Angels at your Service

Monday 11 December
READ: Psa. 91:1-16 
MORE LESSON:  2Chron. 32:17-21

Man, in his physical make up, is nothing but mere clay. He cannot see beyond his physical eyes, nor hear beyond the limit of his physical ears nor understand beyond the capacity of his intellect. This is not so with angels and spirits, who are able to operate at levels far beyond where mortal men can. The Scripture acknowledged this when it said that man was made a little lower than the angels (Psa. 8:5). So, in the hierarchy of the spirit, man is a step lower than the angels. Interestingly, God gave angels the assignment of ministering to man. God assigned angels to encamp around, watch over, attend to, protect and defend those that fear Him, The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them: Psa. 34:7. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways: Psa. 91:11. 

Who are the people that qualify for the service of the angels of God? Why did God decide to put His angels at the service of these people?  Heb.1:14 gives the answer to the questions - the angels of God are sent to minister/attend to only those who are heirs of salvation; that is, those who believe and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. They fear God and turn from their sinful ways of life by putting their total trust in the name of Jesus, God's only begotten Son. As it is written, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12. The heirs of salvation become sons of God when Jesus comes into their lives. Their status in the spirit realm changes and they become sons, exalted and made to sit with Jesus in the heavenly realm. They become special and treasured possessions of God. So angels are put on assignment to minister to them.

The angels of God are not assigned to watch over all men. It is only those who are heirs of salvation that have the privilege. Until you become a son of God through Jesus Christ, you are still at the bottom of the ladder, lower than angels. That also means you are lower than demons who are fallen angels. The implication is that you are vulnerable and susceptible to demons, and they can invade and manipulate your life at will, subject you to bondage and torture. Could this be the reason why you are not making progress in life? Take the step now to become a son of God by asking Jesus to come into your life. Your status will change and angels will begin to minister to you. They will chase away your oppressors and carry you in their arms so that you will not dash your foot against a stone (Psa. 91:11-13).  May your destiny be rescued from demonic manipulation by the angels of God, in Jesus' mighty name.

Prayer/Action
* Thank You Lord for assigning angels to watch over and defend my life, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to give His angels divine order to keep you in all your ways today.
* Pray that the angel of the Lord will minster to you daily and no prince of darkness shall be able to stop the answer to your prayers, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Angels that behold the face of my Father in Heaven, watch over the rest of the year for my family and destiny, in the name of Jesus.

Bring Down this Jericho

Sunday 10 December
READ: Josh. 5:1-5   
MORE LESSONS: Josh. 6:2-5

The city of Jericho symbolises the seemingly insurmountable obstacles (sickness, poverty, unemployment) that hinder men from possessing their possession. While Jericho was a visible obstacle on Israel's pathway, they first had to deal with something in their own lives. The children of Israel had to do three things before confronting the enemy called Jericho.

First, they had to be circumcised (vs 2-5) as a mark of surrendered hearts in which the reliance on the flesh was cut and put off (Rom. 2:29). Circumcision involves putting off the sinful nature. Your total commitment and consecration are prerequisites for conquering your Jericho.

Second, the Israelites celebrated the passover which symbolises a thankful heart. Beloved, regardless of the obstacles and problems confronting you, have a thankful heart. Eating of manna ended and they received a new and more satisfying food. As you give God thanks and praise for what you are passing through, I see God bringing down your wall of Jericho, in Jesus' name.

Third, they had a battle plan from God. You need a battle strategy from God to bring down your wall of Jericho. God's instruction may sound foolish; just obey. For Israel, it was the shout of victory, yours may be different. The Bible has all the battle plans of God for your life; read it, memorise it and obey the instructions. Surely that will make your ways prosperous and you will have good success (Josh.1:8). Jericho must fall today!

Living by God's will always brings every Jericho crumbling down, Is not my word as a fire, saith the Lord and like hammer that break all the rock in pieces? Jer. 23:29. No Jericho can stand God's word and instruction; it did not stand in Joshua's days, it will not stand today. Find God's word against your Jericho by reading the Bible, receiving divine revelation, prayer, fasting and godly living and that Jericho will fall! Jericho must fall today.

