Given Birth for Trouble?

Friday 25 August
READ: Isa. 65 : 23
MORE LESSON: Gen. 34 : 25 - 30, Prov. 19 : 26 – 27

The desire to have children can be very intense. Every grown up man/woman wants to have a home and subsequently children, and many are desperate about this. Rachael, in Gen. 30 : 1, said to Jacob; ...Give me children or else I die. Some, because of the desire for children or a particular sex have become victims of herbalists, extra-marital affair, etc. Even those who have children do all things possible to take care (physically, financially, spiritually, emotionally) of them and groom them for success in life. However, you need to note some things.
1. Children are part of the good gifts from God – they are His heritage (Psa. 127 : 3). Therefore, those that are yet to have them should rejoice (not worry) because God knows your needs and has all good things in abundance for those that love Him (1 Sam.1: 27).
2. Children are to be a source of joy and happiness (not troubles) in homes. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate: Psa. 127:5. What a blessing, joy and fulfillment!!! However, in many homes children have become the source of heartache, and diverse atrocities. Some have caused their parents hypertension, killed their parents, and siblings, wrecked family business and become devourers. Are you unhappy over any of your children? If yes, God will return their heart to you and God, in Jesus' name.
3. What becomes of these children after birth is far more important than having them. To nurture a child to adulthood is highly demanding-physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially. However, when the child grows beautifully, your heart is filled with joy because your labour is not in vain but is yielding good result.
A child may regretably not bring joy to the family if:
1.he/she turns out not to be a good and perfect child Exo. 2 : 2.
2. the child is not given proper upbringing or he refuses parental upbringing.
3. the child becomes a vagabond.
God's method of training children is found in Prov. 22: 6. Train them based on the instructions in the Bible and by godly example. The questions are: As a parent, are you born again? Are you living based on the principles of God's Word? If you are not you need to repent. A life without Christ is a life of crises/troubles and this will affect not only the children, but also other family members. Naturally, children are good imitators; the child needs to see you do what you preach or teach. One good example is better than 100 teachings or techniques. Children want to follow the examples of their parents. This way, your life and that of your children will bring joy to you, your home and others around you.

Prayer/Action
* I will not be a source of trouble to my parents and family, in Jesus’ name.
* Satan will not take over our children, in Jesus’ name.
* Our children will be tools unto honour in the hand of God, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
This month, lines will fall to me in pleasant places, I shall have a godly heritage and good result, in the name of Jesus.

Stay Awake

Wednesday 23 August
READ: Matt. 24:34-44
MORE LESSON: Isa. 52:1

It is important to stay awake because the bridegroom will come like a thief in the night, when nobody expects, Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come: Matt. 24:42. It is going to be a surprise and many shall be caught unawares. Jesus in Matt. 24: 37-39 cautions, But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be….before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away…. It shall be a day of everlasting joy for some, but of eternal sorrow for others.
It shall be a day of joy for the FEW that shall be caught up with the Lord and sorrow for many that will be left behind.
Jesus says in vs 40-41, Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. How terrible it will be for the one that is left behind! Imagine husband and wife sleeping together, two friends working together on the field, teacher and students in the class, or worse of all, a preacher and his congregation. What a day! I believe in the grace that kept those apostles, especially Peter and the power that translated him (Peter) from a reed to a rock. That power is still available today for as many as will believe in it to stay awake in this slumbering generation. Stay awake!
If you truely desire to stay awake in God, walk in the following instructions:
1. Stay close to the Word of God, Psa. 119:11.
2. Never cease to pray, 1 Thes. 5:17.
3. Walk with the wise, Prov. 13:20.
4. Be committed to kingdom service, Matt. 24:45-46.
5. Resist sin to the blood, Heb. 12:3-4.
6. Be careful about your company, I Cor. 15:33.
7. Never resist discipline and correction, Heb.12:6.
8. Be careful about fashion, I Jn.2:17.
9. Watch out for “it doesn’t matter” spirit, 2 Tim.4:3.
10. Make nothing a must except HEAVEN, Matt. 6:33.
11. Never end a day without a spiritual review of its activities, 2 Cor. 13:5.
12. Ask for God’s help and mercy on a daily basis, Psa. 90:14.

Prayer/Action
* Ask for grace to stay awake spiritually, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that God will keep you on fire consistently, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that you will be awake and active for God, in the mighty name of Jesus.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, thank You for making me an eagle, I refuse to be pulled down to peck the ground like chicks, I'm soaring from now on, in the name of Jesus.

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.