Life and Peace

Tuesday 17 October
READ: Prov. 3:1-10    
MORE LESSON:  Mal. 2:4-7

One of the pursuits of man in life is to have long life and peace. People are ready to do many things which they believe could prolong their days and guarantee their peace. Nations openly acquire weapons of war in the time of peace believing that it will deter other nations from confronting them. But many in pursuit of things which they think could bring them peace discover that the means of searching for long life and peace actually deprive them of same. For example, many have sought for money in ungodly ways and ended up not having peace of mind.

The writer of Proverbs taught us the secret to length of days and peace. One main key as taught by him is to walk in the fear of God. Since God chose us when we were undeserving, we have the responsibility to fear the Lord. The fear of the Lord is to shun every kind of evil; to live in reverent fear of Him. God promised to give to such a man a covenant of life and peace (Mal. 2:5). To enjoy life and peace you must trust the Lord. A man who has learnt to trust the Lord in all things will soon discover that he has been delivered from anxiety because he has learnt to cast his entire burdens upon the Lord, and to wait in hope after he has made his requests known in prayer,  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you: Isa. 26:3(NLT).

One other way by which we can enjoy life and peace as seen in our text is to walk in mercy and truth. As we desire mercy from the Lord daily we must learn to show mercy to others; never turn down a cry for mercy as long as it is within your ability. Truth talks about faithfulness, though speaking the truth may put you at a risk of rejection, punishment or even something worse but it will pay off at the end of the day. Prov. 20:28 says mercy and truth preserve the king and his throne is upheld by mercy.

To enjoy peace and long life, acknowledge the Lord in all your ways. The Bible makes it clear that it is not in man to direct his own steps; therefore you must allow God to lead and direct all the affairs of your life, in decision making, choice of career, marriage partner, in embarking on projects etc. Don't take a decision without God's leading. This way you secure your peace and life since He will be with you in all the steps that you take. To honour the Lord with what you have is another way to secure your peace and life. When you give God His portion, be sure He will be committed to keep what remains for you. When you give God a tithe of what you have, He will rebuke the devourer (sickness, wastage, thief etc.) over what remains. He will give you peace over your health and household, and satisfy you with long life. No man finds lasting peace and enjoys good life without God. Walk in His way and enjoy life and peace.

Prayer/Action
*Ask for God’s covenant of peace  and abundant life, in Jesus’ name.
*Speak peace to everything that threatens your life and peace, in Jesus’ name.
*Ask God for grace to walk in the fear of God, mercy and truth, in the mighty name of Jesus.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I shall walk my way into greatness this month; the gate of hell shall not be able to stop me, in the name of Jesus.

Bring in the Light

Monday 16 October
READ: Isa. 60:1-10    
MORE LESSON:  Rom. 13:11-14

When the sun sets and night falls, speed reduces movement, driving and other activities except light is brought in. The introduction of light can help to maintain speed even in the night, but if there is no light then stagnation or lack of activity will result. Light is needed for speed, acceleration and progress. Backward nations are so because of the amount of light brought into those nations.

The more light a nation allows the more developed the nation becomes. Light here refers to the light of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the light of knowledge by educational training, exposure and the light of civilisation; the same principle holds for ministry or individual dream.

A ministry will be obscure because of lack of light of what to do, how to do it and when to do it.  An individual that will make impact in his generation must get the light that is peculiar and unique for his destiny; for every person there is an area of light that when you get it you move out of obscurity forever. You need to get that light from the Father of light Himself and walk in the light that is given to you. There is no need to envy other people’s light. Get yours and run with it.

God never created any one void or empty; He makes each person unique with all that is needed packaged inside him/her. All you need to do is just to walk with the Lord to get the knowledge of how to turn the light on what God has given you. So, ignite your own light, shine it strongly and let it grow in intensity. How? Wait on God to locate the uniqueness given to you; it may be in the musical area, literary, historical, technological or vocational area; switch on the light with the correct education.

Go to school to study how to utilise the gift or train under someone who is already a master at a similar gift, start using the gift as you get opportunities in God's house and in any forum that God brings your way. Seek counsel that will help you plan adequately how to develop or grow in the gift. Be known for that one thing wherever you go and indeed the sky will not be your limit.

