Valuing the Voice of God I

Saturday 27 May
READ: John10:27
MORE LESSONS: I Sam.3:1

The GPS navigator system in a car might be of very little value to its owner until he drives into a big city for the first time and all he knows about where he is going is the name of the destination. That's the moment when the advantage of having a navigation system fitted car will be appreciated. You will suddenly put all your trust in the directives of the electronic navigator that was once abandoned, and obey its directives aptly and without a second thought because of the pressing need to arrive at your destination.
We never know the value of a thing until we are in a situation where we cannot do without it. This is just the way our minds are conditioned to respond naturally. It is the same with the voice of God. We don't seem to realise how much we need God's voice until all of hell breaks loose and there is no where else to turn. Then we come running to the feet of the Master in tears, asking for just one word from Him. Man desires an affair with God, but God desires a relationship with us; that's why He speaks to our hearts. One of the free benefits to the New Testament Christian is complete and unhindered access to the mind of God.
Heb.1:2 says, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. God is more than a GPS car navigator; He is our Father and Friend. The purpose of God's voice and leading is so that we would be more intimate with Him, Rom.8:14 says, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. By the leading of the voice of God, we grow to maturity in God.
We receive wisdom of God to respond to the challenges of life with answers and solutions. But if you seek the Lord only when you have pressing needs, He may come to your rescue in His mercy. But for how long do we want to keep running in and out on God when we can stay in His presence and know the Master for ourselves? But how will we even recognise His leading and gentle promptings when we have not developed the culture of valuing His voice? The voice of God is the most valuable aid and guide in the Christian walk. God is speaking so let us listen to the voice of God today.

Prayer/Action
* Pray that God will guide you today and forever by His Spirit, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask that God will speak to you today, in the mighty name of Jesus.
* Commit all your decisions to God's hand, ask Him to lead you.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
The wicked wishes of the enemy shall never see the light of performance in my destiny, in the name of Jesus.

Enduring Gift

Friday 26 May
READ: 1 Sam 1: 11 - 28
MORE LESSON: 1 Sam 2: 20 -21

Hannah sought God for a child, and she promised God that whatever child He gave her, she would give the child back to God. When she gave birth to Samuel, she brought back Samuel to the Lord. Samuel, through that singular act, became a gift to many generations. Samuel would have just been a hero in Hannah's house but when he was handed over to the Lord, he became a blessing to the nation and all generations. God also blessed Hannah with many more children such that there is no loss in her life as a result of the child that she gave to the Lord. No one has ever lost by giving to God; only blessing, increase and greatness come out of giving to the Lord.
Trinity Broadcasting Corporation (TBN) is one of the largest Christian media houses in the world. The man who started the media house shared his testimony. When he finished high school and needed direction on what to do next, he went to a man of God for prayer; and the man of God laid hand on him and told him to go to Bible school. So while others were going to university, he went to Bible school according to God's instruction. However, after the school, he fell sick with rheumatic fever. It was so bad that the doctors told him that he would not survive it and if by any chance he did, he would be paralysed for life. Then God came on the scene and healed him. He started a Christian programme to celebrate God for healing him and named the programme ''Praise the Lord!”. He would bring several ministers to speak and preach for free on his programme. He then started paying for television time for other ministers to preach across the world. He graduated to having his own television network where ministers worldwide preach for free. The great television network we celebrate today started as an act of appreciation to God.
Isa. 60:15 says, Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. God wants to make you a joy and gift to many generations. There is a gift in you that can affect nations and generations. However, until you hand over the gift to the Lord, it will remain locked inside. Like Hannah in the Bible and the founder of TBN, there is something you can give God which He will take over and make into a gift to many generations. You can offer service or take an assignment as an appreciation to God; no one can tell how far it will grow. Whatever little money, effort or time you give to the Lord in appreciation will grow to become a great blessing to many.

