WED, 31/08/2011 - - FLOURISH, YOU WILL - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

FLOURISH, YOU WILL

Memorise: "In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." (Psalm 72:7).

  

Read: Psalm 72:6-7 

  

A step above the class of the wealthy is the level of the flourishing. An example of a Bible character who operated on that level was Solomon. In 2 Chronicles 1:15-16, it is on record that in the days of king Solomon, silver and gold were like common stones. He insisted that only gold must be brought into his treasure house. What a mass of financial and material abundance he commanded! It is those on the level of the flourishing that can lend to nations. When their home country or other countries find it difficult to balance their budget, they would seek out the assistance of the flourishing. The Lord will give you such a financial and material elevation so that you will begin to lend to nations.

Sometime ago, a very wealthy friend of mine invited me to hold a Bible study in his house. He invited people of his calibre. But somehow, there was this young man in that meeting, who most likely would have sneaked into that meeting because he was only a rich man. He had only 10 petrol (gas) stations. After I had finished teaching, he met me and told me he was so blessed and wanted to give me a gift. He gave me 10,000 dollars and I blessed him and said, "It will be more next time". He said 'Amen' and left. The following year, I was again invited by my friend to the same place, and the young man was also in attendance. After teaching, he came to tell me that after his gift and my prayer the previous year, God blessed him, adding that his fuel (gas) stations had increased to 110. Then he gave me another gift. As I received the gift, I said, "It will be more next time". His 'Amen' was a resounding one. Today, he has several businesses and petrol (gas) stations in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. If God can do so for this brother, He can do much more for you. One thing we learn from David's prayer for Solomon recorded in Psalm 72 is that prayer and righteousness are great building blocks in the life of the one who wants to flourish. God answered David's prayer concerning his son and he flourished. You need to pray and desire to flourish. Also, you cannot live in sin or cut corners and expect God to prosper you. There must be total separation from sin. You shall flourish like the palm tree!

Prayer Point:

Father, remove every hindrance and cause me to flourish like the palm tree in Jesus name. 

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TUE, 30/08/2011 - - LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN

Memorise: "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way." (Ps 25:9).

  

Read: Matthew 21:12-16 

  

Children are great assets in God's hands. Never belittle them or underestimate what God can do through them. When parents are very busy or confused on what to do concerning a given situation, God may prefer to speak to them through their children. May God speak to you through your spiritual and biological children.

Before my wife and I got saved, we had three children and they were all delivered by caesarean section. Then we decided we would have no more children because our doctor had said my wife could not have children by normal delivery because of certain complications in her body. But after our conversion, Jesus became our family doctor. One day, while reading Luke 1:37, it struck me that what the doctor said was impossible was possible through Jesus. So I decided we should have another child without involving our human doctor. My wife became pregnant and as the time of delivery approached, one of her friends died during child birth and other things followed which generally attacked our faith. However, we resolved to hold fast to God's Word. During our morning devotion one day, we read Exodus 14 where the children of Israel crossed the Red sea, and asked our children to tell us what they understood from the story. One of them said he learnt that where there was no way, God can make a way. My wife and I exchanged glances, surprised to hear such from him and we held fast to it. The following day during family worship, we read Acts 12:5-11 where Peter was released from prison and also asked for feedback from our children. One of them said that he learnt that if God is with you, doors will begin to open on their own accord. Again I exchanged glances with my wife and our faith was further strengthened because God had twice spoken on our pressing issue. By the grace of God, she had the baby by normal delivery. God still uses children today. While Satan is recruiting children and youths into his camp, so also is God. Where do your children fit into? Are you a good influence on them? Do you develop them to a point of being useful tools in God's hands? The ball is in your court.

Prayer Point:

Ask that God will use your children as instruments of righteousness for the benefit of God's Kingdom. 

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MON, 29/08/2011 - - WILLING TO SHINE? - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Monday, August 29, 2011

WILLING TO SHINE?

Memorise: "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:" (Isaiah 1:19).

  

Read: Isaiah 1:19-20 

  

In Isaiah 60:1, God commands you to arise and shine. In my day, several people who feared God have distinguished themselves in one aspect or another. Some have shined in the healing anointing, some in faith and some in wisdom. If they can shine, you too can shine. However, for you to shine, you have to address some questions. First, are you willing to shine? The reason many believers are not shining in their little corners is they have no desire to shine. Whether they shine or not makes no difference to them. You may never shine if you do not want to. According to Isaiah 1:19, it takes a combination of willingness and obedience for you to shine. At the time of creation, God made man in a perfect state, with the ability to make decisions. He made man a free moral agent to choose what he wants. God could have made us zombies or robots that would obey His every orders, but He did not because He wants us to love Him voluntarily. Loving God compulsorily takes the sweetness out of love. This can be compared to a visit to a harlot. It's a purely commercial transaction. There is no friendship and there is no relationship.

If your link with God is like that of relating with a harlot, that relationship can never be fruitful. You would see God as a tool or an object to be used. You would remember God only when you are in need of His assistance. Do you know why the children of pastors and church leaders become wayward? It is partly because they are compelled to love, worship or serve God, whether they understand why or not. They only respond because they want to avoid the cane or punitive measures. Hence, such children may play church for years but maintain a devilish heart. What is simply lacking, however, is willingness. For parents of such children, emphasis should be given to teaching. If you take the time to educate your children about God, it becomes easy for them to make up their minds about loving and serving Him. Are you willing to shine? If you lack the willingness, ask God for it today.

