FRI, 10/06/2011 - - IDENTIFIED BY COUNSEL

Friday, June 10, 2011

IDENTIFIED BY COUNSEL

Memorise: "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Col 4:6).

  

Read: Genesis 41:33-38 

  

Another way of identifying a wise fellow is by the counsel he gives. You cannot give what you don't have. It takes somebody with some level of wisdom to give wise counsels. In Genesis 41:33-41, Joseph not only interpreted Pharaoh's disturbing dreams, but also gave advice on how to solve the problem. His solution package exposed the level of wisdom that he had within. If you are a wise person, you will not only see a problem, but also propose a way out. People easily see the problem, difficulty or challenge but not many people can see the solution. If you are a wise fellow, you will always give rest to your superiors because when they are seeking a solution to the problem, you have the solution. What kind of advice do you give to your counselees? If your advice is bereft of wisdom, it shows that you are not wise. If your advice to people is what is driving them away from your local assembly, it may be that you lack wisdom. Some pastors or prophets receive revelations about members of their churches but hardly exercise wisdom in relaying such messages. The way a message is delivered to its recipient affects the way it will be received. If your presentation puts more fear into the receiver, or turns the fellow from doing what God wants done, it is because you lack wisdom.

If you are wise, only words that edify your fellow men and words that glorify God would emanate from you. Hence, Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man". This tells us clearly that in order to get your desired response from people, first study them before knowing how best to reply each person. Answering everyone the same way will definitely not deliver you your expected response. In 2 Samuel 16:23, we read of one man who was one of the wisest counsellors of his day-Ahithophel. All over the land, his counsel was reputed for wisdom. Anyone who met him for counsel was bound to be shown the way out of the woods. His counsel was so good that it was compared with hearing from God. This means that, if you are so full of wisdom, the counsel that emanates from you will be in consonance with God's word and will. Are you a leader? What kind of counsel do you give to those under you?

Prayer Point:

Ask that the Lord will give the Spirit of counsel to leaders in your local assembly.

THU, 09/06/2011 - - WORRYING IS UNPROFITABLE

Thursday, June 9, 2011

WORRYING IS UNPROFITABLE

Memorise: "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" (Matt 6:27).

  

Read: Matthew 6:25-32 

  

Using your mental faculties or mind to worry about things or events, is an abuse of God's purpose of giving you such great resources. Generally, human beings are concerned about the past, the present and the future. They fear that their negative past can suddenly catch up with them. Concerning the present, people also carry loads of worries. If things are bad, they begin to worry whether there would ever be improvement. If things are good, they fret about continuity. The fellow without a car worries whether he will ever own a car in his life time. When he gets one, his worry becomes whether it will last-will it be stolen or will it be involved in an accident? If any of these happens, would he be able to raise enough money to replace the car? In Matthew 6:25-32, our Lord Jesus Christ commands us not to be worried, fretful or over-anxious about our past or present. Worrying over the past blinds your heart concerning all of God's past goodness and victories, leaving only fear. Similarly, worrying over the present robs you of the joy of the moment, leaving you with hopelessness, doubt and fear. Verse 27 of our reading clearly tells us that if there is one activity that is totally unprofitable, it is engaging in worry. It takes all your time and in turn delivers you nothing but hypertension. If you channel the time wasted in worrying into praising and worshipping God or some other healthy spiritual activity, you will be close to the solution. Worrying takes you further away from the solution.

For many, another subject of worry is the future. "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matt 6:34). Most people worry about the future. What will tomorrow bring? What happens after my retirement? Who will take care of me when I am too old to take care of myself? What is the guarantee that I will reach old age? Is it safe to relax now that my parents have lucrative jobs or hold powerful positions? If I am rich today, is there any guarantee that my wealth will sustain me and my children in the future? Stop worrying about your future! Worrying about the future robs you of joys ahead. It also robs you of hope, fills you with fear and can lead to untimely death. Worrying takes your heart from God and hands it over to your enemy: the spirit of fear. It robs you of your prayer life. Take all those issues that you are mindful of to Jesus and look up to Him for direction and solution.

