Back to Basics I

Sunday 10 September
READ: Jn.1:1- 4     
MORE LESSON:  Jn.10:1-5

The greatest addition you can have in life is not just from what you do but what you are. In the scientific world or in any creative/manufacturing world you cannot produce when you don't have the raw materials. You cannot invent if you do not have the basics. Another way to explain this truth is that without the ingredients there is no delicious food. What God has said about you can only be a reality when you put in the ingredients appropriately; simply put: “go back to the basics”.

It is very obvious that as the intensity of light increases, the less darkness is seen. The more the correct ingredients are put in food in the right proportion, the tastier the meal. Get your life full of light by putting in the basics. Shining light is spiritual and part of the instructions of the Lord to His people, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven: Matt.5:16. You get your spirit right by putting in the basics.

Some believers erroneously think that because seasons and times change, the principles of God also change. But not so, God’s truths and principles are timeless. Spiritual basics are timeless truths for changing times. What are these basics that must not shift, sink or change in the face of these changing times? The first is staying in the place of prayer. This includes personal quiet times before the Lord, deliberate appointments with God in closet prayer and periods of waiting upon the Lord in fasting and prayer along with the congregational forum of prayer.

One of the ills affecting so many people today is that they claim that God does not speak to them. Some even claim that God only speaks to special people like the pastors, prophets and evangelists. But God is not partial; if He speaks to one then He is ready to speak to all His children. The real issue is that God's children do not create time for personal prayers to cultivate listening to God. He speaks! The Bible shows that God speaks to His people. Are you willing to hear His voice? Are you ready to train your spirit to hear Him? Then He will reveal Himself to you.

Many are falling prey to false prophets and diviners today because of lack of direction and guidance. Having regular times of prayer to listen to God and speak to Him will deliver one from the deception and ignorance of the time. When last did you have time alone with God? Go back to the basics. There is no short cut to it. God has the blueprint for every man's life as the Maker of all men, which becomes reality only by the bridge and instrument of prayer. Today, there are several people living other people's destinies because they refuse to take theirs in the place of prayer. For such people life is frustrating and bitter. Get back to the basics, pray until His will comes clear to you and you will shine.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to renew  your personal commitment to prayer from today, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to help you never to turn your back on biblical basics, in Jesus’ name.
*Declare that as you follow God's instructions your light will shine for the world to see, in the mighty name of Jesus.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Oh Lord, arise today and declare them dead that seek my life to terminate it, as in the case of Jesus versus Herod, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Commitment

Saturday 9 September
READ: 1 Sam.17:34-37 
MORE LESSON:  John 10:17-18

The Cambridge Advanced Dictionary defines commitment as being “willing to give your time and energy to something that you believe in, or a promise”. It also says “commitment is about firm decision to do something”. Commitment is the willingness and readiness to give all that it takes (time, talent, energy, etc) to accomplish a task. True commitment requires all of you and all that you have. There is therefore no half allegiance or divided loyalty. Where such is found, there is no true commitment.

True commitment does not anticipate a physical reward. Rather, it takes a conscious decision to be committed and stay committed in the absence of incentives, appreciation and remuneration. True and total commitment is like putting a 'yoke' on yourself with respect to a responsibility. Men who have committed their body to Jesus, for example, seemingly put a yoke on themselves that Christ shall be magnified in their body, in life and in death (Phil.1:20). When a prophecy came to a notable prophet, Agabus, about the impending troubles awaiting Apostle Paul if he dared go to Jerusalem, the people began to cry and persuade Paul to put off his ministerial assignment to Jerusalem, Then Paul answered: What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus: Acts 21:13.

There is a call to commitment today in the body of Christ. The call is for all, irrespective of age and sex (Isa.55:1-4, 6; Matt. 11:29-30; Deut.10:12). God particularly placed a demand on young people because they possess peculiar qualities that make commitment easy.  Young people have capacity for vision, passion/zeal, strength, devotion, opportunity, and fidelity. Where are the young men and women who will take the bull by the horn and be the Phinehas (Num.5:6-13), Joshua (Exo. 24:13), David (1Sam.17:26) and Mary (Lk.1:27-29) of this generation?

People who take up the yoke of commitment will wear the robe of honour and glory. Their names are always registered in the hall of fame. Even if they are crushed by the weight of commitment, they are never forgotten, as they remain examples for many generations. More importantly, they are given a glad welcome into their eternal home above with a promise, ...Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord: Matt. 25:21. Dare to obey the call to commitment today and you will doubtless enter into honour and glory.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, pour fresh grace upon me today for righteous living, in Jesus’ name.
* I pledge my allegiance to You, to serve you with all my strength and with all that I have. So help me God, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today is 9-9-2017, my blessing shall be double, I shall live and operate on repeated blessings all through the year, in the name of Jesus.