Prayer Point:

Ask that every veil covering God's glow in the lives of believers worldwide would be destroyed today. 

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SUN, 28/08/2011 - - PRAYER SUSTAINS HOPE - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Sunday, August 28, 2011

PRAYER SUSTAINS HOPE

Memorise: "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (Lamentations 3:26).

Read: Acts 3:1-11 

  

One thing we learn from John 17:10 is never to give up on our prayers. At the time the Lord prayed for the apostles, they were yet to be stabilized. Not long after the prayer, Peter, who had earlier pledged his undying support to the Lord, denied Him. The rest forsook Him. In spite of these developments that made Christ's prayer appear ineffective, the Lord never gave up on them. If you consider their lives and ministries in later years, you would be amazed at their successes. Take for instance, Peter. He who had earlier chickened out before a maid, later boldly declared Jesus before the religious Jews of his day. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, one sermon he gave delivered 3000 souls to God's Kingdom. God was glorified! On another day, another sermon from him brought 5000 converts into God's Kingdom. The Lord was glorified. A third sermon brought in multitudes. Every good prayer you have persistently made concerning your children, wards, church members and ministry shall come to pass. Never give up on your prayers.

In Acts 3:1-11, Peter and John were going to the church one day when they passed by a lame beggar. That encounter brought healing to the man and the Lord was glorified. In your life, God shall be glorified. Do you know that at a particular time, the disciples were publicly beaten and they took it in good faith? They did not cry or run away like they did after the Lord's arrest. They did not deny Him like Peter did earlier. Their boldness came from Heaven to the amazement of their persecutors. And God was glorified. No matter how hopeless your spiritual state appears today, you shall glorify the Lord. People will look at your life and give glory to God. Do you consider yourself limited and irrelevant in God's scheme? The tide shall turn. Soon, you will become very relevant. Soon, your consent or involvement will be sought before any major thing is done for the Lord. The same men who were so undependable in the days Jesus was physically present with them, became great vessels of honour and glorification after the Lord ascended. Those church members that have become like perpetual babies today shall be the pillars of tomorrow. Never give up on them. Continue to pray for them.

Key Point:

Some prayer requests may be answered today, some tomorrow. Some others may take years. Keep on praying until you receive your answers. Pray until your joy be full. 

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SAT, 27/08/2011 - - PURPOSE: THE BONE OF LIFE - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Saturday, August 27, 2011

PURPOSE: THE BONE OF LIFE

Memorise: "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" (Acts 9:15)

  

Read: Acts 9:10-16 

  

You are in the world but you are not of the world. Ask yourself: Why am I here? Why was I born white or black? Why was I born into this family? Why did God give me all the opportunities I have enjoyed? Why did I go through all the challenges I have encountered? All these relate to purpose. God has a purpose for creating you. God has a reason for creating each of all the billions of people on planet earth today, although not many would ever live to know their purpose.

Take Paul, the diminutive creature, who achieved giant strides, for instance: Why did God create him? After the Lord encountered Paul on his way to Damascus, he became blind. For the first time in his life, he began to pray right. In response to his prayers, The Lord sent a disciple, Ananias, to minister to him. Immediately Ananias understood who he was sent to pray for, he objected in strong terms, giving God reasons why Paul should not be trusted or favoured. But did God buy Ananias' qualms? Acts 9:15 says, "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:"

One lesson here is that when the purpose of a thing is unknown, abuse is inevitable. Until Paul knew the purpose for his existence, he continued to work against it. Many people are in the same state today. They are working against the purpose of their existence because they do not yet know it. May the Lord open your eyes to see why He sent you to earth! Purpose is the main thing. It is like the skeleton or bone structure in the body. Although flesh and sinew cover the bones, without bones, no human body can perform its normal activity. Without achieving the purpose you were created for, you cannot be what you were meant to be. People tend to concentrate on the flesh they see, but hardly do anything about their bones. Everything you enjoy or suffer is there to enable you fulfil God's purpose for your life. How close are you to doing this?

Prayer Point:

Lord, let me not miss Your purpose for my life.

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FRI, 26/08/2011 - - JUMPING THE GUN? - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Friday, August 26, 2011

JUMPING THE GUN?

Memorise: "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:4).

  

Read: Exodus 2:11-15

  

There is an appropriate time to be favoured. Very early in life, Moses knew that he was born to be some kind of deliverer, although the exact nature of deliverance was not clear to him. When God has a special plan for your life, He will cause you to know it one way or another. Sometimes, it may be through strong convictions or compassions He puts in you. This is why you do not always need a prophet to tell you the mind of God.

After waiting for his fortieth birthday, Moses felt the time had come to commence his deliverance ministry. At this time, he was very certain God wanted to use him as a deliverer. However, though he was ready, God was not. His timing was different from God's. By the time he stepped into ministry ahead of God, he got into trouble, which kept him in exile for 40 years at the backside of the desert. When you become impatient with God's timing and decide to go ahead without Him, it will set you back. No child of God can make true progress without God. Like Moses, many believers who have God's call on their lives fail to wait for God's timing. And in the process, they waste God's time, their time, and other resources. For things to be right, however, God's call must be carried out at His time.