Action Point:

 Worry, fear and anxiety are Satan's weapons. Give them no place in your life!

WED, 08/06/2011 - - ALREADY PROVIDED

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

ALREADY PROVIDED

Memorise: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Eph 1:3).

  

Read: Ephesians 1:3-5 

  

The Lord Jesus Christ is linked with history. The word 'history' is a fusion of two words - his and story. Simply put, history is the story of God. History is a play written by God and acted by men. Hence, events on earth are dated according to the years before the birth of Christ (B.C.) or after the death of Christ (A.D.). Without Jesus Christ, the world's timing will be incomplete. Acts 4:27-28 says that the crucifixion of Jesus had been pre-ordained. Right from the time of Adam's fall, it was prophesied that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent, while the heels of the former would be bruised (Gen 3:14-15). This simply shows that nothing takes God by surprise. Ever before Adam and Eve fell, the all knowing God saw that they would fall into sin, so He arranged for Jesus to come as the Lamb of God who would be slain for the sins of the world. Hence, Revelation 13:8 says, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world". God is a great planner. Before Adam was ever created, God who had known that he would fall made provision to restore men back to Himself.

Just as God had provided for man's reconciliation and restoration before his fall, so also has God provided for your life on earth ever before you were created. Ephesians 1:3 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:". Before you were born, He equally provided all that you would ever need to get to your destination. Sadly, although God's provision existed before we were born, not everyone has accessed it. Your provisions are in Jesus Christ. What you need to succeed in ministry has already been provided before you came into that ministry. All you need to do is receive His provision through His Word and let Him guide you on how, when, and where to possess your provision. This season, as you engage in unlimited thanksgiving, you will access your provisions.

Prayer Point:

Thank God for what He has provided for your success. Ask Him for grace to access them.

TUE, 07/06/2011 - - COMMITTED LIKE PAUL?

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

COMMITTED LIKE PAUL?

Memorise: "Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:13).

  

Read: Acts 21:8-14 

  

As a bona fide friend, one way of standing by Jesus Christ is to stand by His followers. In the judgement of the nations at Christ's second advent, the Lord says He would command the sheep nations at His right hand, saying "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matt 25:40). If you want to stand by Jesus, look for the less privileged believers to assist. Support them with your substance. Make a difference in their lives. Some people look for the opportunity to assist wealthy believers, probably because they can easily get help from them in return. That is not standing by Christ! Go and help those who cannot help you. Bless those who cannot bless you. Let them testify that their lives became better because you allowed God to use you. Some teenagers require assistance in enrolling for examinations but there is nobody to help. That is why you are there. That is why God gave you surplus so that they can be assisted (Gal 6:9-10).

In addition, standing by Christ is attaining the height of commitment to the Kingdom of God, which means, to get to the point of dying for Him. Many people can confess their love for Christ but when it comes to the point of dying for Him, they will simply retreat into their shells. In Acts 21:11-14, when it was revealed that Paul was going to be jailed in Jerusalem, the brethren at Caesarea mounted pressure on him not to go there. But what did he say? Verse 13 says, "Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus". As a missionary, your level of commitment is revealed by the countries, cities and communities you are prepared to go to. Some people always 'hear' God asking them to go to developed countries. They never hear God asking them to go to Muslim countries or war-torn nations. But I should think that, as a missionary, you are totally sold out to the Lord. Do you love Jesus to the point of going to a war zone for the sake of the Gospel? The one who is committed to Jesus is not after comfort. If your commitment to Christ has not reached the point where you see death as a gain (like Paul did in Philippians 1:20-21), your claim to having Christ as your friend is questionable.

 Action Point:

Your level of commitment determines the extent God can use you. Pray for a heart of total commitment.

MON, 06/06/2011 - - HEARING WELL?

