Divine Direction

Wednesday 18 October
READ: Luke 5:1-11 
MORE LESSON:  Isa. 48:17

There are two great tragedies in life: one is to live without a purpose; the other is to spend all your life doing that which is not your primary purpose. The simple reason why people live without purpose or spend their whole life pursing a secondary purpose is lack of divine direction. Without divine direction, you will never find satisfaction in your pursuit. Your legitimate labour will become a toil and your result will always be small. Worse still, you will never come to limelight. Psalm 127:1-2 captures the frustration of a life without divine direction, Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Peter was a fulltime fisherman, and perhaps very skilful in that venture. When Jesus met him, He asked Peter to follow Him and He would make him a fisher of men. Peter's talent was actually meant for men, not fishes in the rivers. Unfortunately for Peter, he did not realise that on time. While Jesus was in Peter's compound healing the sick and delivering the oppressed that night (Luke 4:38-44), Peter picked his fishing nets and headed to the sea for fishing.

Unfortunately for him, he toiled that whole night and caught nothing. In the morning, Jesus came to meet him at the lake side where he was washing his net, used his boat, and directed him where to throw his net. Peter's encounter with Jesus that morning turned him around and gave him a name among the great in the history of mankind. Your greatness is in the lips of Jesus. Therefore, you must give Him attention today and hear His voice which came with a  promise, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye: Psa.32:8.

Your life is destined for greatness. But remember, the starting point is the cry and action of Peter, When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.: Lk. 5:8. If you admit your sinful life today and fall at Jesus’ feet, your life will be divinely guided into a glorious and fulfilling future.  

Prayer/Action
*Lord, I surrender my life to You for guidance, supervision and direction, in Jesus’ name.
*Father, deliver me from fruitless labour and toiling. Cause me to hear Your voice today, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, I decree that I shall walk tall in the midst of foes; I shall live a life of triumph permanently, in the name of Jesus.

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.