God is never late with regard to calling His children. If you are convinced of His purpose for your life, the next thing to do is to prayerfully wait for Heaven's appointed time. You cannot hasten God to start something before Heaven's appointed time. When Moses' time of favour came, he did not miss it. He saw an incredible sight in a burning bush. Also, in Exodus 3:1-15, God caused him to witness some miracles in quick succession in order to convince him beyond reasonable doubt that his time had come. When your time of favour comes, you will know. God can cause miraculous events to happen to you such that people around you will know that you are experiencing unusual favour. Are you a child of destiny? Are you sure God has a plan for your life? Have you confirmed the exact assignment God has for you? Have you waited for the right time to embark on it? Or have you, like Moses, jumped the gun? Retrace your steps today!

Key Point:

Many are going prematurely into ministry and therefore encountering problems and shameful experiences that could have been avoided. Father, help me understand my calling and your timing. 

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THU, 25/08/2011 - - HE'LL BE WAITING - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Thursday, August 25, 2011

HE'LL BE WAITING

Memorise: "So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him." (Isa 59:19).

  

Read: Isaiah 59:17-19 

  

Before God came to Samson's rescue, his captors first rejoiced over him. Such scenarios make people think that God is a late comer. No, He is not! Psalm 46:1 says He is a present help. That means, when you need Him, He will be there. God responds more to our needs and not necessarily our wants. Most of our wants are misplaced, selfish, fleshly, and may even be detrimental. When a young school leaver cries to God for an SUV, do you want God to yield to his request? But when an SUV becomes a need, God will oblige the requester. Until now, many believers are asking to receive today what God will give them in 10 years time. Remember that just as you have set a particular time to achieve certain things, so also has God a plan for each of His children. If you are wise, you will allow yours to blend with God's, and not the other way round.

"So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him" (Is 59:19). God may wait for the enemy to come on His children like a flood, but He will ensure that the flood does not swallow them. If you are truly a child of God, no flood can swallow you. The fire will come but you shall not be burnt. Take for instance the three Hebrew children in Daniel 3:19-25. When they were being bound, God was looking. When they were heating the fiery furnace seven times beyond normal, God did nothing. When the mighty men were carrying them in order to hurl them into the fire, God did not say anything. Then came God's moment of action! Just before they landed in the fire, they met Him already waiting for them. At the peak of your trial God is waiting for you. At the height of that sorrow, the Lord is waiting. Never think that you will not survive. God will not allow you to go under. Just before you descend to your deepest depth, the Lord will be waiting. Just before you move into the doldrums, the Lord will be waiting. He is ahead just in time to salvage you from the enemy's worst. The Lord shall deliver you. You shall not sink. The Lord shall be waiting for you, to give you the reverse of your enemy's expectations.

Key Point:

If God allows you to go through the flood or fire, it is because He has already made preparations for you to come out unscathed.

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WED, 24/08/2011 - - THE RICH AND THE WEALTHY - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

THE RICH AND THE WEALTHY

Memorise: "Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place." (Ps 66:12).

  

Read: Genesis 26:12-14 

  

In the spectrum of wealth, you have the poor, survivors and the comfortable. As unpleasant as these categories may sound, the bulk of the people fall within these classes. If you are in any of these, the Lord will take you up to far better levels this year.

A step above the level of comfort is the category of the rich. In Genesis 24:34-35, when Abraham's servant was speaking of his master, he said God has blessed him to the point of being rich in silver, gold, cattle, etc. Who are the rich? Let me define this by sharing this testimony. I have a friend and we normally travel abroad together. When we go shopping, while I am looking for items "reduced to clear" or discounted items, he would push his cart towards anything that appealed to him. One day, after observing him, I remarked to him that he had not checked the prices on the items he bought. He replied that there was no need for that. That is what I call being rich. If you have never tasted this level, the Lord will cause you to experience it this year.

Another level slightly higher than the category of the rich is the class of the wealthy. Ecclesiastes 6:2 says they are those who lack nothing. An example of this is Isaac. In Genesis 26:12-14, Isaac sowed and reaped in hundred folds to the extent of becoming the envy of a nation. Let me give an example of the wealthy. I had an uncle who is now of blessed memory. He was a wealthy man at a time the Nigerian naira was almost equivalent in value to the British pound. If you went to him to request for a thousand naira, he would tell you he did not have it. If you informed him of a project you needed to do which would cost ten thousand naira, he would tell you he had no money. But if you told him you were in need of 100,000 naira, his interest would be kindled. He would tell you, 'It's now you are talking. How could you insult me by asking for such paltry sums?' One day, the principal of a school intimated him of their need for a school hall. He simply asked: "Is that all?" Then he asked if they had a house for boys, a house for girls, and a house for the principal himself. The man said "No". So he told him to add these to his request and he provided for them. The Lord will take you to the level of the wealthy where, when people ask you for one thing, they will get at least 10.

Prayer Point:

Father, in all our parishes worldwide, raise wealthy brethren who will be happy to build your church. 