Monday, June 6, 2011

HEARING WELL?

Memorise: "The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them." (Prov 20:12).

  

Read: Proverbs 20:12 

  

God can control what is heard by people. In 2 Kings 7:1-20, He made the Syrian army to hear the sound of a mighty invasion of enemy forces. One lesson here is that there is always a chain of fear except around God. The Israelites were afraid of their enemies-the Syrians who besieged them, while they in turn were afraid of the Hittites and Egyptians. This means that those you fear also have those they fear, who also are afraid of others and so on. When those you fear are attacked by those they fear, you will be free. In fact, you will benefit immensely from their defeat as it happened in Samaria. There will be lots of spoils for you to take home. Ask God today to keep your enemies under perpetual harassment, oppression and torment by those they fear, since this will be to your advantage.

While driving around our camp ground in the United States recently, my son, who took me round on the first day of my visit, reminded me of something I earlier told him. Years ago, while driving around the same ground, we came by a particular house and the Lord told me, "Son, that is your house". I told this son of mine but could not bring myself to tell the white owner lest he pointed his gun at me. After some years, the owner of the house called us and declared his intention to sell the house to me. My son told him I had said so several years earlier. Then the man's wife asked him, "Why did you not tell us earlier? We have been struggling with the idea to sell or not for so long. At least, we could have been saved the trouble". God's Word will come to pass in your life no matter how long it has taken.

Besides controlling who hears what, God can also decide whether an individual will hear or not. Proverbs 20:12 says, "The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them". Apart from making the ear, it is God who makes the ear to hear. Some have ears but cannot hear when God is speaking. The first time I heard a man of God say "Thus says the Lord...", I asked the fellow beside me: "When did God say what the person prophesying claims He said?" Do you hear Him speaking, or are you in doubt like I once was? The Lord will open your ears to hear His voice. Your ears are not functioning well if you can hear everyone else, but cannot hear the One who made those ears. Are you having problems hearing physically? I command healing to come upon your ears today. You will hear well from now on.

 Prayer Point:

Father, keep my oppressors under perpetual harassment, oppression and torment of their oppressors, so that they will abandon their satanic mission against me. 

SUN, 05/06/2011 - - FAVOUR CHANGES STATUS

Sunday, June 5, 2011

FAVOUR CHANGES STATUS

Memorise: "LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled." (Ps 30:7).

  

Read: Esther 2:13-17 

  

In Genesis 39:20-23, God's favour turned a prisoner into the comptroller of prisons. Are you in Satan's prison? God's favour will move you higher than your enemies and you will be their head in Jesus name. When you are the head of your enemies, you will dictate what happens to them. They will take orders from you. Is your life being manipulated by the spirits of darkness? From today, you shall be head over them; after all, Jesus Christ your Lord and Master is the Head of all principalities and powers (Col 2:10). So it is obvious that one major blessing of the favoured is promotion. If you claim to be favoured but you are yet to receive divine promotion, it simply shows you don't have what you think you have.

Another possibility, drawing from divine favour is that it can change one's social status. Queen Vashti, wife of King Ahasuerus, misbehaved one day and lost her position. This simply tells us that anyone occupying a significant position could lose it if they do not have God's favour. In other words, just as divine favour is needed in ascending a height of glory, so also is it required in sustaining one's position. And as you may know, maintaining an elevated position is more challenging than ascending it.

After Vashti's exit, there was a beauty pageant through which the next queen was to be chosen. Among worthy contestants was Esther, a slave girl who was brought into the kingdom of Media and Persia. She scarcely had rights and her chances were no better than the others. At the end, God's favour saw her through and she eventually emerged winner. Much later, God used her priviledged position to protect His people. Never look down on yourself! As long as you are a child of God, you can access His favour by pleasing Him in every area and by asking for His favour. Some so-called Christians take part in lottery, gambling and pools-betting, hoping and seriously praying that they would win. God does not support or release His favour to what does not glorify Him. Look for legitimate work and God's favour will locate you there. Those who get involved with gambling are controlled by demons, not God. Has poverty pushed you into gambling? Repent!

