Commanded Help for your Journey

Monday 4 December
READ: Ezra 1:  2 – 7 
MORE LESSON:  Psa. 133: 3

King Cyrus of Persia was ordained by God to ensure that His Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt. Therefore, the king issued a decree throughout the realms of all the kingdoms under his domain that all Israelites who wanted to go home to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple were permitted to do so. King Cyrus ordered that the vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had seized from the Temple of God when he invaded Jerusalem be returned to the leaders of Israel who would take them back to Jerusalem. The Israelites had been brought as slaves into Babylon but Cyrus made them return with wealth and abundance as he charged all the  Babylonians to make freewill offerings to the exiles returning home to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  King Cyrus also decreed that the people who wouldn't go to Jerusalem should help those that went to build the Temple with gold, goods, food and all other necessities for the journey.   

When the king commands a people to be helped with all they needed for the success of their journey and venture, then success is guaranteed. The building of the temple was successful because there was commanded help for the journey. It is God's command that the people doing His work be helped with all they need for the work and for their personal needs so that they can be comfortable doing the work of the Lord. The work of the Lord prospers when there is commanded help from people towards the work. 

Conversely, in the journey of life there are people that God commands to help you with what you need for your journey. The journey of life is difficult without help; it is when men are commanded to help you that you fulfil your destiny with ease. You may want to go to school to fulfil your purpose in life but you cannot afford the school fees; what you need is commanded help. Commanded help for your academic journey may come in form of scholarship, awards, grants or even people who take it upon themselves to support you through school.

Ezra 1: 4 says, Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem (NLT). Men will contribute towards your expenses and make supplies available for the journey of your life and you will be built up and become a builder of God's Kingdom, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to command help for you as you go out today.
* Pray that you will be an instrument of God’s help to many, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that you will not make a waste of God's help over your life.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I seal December with the blood of Jesus, and I declare it totally defended, in the mighty name of Jesus.

The Law of Exposure

Sunday 3 December
READ: Phil. 4:4-8 
MORE LESSON:  Rom. 12:1-2

The fuel you put into an appliance determines its performance. This is why it is ironic that in one of the most important areas of life, which is the mind, we disregard this basic wisdom. The verse in focus today reveals a transforming truth: – think excellent thoughts! Don't ever stop doing so. What enters your mind repeatedly, occupies it, shapes it, controls it and in the end expresses itself in what you do and who you become. That is the law of exposure; it’s as sure as the law of gravity- what goes up must come down. The substance in this law is that your mind will absorb and reflect whatever it's exposed to. Where you go, what you read, the music you listen to, what you see or listen to, the thoughts you entertain, all shape your mind, and eventually your character and your destiny. Napoleon Hill said that success is achieved and maintained by those whose mind is filled with positive thoughts. This is simply amazing!

So what should you do in a world where the messages are so often twisted or trivial, or foolish or downright evil? First, Rom. 12:2 recommends the renewing of your mind. This can only be fruitful if you sincerely do a checkup from the neck up. And second, go to God in prayer in this pattern: “Lord, what I want is a renewal of mind because I am tired of this present state of mind. It keeps leading me down the wrong paths of life. I want the kind of mind your Word describes; one that is filled with true, pure, right, friendly, and good thoughts”. Just imagine what your life would be like if you constantly pray that way. 

The good news today is that you have control over your life through your mind, and since what you feed on determines how you grow, you are no longer a slave of your mind and thoughts. Feed it with pornography and become a rapist and live in masturbation, or watch horror films and enjoy nightmares. Worst still, you can company with sadists and end up in suicide. It is all up to you!

King Solomon however has a load of advice for all who desire victory over their thought life; Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life: Prov. 4:23. Keep it by giving yourself to reading the Bible, and other spiritual books, by asking God to renew your mind daily and by deliberately being cautious on what you hear, see or say.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to transform your mind to think excellent thoughts and for grace to diligently guard it.
* Ask God for the mind of Christ.
* Ask God to fill you with the spirit of counsel.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Thirty-one celebrations, hallelujah to Jesus today and to the end of this twelveth month, there shall be nothing less throughout, in the name of Jesus

The New Jerusalem

Saturday 2 December
READ: Rev. 21: 10 - 21   
MORE LESSON:  John 14: 2 -3

The Bible shows us a beautiful picture of the City where we will be for eternity. The Lord has prepared for us a city which shines with the glory of God. It has no earthly comparison in beauty. The highest splendor and beauty on earth is not worthy to be mentioned near the dust of the magnificent New Jerusalem, where we will spend eternity. The gates and foundations of this City are made of precious stones and the streets are made of pure gold.  Each house in this City is a mansion of unparalleled delight. 