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TUE, 23/08/2011 - - HONOURABLE YOUNG VESSELS - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

HONOURABLE YOUNG VESSELS

Memorise: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim 4:12)

Read: 1 Samuel 3:1-5 

  

In addition to appreciating and going after what is good, parents should teach their children and wards to respect God's anointed vessels. In Psalm 105:14-15, God warned that nobody should touch or harm His anointed. That warning is not limited to adults but also applies to children and teens. God does not take kindly to any act that insults, belittles or ridicules God's anointed. In 2 Kings 2:23-24, some children thought it fun to mock God's servant and call him names. God's judgement fell on them immediately. Two she-bears came from nowhere and tore all 42 of them to shreds. Even today, some children, particularly teenagers, call men of God names. In a particular Gospel church, it was discovered that the teens gave most adult members nick-names. When they discussed about their parents, ministers, and pastors, nobody knew who they were referring to. Warn your children to never disrespect the anointed of God or someone older than them. Carefully instruct them to leave anywhere people, especially their peers, are making jest of men of God. Those who make fun of God's anointed servants do not live long (Num 16:1-35). Do not rebuke an elder.

Another thing you can teach your children is that age is no barrier to being used of God. Tell them that if only they can yield to God, they can become His vessels of honour as young as they are. Samuel was only a child in the temple at Shiloh when He began to minister to God and hear from Him (1 Sam 3:1-14). As children, if they can open their hearts to the Lord, He can speak to them. God wants to establish a relationship with children. As a child, you can hear His voice and He can confide in you like He did to young Samuel. Similarly, David was a young boy when he killed Goliath. Your children can take out the giants that had troubled their parents for generations. Also, Timothy was a youth when he came into ministry. In fact, because of his age, his spiritual father - Paul, had to tell him that his age should not be a reason for not measuring up. As a youth, you can be an outstanding servant of God. Get to know the Lord now and hand over your life to Him. It shall be well with you.

Action Point:

Anyone who looks down on God's young vessels is looking down on God. Such a person is most unwise. Honour God in the life of every child or minister of God. 

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MON, 22/08/2011 - - GOD'S COVENANT IS DEEPER - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Monday, August 22, 2011

GOD'S COVENANT IS DEEPER

Memorise: "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." (Gen 17:1).

  

Read: Genesis 17:1-8 

  

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Num 23:19).

God is eternally faithful to those He cut covenants with. Once made, it becomes virtually impossible to break. A covenant is beyond mere promises but progresses through levels of promises. At those levels, the subject matter and the one who God has promised something go through a trial stage. Depending on the individual and the issue at stake, that trial period can take some years. When the relationship between that individual and God has blossomed significantly, and he has passed some tests, God will then proceed to cut a covenant with him. Take for instance Abraham, when God called him in Genesis 12:1-3, God gave him some powerful promises. Abraham in disobedience took Lot with him. However, it took some 24 years for God to cut an everlasting covenant with him. So when he was 99 years old, God cut a covenant with him. There are some other people that God saved and gave very powerful promises. Like Abraham, God planned to make an everlasting covenant with them but they have refused to meet with His terms. As long as you fail to walk right before God and meet His requirement, God's promises on your life may not get to the realm of covenant. What are you doing to provoke God's covenant today?

Some people take the issue of covenant like a joke. It is a serious matter. Today, many people say I am a great man of God without realizing that I am only enjoying the covenant God made to my father-in-the-Lord many years ago, He reminded him of it on our trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States. Although the promise was not fulfilled while papa was alive, He is fulfilling it today. If you look through the Scriptures, you will find that God is interested in making covenants with His children. That means that He is not interested in just having a relationship with you but in having a deep and everlasting relationship. Have you given Him room for such intimacy?

Action Point:

Do you have an existing covenant that God has personally cut with you? Guard it jealously! Get rid of every 'Lot' - (disobedience) in your life. 

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SUN, 21/08/2011 - - PRAYER: WHAT CONTENT? - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Sunday, August 21, 2011

PRAYER: WHAT CONTENT?

Memorise: "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;" (Col 1:9).

 

Read: Colossians 1:9-11 

  

In John 17:10, the Lord spoke prophetically when He said that He was glorified in His disciples. He could not have been glorified in Peter when he thrice denied Him during His trial. He could not also have been glorified in His apostles when after His death and burial, every man returned to their tents and former businesses. He was also not glorified in them when they could not declare Jesus out of fear of being persecuted by the Jews. Does that mean that the prayer of Jesus for the leaders He raised was unanswered? No! This simply reveals the nature of prayer in the life of the one being prayed for; prayer goes into the future of those being prayed for to prepare the way for them. When you pray for your leaders, even in the midst of several weaknesses, one way or another, God will make them fit in response to your prayers. In this regard, prayer is an investment. If you can invest prayers into your children, you can help to give shape to their destiny. Do you have uncontrollable children or wards? Do not give up on them! Invest in turning their lives around through prayers. Do you have difficult members or ministers? Pray consistently for them.