Prayer Point:

Father, through your favour, change my status for better in Jesus name.

SAT, 04/06/2011 - - RIGHTS OR MERCY?

Saturday, June 4, 2011

RIGHTS OR MERCY?

Memorise: "And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (Mark 10:47).

  

Read: Mark 10:46-52 

  

It was when the Israelites cried to God that the Lord heard their cry and decided to send them a saviour (Exodus 2:23-25). In other words, until you cry to God over certain issues, Heaven may not pay attention to the matter. If you cannot cry to God about your predicament, it simply means you are comfortable with it, or that you can still tolerate it. Whatever you can tolerate will continue. When you are tired of a particular negative trend like sickness, it will itself know it's time to go. For many of God's people, going by their attitude to unpleasant events in their lives, they obviously have not yet reached breaking point.

In Mark 10:46-52, erstwhile blind beggar Bartimaeus reached the point of saturation regarding his lack of sight. He pondered if he had the right to demand healing from Jesus and felt disqualified. All he could ask for was mercy. He got the Lord's compassion because he asked right. What right does a secretly sinning believer have to demand for God's intervention in any area of his or her life? He has lost it! This is why many who should be asking for mercy but are demanding God's blessing as a matter of right, even when they know they are not in right standing with God, may be experiencing prolonged unanswered prayers.

A particular brother was to do a Law course some years ago. He ran into several difficulties. His pastor and some others began to intercede on his behalf claiming God's promises as a matter of right on his behalf but nothing happened. Then one day, after a vigil in their church, the Lord revealed what the brother had been doing secretly. As a result, the pastor changed his prayer to request for mercy. Not long after, respite came and he was able to make headway. Are you still claiming your Kingdom rights when you have defiled your body or displeased God? Sorry, you have temporarily lost your Kingdom benefits. Repent, make restitution where necessary and ask God for mercy. It is when you are living right, and pleasing God that you could stand on your Kingdom rights.

 Key Point:

Effective prayer means knowing how to pray about any given situation - whether to demand for your right or to ask for mercy.

FRI, 03/06/2011 - - AFRAID LIKE JOB?

Friday, June 3, 2011

AFRAID LIKE JOB?

Memorise: "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." (Job 3:25).

  

Read: Job 3:24-26 

  

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Col 1:27).

There is hardly anyone on earth without one expectation or another. It is either you anticipate a good outcome or a negative one. What is your hope or expectation? Some people expect trouble or the attack of their enemies. When such negative expectations are not adequately curtailed by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, they become fear. When such a concern moves from the level of minor anxieties into fear, it assumes a higher dimension that appears real or visible even when it is not. Proverbs 10:24 says, "The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted". Here, we see that both the righteous and the unrighteous have different expectations and God says 'Amen' to both. While the righteous has his good desires met, the wicked sees a manifestation of his worst fears. May God say 'Amen' to the fears of your enemies this season!

However, believers must be careful about what they desire, hope for or fear. When a believer comes under fear, it could also manifest, like in the case of Job. It was what he had feared that simply manifested (Job 3:25). Whenever you are in a state of fear, you move from faith to unbelief. At such a point, you spiritually relocate from the congregation of the blessed to the congregation of the unfortunate. What you fear will sometimes manifest. If you fear God alone, you will have a definite uncommon experience of Him. If you fear a sickness, it may attack you. The enemy you fear may soon take you into captivity. Job was so obsessed with the thoughts of losing all his wealth that he was hardly at peace. He had no rest of mind. He was disturbed and troubled. He could not enjoy God's blessing on his life, and with time his fear manifested. What are you worried about? Cast your cares upon Jesus. Worrying and being anxious is not the portion of believers. Why worry when God is there to do the worrying for you? God did not give you your mind and intellect for worrying but for constructive and productive planning, strategic thinking, and for the generation of good ideas.