When we keep our hearts on the joy that awaits us in the New Jerusalem, we will treat all the challenges of this present world with levity. Rom 8: 18 says, For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. No matter what you have to endure in this present world, make sure you do not compromise your place in the New Jerusalem. All tears will be wiped away and no longer will there be any hardship. This world is not all there is to life; don't pursue the world at the expense of your eternity. Live this life with your eyes on the prize of the New Jerusalem. Jesus said in John 14:2 that He has gone to prepare a place for us. The New Jerusalem is the place He has gone to prepare; you must not miss it. There is a warning about the New Jerusalem given in Rev 21:27; Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

Another lesson that needs to be drawn when  we look at the glory of the New  Jerusalem is that our God is a God of glory, magnificence and splendor. The New Jerusalem is not a city of huts but magnificent mansions.  Gold, which is a highly valued commodity, is used by God to tar the streets of the Heavenly Jerusalem. Several kinds of precious stones and pearls are used for the gates, the foundations and different parts in the city. This shows us that God is not a God of poverty. He is a God of glory, beauty and wealth.

Therefore, our sole pursuit in life is the glory of God and to make the Heavenly Jerusalem. However, while we are still on earth, we must reflect the nature of the God who we are serving and has prepared the New Jerusalem for us.  His nature, as shown by the City He has made for us, is wealth, glory,  abundance, success and greatness. So while you await the New Jerusalem, which will come down from Heaven, you must reflect the New Jerusalem on the earth. 

Prayer/Action
* Give God thanks for where He has prepared for you.
* Pray that nothing will rob you of your eternity in heaven.
* Pray for the salvation of family members who have not been saved.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I prophesy better is the end of this year, starting from today, than the beginning thereof, in the name of Jesus.

Departed Grace

Thursday 30 November
READ: Judg. 16: 1 - 20   
MORE LESSON:  Heb. 12: 15 – 17

The grace of God must never be taken for granted to make men live in wilful sin. The love of God is unconditional and the grace of God is unmerited but there is a part that every man needs to play to stay within the confines of God's grace. Heb.12:15 makes it clear that a man that has received grace can fall short of grace when he allows defilement, Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. This is the reason Eccl. 9: 8 instructs, Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. The ointment of oil stands for the anointing and grace of God in your life. For your head not to lack oil, your garments must always remain white. Holiness preserves grace and sin destroys it.
Samson was a man of unusual grace. His birth was prophesied during an angelic visit and the Spirit of the Lord came occasionally upon him to do exploits. He was a Nazarite from his mother's womb and single-handedly destroyed armies of the enemy and slayed lions. However, as he became increasingly famous and powerful, he began to entertain sin in his life. He began to go after strange women; he even slept with a harlot. When the Philistines came to ambush him by locking the gate of the city where he was so that he wouldn't escape, he woke up, shook himself, carried the gate, beams and lock all the way to his country.

The grace of God still worked for him so he thought that he could continue in sin and grace would abound (Rom. 6: 1). This led him to begin another affair with a woman of Philistine called Delilah. Delilah enticed him till he told her the secret of God's grace on his life. The woman made sure she reduced the grace on his life to nothing before she handed him over to his enemies. When the Philistines came to take him, the Bible says that he woke up from sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him: Judg. 16:20. The grace had departed! The power was gone; he had lost it to sin.

This is why every child of God must not be deceived by any message that makes him think that he can live a reckless life and God's grace will continue to abound. Saul was equally anointed with the Spirit of the Lord and he even prophesied (1 Sam. 10: 10) but when he started living in rebellion, the Spirit of God departed from him and an evil spirit came to torment him (1 Sam. 16: 14). God's grace will not depart from your life, in Jesus' name. But remember, ...let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall: 1 Cor. 10:12.

Prayer/Action
* I pray against the forces of Ichabod in my life and destiny, in Jesus’ name.
* I declare that whatever causes grace to depart from a man shall not be your portion, in the name of Jesus.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, I lift up my two hands and I declare that November will not leave me without a witness and evidence even at this eleventh hour; thank You Lord for November, in the name of Jesus.