Apart from the Lord, another Bible character who invested so much in praying for his converts and ministers was Paul. In his epistle to the Ephesians, he plainly told them that apart from thanking God on their behalf, he regularly prayed about their spiritual growth until they were rooted and grounded in love (Eph 1:16-19; 3:14-19). In the same way, Paul prayed regularly for the Colossian Church to increase in the knowledge of God (Col 1:9-11). Although he was concerned about their material prosperity, the greater focus was on spiritual prosperity. The quality of your prayer can be determined by the spiritual content. When you pray for your leaders or subordinates, what are the contents of your prayers? If you assess the content of some prayers, they are not in conformity with God's will, Word, and the destiny of the one being prayed for. If you want spiritual transformation of your leaders, converts or members, pray God's Word contained in the Pauline epistles into their lives. After a period of doing this, you will see a difference in their lives. You can shape and reshape the lives of many through your prayers.

Prayer Points:

How much time do you invest in praying for your loved ones? Pray that all our elders will be more fruitful for the Kingdom as they prepare to meet with the Lord.

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SAT, 20/08/2011 - - SURPRISES IN LITTLE PACKS - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Saturday, August 20, 2011

SURPRISES IN LITTLE PACKS

Memorise: "That no flesh should glory in his presence." (1 Cor 1:29).

  

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 

  

God hates discrimination among His people. Treat everybody equally and never be carried away by people's outward appearance. Those who easily favour the rich above the poor will most likely miss Christ when He visits them. The Lord may come as a poor fellow and because they are looking out for the rich, they will maltreat Him. They will by their body language and condescending attitude say, 'This church is not for poor people like you. As you sit down, do so at the edge of your seat. Do not stain our expensive chairs'. May you not miss His visitation! It is commonly said that big surprises come in small packages. Never look down on that brother or sister that appears less fortunate. God has no useless child. Every child of God is useful, but it is just that some do not yet know their place of usefulness. The one you look down upon today may surprise you tomorrow.

In 1 Samuel 17:42-51, Goliath saw David as a small boy and laughed, but a few minutes later, the 'small boy' was standing over his corpse with his head severed from his body. In the Early Church, God used young deacons such as Stephen and Philip to do great and mighty works. No wonder 1 Corinthians 1:27 says God uses foolish, weak and little things to surprise the wise and mighty. Never look down on those you consider to be weak. They may be weak or limited in a sense but they have a surprise package for you. When we wanted to move into our first house on the camp in 1988, we had no money for windows. We needed N500. As we were to have a School of Disciples meeting, I felt tempted to share the challenge with them. If I had done so, they would have contributed towards this but I had resolved never to beg. So I asked them to pray that God should give me my desired miracle. One Sunday morning, a little girl came into my office and said the money she was saving to travel abroad, God asked her to give it to me. I received it, blessed her and she left. It was the N 500 I needed. I did not see the girl over a period of time after that. But one day, I saw her on her way from London and I asked how she was able to travel. She said after she gave me the money, her friend's parents wanted to send her friend abroad for summer holidays. But the friend refused to go except she went with her, and that was how she was sponsored. God can use those who have not, to meet the needs of those who have.

Prayer Point:

Father, grant me the grace to see what You have deposited in others and help me to assist them. 

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FRI, 19/08/2011 - - ENGAGE YOUR ALLY - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Friday, August 19, 2011

ENGAGE YOUR ALLY

Memorise: "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." (Isaiah 41:13).

  

Read: 1 Samuel 17:45-51 

  

It is a dangerous thing to tolerate your mockers or internal enemies! When the children of Israel were about to enter Canaan after several years of wandering, the Lord gave them some warnings. He told them to drive out the inhabitants of the land that would be allocated to them according to the size of each tribe. Numbers 33:55 says, "But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell". If you do not exercise authority over your weaknesses today, they may eventually take you as their victim. They will bring an individual into severe torture and sorrow. The enemies you spare will become a source of unending grief. That was the experience of the Israelites when they failed to drive out some of their enemies. Moreover, a time comes when God begins to see that fellow as if He is seeing the enemy and as a result, may extend the judgement meant for the enemy on him as well (Num 33:56). God hates sin but loves the sinner. If you are blood washed and saved, but still continue to nurse a particular sinful habit, by the time God's judgement falls on that sin, the sinner will be affected. Stop tolerating your weaknesses!

In 2 Kings 2:23-24, another thing Elisha did was to turn towards his mockers and curse them in the name of the Lord. To get rid of your mockers, you need to call on your Ally. Some people take sins as very minor problems which they can fix with just a New Year resolution. Hence, a week, or month into the year, they find themselves back at their place of defeat. Sin is spiritual. To deal with something spiritual, you need a spiritual Ally. When David faced Goliath, he knew that for him to win that battle, he must seek the help of his Ally-The Lord of hosts who has never lost any battle (1 Sam 17:45-47). Whenever you are fighting a battle you cannot win with your strength, call upon the Lord of hosts. He is the greatest Ally, and is ever accessible to man. In Isaiah 41:10-13, He promises to help you. If you can call on Him today to take away suffering from your life, He will answer. Yet, before He can act on your behalf, you must be tired of that negative condition, and you must invite Him. Is the Lord of hosts involved in your battles?

Prayer Point:

Lord, today, I hand over all the battles of my life to You. Take charge.

