Light versus Darkness I

Monday 10 April
READ: Gen. 1: 16-18
MORE LESSON: John 12:46

Light and darkness do not co-habit. Darkness prevails in the absence of light. No matter the strength of darkness, at the spark of light, it submits to and distances itself from light. Some regard this as a natural phenomenon, yet it is an ordinance instituted by God the Creator of all things to teach men about His power over satanic forces. The physical submission of darkness to the slightest spark of light actually typifies what happens between satan and his kingdom which is darkness and Jesus and His kingdom which is light. Satan and his agents are never able to withstand Jesus and those in His kingdom. When you understand this truth, you will always prevail over satan.
In Genesis 1:3-4, God introduced light into the chaotic earth that was void and formless and darkness was ruling upon the deep. God also separated the light from the darkness and called the light Day and the darkness Night. Although God allowed darkness to still exist, He placed an authority over darkness so that it cannot prevail over the earth as it wills. In the Scripture reading, you will note that …God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light
upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness…: Gen. 1:16-18. This implies that Darkness still has a master over it known as the lesser light. It also means that darkness may exit but it cannot do as it pleases, when its master shows up, darkness will go under.
This arrangement in the cosmos is a type to teach us about the power of God over satan and his forces. Jesus is the Greater Light from whom the believers who are lesser lights derive illumination (just as the moon derives its illumination from the sun). That is why the Scripture refers to us as the light of the world (Matt.5:14). The believers are masters over darkness. You have the mandate to rule over darkness, to set darkness aside and lighten the paths of many. When we begin to operate in this consciousness, the operations of darkness in our homes, communities and nation will be curtailed. In these perilous times, the believers must not allow darkness to prevail. You must take charge of your domain to rule over it.

Prayer/Action
* I am the light of the world; therefore, I will rule my world, in the name of Jesus.
* As the moonlight was ordained to rule the night, I will prevail even in my night hour, in Jesus’ name
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TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I speak to the womb of my destiny, reject every demonic power of glory abortion now, in the name of Jesus.

Watch and Pray

Sunday 9 April
READ: Mk.13:32-35
MORE LESSON: Lk.21:29-36

There is a great day coming about which Jesus talked to His followers several times before He left the earth for Heaven. The day of the Lord is the day when all events on earth will come to an end and God will usher in the era of eternity; it is a day that will come unannounced (Lk. 21:35), like a thief in the night (I Thess.5:2-4). It is a day when men will be asked to account for what they used their time on earth to do, according to the instruction of God, the maker of all men (Matt.24:46-48).
God expects us to be ready for that day whenever it will be, morning; afternoon or night. Postponing the readiness for that day is very dangerous. To be ready, one must watch and pray always. What is one supposed to watch?
1) Watch to ensure one's faith in God stays unwavering till the end, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him: Heb.11:6.
2) Watch to ensure that one is stedfast to the end, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord: I Cor.15:58. Always remember that no labour in God is in vain, a day of rewards and crowning is coming.
3) Watch one's holiness and ensure purity to the end, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Heb. 12:14. Jesus is coming back for a Church without wrinkle or spot, one must be watchful to ensure that state of holiness and righteousness continually; that is the reason why He paid the greatest price of all, shedding His blood for our cleansing. Even when you err, be quick to confess it to the Lord and apply the blood for cleansing under the advocacy of Jesus. Learn not to excuse sin away.
4) Watch to ensure a sustained service to God, Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown: Rev.3:11. One must watch and ensure that no satanic deception makes one to lose one’s crown through negative attitudes or emotions.
Watching must be done with the breath and plea of prayer, Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain: Psa. 127:1. Praying consistently gives one access to grace to be ready for the day of the Lord and mercy to be fit for Heaven at the coming of the Lord. May you be ready for that day.

Prayer/Action
* Keep me ready O lord, anytime You may come, keep me ready O Lord, in Jesus’ name.
* I receive the help of God to watch and pray to the end, in the mighty name of Jesus.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Jesus, on the authority of Your accomplished work on the cross of calvary, I declare my destiny a barrier breaker and a line crosser, in the name of Jesus.