Prayer/Action
* Ask the Lord for the grace to give out whatever you have to Him and man, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to grant you the special gifts that will become a source of blessing for mankind.
* Declare that you shall be a joy of many generations, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
From today my relevance will begin to appear to all everywhere I go, in the mighty name of Jesus.

The Highest Honour

Thursday 25 May
READ: I Jn. 3:1-3
MORE LESSON: Jn. 1:12

God wanted a family and He created man to be part of that family. The whole Bible talks about God building a family, who will love Him, honour Him and reign with Him eternally, Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will: Eph.1:5. God is love so He treasures relationship, His nature is relational, He even identifies Himself with family terms: Father, Son and Spirit. God has always existed in loving relationship to Himself; He is never lonely, He did not need a family, but He desired one and created one, bringing man into the picture of what He desired. When we receive Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Saviour, we become God's children and He becomes our Father. God created everyone but not everyone is a child of God or part of God's family. Just as you become part of a family by birth so by being born again you become a member of God's family, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus: Gal.3:26. The desire of God for the family is universal but it must be by faith in Jesus.
Becoming a part of God's family is the highest honour, stronger than the natural family ties because the spiritual lasts forever while the physical can be temporary, at times broken by distance, age and death. Benefits of this honour include: you inherit the family name, family likeness, family privileges and family inheritance. Everything that God has belongs to you and you can access them. You start partaking in the family fortune of God's grace, kindness, glory, wisdom, power and mercy. Part of that inheritance includes intimacy with God, defence and protection from all evil while here on earth, a place of abode with God in eternity where there will be no pain, sickness or disease and you get to share in Christ's glory.
Hear the word of Jesus, But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother: Matt.12:48-50. Becoming part of God's family is the highest honour you can ever receive. Have a true sense of honour this morning, feel important, loved and secure because you are a member of the highest family of all.

Prayer/Action
* Thank You Father in Heaven for giving me a place in Your heart and family, in Jesus’ name.
* My portion in the family shall not be stolen from me, henceforth I will enjoy all the benefits of being part of the greatest family of all, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
From today onward, as the Lord lives I shall never again be cited as a negative example, in the name of Jesus.

Becoming like Christ

Wednesday 24 May
READ: II Cor.3:16-18
MORE LESSON: John 1:12

One major purpose for the creation of man and the new birth is to make us to be more like Christ. This cannot be done in one's own strength. Today's reading, especially II Cor. 3:18, is very clear about this, But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives us the power to make the changes that God wants to make in our lives. This working of the Holy Spirit is not in loud noisy ways but in quiet daily walk; He daily nudges us with the Word of God and urges us to do the right thing in every situation. The more we yield to His promptings and obey His leading, the more Christ like we become. The only thing is that the Holy Spirit will not force but prompt, we must learn to cooperate with His working by simple daily obedience. In the spiritual, efforts are required to grow and become like Christ; that required effort is the prompt obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Other personal responsibilities to become like Christ include:
1) Let go of the old ways of life such as lying, fighting, exaggerating and the likes.
2) Change the way you think, get a transformed mind by renewing your mind daily with the Word of God. The more renewed you are, the more Christ like you become.
3) Put on the character of Christ by cultivating new, godly habits. One's character is the sum of one's habits.
In becoming like Christ, God uses not just His Spirit and His Word to mould us; He also uses people and circumstances. He uses people to provide the support of training and care that we need to grow. He uses the circumstances to provide the environment that helps us practise Christ likeness.
Becoming like Christ is ensuring that whatever one does, it must be done in a Christ like manner and as this is done, godly character is achieved and the Lord is fully glorified.

Prayer/Action
* Father, help me to fulfil the ultimate purpose of becoming Christ like and thereby promoting godliness on earth, in the mighty name of Jesus.
* Teach me Lord to be sensitive to Your Spirit's training that I may by obedience accomplish all that You want me to in this world, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
In the name of Jesus, this day, this week, this month, this year, the sun shall not smite me by day nor the moon by night.