Prayer/Action
* Raise a voice of victory against the Jericho on your path, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* Declare that no Jericho will stop you from getting into your glorious destiny
* Give God thanks because you are an overcomer, in Jesus’ mighty name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
My God and my Lord, don't let those who did not know how You woke me up today determine how my year ends, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Victor, not Victim

Saturday 9 December
READ: Job 22:21-29    
MORE LESSON: Isa. 54:17

The Holy Bible is replete with scriptures that guarantee our victory in all of life endeavours. However, God’s assurance to us on victory is not realised when we don't take time to search and acquaint ourselves with the vast provision of victory that we have in God through His Word.

Whether we like it or not, there will always be some casting down, disappointments, sack letters, broken homes and unrealised dreams, which are all associated with victims of circumstances. But none of these shall be your portion. Your “AMEN” to this prayer will only be sufficient for you to be a victor if you can be committed to observing the following steps that can be helpful in being a victor and not a victim.

1.  Acquaint yourself with God (Job 22:21). To acquaint oneself with God is to get to know Him personally. Therefore, if you must live as a victor, it is expedient that you know God so intimately, to know who He is to you and what He has for you. You should know that He is your shield and glory (Psa. 3:3); He is your very present help in trouble (Psa. 46:1). Know Him to discover that He is plenteous in mercy (Psa. 5:7) and that He will not cast you away when you run to Him for mercy and victory over sin (John 6:37). What a man knows about God and His Word and how the knowledge is applied can determine who becomes a victim or victor in life.

2.  Live by divine instructions (Job 22:22). Divine instructions are instructions given by God or through His prophets and they are often times opposed to our opinions and reasoning as humans. They however have the capacity to keep those that adhere to them from being victims of evil. Let us be willing therefore to receive and obey the divine instructions that come from our spiritual leaders whom God has set over us in order to avoid the evils that waste men. Such instructions may include when not to travel, who not to marry etc. Such instructions are capable of dealing with the obstructions of a man's destiny when followed.

3.  Learn to speak/pray what you want (Job 22:27-29) . The summary of Job 22:29 is that we can be defended from being victims of tragedy if we can also learn to speak out what we desire as our portion when faced with unpleasant circumstances. What you say is what you will see. Choose to speak victory-related words always and you will see it so.

Prayer/Action
* Decree that you will enjoy victorious life in Christ, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* Pray that you shall not be a victim of circumstance, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* Announce the victories you are believing God for, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, my destiny is in Your hands; let it not go the way of the enemy this December, in the name of Jesus.

Your Prophet, your Profit

Friday 8 December
READ: Hosea 12:13 
MORE LESSONS: Exo. 11:1-3

The role of prophets in the Old Testament was major to everything in the lives of the Israelites at that time, both in personal and national life. This was so because the prophets served as intermediaries between the people, the nation and their God. Israel never went to war nor took any decision as a nation without consulting the prophets or the priests, as the case may be. Examples  abound of those who attempted to run their lives and nations outside of this God ordained method and paid dearly for it.

Today, although the ministry of prophets is not very pronounced like in the Old Testament, their roles are now generally conferred upon pastors. The word ‘pastor’ is the generally accepted title for all spiritual leaders regardless of their spiritual grace and office. There are, however, a few people who still bear titles of the spiritual offices that they occupy, such as apostle, prophet, evangelist. The title ‘pastor’ is the most popular while ‘teacher’ is the least. The most important thing, however, is not the titles but the functions.

The role of a pastor today in the spiritual and physical lives of church people can be compared with that of a prophet in the Old Testament. Among the functions of the pastor are: providing spiritual and physical cover and guidance, exemplary living, prayer, preaching, teaching, healing, prophetic insight etc. Several people today have come this far under God by the instrumentality of their pastors. The ministry of a spiritual head/pastor is God ordained and everyone who despises the place of spiritual guidance ends in crisis. If Israel had rejected Moses' ministry, their story would not have been the same today. The throne of Israel was finally taken away from King Saul in the day he declared his prophet/pastor a late comer and stepped into Samuel's office (I Sam. 13:8-14).

Don't break ranks, don't be rude or insultive to your pastor/prophet, publicly or secretly; God will not overlook it. Your victory over any Egyptian bondage and the preservation of your good life is tied to your life of obedience to God and your prophet; keep a good relationship with them (Hos. 12:13).Your pastor has a role to bless you and you too have a responsibility to take good care of your prophet. May the ministry of prophet be a blessing to your life!

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to send His ordained prophet to you today, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that you will not turn down your God's sent prophet, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask for grace to obey and follow your prophet leading, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
This month, the heavens will open for me, my family, job, health, business, career, church, expectations and destiny. Worry will give way for divine help, in the mighty name of Jesus.