Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Grace for the Race I

Wednesday 17 January
READ: Hebrews 12: 1 - 3
MORE LESSON: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

It is grace that makes the race of destiny easy. The Christian journey is likened to a race. Track events usually take a lot of discipline and endurance. There are different types of races. The sprint is a short distance race and speed is needed as the fastest runner usually receives the medal. The other type is the long distance race, which demands that athletes run long distance. In such a race, it is not the fastest but the one who is able to endure that wins. In a marathon, which is a long distance race, athletes don't even try to run too fast, because if they do,  they will lose their breath too soon and may no longer have the energy to finish the race.

The Christian race is not a sprint but a marathon. Successfully finishing a marathon is not all about having speed; there is need for endurance and support. This is the reason water, cheerers and energy drinks are stationed at intervals along the path of a cross country race. This is to show that, for a long distance race, there is need for help and grace. 
In Hebrews 12:1, Paul encourages us, ...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
This Scripture further states how grace for the race of destiny is accessed. He summarised, Looking unto Jesus.... (verse 2). Jesus is the grace for your race. He has run His race successfully and by looking unto Him and connecting with Him, you access everything that is needed to finish your race well. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of faith; so by maintaining unbroken connection with Him, we access limitless faith. He is the fullness of grace, therefore when we stay in touch with Him, we receive grace upon grace (John 1: 14 – 17). Jesus was pressed beyond measure, persecuted and beaten but He made it to the end of His race. Therefore, no matter what you face, you will triumph in your race. The secret to winning in the race of life is to stay glued to Jesus, running your race the way He ran His.  From today, in the race of life, you will never be a victim, in Jesus’ name; you will not be grounded, exhausted nor faint in the race of destiny. There is grace for your race.

Prayer/Action
* Ask for grace to run the race of life.
* Declare that you will not faint on the track of life’s race.
* Declare that you will not give up, you will finish strong.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Every storm shall surely obey my voice in 2018 as it obeyed the Master on the sea, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

The Place of Grace

Tuesday 16 January
READ: 1 Corinthians 15: 1 - 10      
MORE LESSON: Jeremiah 31:1-4 

Grace is the difference in the race of life. There is no one anywhere in the world that is doing anything great except the grace of God makes it possible for him/her. Even those that do not know and think it is by their own power and might are only beneficiaries of grace. The race of destiny and the race to Heaven are only possible through the grace of God at work in us. When grace steps in, a man makes it despite his inadequacies. There will never be an adequate mortal being. Great people are those that have learnt how to leverage grace. An example is Moses who was said to be the meekest of all men in his time. Despite all the miracles and supernatural manifestations, Moses would have totally missed it and lost eternity. Moses was angry and sinned but when the devil wanted to raise an allegation against him, grace spoke for him (Num. 10: 10 -13, Jude 9). Moses, after all, was only saved by grace. 

Apostle Paul was a man who did mighty things and made great sacrifice for the furtherance of the gospel. It would seem like if anyone would qualify for reward based on merit, it was Paul. However, Paul understood  the place of grace when he wrote, But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me: 1 Cor. 15:10. He added in 1 Tim 1:14-15, And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Elijah was a powerful man of God who called down fire and commanded the elements of the universe. One threat from one woman one day was enough to make Elijah run for dear life. He asked for death but God fed him and told him that He would not kill him but translate him to glory in a way that no man had seen before (1 Kings 19: 1- 7). It was grace, after all, that Elijah found. Today, you need to recognise the place of grace in your race and know that there is nothing anybody is doing that God cannot do through you if you will lean on His grace. Grace is the difference; therefore, honour grace in others and seek more of God's grace for your race. 

Prayer/Action
* Pray that you will find grace.
* Ask that the grace of God will cover your inadequacies.
* Pray that you will not miss out of the grace of God.        

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
In 2018, my voice, my word and authority shall not be refused but celebrated, in the name of Jesus.    

