Access to the Throne of God

Friday 15 September
READ: Psa. 23:1-6      
MORE LESSON:  John 14:19-21

Prayer is talking with God. If a man must not pray in vain, the first thing is to secure access to the throne where the God who answers prayer sits. Jesus' first lesson on prayer is instructive, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name...:  Lk. 11:2. The key to gaining access to the Father is relationship. Without this key factor one is locked out of God's presence and help, regardless of what a person does, including giving money, property, time and labour for God. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God...: Jn. 1:12.

The strongest relationship is that of redemption, and this is why the prayer of a sinner is an abomination to God. Many people reject Jesus as the Son of God but cry to Him as a  prophet. While others wallow in sin, they recite all the psalms in prayer; this is an exercise in futility. Even Jesus had access to God first as a Son. No man will enjoy prayer without this personal relationship of redemption. But if you acknowledge your sins, repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, you will have access to God and answers to prayer.

When prayer comes out of a relationship between the Father and His son, it is obviously different from any other type of request. At that point it's the Father's responsibility to provide and the right of the son to receive provision. When requests are made on such a platform, failure is limited and the possibilities are unlimited. Start a relationship with Jesus today by inviting Him into your life as the Lord and Saviour and see the door open to your requests.

The sheep in our reading today enjoys all the following benefits just because he has a relationship with the shepherd.
1. Never wants; v1
2. Green pastures and still waters; v2
3. Restoration and divine guidance; v3
4.Divine presence and safety; v4
5. A prepared table and an overflowing cup regardless of enemy activities; v5
6. A permanent assured goodness, mercy and more.

All these happen because of the relationship!
When you choose to be a sheep in Jesus' sheepfold, all of these and more in eternity await you. However, to be or not to be a sheep is a personal choice.

Prayer/Action
* Receive grace for access to God's throne always, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to grant you grace to have a consistent relationship with Him.
* Pray that you will find favour with God and men.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Every negative turn must turn again this month; they must turn positive, glorious and become a miracle and a celebration, in the name of Jesus.

Ignition Point

Thursday 14 September
READ: James 3: 2-13 
MORE LESSON:  I Pet. 3:10

Not all parts of the body have the command of life or death, the tongue has that power to kill or make alive (Prov. 18:21). The tongue is a powerful ignition point for life or for death. Many people suffer self- inflicted problems because of wrong use of the tongue. Several examples are in the Bible of how some individuals used their tongues and the consequences. Noah's son, Ham, saw the father's nakedness and made noise about it, inflicting a curse on him and his generations (Gen 9:20-27).

Miriam the sister of Moses did not control her tongue and ended up with leprosy. God does not want us to use our tongue to kill with the inbuilt power in it but rather to give life. Since the tongue has power and the Word of God has power, using the tongue to speak God's Word will release double life. Putting the Gospel on the tongue releases life to all that come in contact with such tongue. Conversely, Christians who are close-mouthed will never gain, rather they will lose. A refusal to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and God's Word produces death all around instead of life. Therefore begin to engage your tongue correctly henceforth.

Look at that contrary situation and turn it around by speaking God's truth to it. Speak God's Word about the economy and you will have abundance in the midst of recession. Speak what God is doing or what He will do. Walk by insight of God's Word not by sight to ignite the provisions of God in your life. Be careful with people who speak negative about everything and everyone because they will bring death around you instead of life. When you proclaim God's Word you build your power level and become acclaimed on the earth. The disciples proclaimed the Gospel and the whole world heard of them. What will you proclaim as you step out today? What will your words ignite as you speak to people? Make up your mind to ignite life and not death by your words.

Let the Gospel become your consistent language; it is your declaration of faith that God works on to produce great miracles. Some of the advantages of proclaiming the Word and the Gospel daily include: 1) Signs and wonders will be performed through you (Mk. 16:15-17). If you are not going, the signs will not follow. 2.)You enjoy and carry God's presence (Mk. 16:20). Therefore do not be a talebearer, be a Gospel bearer and God's glory will envelope you, obstacles will give way, and you will tread upon snakes and scorpions and over all the powers of the enemy. 3.) You enjoy defence and protection. When you use your words to defend and lift others, you will enjoy the same. The gospel is goodnews and when you talk it good will follow you (I Pet.3:13).

Therefore make up your mind to use your tongue positively from today and you will see an eruption of light and life all around you. This would send darkness and death far from you.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to consecrate your tongue as a life giving tool every moment.
* Declare that death will not flow from your tongue, in the name of Jesus.
* Ask for grace to form the habit of proclaiming God's Word, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, give me a public victory that the heathen may see and join me to glorify You, in the name of Jesus.

Back to Basics IV

Wednesday 13 September
READ: I Cor. 14:1-5     
MORE LESSON:  Mark 16:15-18

Those who have the basics have sweet experiences continually because they ensure a perpetual presence of God and the aura of His glory. Another of such vital continually needed asset is praying in tongues.  This is also made deliberately controversial by some in certain circles who teach that tongues are not for all children of God. But Jesus said that there are signs that His followers must possess, which include speaking in new tongues (Mark 16:17).