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THU, 18/08/2011 - - TERMINATING THE ENEMY'S TRIUMPH - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Thursday, August 18, 2011

TERMINATING THE ENEMY'S TRIUMPH

Memorise: "The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him." (Ps 89:22).

  

Read: Micah 7:5-8 

  

“And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands" (Judges 15:14). After Samson's relations delivered him bound to his external enemies, the latter began to celebrate his capture. It is wrong for anyone to rejoice over me when I am still alive. Those who are rejoicing over you when you are still alive are rejoicing in ignorance. Their rejoicing is premature and shall soon meet with disappointment. Micah 7:8 says, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me". Are your enemies rejoicing over your fall? They shall be disappointed shortly. You cannot bury the fellow that is not yet dead. No matter how bad your situation is today, as long as there is still breath in you, there is hope for you. Hence, Ecclesiastes 9:4 says, "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion". There is hope for you. Have you fallen? You shall rise again. Have you suffered a loss? There shall be recovery.

One thing is clear: God does not want your enemies to rejoice over you. When God sent Moses to Pharaoh, Pharaoh told him because he did not know his God, he would not let Israel go. He thought he had the last laugh. God saw this and laughed. By the time the Lord arose for His People in Exodus 12:1-33, the one who said the God of the Israelites was rather powerless, was the same fellow begging them to go. Have the Pharaohs of this world challenged your God and held back your blessing or entitlement? Are they asking like Pharaoh, 'who is that God…?' The Lord will arise on your behalf today, and they will be begging you to come and claim your inheritance. Everyone sitting on your promotion or entitlement is sitting on a pot of gunpowder. If they don't release what's in their custody, an explosion will take them out of your way, and you will possess your possession. Everyone who is rejoicing over your misfortune shall soon sing a dirge by the time the Lord is through with them. Worship the Lord today and ask Him to arise on your behalf.

 Prayer Point:

Father, turn my mourning into rejoicing!

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WED, 17/08/2011 - - TRULY BLESSED? - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

TRULY BLESSED?

Memorise: "Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant." (Ps 35:27).

  

Read: Luke 5:1-7 

  

There are different categories of blessings, depending on their sizes and how enduring they can be. Some blessings are barely enough for the recipient, while some are so much that it would take the assistance of neighbours to carry them. There are also boat-sinking blessings like the one Peter experienced in today's reading. May you experience a boat-sinking catch of God's blessings this season in Jesus name.

Taking a look at the spectrum of wealth, there are several possibilities. At the lowest rung is the category of the poor. These have needs and wants just like everyone else but can barely afford to meet them. They may not have what to eat or what to wear. They may also not have a shelter over their heads, and as such may look for somewhere to sleep-under overhead bridges, bus-stops and in the open. The Scriptures say that no matter what happens, this category will always coexist with the rich. May your name be relocated from this category of the poor to the highest rung in Jesus name. The next level is the category of survivors. In a city like Lagos, they are tagged 'Book me down'. They may be engaged in some job but due to insufficient wages, their money would be spent before the middle of the month. As a survivival strategy, they will go to buy foodstuffs on credit and ask the sellers to list their names among debtors. The survivors live from hand to mouth. Are you in this category? A positive change is coming your way this season!

The next level on the spectrum of wealth is the comfortable. These people's income and salaries conveniently meet their monthly needs, and a little left over which they can save. You may think that all is well with them until they have a crisis. At such times, they would spend their little reserves and then be faced with lack, which demotes them to lower rungs on the spectrum of wealth. Without a moment of crisis, this is not a bad level. But can you prevent an emergency? Nobody can tell when there will be an emergency regarding health breakdown, fire outbreak, natural disasters, or even extended family demands. If you belong to any of the above classes, ask God to take you higher.

Prayer Point:

Father, this season, move me to the higher levels of the spectrum of wealth and terminate poverty in my life. 

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TUE, 16/08/2011 - - APPRECIATE THE GOOD - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

APPRECIATE THE GOOD

Memorise: "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." (Rom 12:9).

 Read: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 

  

In raising your children in God's ways, you must teach them to seek after Him. As long as they seek Him, they shall never know lack. In addition, teach your children to appreciate good things from a tender age. There is a spiritual law known as the law of transformation. It simply says that whatever you admire is what you will likely become. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord". If you like something, you will devote more of your time to it, and after a while, it will begin to influence you. What are your likes and dislikes? If you like the wrong things, you will end up doing them. Elisha appreciated God's grace on Elijah to the point of having a double portion of it. What you appreciate is what you will follow. Joshua appreciated God's wisdom and power in the life of Moses. Shortly before his death, Moses transferred the same Spirit of wisdom to him. It is what your child appreciates in you that he or she will most likely receive. What is in you that is worth emulating?

When I was very young, a particular teacher came to teach in the village school I attended. He came with a young relative of his. He virtually quarrelled on a daily basis with his ward for refusing to read his books. One day, while flogging the boy for not reading his books, the boy asked him: "Why are you flogging me? I have told you I don't want to read". "If so, what do you want to become in life?", the teacher asked. "I want to be a truck pusher" he replied. With that reply, the teacher saw the futility of forcing him, so he sent him packing. What do your children think about or focus on? What do you teach them to appreciate? Also, in determining what a child appreciates, it is important to start from his parents. What do the parents love so well? It will be difficult for parents who spend several hours watching television programmes, to stop their children from toeing the same path. A father who flares up at every given opportunity is indirectly teaching his children that it is right to lose temper over the slightest provocation. To avoid sending the wrong messages to your children and wards, live uprightly. Let your life be transparent. Be honest. Be careful about what your young children are exposed to.

