Qualified to Lead

Monday 20 November
READ: Acts 6:1-3       
MORE LESSON:  Titus 1:5-13

Leadership is about guiding, directing, leading and solving problems. Whether in church or out of church, leadership is a key. Where there are no qualified leaders, the evidence is clear because there will be a string of unresolved problems, crises, breakdown of law and order, confusion and lack of progress. Clearly, it is possible to have people in positions of authority and yet there are no leaders. This is particularly so where people  who don't meet the required qualifications are given appointments. When leaders were needed in the early Church, it was to solve problems and there were criteria to set a standard.  The leaders were to be:

* Men of honest report.
* Men full of the Holy Spirit.
* Men full of wisdom.
* Men full of faith.
* Men full of the power of God.

Again, when Moses needed help with the work, his father-in-law advised him,
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: Exo. 18:21.
Jethro suggested the criteria as:

* Able men.
Men that fear God.
* Men who hate covetousness.
Men who are teachable.
* Men who will be able to teach others.

One of the major challenges in the  modern Church is lack of men with biblical qualifications in leadership positions. Until we insist on appointing men using biblical standard we will continue to have title holders with little or no solutions to problems in the church. Before Elisha could get Elijah’s mantle, he first qualified as a trained servant. It was written concerning him, Here is Elisha ...which poured water on the hands of Elijah: 2 Kings 3:11. The same was true of Joshua who served under Moses.

The qualifications for leadership are not in-born, they are acquired and everyone who desires to make a full proof of his ministry and assignment can attain them. Thirst and cry to God for these qualities and you will have them. May you become a leader of influence, a worthy leader and problem solver.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to fill you with virture and grace for leadership, in the name of Jesus.
* Ask God to lead you as you serve at any level of leadership, in Jesus’ name.
* Declare that you are full of the Holy Ghost in wisdom, faith, the power of God and every spiritual virtue, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, this month, send me help and comfort speedily, you are my only hope, in the name of Jesus.

Leadership and Problem Solving

Sunday 19 November
READ: Exo. 14:5-14    
MORE LESSONS: Mk. 4:35-41

Leadership  essentially involves problem-solving and carrying the people along to the top or envisioned destination. Challenges and crises should be springboards for a leader to showcase his or her hidden qualities. When God called Moses, He knew that between Egypt and Canaan there would be pockets of resistance to Moses; Pharaoh would harden his heart, the magicians would contest with Moses, etc, so God assured Moses that He would captain His people to the Promised Land. It is not easy to lead such a large crowd that left Egypt. As Israel left Egypt and amidst the audible voices of Egyptian chariots, the people greatly feared and cried out, but Moses did not lose his faith in the God that called and backed him up, And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day...: Exo. 14:13.

True leaders are the people's hope in times of difficulties and crises. By their approach, fear is turned to faith, despair to hope and the failing heart is strengthened. These attributes distinguish a leader from the followers. Moses said, The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace: v14. Moses wanted the people to know that the best antidote to the crises of life is faith and peace. Also, that the words from the Lord and His servants are instruments of victory. The instruments and qualities God has given every leader are meant to bring deliverance to people.  The Red Sea will always open for God's people to cross over and victory will abound. We therefore need leaders who can make contact with Heaven to solve problems for God's people on earth and this can only happen through our consistent prayer, support and encouragement for our leaders at all times. Criticising and confronting leaders is never God’s will and cannot help leaders to get the result we desire from them.

Not a single one of the people who gave Moses problem on their way to the Promised Land got there. They all perished in the wilderness by one form of affliction or the other! Spiritual leaders are, God sent to solve problems; if you cant help them don't confront them, God will not overlook such attacks! Leaders should also concentrate on their God-given assignment of being a problem solver and stop crossing perceived enemies.

Prayer/Action
* Give God thanks for the leaders over your life and home, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to strengthen the hands of your leaders, that they will not faint, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God  to make them a source of encouragement to you, in Jesus’ name.  

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, deliver me from the flood of life, let me not sink, and let not the pit of hell shut her mouth upon me, in the mighty name of Jesus.

The Fail-Proof Redemption Plan

Saturday 18 November
READ: Gen. 3:13-15     
MORE LESSON: Rom. 5:12-17

No living creature can survive outside its source. A careful follow-up on the patterns of creation reveals that God called living creatures out of the environmental source or habitat that supports their life. So the waters brought forth fish and the wales  Gen 1:20 and the earth brought forth trees, vegetation and cattle and all other terrestrial beasts  Gen 1:24. That's why fish cannot live without water, trees will die if disconnected from the soil. It's a law of nature. But when it was time to make man, God spoke to Himself; And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth: Gen. 1:26. God is our source; therefore, it is impossible for man to thrive and survive without God.

