Caution for the Last Days I

Friday 14 August
READ: Matt.24:36-41
MORE LESSON: II Tim.3:1-9

The days that will usher in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ have been compared to the days of Noah. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be: Matt.24:38-39. We must all take precautions to avoid being caught unawares and consequently miss the rapture. The passage clearly shows that legitimate issues such as marriage, eating and drinking can so much occupy men at the expense of making heaven. How can this happen? Marriage for example is instituted of God as a legitimate, correct process but it is being made illegitimate by people in these last days. Marriage perversions are gradually creeping in and taking over nations. In some societies today, children are growing up to encounter situations that make them think it is correct to have two men or two women as parents, contrary to what God instituted (Gen.2:22-25; Rom.1:26-27).

If the floods of these end times will not sweep you away, then you must consciously guard against perversions of all forms from taking over your life, home and family. Some of these marital perversions are entering our homes through latest home videos and movies. Parents must guard against their children being gradually indoctrinated into various perversions by the media of the day. We must teach our children what God's Word says and cry against the vile glamour of the perversions being portrayed as fashionable and acceptable.

Another evil that is gradually creeping in is that of violence (Gen.4:23). The issue of violence (physical or verbal) must be strongly prayed and spoken against because some people are already coming to the conclusion that if they cannot have things peacefully and legally then they should use violence to take them by force. Such people forget or are ignorant of the saying that, “He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt.26:52). There are better ways of expression both within and outside the home. Christians must give good examples to the world by handling matters the Bible way and not violently. Husbands must never lift their hands against their wives; correction and discipline of children must be done moderately and not to inflict wounds. Above all, the way out of domestic or external forms of violence is to lead members of the family, friends in the neighborhood and others to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer/Action
* I receive grace to be careful and watchful in order to escape destruction as Noah did in his generation, in Jesus’ name.
* I rebuke the spirit of all forms of perversion in my life, home and family.
* The Word of God will without compromise continue to be my standard for living, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
I overthrow every power contending with the grace of God upon my life and I prevail in the mighty name of Jesus.

Not done with Me

Thursday 13 August
READ: Mk. 7:24-30
MORE LESSON: Phil. 3:10-14

As I write this moment, I hear Heaven declare loudly like with a thousand voices, God is not done with you yet! To the rich, the intelligent, the most influential, popular and great, I say, God is not yet done with you. There is room for more. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect…. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize... Phil. 3:12-14. God has more than He has given you and He wants to give you more; He wants to take you further, so press on towards more. Don't stop at the “little” because God has greater, better and higher plans for you.

To the poor, defeated, delayed and depressed, today I hear God saying, God is not done with you yet! He has a plan for your lifting, breakthrough, restoration and prosperity. God is still at work; He is still giving children, marriage partners, healing, wealth, jobs, career success and breakthroughs. God didn't stop the work of creation until He finished. He is still at work on your matter and will not stop until He finishes. He has not yet gone to rest, and He will not until He is through with your case.

So, like Paul, press on until you reach the prize mark. Don't give up on yourself; quitters don't win, winners don't quit. If you don't stop, God won't stop. Press on like the Syrophoenician woman in our text; be deaf to all negative comments about your situation. Just refuse to give up your faith, hope and confidence in God, even if it’s an angel that said what discouraged you. Stay glued to the God who says, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth: Matt. 7:7-8.

Today, you may be down but tomorrow is still a credit! Just never say 'never', for God will never give up on him who refuses to give up on himself. Tell your enemies, For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief: Prov. 24:16. You will rise and your light will shine again. Glory days are here again! Friend, just stay righteous and hold on to God without despair, pressing on in prayer and faith and God will do it again.

Prayer/Action
* Lift up your hands and proclaim that this year will not pass by without your answer.
* Ask that the Host of Heaven will take over your fight this year and give you victory.
* Find out any abandoned project/prayer requests in your life and prayerfully go back to them and shortly success will come.
* You can also tie a vow to the requests this time just like Hannah did.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, train my hands to war and my fingers to fight, and let the bows of iron be broken by my hands this year, in the name of Jesus.

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.