Prayer/Action
*Ask God to light your life and end obscurity, in Jesus’ name.
*Ask God to set your feet to walk on high in destiny, in Jesus’ name.
*Decree the power to be fulfilled in life, in the mighty name of Jesus.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
In the name that is above all names, I choose to live and not die in 2017, in the name of Jesus.

Increase your Gains

Sunday 15 October
READ: II Kings 4:1-7
MORE LESSON:  Luke 5:1-7

Today's text tells the story of a woman that should not lack but who found herself in bad debt. Her testimony about her husband shows that they ought not to lack to the point that the children were taken as slaves because of debt. She said her husband feared the Lord but then he died and all hope seemed lost. But God will always arise for those who fear Him. Tough times may come to try them but because they fear God they do not stay in tough times, Blessed is everyone that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be and it shall be well with thee: Psa. 128:1-2. Therefore the first step to increase benefits and move from little to greatness is to fear God. Because this son of the prophet feared the Lord while he was alive, God did not allow his family to be put to shame. Secondly, the wife of the son of the prophet knew where to go for help. She went to God's servant, not to a herbalist, satanist, magician or false prophet all of which abound in these last days. Know where to go in times of need, go to God.

Thirdly, she had something in her house that could terminate the trouble, pay the debt and secure her for life. Cease to look externally for solution always. What has God put in your hands that can be multiplied to bring gains? That gift, talent, skill and opportunity could be your key to sustained wealth.

Fourthly, she borrowed to invest at the instruction of God's servant; when you go to God with issues of life, He will make a way. Borrowing to invest appropriately will lead to increased gains instead of poverty. The only thing is that ensure you have clear direction on the lucrative way to use the borrowed money before borrowing if not the money will be wasted. She also knew who to involve in the path of gains and where to consolidate for gains by the direction of God's servant.

May you be led out of stagnation and poverty by the Lord. Some think that God is only interested in our spiritual growth; but He wants us to prosper in all areas of life (III Jn.2). She maintained communication with the servant of God all through. Some people feel they need God only at the onset of deals and issues of their lives but when they are established they can carry on without God. That is very risky, God must be involved at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of all issues of our lives if we will increase gains. At the end of it all, this woman had the portion of those who fear the Lord. She had enough to live on for her remaining days on earth. Do you fear the Lord? Make up your mind to fear Him and He will show up for you as He did for this family of the son of the prophet.

Prayer/Action
*Ask for the fear of God in all your life dealings, in Jesus’ mighty name.
*Ask for the portion of the righteous over your dealings, in Jesus’ name.
*Ask for the blessing of the Lord upon the works of your hand, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
All ye evil gates! gates! gates! collapse by fire today, in the mighty name of Jesus.

The Way of Obedience

Saturday 14 October
READ: Jn. 14:22-26 
MORE LESSON:  Matt. 28:19-20

Obedience is defined as willingness to comply with the command of those in authority. It is doing what you are supposed to do. It is also compliance with an order, request or law or submission to authority. Obedience brings life, prosperity and prolongs days (Deut. 5:33). It also brings lifting (Prov. 6:20).

Jesus said the criterion to prove your love for Him is your obedience to His commands. One of the commands Jesus also gave the disciples is to “teach others to obey” and this makes obedience very important. Obedience to God and instituted authorities is very important to our Christian growth; it is key to maturity. God values obedience than any sacrifice.  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams: 1 Sam. 15:22.

As much as Jesus values our service, He values relationship with Him much more, and it is by being obedient that this relationship is built. God's truth comes to us when we position ourselves to receive His revelation. These revelations are capable of transforming our life for good.

However, between revelation and transformation lies our own role and that is obedience. Several people have different reasons for being obedient. People obey because of the fear of someone who is more powerful than they are; this is the main reason why people obey. Some obey because of self interest, (Josh. 1:8). For example, when we buy a new phone we are told to charge it before use. Most of us obey that, not because of the manufacturer but because we want the battery to last long.

God does not want us to submit to Him just because of the benefit we hope to derive when we obey. Our motive for obedience should be true love for God and for the authority. When you love God, you want to do what pleases Him (I Jn. 5:3, Jn. 14:21). God wants us to love Him for who He is and not just for what He does for us. Our love for Christ should be proved by being prompt in obedience.

Prayer/Action
*Ask God's grace to walk in obedience.
*Pray for grace to walk in true love for God.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I speak to every part of my body and destiny to function perfectly; there shall be no break down this year, in the name of Jesus.