Although things went sour between man and God – his source, there was already a plan for man's redemption. Isn't it amazing to see that God had more than a creation plan for man,?  He also had a redemption plan with provisions for the restoration and recovery of man if man falls from royalty over all other created things. This redemption plan is contained in the first and oldest prophecy in human history dating back to the Garden of Eden. It was given by YAHWEH Himself immediately after the fall of mankind from his dominion mandate. Hard woven within the tapestry of this prophecy, were both justice for humanity and judgement for the devil.

Simply put, God didn't just make you and me to roam the earth like  cattle, trees and fish without hope or destiny. He also had a special plan to protect and preserve us from evil. Simply put, you're no accident of any kind, no matter what you think about yourself or what they say about you. Before you were born, there already was a ‘fail-proof’ plan for every mistake you would ever make in this life. You are hand made by God and there is an irreversible divine insurance on your life in the redemption work of Jesus. Hallelujah! God settled your past, present and future errors in the fulfilment of that ancient prophecy long before your ancestors arrived the scene.

Nothing you have ever done or will ever do is a surprise to the Creator and King of   Heaven and earth. God knows it all! The name of this redemption plan is JESUS Christ, Son of the Living God, who came and died for the sins of mankind. He rose again with all power in His hands thereby bruising the head of the serpent and purchasing our freedom once and for all. So, whatever was lost by the sin of Adam is restored by faith in Jesus. In faith  say ‘Yes’ to Jesus. I welcome you to redemption forever.

Prayer/Action
* Confess 2 Cor. 5:17  several times today.
* Rededicate your life to Jesus Christ and ask the Holy Spirit to purge your mind from all guilt and self-condemnation.
* Declare that your new reality is the finished works of Jesus Christ.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today, I frustrate the counsel of liars, I make diviners mad and I turn the knowledge of the enemy to foolishness, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Facts of the Bible

Friday 17 November
READ: II Tim. 3:16    
MORE LESSON:  Psa 19:1-10

I believe that the Bible contains the true and living Word of God. The Bible was written over a 1,500 year period by 40 different generations coming from radically different backgrounds and cultures. They included kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars, etc. It was written from different places, at different times, in different languages by writers on different continents, yet it contains an unmistakable thread of continuity all through its pages. It is incredible to realize that even human and natural science is full of proofs that attest to the reliability of the Bible as the Holy Scripture.

Archaeological research has revealed excavations and discoveries of tangible evidences to ascertain that the documentations in the Bible are not fiery tales. Scientific research continues to unfold the wonders and mysteries of our universe. Interestingly, there is one Book that has anticipated many of these scientific facts. That Book is the Bible. Many of these facts were written centuries before they were discovered.  There are inexhaustible, tangible and historical proofs that the Bible is truly God-breathed.

1. The earth free-floats in space (Job 26:7), and is affected only by gravity. While other sources hold that the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true – “He hangs the earth on nothing.”

2. The Bible warns against eating birds of prey (Lev.11:13-19). Scientists now recognize that those birds which eat carrion (putrefying flesh), often spread disease.

3. Circumcision on the eighth day is ideal (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3; Lk. 1:59). Medical science has discovered that the blood clotting chemical, prothrombin, peaks in a new-born on the eighth day. This is therefore the safest day to circumcise a baby. How did Moses know?

4. Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground (Gen.2:7; 3:19). Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of  28 base and trace elements – all of which are found in the earth.

History has it that no other book  has more proofs of it's truth and reality in science, arts, history and archaeology at the same time. Friend, if you don't own a Bible, then you don't own a real book. If you own one and don't read it, reality is passing you by; and if you own one but it's dusty, then you are ignoring reality. But if you study the Word of God with faith in your heart and confess it daily with zest, then welcome to Reality! This is the key-point; the Bible is the Word of God and the Word of God is alive. Receive it today and receive life!

Prayer/Action
*  Thank God for  the treasures of eternal truth in the Bible.
*  Ask  for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the Son of God.
*  Pray that the mysteries of God will be at work in your life as you obey His Word.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, like John the Baptist, this month I shall be a burning fire to every enemy, untouchable always and a shining light in darkness, in the name of Jesus.