Rephidim

Wednesday 13 December
READ: Exo. 17:1-8  
MORE LESSON:  2 Tim. 2:1-7

Sometimes the confrontations of the enemy come in quick succession but as children of God we know that victory is ours in Christ Jesus. Quick succession of problems breeds quick succession of miracles and blessings. When Moses cried to God, ...What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me: Exo. 17:4, the solution God gave him was the command to strike the rock with a rod. This implies that sometimes you may have a part to play in the miracle you are expecting. Beloved, do not allow your needs or problems to block your spiritual ear and sight so that you are not able to hear and take the necessary steps to your miracle.

The fact that you are victorious over one battle of life does not mean another will not come. The Israelites were confronted again, Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim: Exo. 17:8. When you are confronted, and you do not know what you are to do, you should then know where to go. The way Moses handled the fight with the Amalekites shows he inquired from the Lord. One great lesson from this study today is to always clarify matters with God instead of running around seeking solution from wrong places. God always has whatever you need and the answer to all your questions. You will win in every battle of life and after every cloud will come mighty showers for you, in Jesus' name. Whether it is the problem of lack of water or of meat or of even the Amalekites, the solution is always to be in a state of preparedness as Christians. Like the song writer says, “Christian seek not yet repose, hear your guiding angel say! Thou art in the midst of wolves, watch and pray”.

Many heroes like Paul, Peter, David, and even our Master, Jesus, had to consistently confront opposition to become what today we know them to be. We too must refuse to be discouraged when battles run like they would not end. There is nothing wrong with crisis, it is how they end that matters. Be courageous to battle, fight, lay hold on eternal life and God will see you through. Don't give up, victory is sure and near.

Prayer/Action
*  Pray that you will never be caught unawares by the enemy, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to defend you from every unannounced battle, in Jesus’ mighty name.
* Declare that by the Spirit of Jesus, you will always be victorious in any battle of life, in Jesus’ mighty name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, I decree that as this year runs to an end, every arrow of the enemy shall exempt me, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Yoke Destroyer

Tuesday 12 December
READ: Isa. 10: 27  
MORE LESSON:  Jer. 30: 8 – 9

A yoke is a strong metallic or wooden object kept on the neck of an animal so as to keep it in servitude to its master. When a yoke is put on a bull, it cannot fight the man that controls it anymore, it only goes where it is pulled. Even a horse as powerful as it is, when the bridle, a form of a yoke, is put around its mouth, it is not free to run around anymore. It can only go where the man holding its bridle pulls it. There was a goat that was yoked and left to move around; as stubborn as the goat was, it became servile and could not do as it pleased anymore. A yoke limits and brings the yoked person under control. There are people with a lot of potential but the enemy has put a yoke around their lives.

Satan is wicked and he delights in bringing people under yoke. This is why many struggle, sweat and are frustrated in life. Sickness, ill-luck, unfruitfulness, stagnancy and other evils are yokes that the enemy puts on people's lives. Such people may be moving around normally in the physical but in the spirit realm, there is a yoke hanging around their neck. These yokes are perpetuated by demonic forces that want to oppress and limit them so that they do not rise in life. Can you imagine a person lying down with a gigantic man sitting on him? How does such a person rise up? The person rises only when the force sitting on him has been removed.

The Bible says, And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing: Isa. 10:27.  The anointing of God is a yoke destroyer. It destroys everything that keeps you limited and gives you the power to rise. When the anointing comes upon you, all human limitations disappear. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that destroys yokes and sets men free to rise in life. Grammar, beauty and education are helpless in the face of demonic yokes; only the power of God destroys yokes.

The anointing is present in the person of the Holy Spirit who is the yoke destroyer. Today you must engage the power of the Holy Spirit  against all yokes of limitation in your life. It is time to rise above all yokes by the power of the Spirit. There are a few steps you can take to destroy any satanic yoke you have noticed in your life or in someone else’s:

1. Examine yourself and ensure you are born again.
2. Confess any known sin and ask for cleansing by the blood of Jesus.
3. Take a fast.
4. Use the following scriptures in prayer: Isa. 58:6; Jer. 28:4, 30:8; Gal. 5:1.
5.  Give thanks for your liberty.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God for the anointing of the Holy Ghost that breaks yokes, in Jesus’ name.
* Declare and command every yoke limiting you in life and destiny to break off you  now, in the name of Jesus.
* Celebrate, knowing that the yoke is broken .

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Every lost opportunity in 2017, return in quick succession before this month runs out, in the name of Jesus.

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.