Known by Works II

Friday 26 August
READ: John 5:12-19
MORE LESSON: Acts 9:36-40

A key statement of Jesus from the Bible text of today is verse 17, But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. The Bible in Basic English (BBE) puts that verse this way, But his answer was: My Father is still working even now, and so I am working. God is still working even now, you slept and woke up because God is still at work. That another person slept and did not wake up is because God is at work also. No man wakes or dies in sleep except God permits it. So, night and day, God is at work. In fact, God is who He is because of His works. God's works are so unique and peculiar that they cannot be mistaken for the works of other gods. God works, so every child of God must continue to work. You cannot give excuses why you cannot work any blessed day. There is no room for idleness, weariness or tiredness. God is still working even now, so beloved, get up and work.
Every child of God should also be known by specific works. Your works should be so outstanding that men should call you by your works. Carpenters, shoemakers, tailors, soldiers, police, lecturers, etc, are so called because of the works they do. Nobody will call a man by a vocation he is not known for doing. Our works for the Kingdom should also be evident to all men so much so that men could call us by the works we do.
When Tabitha also known as Dorcas died, her works stood up and spoke for her. Scripture records of her, this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did: Acts 9:36. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up: Acts 9:39-40. One can comfortably say that it was her works that brought her back to life.
Answer this question sincerely from your heart this morning, “What work will the brethren, your colleagues at work and your community associate with your name in your absence?” I pray for you today that your works will speak good, not evil of you, in Jesus’ mighty name.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Ask the LORD to forgive you of all works that do not speak well of His name in your life.
* Ask God for grace to shine as light everywhere you find yourself.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today, I receive from God the spirit of retention and performance, in the name of Jesus.

Known by Works I

Thursday 25 August
READ: James 2:17-18
MORE LESSON: John 5: 32-36

True Christianity is not only about the worship of God. It also has to do with doing works that make men glorify the God you serve. True Christianity is not just about faith; it is faith expressed by works. Anyone who is a Christian and is not known for exploits that make men marvel at the God he serves, needs to re-examine his Christianity. This fundamental truth is expressed in James 2:17-18 wherein the Apostle wrote, Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
Jesus said to His disciples in Matt.5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. In a previous verse, Jesus said to them, You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid: Matt. 5:14. Connecting the two verses, Jesus seems to be saying that the way to shine your light to the world is by doing works that make men glorify your Father who is in Heaven. He demonstrated this teaching by going about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil…: Acts.10:38. When Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees and elders to declare His personality, He simply referred them to His works. He told them that beyond the witness and testimony of John the Baptist about Him, His works testify that God sent Him (John 5:36).
You must be known for good works. If you remain relevant by your works, no one can cast aspersion on you. Even when they hate you because of your belief, by good works, you can shut their mouth. Everyone you ever impact on by works will never forget you or run you down even when others have a cause to do so. The man born- blind, whom Jesus healed in John 9, refused to be convinced of the Pharisees' “testimony” about Jesus. They told him, give praise to God, this man Jesus is a sinner (simply because Jesus healed the man on a Sabbath day, therefore breaking the Sabbath).
The man’s response was very interesting, He told them, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see: John 9:25. The blind man went on to educate them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.... vs. 30-33. Good works will defend a man, come rain come sun. Receive grace for good works today.

PRAYER/ACTION
* LORD, release fresh grace upon me for good works from today.
* Let my light so shine by good works to impact my generation.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
As the path of the just shines, so shall my path shine more and more unto the perfect day, in the name of Jesus.

