A Word in Season

Wednesday 30 August
READ: Isa. 50:4
MORE LESSON: Prov. 15:22-23

Words are very powerful; they can make or break a man. At the point of hearing a word, a man can either be defeated or encouraged. Words are spoken to frighten an enemy at war. When David confronted Goliath, it was not first about fighting; it was about exchange of words (I Sam. 17:43-46). Spoken words can even make nations go to war; such is the power of words.

Much as words can lead to fighting and war, well spoken words can bring peace, encouragement and uplifting. When you have the tongue of the learned, you know how to speak a word to encourage the weary. In life's journey everyone is weary at one time or the other. Those that are weary need words of encouragement, and God is counting on those with the tongue of the learned to encourage the weary in order for them to come out of weariness.
Unfortunately, some people don't have what it takes to encourage people that are downcast, so they complicate the matter. That was the case with the three friends of Job in the Bible. They spoke so many words to Job, but none of them told their friend about the God who gives a song in the night (Job 35:9-10). All their words were spoken out of season. The Bible says, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver: Prov. 25:11. You can create a wonderful world around people by speaking correctly into their lives. Instead of being critical and judgmental, it is possible to paint a beautiful picture that brings people out of trouble. As you go out today, make up your mind to be a blessing to someone by the way you speak;
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man: Col. 4:6. The Message translation says, Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out: Col. 4:6.
That says it all: as God's children our words must raise people up, strengthen and give them hope. We must not be accusers of the brethren nor help Satan in the ministry of killing and destroying. We must watch our tongue that it does not bring out both sweet and bitter water at the same time;
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Jam. 3:10-11.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God for the tongue of the learned to always be a blessing.
* I Pray that my words will be seasoned with salt and give grace to all that hear me, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to put the Word of life in your mouth to give life to all that hear you.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I draw the goodness of God from this day and I shut out every hellish preparation, in the name of Jesus.

Faith and Patience

Tuesday 29 August
READ: Heb. 6:12
MORE LESSONS: Heb. 6:13-15

The dictionary defines patience as the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset. It is the ability to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties. Patience is part of the fruit of the Spirit as listed in Gal. 5: 22. Another word used in the Scripture for patience is longsuffering; so patience means to be long spirited, that is, being able to forebear. The word also connotes the tone of being cheerful or hopeful in forbearance and endurance. Patience is endurance that is characterised by cheerfulness during the period of waiting or in the face of difficulties. Faith is the requirement accessing salvation and other things from God; so every believer has a measure of faith, at least, sufficient to get him saved.
Many believers know that with faith, we can possess what we want but their understanding of faith is incomplete. Patience is what completes faith. The proof that you believe God is that you wait for Him, ...he that believeth shall not make haste: Isa. 28:16. Nowadays, people say if it is truly faith, then it must happen right now. But the Scripture makes us to understand that, Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing: James 1:3-4. Patience is a test of faith. How long you are willing to wait shows how much you believe.
When God gives a promise and it has not materialised, the person without faith will quickly go out and explore alternatives while the man of faith will keep waiting on God because he knows that God will unfailingly come around for him.
Searching through the Scripture, you will discover that the words 'faith' and 'patience' appear together most of the time because faith without patience is incomplete. Abraham, the hero of faith, was also renowned for his patience as he waited on God for years till God fulfilled the promise made to him, And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise: Heb. 6:15. One thing proves that your faith has patience, it is praise. While you wait on God patiently, keep thanksgiving and praise to God running in your life. This will always provoke God for you and keep the devil far. Abraham did just that and it worked for him. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God: Rom. 4:20.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to help you patiently wait on Him, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* Pray that as you patiently wait on the Lord you shall not be ashamed, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that God will attend to all who are waiting upon Him for one thing or the other, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today is a great day for me, I see Satan fall like lightning, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Leaders and Followers

