Zacchaeus: Lessons in Divine Visitation 1

Wednesday 11 May
READ: Luke 19:1-11
MORE LESSON: Prov. 2:1-6

The text for today gives the interesting story of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus is an example of a man who was able to catch the attention of Heaven that commanded a change of status. A man that was regarded as a chief among sinners became someone that Jesus came to stay in his house. The Lord Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to your house.... There are lessons that can be learnt from the story of Zaccheaus in encountering God. Zacchaeus' encounter happened when Jesus was on transit and He was to pass through Jericho. In those days there were no handbills, posters or radio broadcast, but Zacchaeus got the information that Jesus would pass that path even before Jesus arrived. He must have been a diligent seeker of information.
The reason many people are stranded in destiny is because they do not passionately seek the information that can take them to the next level in life. Getting good information is crucial and it can determine whether a man goes to the next level or stays in the same place. A young man who wants to become a lawyer should check how much information he hunts in that area. How many lawyers has he met to ask questions? How does one become a lawyer? What subject combination does he need to read law? This doesn't just apply to students; whatever you are doing, when was the last time you updated your information about that area of life? A leader, whether spiritual or physical, who refuses to labour for information has refused to labour for growth. If you refuse to grow, the people you are leading will outgrow you. As a pastor, teacher, unit head or worker, you must continually update and re-invent yourself. If you keep doing the same thing the same way for years you will become obsolete. You should read books, go for trainings, courses and conferences. A reader is a leader. When you stop reading, you stop leading.
Never stop getting relevant information, your next level is hidden in information and it is your duty to seek for it and find. Remember Deut 29:29 which says, The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. It is the information you get that will deliver your portion in destiny to you which will be the inheritance you will hand over to your children. One of the things that made Zacchaeus encounter God was that he got vital information. The information that you need to enter your next level will be made available to you as you diligently seek for it, in Jesus’ name. There is nothing a diligent man seeks for that he cannot find. In the name of Jesus, you will find all you need for your next level today.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to grant you access to the information that will better your life.
* Pray that you will not miss your way in destiny.
* Cover your pathway today with the blood of Jesus.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Everything that has brought me tears and pain this year will bring me joy this day, in the name of Jesus.

The Wages of Unrighteousness

Tuesday 10 May
READ: 2 Kings 5:15-27
MORE LESSON: 2 Peter 2:12-15

There was a time when Naaman, a general in the Syrian army, came to Elisha to be healed of leprosy. The prophet instructed him to go bath in River Jordan seven times. Naaman first complained about it but then he later obeyed and after bathing in the River seven times, his skin was restored as a little child's. The Syrian general was grateful and went back to the prophet to appreciate him. I have noticed that many times, unbelievers know how to show gratitude more than some Christians. Even in the story of the ten lepers that were healed by the Lord Jesus, it was a Samaritan that came back to give thanks while all the Israelites hurried home (Luke 17: 12 – 19). As a child of God, do not let God raise stones to praise Him in your stead. Learn to be grateful to God.
When Naaman brought gifts to Elisha to appreciate him for the healing, the prophet refused to take them from him. He pleaded with Elisha but the prophet didn't receive the gifts. So Naaman left, taking soil from Israel to build an altar to the Lord God of Israel in his country and said that he would henceforth serve the God of Israel. Gehazi, Elisha's servant, felt that his master was not smart enough to have let a wealthy man like that go without receiving any gift from him. So Gehazi went after Naaman and lied that Elisha changed his mind and wanted some gifts to be sent to him. Gehazi had been faithful to Elisha just as Elisha was to Elijah. Elisha got a double portion of the anointing from Elijah and Gehazi was next in line to get the double of the double but covetousness and greed denied him. He lied, took gifts from Naaman and went to hide it. What happened to Gehazi is very pitiable as the leprosy of Naaman fell on him and his generation forever.
Gehazi had been following his boss but then his heart was after material things and he received judgement. God's call and grace is not for merchandise. It was greed and covetousness that made him lie but he didn't escape it. I want to caution you as a child of God to check your life and see if there are seeds of lies and unrighteousness so that you quickly uproot them. Is the age you write on your official profile your real age? Is there any lie that you have formalised and you think it doesn’t matter? Well, that is what Gehazi thought too, but later he realised that it mattered. Everyone that serves deserves a reward. Gehazi got a reward that he didn't bargain for. He became a victim of Naaman's leprosy because of unrighteousness and greed. The works of the flesh (Gal. 5:22) have more pains than gain, rid yourself of them by prayer and repentance today.