Our reading today clearly spells out the great benefits of having this as a permanent mark in our walk as Christians: 1) You speak to God when you speak in new tongues. This is an exclusive conversation between God and His child (I Cor.14:2). Demons cannot mess you up in this exercise because they don't know what you are speaking in the heavenly language. So speaking in tongues gives you an edge over satan and his demons. It is a mystery that puts you on top. 2) You edify yourself when you speak in tongues; you build up your spirit, mind and body. Spirit because by the spiritual language your spirit becomes stronger, mind because it helps clear your mind for direction and divine guidance and body because as you are quickened in the spirit by speaking in tongues, it lightens your body and helps you shake off excess psychological and emotional weight. 3) Apostle Paul desires all believers to speak in tongues implying it is of great benefit (I Cor.14:5). He even confessed that he spoke in tongues more than all the believers in the Corinthian Church at that time (v18). This clearly shows that speaking in tongues is of great benefit to the one who engages in it. 4) Speaking in tongues allows you to become God's sign provider to unbelievers. God uses His children's tongues to reveal the secrets of the hearts of unbelievers and that leads to conviction that makes them surrender to the Spirit of God (I Cor. 14:21-22).

Hindrances to speaking in tongues: 1) Lack of faith in what the Lord said about tongues can make you miss out of this glorious experience. Ask for it in faith and keep thanking Him for the manifestation. 2) Lack of thirst. Jesus said it is the man that is thirsty that drinks (Jn. 7:37-38). 3) Fear of mockery can deny you of this privilege, renounce fear and receive the gift with joy. 4) Sin is contrary to the Holy Spirit and tongues are the language of the Spirit. So to speak in new tongues renounce sin and the Spirit of God will give you tongues; 5) Ignorance of spiritual orderliness can hinder a flow in tongues. Be conscious of the order in any service and follow instructions promptly to exercise the gifts and increase in them. 6) Prayerlessness prevents manifestation and growth of the gift in a believer's life. Speak often to God with the little that comes from within you and you will increase daily. Fellowship often with God and you will enjoy the great benefits of speaking in tongues.

Prayer/Action
* Declare that you will not miss out of the blessing of speaking in tongues.
* Declare that as a believer, signs and wonders must manifest in your life from today.
* Ask God to draw you closer that you may know Him more, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Whoever works against my destiny this year will reap the wind for harvest and their harvest of sorrow shall know no end, in the powerful name of Jesus.

Back to Basics III

Tuesday 12 September
READ: Acts 1:4-8  
MORE LESSON:  Jn.16:7-15

Another basic essential for you to be among the shining ones for God is the infilling with, immersion in and guiding influence of the Holy Spirit. Simply put, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is all important if a man will experience power positively without bowing to satanic agents. In our text Jesus spoke very clearly to His disciples, that power comes only at the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Today, some erroneously say that the Holy Ghost baptism was for the era of the apostles. But the Holy Ghost baptism is for the era of the Church. If you are saved and Jesus dwells in your heart by faith then you are part of the Church and you cannot experience power without the Holy Ghost baptism.

We were told in the past by those who followed us up that after salvation experience the next thing to go for is Holy Ghost baptism with or without water baptism. We were told that we needed power to live the Christian life and that power comes only when we are baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Even the disciples could not proceed further in what Jesus sent them to do until they were endued with power from above. It's a basic requirement for being true witnesses for God. The Lord Jesus Himself did not preach without the power, And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.... Luke 4:14.

A man of God once said that Christianity is a burden without the Holy Spirit, colourless, without form and void (Gen.1:2). The Holy Spirit makes comfort a reality; He is called the Comforter because He shows and leads to the truth that sets free. It is when men are set free that they are truly comfortable. There is no manifestation of the gifts without the Holy Spirit, that's why they are called the gifts of the Spirit (I Cor.12). These gifts are not meant for some but all, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal: I Cor.12:7. One will stay forever at the realm of envying those who are manifesting the gifts until one gets baptised and be available and willing for the Holy Spirit to use for the works of God.

The Holy Spirit is the Communicator of the secrets of God (I Cor.2:10) and He connects to the wisdom of Heaven. He helps us kill the deeds of the flesh by destroying the chaff of sin and purify us as gold (Matt.3:10; 12). This is also why living in sin must be totally avoided to be baptised and used by the Spirit of God. The holiness is not just a title; it's the very nature of God. When you keep indulging in any sin, the Spirit of God will avoid you and will not work through you.
Is this basic in place in your life? Are you full of power by the Spirit of God? If not you'll likely be mesmerised by the false prophets and deceivers of the end time. Get filled with the Spirit, the world waits for your manifestation in righteous acts of greatness for God's glory.

Prayer/Action
*  Ask God for fresh fire of the Holy Spirit for signs and wonders in your generation.
* Ask for the refilling of the Holy Spirit for effective witnessing of the gospel.
* Ask that you will walk daily by the Spirit of God, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
What I stretch and struggle for will come to my hand today without stress, in the name of Jesus.