Action Point:

Thoughts progress from worries to fears. Do not allow the evil progression of worry to fear in your life.

THU, 02/06/2011 - - JOYS OF HOUSE FELLOWSHIP

Thursday, June 2, 2011

JOYS OF HOUSE FELLOWSHIP

Memorise: "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Ps 16:11).

  

Read: 1 Samuel 5:1-5 

  

Whenever we are gathered in small or large groups to honour the Lord, He is present. When we come together in our various house fellowships, God is with us as He has promised: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt 18:20). In every house fellowship, the leader is God's representative there, enjoying the full backing of the Most High. Even when He is not visible, God stands behind the house fellowship leader, speaking through him, ready to heal, deliver and save. Such a leader becomes God's voice to reach out to that small group - or church in the house. Never underestimate what God can do through you in a house fellowship centre! Psalm 16:11 says, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore".

In every house fellowship meeting, God's presence is there to release joy to all present. Such joy will be channelled through the house fellowship leader to the members. Being the vessel through which the blessings will flow, the house fellowship leader will be the first to be a partaker. It is a great thing to lead a house fellowship! One of the blessings that can flow to members of a house fellowship is prosperity. If you don't believe it, ask Obededom. He housed the Ark of the Covenant for only three months and it appeared he received the blessings of 30 years! He was so blessed that he was on the national news. In three months, he had a permanent change from a nobody to a man of repute and honour (2 Sam 6:9-12). Are you trusting God to change your financial situation? Attend a house fellowship regularly, or make your house available for God's use as a house fellowship centre. Hold on to God's promise and blessings will flow to you. Another blessing that can flow to a house fellowship is victory over demons. When God's Ark of covenant was brought into the temple of an idol-Dagon, the image fell on its face (1 Sam 5:1-5). When put back on its feet the following day, the image not only fell but its head got broken. In the houses of house fellowship leaders this year, no demon will be able to stay or come near. Demons will bow before you and keep their distance.

Prayer Point:

Father, breathe afresh on all house fellowship centres and make them locations of your grace, power and glory. 

WED, 01/06/2011 - - WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS

Memorise: "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).

  

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:9-11 

  

One lesson from the letter to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7 is that every individual, family, local assembly, community or nation has its strengths and weaknesses. Both your strengths and weaknesses should point you back to God. Your strengths or areas of endowment should remind you that you are a beneficiary of divine graces and as a result, you should not think that you are better, wiser or stronger than your neighbour who does not have the same gifts. "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). When you ascribe glory to God for your strengths, He will sustain them. In the same way, your weaknesses should point you back to God. Your frailties, shortcomings and weaknesses remind you of the limitations of the flesh which should lead you to God, the only One who is unlimited. No matter how weak you are, you will find solace in God's strength (2 Cor 12:9).

As a believer, you must recognize your strengths. God has specially endowed you in certain areas for a purpose. To optimize your strengths, there is need to find out their purpose and set out to achieve them. It is an irony that many are neglecting their areas of strength. Your area of strength is where you have the highest comparative advantage. This could be by natural endowment. It could also be acquired through training. With such a talent or ability, there is fun and fulfilment doing your work. For instance, in the area of career, there are those who read medicine due to parental wish, or to belong to a social class; whereas their strength lies in journalism or law. Have you discovered your strength? Areas of strengths not identified will be neglected. Once you identify your gifts, do not go to sleep. Natural abilities or gifts that are not cultivated may later cause regret and wastage to the owner. Seek knowledge or education about how you can develop them, and better ways of utilizing them to glorify God and to impact fellow men. On the other hand, in areas of your weaknesses, the challenge is to prayerfully turn them into strengths. With God's assistance, this is possible. Your weaknesses can become your strongest virtues.

 Prayer Point:

Ask God to turn your weaknesses into strengths.