Be a Courageous Soul Winner III

Friday 8 September
READ: Psa. 126:5-6  
MORE LESSON:  Matt.28:18-20

Soul winning is an art, which is perfected by regular practice, following a method adjudged most effective. If you do not know the method, you will struggle to get good results. The Scripture reading today outlines basic methods for effective soul winning, and you must courageously master them.

1. He who continually goes forth...: Soul winning requires going out to meet sinners. There are two types of outing: formal and informal. In formal outing, you go out purposefully to meet sinners and preach the gospel to them. In informal outing, you take advantage of a discussion, occasion or event, a problem or a need in the life of a sinner to talk to him about Jesus.

2. ...goes forth weeping...: This speaks about compassion. Your mission is that of rescuing the sinner from fire (Jude 1:23). You must be purposeful in your discussion, serious in business, compassionate and appealing.

3. ...Bearing seed for sowing...: This has to do with preaching the Word  of God. Souls are never won by rhetoric, logic or argument. 1Pet.1:23 says men are born again by the Word of God. Don't go into politics, economics, or world events. If you must, only cite them to buttress what the Bible says.

4. ...Shall doubtless come again...: Be rest assured that if you go out for soul winning, you will not be consumed in the exercise; you shall doubtless return, testifying like the disciples did, And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you: Lk.10:17-19.

5. ...with rejoicing...: Be full of excitement before and after every outing whether a soul is won on that day or not (Lk.10:17). If a soul is not won, you have sown a seed. Someday, you will see the travail of your soul and you shall be satisfied (Isa.53:11).

6. ...Bringing his sheaves...: Expect results when you go out. You may not win everyone you speak to each time you go out, but you will win some. So expect positive response and round off your conversation by inviting the sinner to Christ.

Go into the assignment of soul winning with this understanding, and your harvest will be plenteous.

Prayer/Action
* Lord Jesus, help me to win souls for the Kingdom with ease and joy, in Jesus’ name.
* Make up your mind on who to preach to today (in your office/business place etc) and pray for that person by name that the Word will make impact in his life, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
As the king could not sleep in the days of Mordecai until he released Mordecai, so shall the helper of my destiny be restless today until he blesses me, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Be a Courageous Soul Winner II

Thursday 7 September
READ: John 4:31-38  
MORE LESSON:  Ezek.18:20-22

Jesus asked His disciples to look around and see that souls are ripe for harvest (John 4:35). What Jesus referred to as the white field ready for harvest was the souls of men. Jesus knew He was going to defeat Satan on the cross, break the devil’s yoke and destroy every work of slavery over men. He knew he was going to flung open the gates of hell and the power of sin over men would be broken forever, so that it would become easier for men to be saved and serve the Lord God. As for the kingdom of God, the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus were going to usher in the seemingly unending season of harvest of souls of men. Harvest time, though a period of rejoicing for farmers, is actually one of their busiest times. It is a time of serious labour because it takes much labour to bring in a great harvest.

A great harvest requires a farmer’s careful planning, skilled labour, dedication, and courage. A farmer can be intimidated and frustrated in the midst of a great harvest, especially if he lacks the hands, tools, skill and wisdom that are necessary to do the work. There are also enemies of the harvest who, out of envy, are determined to corrupt the field. Therefore, everyone who is blessed with a great white field must do everything possible within the season to bring in the harvest from the field. The first step towards overcoming the intimidation and hindrances to soul winning is a realisation of the worth of a soul; and the risk of dying without Jesus.

The Scripture says, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matt.16:26. The implication of this scripture is that the wealth of the entire universe put together is not worth the value of a soul. Sinners are offenders and are in danger of being cast into hell fire. Jesus said, at the fullness of time, The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth: Matt.13:41-42. Furthermore, God said the soul that commits sin shall die unless he turns from his wicked ways (Ezek.18: 20-22). 

You have a responsibility to warn and rescue sinners from dying and going to hell. According to the Scripture, when you fail to warn a sinner and he dies in his sin, you will be liable to judgement too, When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul: Ezek.3:18-19. Be courageous to save your soul and the souls of sinners.

Prayer/Action
* Lord forgive my failure to preach the gospel and the blood guilt of those who slipped through my hands to hell, in Jesus’ name.
* I receive courage to preach the gospel of salvation to all men, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today will be for honour, fulfilment and all-round joy for me, in the mighty name of Jesus.