Monday 28 August
READ: 1 Sam. 12:19-23
MORE LESSONS: Jn. 21:1-17

Beloved, the exemplary leadership skill of Samuel when the Israelites asked for a king is striking. Although God and Samuel were greatly displeased with the request of Israel for a king, Samuel the leader restrained his anger and continued to plead before God for the people. In asking for a king, the people had rejected Samuel's children (who should take over from him) because of their sinful lives, and by implication, Samuel. They said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations: 1 Sam. 8:5. Yet Samuel said, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you…: 1 Sam. 12:23. That is exemplary leadership.
When the followership misbehave or are ignorant, leadership should continue to do what Samuel did: (1) He continued to pray for them. (2) He vowed to continue to teach them the good and the right way. This takes a lot of grace and maturity but with prayers for our leaders, God will help everyone occupying any leadership position, beginning from the home to the church and the society, to follow this example. Today's leaders at all levels must learn never to give up on their followers, just like Samuel. Jesus our perfect example did the same. After all He did to build the disciples, as soon as He died, Peter led six of them back to the river side from where Jesus had taken them, thus going back to their old vomit (Jn. 21:3). But thank God for Jesus' love; as soon as He resurrected, He went to the river side to bring them back. When He found them, He still called them children, not bastards or backsliders.
As leaders, seek the lost even when they take wrong positions. Followers also should not make the work of their leaders difficult and must endeavour to understand the pressure that leaders go through.
One thing that breaks my heart each time I read the story of Samuel is his sons. Samuel's unparallel leadership quality over Israel was not reflected in his home. Even when the people told him to his face that his children were not like him, there was no report of his reaction to it.
The worst of it is that Samuel was a replacement of Elis’ sons, it was Samuel that God used to prophesy against Eli about his sons’ ungodly acts now he saw himself in the same trouble. All leaders should know that their home matters. Leadership should begin at home, even if you are not a leader today, yet you should build your children to be godly, we are leaders someday.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to grant you the spirit for leadership, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* Pray as a leader that you will not fail in the home front, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* Ask God to help you to be a faithful follower that will make the work of your leader easy, in the mighty name of Jesus.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
The load of benefits for my day will not go to another, neither will any force be able to hijack it from me, in the name of Jesus.

Obey your Parents

Sunday 27 August
READ: Eph. 6:1-3
MORE LESSON: Exo. 19:3-6

The command to obey parents is from God, therefore children must realize that it is not the parents that are demanding obedience (Eph.6:1). Whatever God demands from mankind is for their good, if they obey (Isa. 1:19 – 20, Eph. 6:2 – 3, Jer. 13: 10-11).
Every human being has parents through whom God brought him/her into the world to fulfil His purpose. A child's destiny is tied to that of his/her parents from conception all through life. This is in line with the fact that two must agree before they can walk or work together to achieve a purpose. The care given by parents during children's tender age, when they cannot even help themselves, is enormous. From childhood to adulthood, godly parents are still relevant.
Parents guide children from birth, and labour over them night and day so that they can survive and grow. They guard children from dangers (physical and spiritual, etc) and labour to meet their needs. All these sacrifices or labour by parents stem from their love for the children and for their well being. Don't bite the fingers that feed you (I Sam.12:24). It is only under demonic influence that a parent can hate or wish evil for his/her child. The example of such parents are those who sacrifice or dedicate their children to the devil.
Even when you have grown up and can fend for yourself, you are not expected to disobey your parents. You must have regard for God that gave the instruction (Eph.6:1). Obedience to parents comes with the blessing of long life from God. Even for ungodly instruction, prayerfully, politely and wisely, let them know you can not disobey the Word of God in order to obey them.
Obedience to parents is an indication of your confidence in them (Jn.12:50) and this will bring you into favour with God and man. It was Esther's obedience to Modecai that made God favour her before the king to become queen. Obedience fosters good relationship between you and your parents and siblings. Such brings love, joy, peace, unity and the blessings of God in the home (Psa. 133:1 – 3). Obedience makes them bless and not curse you. Jacob’s declarations came to pass over all his children except where God's mercy stepped in to alter the negative ones.
You may feel that your parents or leaders cannot punish you when you disobey them, but remember that God will punish all sinners except they repent (I Sam.12:15). Jesus obeyed His earthly parents: Joseph and Mary (Lk.2:46 – 52) as well as His heavenly Father (Jn. 12 : 49 – 50). Disobedience to parents is a dishonour to them. God expressly commands children to honour their parents (Eph. 6:2, Deut. 5: 16, Mal. 1: 6, Matt.15:3-6). Children, don't put your future at a risk; follow God's instructions to obey and honour your parents. When you do so, it will be well with you; and God will preserve and bless your destiny.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, help me to be obedient to my parents (physical and spiritual), in Jesus’ name.
* The spirit of disobedience will not prevail against our children, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, I announce red flag for the devil over every inch of my life and family and I decree no trespass, in the mighty name of Jesus.