Key Point:

Every Christian home must have solid values that the children must grow up to imbibe. Are such values in your home?

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MON, 15/08/2011 - - THE COVENANT KEEPER - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Monday, August 15, 2011

THE COVENANT KEEPER

Memorise: "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." (Ps 89:34).

  

Read: Jeremiah 33:20-21 

  

When Exodus 2:24 says God remembered something, this does not mean that He forgets. He does not forget His own. He cannot forget you. It simply means your time is yet to come, and all you have to do is wait on Him in faith, expectation and thanksgiving. Are you waiting patiently on the Lord? He will remember you this season. In addition, the word 'remember' can mean 'visit'. For instance, while 1 Samuel 1:19 says God remembered Hannah, Genesis 21:1 says God visited Sarah. So, when God remembers somebody, it simply means God has decided to visit the fellow. You are Heaven's candidate for God's visitation this season!

Moreover, what exactly did God remember? He remembered His covenant. He is a covenant keeping God. It is impossible for Him to violate His covenant. He takes this so seriously that the penalty for breaking one is death. Since God cannot die, He definitely cannot break His covenant. Jeremiah 33:20-21 says, "Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers". Oh! How reassuring! Do you know that when God makes a covenant with you, it could affect your future generations? Even when you are no more on the scene, God remains faithful to your generations! David and his descendants were great beneficiaries of this. Entering a covenant with God also means that God will sustain such with that individual, with the same zeal and resources He sustains His covenant of day and night. The only one who can alter God's covenant with you is the fellow who can stop day from following night. There is no one who has been able to do this, not even the devil. This means nobody can tamper with what God has promised to do in your life. No matter how satanically empowered that fellow is, he or she cannot break God's covenant of blessing, promotion, healing, protection and prosperity with you. God is too faithful to fail!

Prayer Point:

Father, thank You for your unfailing covenant over my life.

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SUN, 14/08/2011 - - GLORY VESSELS - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Sunday, August 14, 2011

GLORY VESSELS

Memorise: "And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them." (John 17:10)

  

Read: John 17:9-10 

  

A look into the prayers the Lord said to the Father on behalf of the apostles, recorded in John 17, shows that for leaders to be effective in ministry, specific prayers should be made for them. Realizing the potency of such prayers for leaders, Paul solicited prayers from the church. "Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly" (Hebrews 13:18). If the 11 apostles and Paul needed prayers to fulfil God's call upon their lives, your leaders need your prayers to succeed. When you pray for your leaders, it simply means you love yourself and you are wise. It is foolishness to ignore your leaders. Some people complain so much about the misdemeanours of their leaders to the point of not praying for them at all. If only they knew the harm being done to themselves. Your leader is your head. Your head provides you spiritual covering. It is also the medium through which, your blessings, coming from God, would pass through to you. If you fail to pray for them, they would be more prone to error and eventually constitute a hindrance to your blessings. When you intercede for your leaders, you benefit as well.

In addition, when the Lord said He was glorified in those apostles, He was only speaking in faith, calling what was not as if it was already done. If He was already glorified in His apostles, there would be no need to pray for them specifically. What He meant therefore was, 'I see myself being glorified in them sometime in future'. This is in consonance with the language of the Godhead. For instance, God saw and called Abraham a father of many nations when he was a childless, hopeless man (Rom 4:16-17). And eventually, it came to pass. Believe it or not, in your raw unrefined state, the Lord sees you as a chosen vessel for His glorification. God has determined that through your life He shall be glorified. So, what the Lord simply did, in today's reading, was to pray that His vessels of glory be preserved so that they can reflect His glory. Every hindrance in your life that is debarring God's glory from reflecting shall be removed. You shall reflect His glory from today.

Prayer Point:

Even in your state of limitation, God sees you as unlimited. Pray for the plan of God for your life to come to pass. 

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SAT, 13/08/2011 - - IN HIS IMAGE? - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Saturday, August 13, 2011

IN HIS IMAGE?

Memorise: "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again" (John 3:7).

  

Read: John 3:1-7 

  

Apart from knowing that you are not an animal, and not just a mere object of an impersonal God, another fact that you must know as part of who you are is that you are not just a human being. How you see yourself is crucial in determining quite a lot of things that have bearing on your past, present and future. Equally crucial is how others see you, but the latter is not as important as the former. Most important of all is how God sees you. If people see you as an animal, you can decide to exhibit the traits of one e.g. a dog who sleeps around and returns to its vomit. How do you see yourself?

Every human being has been created in God's image but not every human being reflects that image. This brings us to two kinds of human beings, namely: human-human and spirit-human. The first category has the potential of being in God's image but never tap into it. Their spirit man which should link up with God the Creator (who is Spirit), is dead. They are dominated by the flesh and controlled by God's enemy- Satan. Human-human beings may be very religious people but as long as they maintain that nature, they can never live to fulfil God's original plan for their lives.

