face of persistence. This was the message Jesus passed across in Luke 18:1-5. Next time someone says, ‘no’ to your critical request, don't be perturbed, rude, frustrated, or compromise; only be persistent in righteousness. As Jesus admonished in Lk. 11:9-10, I also say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, help me to persist in righteousness until my answer comes.
* Father, help me to be a true friend who stands for others in their critical hour of need.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
This month, every power in custody of my original glory and every thief of glory shall surrender them by fire, in the name of Jesus.