Deeper with God

Saturday 8 April
READ: Ezek. 1:1-10
MORE LESSON: Psa. 27:4-12

Everyone desires open heaven in life; no one wants dryness, dullness or fruitlessness, yet there is no open heaven without taking steps to go further with God. Consider the testimonies that David recorded in Psa. 27: 1-3, The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
All these testimonies are anchored on verse 4 of Psa. 27, One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life…. The blessings and experiences that are got in God are proportional to your consistent walk with the Lord. Several people see others enjoy open heaven, clear vision and progressive accomplishments and wonder why they do not have similar progress, they question the faithfulness of God. What God gives one, He is willing to give the others but there is a path to it. A person, who spends endless hours watching telly without control, does not restrain his eating habits to allow deliberate times to fellowship and commune with God in prayer, cannot enjoy open heaven.
So how can one have open heaven that leads to great visions of God and subsequently to great fulfilment? The principles of God are ever the same, do the following:
1) Create time to cultivate your relationship with God by personal fellowship and communion. Quiet time before the Lord must never become a tradition or be perfunctory. Some people's quiet time is one way, only speaking and no listening. As you worship God and speak to Him, allow Him also to speak back to you.
2)Take time with the Word of God to read it often, meditate upon it, fellowship with the Word, confess and believe it. Do not relegate the Bible only to the times you take it to church.
3) Cultivate listening to your spirit taking the instructions of the Holy Spirit by acknowledging His presence daily and allowing His guidance in your daily walk and work.
4) Love the house of the Lord as the psalmist said above, both for service and worship.
5) Choose to obey God rather than men even when you are said to be foolish. All these patterns, when conscientiously cultivated, will open the heaven upon you and like the prophet in today's reading you will see visions of God and enter the supernatural.

Prayer/Action
* I receive fresh grace for sweet times of fellowship with the Lord, in Jesus’ name.
* My heaven will not be shut, in Jesus’ name.
**Deliberately write your day of special appointment with God that no one will make you shift, alter or break, consciously observe it.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today I release the power of life and good living into my destiny, in the name of Jesus.

You are Special

Friday 7 April
READ: Gen.1:27-31
MORE LESSON: Psa.82:6

God's works daily declare God’s glory, The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork: Psa. 19:1. Among all of God's creation none shares the image of God except man, I have said, ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High: Psa. 82:6. God in His infinite wisdom chose to make you and I the high point of His creation, the only one made just like Him; that is why you must be careful what you say about yourself.
Some abuse parts of their body and say negative things about themselves. Repent of all such today, you are special to God and He made you in His image. You have nose because God has one, eyes because He has eyes. What a glory to be made in the image of God. Rather take the stance of David the psalmist, I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well: Psa.139:14. Does your soul recognise this fact? Start praising God for how you are made, your physical features, temperament and talents. You are uniquely packaged as you. Accept your unique colour, height, voice, gifts and calling. Cease to compare yourself to others. Learn good attributes and attitude from others but accept who you are. It's being echoed to you this glorious day that you are special.
The biblical value of how special you are does not just end with being made in God's image. You are of great worth and value to God. The simplest way to know the worth of something to someone is by how much that person is willing to pay for that thing. God was willing to pay the greatest price with His Son's life to redeem mankind from the penalty of sin. Would God have paid that great price for a nobody? No; you are special.
Know this today that even if you are not sure of the love of any other, God loves you. Jer.31:3 says, ...Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. He loves you so much and paid the price for you to become a member of His family. Accept His love today by receiving the Lord Jesus into your heart and surrender all that you are to Him. If you are already a member of His family, appreciate God for all He did and is still doing to ensure your special place in His kingdom is kept. Walk tall today because you are the son of the Most High. Do not let anyone nor any situation put you down; even when you fail, rise again because God your Father is at hand to help you.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, thank You for making me special and unique in Your own image and likeness, in Jesus’ name.
* Hence forth I will walk as the child of the Most High, never bowing my head in shame because I know that I am special.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
There is a breaking forth into new grounds for me this new month and satan cannot stop it, in the name of Jesus.