An example of someone with the human-human nature was Nicodemus. He was very rich. He was also a very popular religious leader, but in spite of his efforts at serving God, he began to secretly observe the life and works of Christ. He realized that there was more to life than met the eye. One day, he could no longer bear his curiousity, and so sneaked out at night to ask the Lord. Jesus answered him even before he could ask: 'You must be born again, Nicodemus'. In other words, to be fulfilled in life, your spirit man must be recreated in Christ. You would have to become a spirit-human, one who is controlled and directed by the Spirit of God, whose desire is to please God. Nicodemus accepted and the fulfilment he never got from religion, wealth and power, he got from Christ. If you are born again, you are not just human, you are spirit-human. Your spirit man is alive and in tune with God. Through this, you can reflect God's image.

Key Point:

Human-humans operate under body and soul mainly, while spirit-humans operate under spirit, soul and body sequence. Along which sequence do you operate? 

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FRI, 12/08/2011 - - FORCE COMPLEMENTS RESISTANCE - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Friday, August 12, 2011

FORCE COMPLEMENTS RESISTANCE

Memorise: "Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:9).

  

Read: 1 Peter 5:6-9 

  

To recover your lost crown or retain it permanently, you must not tolerate your mockers. You must also attack everything mocking God in your life. According to James 4:7, as you submit to God, you must resist the devil. If you submit to God but fail to resist the devil, he can still turn you into the headquarters of sorrow. This is where many find themselves today. They say, 'I am living a holy life. I pay my tithes and obey His instructions. Why is it that the symbols of the liar are still evident in my life?' Such people look towards God as being responsible. No! He is not! It is your duty to submit to God and to resist the devil. Don't ever think that you can scare the devil by merely submitting to God. And don't think he will leave you alone because of that. In fact, those who live in obedience to God's Word usually come under the enemy's intense fire power. To resist involves some kind of struggling or wrestling. You cannot effectively resist someone or something without applying force. Are you resisting the devil? Give no room to the devil, not an inch.

To secure your victory, your resistance must be sustained. It must be forceful and strong. Some people resist for a while but thereafter yield to the enemy's pressure. Yielding makes you lose all previous efforts invested in your resistance. 1 Peter 5:9 says, "Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world". If resistance is not sustained, the devil will not leave. Also, the nature of resistance matters. If it is weak, it is another way of saying, 'I was only joking when I asked you to go. Please stay'. If you combine resistance with violence, you can be assured the devil will take to his heels. You can put your enemies to flight by being violent against every mocker in your life (Matt 11:12). When we newly came to the Redemption Camp, it was full of snakes - big and small. The first big one we killed was more than five feet long. If you went into your bedroom and found a snake curled under the bed sheet, would you allow it to share the warmth of that bed with you because of the cold outside? I know you would do everything to kill it that moment, or else, you would not sleep. In the same way, apply force on anger, lying, cheating, lust and every other weakness in your life. Remember the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Don't spare your flesh.

Key Point:

Satan and his cohorts never take you serious until you back up your resistance with force. Pray violently against all internal enemies.

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THU, 11/08/2011 - - VICTORY OVER ENEMIES - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Thursday, August 11, 2011

VICTORY OVER ENEMIES

Memorise: "He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man." (Ps 18:48).

Read: Judges 15:9-15 

In today's reading, after Samson's relatives were threatened by the Philistines, out of fear, they bound and delivered him to their enemies. He could not harm his relatives but sheepishly had to submit to their evil plot. After he was delivered to the enemies, the Philistines rejoiced and celebrated the capture. God heard and saw the rejoicing of the enemies and He arose by His Spirit and things took a different turn. From this passage, it is obvious that the toughest enemy to deal with is the enemy within. Internal enemies include your flesh, personal desires, habits, character flaws and your relatives. Samson was incapacitated when his folks were handing him over to the external enemies. Often times, the external enemies cannot make inroads except they have the backing of the internal enemies. Samson's relatives handed him over to the Philistines. Some internal enemies, people very close to you, may be too willing to hand you over to your external enemies for whatever reasons. But if God is on your side, such plans shall fail. Every internal enemy, plotting your downfall, destruction or overthrow, shall be brought to nothing.

When Joseph's envious brothers saw him coming, they resolved there and then to kill him so that his dream could perish. But because God was with him, they could neither kill him nor his dream. So, when they sold him into slavery, little did they know that they were giving him a free ride into the land where his dreams would be realized. Every plot to kill your dream shall fail. Anyone who wants you dead shall go on your behalf. Every attempt to push you far away from your goal shall draw you much closer to it in Jesus name. However, when the enemies are at work, it would appear that God is unaware. No! He is not! He may just be silent. While Samson was being brought down from the mountain, God was silent. He gave them room to do whatever they wanted before He arose. Psalm 2:1-5 says when people gather to plan against you, God will laugh at them and arise on your behalf. This season, the Lord shall arise over your matter. He shall unseat every internal and external enemy and deliver you the victory. It is your season of victory.

Key Point:

Joseph's brothers were not after Joseph but after his life's dream. Unknown to them, had they succeeded in killing his dream, they might not have survived the famine. Don't be a dream killer. 

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