Prayer/Action
* Father, by Your mercy, rid me of all wages of unrighteousness operating in my life, in the name of Jesus.
* Ask that the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in you.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, the time to favour and help me starts now, in the name of Jesus.

The Secret of David's Greatness

Monday 9 May
READ: Psa. 119:162
MORE LESSON: Psa. 119:167

David is one of the greatest heroes of faith. A common young boy from nowhere emerged not just as king but as the greatest king Israel ever had. David is today remembered as a man after God's heart and a symbol of eternal greatness and royalty. Many have known David as a warrior, a psalmist, a musician and others. However, when you read the book of Psalm 119, you will discover the secret of David's greatness. In this book which actually is David's personal diary, you will realise that David was first and foremost a man of the Word. The Word of God was what made David a generational giant and the Word of God will make you if you are committed to it. David said in verse 162, I rejoice at thy word as one that finded great spoil. Spoil is the word used for proceeds from battle. David won many battles, conquered and had many precious things to take home but he confessed that the pleasure and joy he got from the Word of God exceeded what victory in wars gave him. No wonder, God always gave him victory. When you love the Word of God more than other things in life, God will give you those things with ease.
He added, Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word: Psa. 119:148. David was actually saying 'I stay awake through the night and do not sleep' – not to read for exams or to watch films, but to read and meditate on the Word of God. How will such a man not become great? David was not just an ardent student of the Word, he was a fervent doer. In fact, wherever he saw the Word being disobeyed, he took it personal. That was why he said, Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law: Psa. 119:136. He literally cried when he saw men disobey God's Word. You see why God had to make him king because God knew he would make sure the Word was kept in the kingdom he ruled. Do you love the Word of God? Do you practise it? What is your reaction when you see God's Word broken, despised or contravened? Your disposition to the Word of God is the determinant of your greatness.
Jesus Christ the Son of David came and also showed us how victory in life is through the Word of God. He lived, won and became great through the Word and He left this word, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock: Matt 7:24-25. Any greatness that is not founded on God’s Word is bound to fail. Build your greatness on God’s Word.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to make you a man/woman of the Word.
* Father, through Your Word, make me a sign and a wonder in my generation, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that the Word of God will never depart out of your mouth, in Jesus’ name.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
This week, I receive divine favour over all my applications and requests anywhere I go, in the mighty name of Jesus.

The Power 2

Sunday 8 May
READ: Gen. 31:22 - 29
MORE LESSON: Ps.18:16 - 19

Power is the ability to get things done. When God gives you the power to do a thing, such a thing becomes possible for you. What you need in every area of your life is power from the Lord to perform in those areas.
In talking about the need for power, it is also important to point out that there are different sources from where men get power and that power is in levels. Like it is commonly said in Nigeria, 'Power pass power’. Jesus said, Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you: Luke 10:19. So Jesus acknowledged that the enemy has power but He gave us power over the power of the enemy. When you exercise that power over their own, no matter what they do, you over-rule them.
Recently a president lost election and was to hand over to a new government but before the day of the handover, he removed many people from office and appointed new ones. The incoming administration and the people started complaining that the president was appointing so many people into key positions even when he knew he was almost out of office. The president knew that he had power to do whatever he wanted to do even till the second before he handed over. That is the meaning of the statement “He is in power”, as long as he was in power he could do and undo till the last minute. Until a man gets out of power, he is still in power. Your enemy will be ‘out of power’, in Jesus’ name.
Even a man in power can be stopped from performing. The only bridle to a man in power is a higher power. When Jacob left the house of Laban and was going back to his family in Canaan, Laban, who was more powerful than him, pursued him to harm him. Jacob had taken his wives, children and possessions and sneaked away from Laban and when Laban discovered that, he decided he was going to deal with Jacob. He pursued him with armed men but by the time he caught up with Jacob, he had become soft. The reason for his behaviour was stated, It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad: Gen 31:29. He had power to harm Jacob but a superior power cornered him and prevented him from harming him. So Jacob would have been a dead man if not that a superior power intervened and saved him. The highest power is the power of God and it will stop all your powerful enemies from performing against you, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer/Action
* Father, grant me power to win every strong enemy of my life, in Jesus’ name.
* By the authority in the name of Jesus I trample upon everything that exalts itself against me.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
I cut off all umbilical cords through which evil flows into my flesh, in the name of Jesus.