Created Unique

Wednesday 24 August
READ: Exodus 2:1-4
MORE LESSON: Psalm 139:14

No child born into this world is a product of an accident. God carefully fashioned everyone and created a purpose which they are to fulfil. Nobody is in this world without a purpose and responsibility. One reason why some people do not succeed in entering into God's purpose for their lives is their parents’ lack of foresight of the manner of children God has given them. Since they lack understanding, they are not able to instruct, guide and direct the path of their children from infancy. Moses' parents had foresight. Moses was born at the time when all Israelites who gave birth to male children threw them into River Nile, in obedience to Pharaoh's decree. But when Moses' parents looked at the baby in their hand, they saw a “goodly”, “unique”, “fine”, “proper”, “extraordinary” child. They saw in that child a world-mover; a deliverer, a prophet, a miracle worker. They saw greatness, prosperity and success in their baby. What they saw in that baby made them to dare to disobey Pharaoh's decree and hid the child, By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment: Heb.11:23.
Parents, what good do you see in your children, and what are you doing to preserve that which you have seen in them? What are you doing now to help your children realise their dreams? It is unfortunate that some parents only see in their children folly, “block head”, “stupid child”, “you will never make it in life”, “good-for-nothing”, and these are what they yell at their children every time. What these parents do not know is that their words go a long way to rule over the destinies of their children. If you keep insulting your child as good for nothing and stupid, the forces of darkness may simply reckon your words as a curse upon that child and ride on that to afflict your child. Moses' parents saw in their child excellence, achievement, greatness, and they worked Moses into it.
It is possible that your parents never saw anything good in you, and those around you never assisted you to pursue your dreams, but how do you see yourself? Moses grew up in Pharaoh's house, but he never saw himself as an Egyptian, By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter: Heb.11:24. Now that you are grown up, your destiny is in your hand. It is how you see yourself that matters. God created you great, and has purposed to use you for great things. Begin now to see yourself the way God created you, and you will enter into your greatness.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Lord, open my eyes to see the unique gifts in me and my children.
* Grant me what it takes to nurture my uniqueness to fruition.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I command every weakness in my spiritual life and the weariness on my pilgrimage to give way to strength today, in the name of Jesus.

Be a Blessing, not a Curse

Tuesday 23 August
READ: Esther 6:1-3
MORE LESSON: Luke 5:1-8

One of the reasons why God granted you the opportunity to be alive, working, or schooling is to be a blessing to all who come your way. You are to use your position, profession and occupation to bless humanity. God has also programmed that through that position you will enter into His blessings and increase for your life, if only you will discharge your responsibility with a sense of service, not as a hireling. Unfortunately, many believers don't know this truth, and they handle opportunities to bless those that come their way, their offices, their business centres carelessly; they discharge their duty without a sense of commitment. Some even use their position to oppress others. For such people, their promotion has become a symbol of pain and curse for men.
In our passage today, Mordecai, an exile in Babylon, was privileged to serve as one of the keepers of the door of the king's chamber. It was his responsibility to defend the king. When his fellow door keepers plotted to assassinate the king, he exposed their plot. That was the beginning of his promotion in that land. If he had kept quiet, the plot may have succeeded, but Mordecai may lose his job after all, because a new king may not likely retain the same gate keepers.
In Exodus 1:15-21, the Hebrew midwives were handed over a decree from Pharaoh, When you are on duty and you see a Hebrew woman give birth to a son, kill him; if it is a girl let her live. It was an order from Pharaoh and whoever disobeys is doing so at the risk of his life. But the midwives approached their duties as midwives with the fear of God, and let the male children live. They were determined to be a blessing through their profession and not to be a tool in the hand of a superior officer to inflict pain on subordinates. When these midwives were confronted for failing to carry out the king's order, they simply explained with wisdom why it was difficult to implement the king's decree. Therefore, God blessed them and provided them their household (vs 20, 21). Be determined to be a blessing to others through your profession, occupation, and position of authority. Make up your mind that no one will use you to cause pain and affliction on others. Be determined to discharge your responsibility with every sense of commitment and loyalty, expose every kind of wickedness as Mordecai did. Your day of honour is at hand.

PRAYER/ACTION
* Repent of every mistake you made in using your position to cause pain for others.
* Ask the Lord to grant you the grace to serve humanity through your present occupation.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I receive grace to do mighty exploits for God in 2016 and nothing I do will fail, in the name of Jesus.