The Best Gift of All

Thursday 22 October
READ: Heb.1:1-8
MORE LESSON: Phil.2:9-10

God loves to relate and speak with people. The scripture for today expressly declares to us that God speaks. Several people in the world think that God is so impersonal and distant from man that He does not speak. Far from it, God has been speaking and will continue to speak to man in all ages. God speaks to all without bias of race, color, tribe, status or class.

The only condition for enjoying the communion of closeness with God is to have the Son. God speaks to us by His Son (Heb.1:2); He has made His Son the fullness of all things. Jesus Christ is the full package of God's gift to mankind. 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: Rom.5:17. To reign in life, you must have Jesus and allow Him to live and reign in you. A man that has the fullness of Christ will have the fullness of life.

To enjoy God's best gift you have to use the name of Jesus. The key to accessing the good gifts God has provided for His children is using the name of Jesus. And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it: Jn.14:13-14.

God has completely authorized that everything must respond to Jesus’ name. Such things that must respond include: 
1. The heavens and the earth (Deut.32:1). These have ears to hear and will respond. 
2. Stones and other created things will respond to the name. (Josh.24:27 Psa.29:1-3). 
3. Nations and people will hear and respond to the name (Isa.34:1). Call that rebellious member of your family that has refused to respond to the caution of the elders. Start calling him to respond to the name of Jesus and a change will happen.

Those long standing requests and prayers will respond to the voice of the LORD that is powerful, full of majesty, breaking the cedars of Lebanon and dividing the flames of fire. Arise and use the best that God has given you to access your victory.

Prayer/Action
* Sing a song to exalt the excellent name of Jesus.
* Ask that by the reason of that name every contradiction must submit to you today, in Jesus’ name.
* Declare your victory by the power in the name of Jesus.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Let the blood of Jesus flow in my life and blot out all ungodly inheritance, in the name of Jesus.

Beyond Wishful Thinking

Wednesday 21 October
READ: Prov 13: 1-11
MORE LESSON: Matt. 25:26-30

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat: Prov.13: 4. This is true in the physical realm. The farmer who wants to harvest corn must first plow the field and plant the seed. A lazy person aims at nothing and usually hits nothing. Just desiring a good harvest will not produce the results. Wishing you know your Bible better or that you are able to read it through from Genesis to Revelation, without actually doing it, will not give a working knowledge of the Bible; you must study and research the Bible. Similarly, wishing you had a better prayer life will not make it happen; you must take time to pray.

It is those who take time and pain to labour that will have a good harvest. Laziness and wishful thinking without action leads to poverty, waste and loss of all things (Prov. 6: 9-11, Prov 18: 9, Matt 25: 26-30). Moreover, if a man will have all that his soul desires, He must have something he is gainfully doing (Neh 6: 3). A man who desires a good harvest must invest his time wisely and be prompt (Eph 5: 11). Work day and night; there is no law against working in the night, especially if that is the most suitable time for you (1 Thes 2: 9).

A man who desires great profit or income must be trained in his chosen field: ...Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways...: Prov. 6:6-8. Putting into practice all lessons a man learns whether from man, animal or inanimate things is profitable.
The Bible also commanded “no work, no eat” (2 Thes 3: 10-12). And as you get yourself involved in profitable righteous endeavours, you can be sure of God's blessing.

Prayer/Action
* I break off the yoke of laziness and procrastination from my life, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* I receive grace to labour profitably with abundant harvest in Jesus’ mighty name.
* I receive the abundant prosperity and blessing instead of poverty and lack, in Jesus’ mighty name.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Right now, I command the bondage activators in my life to burn and perish, in the name of Jesus.

Integrity Counts

Tuesday 20 October
READ: Dan. 6:1-5
MORE LESSON: Job 27:3-6

But they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him: v 4. This was the testimony of Daniel, in a strange land where he was one of the captives; the enemy found no occasion to accuse him. He shared the same testimony with Jesus about whom the Bible testified as follows; for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me: Jn. 14:31. We are Jesus’ people and must bear His testimony as Daniel did. The Bible calls us the light of the world and if so, we must live a blameless life without spot or wrinkle.

What do people say about you as a Christian? If it is less than that of Daniel, then you have to work more! Integrity and uprightness are two pillars necessary for successful living (Psa. 25:21). Many believers’ lives are held down because of awkward lifestyles, unjust gains, falsehood, stealing, backbiting and all forms of disobedience. Lack of integrity makes the way very slippery. To be a person of integrity is to embrace honesty in words, actions and intentions; it is to make promises and pay the price to fulfil them.

Any life built on dishonesty always ends in loss and shame, For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up: Hosea 8:7. Lives and futures built on forged certificates and other frauds cannot be glorious. There are marks of integrity all of which must be found in your life :

1. Moral uprightness: Gen.20:3-10.

2. Unselfish service to God and man. And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them: Num 16:15.

3. Performing your vows and promises: Jer.35:12-19.

4. Rejecting brides of all forms: And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, ...: Acts 8:18-23.

5. Honest behaviour: Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man: 2Cor.7:2.

Job’s wife asked him a question that all of us must regularly ask ourselves; ...Dost thou still retain thine integrity? ...: Job 2:9. God, godly people and even unbelievers expect you to retain your integrity in all things. And until then you are still a struggling Christian.

Prayer/Action
* Father, release on me the spirit of truth, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* I receive grace to be honest in actions and intentions, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* I will retain my integrity in all things, in Jesus’ mighty name.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Shepherd of my soul, I give You full control, lead me besides still waters,and take me to green pastures, in the name of Jesus.

On Mission for God

Monday 19 October
READ: Psa. 105: 16-22
MORE LESSON: Gen. 37:13-14, 23-27

If God sent you to do something significant for Him, how would you expect to be treated? How would you expect to feel? Our first step along the pathway of serving God may feel like the end of the our hopes and dreams. Jesus was going to throw in the towel because of rough handlings and maltreatment. But praise God He allowed the sovereign will of the Father to prevail. He prayed and received strength to go on even though it was very difficult. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done: Lk. 22:41-42.

Most times, God's beginning for His servants often bear little resemblance to the endings He has in mind. But it is sure that if God has given you a difficult mission, He will sustain you until you reach the end He has in mind. The story of Joseph in our text today is a great encouragement, especially when God's dealings with us seem impossible to understand, He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Psa. 105:17-18. It took going into slavery and prison for Joseph to be able to fulfil God's mission for him.

This implies that being sent by God may begin with pain and loss; it could involve injustice or being penalized for being truthful and refusing to compromise. It may also hurt as much as Joseph's leg in iron and being imprisoned. But definitely it will end in commendations and good reward at the end. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord: Matt. 25: 23.

Dearly beloved, whatever your mission here is, and no matter how difficult and risky it seems, all God requires from you is faithfulness. It is being faithful to the one who called you and to the assignment you are given that gets you a welcome and well done at the end. You can be rest assured that the God who sent you will sustain you. So, keep working!

Prayer/Action
* Lord Jesus, You who helped Joseph to fulfil his destiny, help me also today, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* I receive the grace to preserve and continue steadfastly in what I am given to do, no matter the opposition, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* Father, help me to be faithful to the end, in Jesus’ mighty name.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
As the Lord lives, I shall fulfil my days, and shall not be cut off. They that attempt my life shall die in my stead, in the name of Jesus.