The Strength of Relationship

Tuesday 22 August
READ: John 11:1-12
MORE LESSON: I John 3:1-2

The value that God attaches to relationship is epitomised by Jesus' relationship with Lazarus as recorded in our text. First, in verse 1, Lazarus is referred to as a “certain” sick man and then we learn that Lazarus and the other ladies, Mary and Martha, are from the same town. In verse 2, we are told that these ladies have a relationship with Lazarus, he is their brother. I'm sure by this explanation God wants to emphasise the importance of relationship.
Another level of relationship is introduced in verse 5, Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. This is Jesus' relationship with the whole family. But of particular interest today is the information in verse 11, …Our friend Lazarus…., which is a personal relationship between Jesus, His disciples and Lazarus.
The strength of this personal relationship was noticed when Jesus got to the graveside of Lazarus, Jesus wept: John 11:35. Such was their closeness that in spite of knowing that Lazarus was going to rise, Jesus still felt so much for Lazarus’ temporary affliction by death. In fact, the Jews standing-by noted, Behold how he loved him! v 36.
All this is a wake - up call to every believer that Christianity is all about loving one another, caring and feeling for one another in the household of faith. Regardless of denomination, tribe or
tongue, the Church must be one. It was the strength of relationship that sustained Jonathan’s son after Jonathan’s tragic death with his father, King Saul, And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake: 2 Sam. 9:1. It was relationship that made us God’s children and joint heir with Jesus, But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ: Eph. 2:13. God values his relationship with us, that was why He gave His Son for us and is preparing a place for us where He is. Brethen, let’s value relationship with one another, let’s build and not destroy godly relationship by all means.

Prayer/Action
* Give God thanks for all the people He has surrounded you with, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to make the relationships a strength and blessing, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God that the relationship you keep will affect you positively, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
My sun will shine above the dark cloud, my days of glory are here and I shall live to see it, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Love your Soul

Monday 21 August
READ: Prov. 8:32-36
MORE LESSONS: Prov. 12:2

One of the greatest secrets of life unknown to many, both poor and rich, is the mystery of godly living. This mystery is that of knowing that whatsoever a man does in God is first and foremost for the good of that man before any other person or even God, ...for blessed are they that keep my ways: Prov. 8:32. The result of righteous living is first to the righteous. The good health, prosperity, peace, advancement, defence etc that the righteous enjoys is first a reward of his holy living. God is not the first beneficiary of holy living. It is the righteous.
Someone once said that the affliction and shame of immorality is first on the immoral person before other people around him. Every man is a direct beneficiary of the kind of life he lives. Many times I see people give the impression that their wrong doing is doing God harm in Heaven. This is not so; indeed, it is far from the truth. When you defile yourself with drinking, sexual immorality, smoking and other vices, God does not suffer any illness in Heaven for it; it is you who does. The same goes also for righteous living.
Our text today says, But he that
sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death: Prov. 8:36. To hate God and the things of God is death but to seek Him is life and favour, …the soul that sinneth, it shall die: Ezek. 18:4; For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God: Rom. 3:23; For the wages of sin is death...: Rom. 6:23; Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him...: Isa. 3:11. All these scriptures imply that the consequences of sin are upon the sinner. The same also goes for righteous living, Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings: Isa. 3:10.
I have always said that the first beneficiary of wickedness is the wicked, he is restless, guilty, and haunted by his past. The righteous is peaceful and happy. He is blessed (vs. 32 & 34), and he has life (v. 35). Staying off evil and sin is a proof that you love your soul – but he that sins against me bears the consequences, But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death: v36.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to help you to be a good caretaker of your soul, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that you will not gain the world to lose your soul, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that you will not have the reward of the wicked and your end will not be with the ungodly, in the mighty name of Jesus.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
2017, I am a shining star, nothing less, in the name of Jesus.

Flee Fornication

Sunday 20 August
READ: I Cor. 6:15-20
MORE LESSON: I Cor. 6:9-10

Purity of life is one great priority of God, so He ordained marriage to, among others, prevent immorality and every sexual sin. Sexual immorality is one of the most grievous sins; it almost ruined the nation of Israel. God in His anger burst out, …let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them….: Exo. 32:10. The Israelites pushed God to the wall when they engaged in immorality and God was ready to change His plan of taking them to the Promised Land. No matter how sure a promise may be, when you choose to tow the line of carnal passion, God will have no choice but to change His mind.
It is very sad today that teenagers and young people see nothing wrong with sex before marriage. Reports have it that 43% of teenagers see nothing wrong with sex before marriage and about 36% are either living with a man/woman for sexual reasons or intend to do so before they marry. This is contrary to the Word of God, But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul...: Prov. 6:32-33.When you allow any body to defile you sexually, you choose destruction, wound, dishonour and lasting reproach.
God frowns at sex outside marriage and will severely punish anyone who ventures into it, Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge: Heb. 13:4. So determine to remain pure for your (future) partner because apart from the grievous consequences of fornication, it is disobedience to God, For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent: Prov. 6:23-29. Let him that has ears hear!

Prayer/Action
* Pray against every strategy of the enemy to suggest sexual sin through media, internet, friendship. Declare it will not succeed over you, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to keep you pure and spotless in this pervert world, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYERS
My Father, my Father, God of battle, today I cast every serpent of melita into the fire and I declare no harm to my destiny, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Counsel in the Word

Saturday 19 August
READ: Isa. 9: 6
MORE LESSON: John 5 : 33 – 39

One of the titles of Jesus Christ in the text is Counsellor. This means that each time you need counsel, you get it from Jesus. One of the ways to get counsel from Jesus is through His Word. Jesus is the Word and the subject of the Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Every time you need counsel from Him, go to His Word. As long as you have access to the Bible you have access to good counsel.
Some people travel out of base in Zaria, Nigeria, to other places and they lose the fire of God in their lives and backslide. When asked, they say the reason they backslide is because they do not have the kind of church that they were attending in Zaria. I ask them, “If you can't find the kind of church you were attending in Zaria, can't you find the kind of Bible you were reading in Zaria?” Christianity includes a vital relationship with a vibrant church but your faith has to go beyond corporate Christianity in a vibrant church. You must carry individual fire and be able to personally access counsel from the Word of God, whether your pastor is there or not. Every good church is built on the Bible, so even if you travel to a nation where there is no church at all; you still have access to the source as long as you have access to the Bible. You should be so full of the Word of God that you become a mobile church, wherever
you go. As vital as church attendance is, you should build your spiritual life on the Word of God and not merely on the church that you attend.
John 14:26 says, But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you (AMP). As you read the Word and the Holy Spirit breathes on it, you get all the counsel that you need. Jesus is our Counsellor through the Holy Spirit.
This counsel is available through the Word. From today, you will not be confused anymore, in Jesus’ name. Closeness to the Bible is closeness to Jesus because the Bible is Jesus in written form. One cannot love Jesus and dislike the Bible. People wish they can see Jesus face to face and take direct counsel from Him like when He was on the earth physically, but this is ignorance because Jesus is still here by His Word, saying the same thing He used to say when He was here physically. Jesus by His Word, the Bible, is the same Counsellor, yesterday, today and forever more. The Counsellor is alive.

Prayer/Action
* Pray that the Word of Christ will dwell in you richly, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray for fresh desire to study God’s Word daily, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that your faith be rooted in God's Word and not in wisdom of men, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
In Christ Jesus I have chosen the best path of life; sin, Satan and the world cannot take me out, in the name of Jesus.