Monday, January 15, 2018

Dimensions of Higher Ground

Monday 15 January
READ: Psalm 45: 2    
MORE LESSON: Daniel 1:15-21

There are different measures and dimensions of height. There is the  dimension where what you say becomes a law. The Bible describes, grace as that poured into his lips. You have heard stories of people who make incantations to compel others to do what they don't want. There was a time I travelled to Asia and I met a buddhist kneeling before a huge image in his shop. There were other shops that were opened with more goods but people stood waiting for him to finish what he was doing so they could buy from him. When I got there I also joined the queue to buy a video camera; I was in the company of a Bishop friend. Then suddenly it occurred to me that there were other shops, so I peeped and found better things in them. Then I asked why people were still waiting for the man, but they didn't know. Even after we went to other shops to buy, the other people were still there waiting. My spirit rang a bell; this man is dealing with people at the door through his god inside. But we have a better covenant; the Bible says that grace is poured into his lips. This means that whatever you speak carries a measure of an ability greater than the man you are speaking to and people honour you based on what  you are saying. That is a dimension where what you say becomes a law.

Another dimension is being able to receive favour each time you stand in a place to talk; people just like listening to you. When things are locked up and difficult you have an ability to make a way through. Do you know what grace is? It is a gift you didn't merit and you can't pay for. So when your lips are anointed with grace, it means you are able to get things you're not qualified for by the reason of speaking. It is not a common thing that everyone has; it takes men at a higher level to operate it. For instance, it gives a man the ability to answer a question even when he doesn't know the answer. The things that come out of his mouth give him favour and acceptance; they open the doors that were hitherto  locked to him.

A young man graduated from school and looked for a job but didn't find one, so he created one. He made some things and prayed for acceptance wherever he went to sell them and amazingly, they were accepted. When God lifts a man, he is blessed forever. He brings him to a place where He personally sustains him. It isn't just about finance and material things, but even spiritual ones. Today, grace is poured upon you in the name of Jesus; go speak the Word with accuracy and precision.   

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to take you to the next level ordained for you by His grace.
* Pray that your life will attract unusual favour whenever you go.
* Declare that the blessing of God will bring you a lifting in life and destiny.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
This year, every new day will deliver to me a new testimony, in the name of Jesus.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Higher Height II

Sunday 14 January
READ: Matthew 7:28-29        
MORE LESSON: I Corinthians 2:9-11

We saw yesterday that it is God's desire that we should continually scale to higher heights. We notice that Jesus didn't do any less. In fact, the Bible says that at the beginning of His ministry when He preached in the synagogue, the people said He preached with authority and not as the scribes. Even on the pulpit he defeated, several times over, those who went to school. It is an incredible thing what God has planned for us and if only we could find it out, life would be better on the face of the earth and best in heaven. God is not only planning good on the earth, but also for better and best in heaven. If you consider the words that Jesus constantly used to encourage those who want to become His children, you will find out that His desires, plans and provisions for us are not small things at all. In John 10:10 He says He has come to give us life, and not ordinary life, but abundant life. Living from hand to mouth or having to beg is never part of God's plans for us.

I notice that all during the life time of the Master Jesus, even though He didn't have any bank account, He never had a reason to get into a situation where He could not afford something. There was nothing He could not afford. The day He noticed that the treasurer had no money in the purse, He commanded the Heavens to send it through the bank in the waters. No Central Bank could provide that. That's a higher height; when your needs are met by a force that is beyond human capacity.

Most times people live less than what God desires for them because they have exchanged their standards. Instead of looking up to the life of Jesus as the standard, they tend to compare themselves with other humans; ...but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise: 2 Cor. 10:12.
The goal of the Holy Spirit is to make us like Jesus and not like another man. But Jesus even said, if we believe, we can even do beyond what He did. It is amazing that no  man has been able to attain that height, and we are so satisfied.
The key to attaining higher height is to remain open for more. The largest room in the world is the room for improvement. No matter how high you have gone there is a higher height. Don't stop; keep moving!      

Prayer/Action
* Pray that the supernatural hand of God will be at work in your life.
* Pray that in your field of life you will attain to the peak.
* Pray that you will attain to the high life of Jesus, in every area of life.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
In 2018, my seeds, my roots and my fruits shall be saved from the waster, in the mighty name of Jesus.