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Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
LIKE SHEEP
Memorise: "Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture" (Ps 100:3)
Read: Psalm 100:1-3
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). An example of a good shepherd is David. A shepherd is someone who caters for the sheep. He identifies and satisfies the needs of the sheep. By virtue of their make-up, every sheep has these basic needs: To sustain its life, it needs food, good food. It needs guidance. The average sheep looks foolish and so would require the shepherd to lead the way by being in front. That means sheep follow more by example - looking on to the shepherd to guide on how to do things. It also needs lots of water. Occasionally when it strays, it may not be able to retrace its way. If the shepherd fails to go after it, that could be the end of that sheep; it will be lost.
Read: Psalm 100:1-3
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). An example of a good shepherd is David. A shepherd is someone who caters for the sheep. He identifies and satisfies the needs of the sheep. By virtue of their make-up, every sheep has these basic needs: To sustain its life, it needs food, good food. It needs guidance. The average sheep looks foolish and so would require the shepherd to lead the way by being in front. That means sheep follow more by example - looking on to the shepherd to guide on how to do things. It also needs lots of water. Occasionally when it strays, it may not be able to retrace its way. If the shepherd fails to go after it, that could be the end of that sheep; it will be lost.
LIFE OR DEATH?
Memorise: "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1 Cor 11:31)
Read: 1 Cor 11:28-31
There is a difference between eaters and non-eaters of the Holy Communion. A line of demarcation is drawn the moment you partake of it. When you read Exodus 12:11- 12, you will observe this difference on the night the Israelites partook of this meal. When God's glory descended, the Egyptians experienced a 'passing through' while the Israelites experienced a 'pass over'. When God's glory descends, it will pass through the enemy. When the wind is blowing and something stands on its way, it will be uprooted. What is that token of the liar that has been standing in God's way in your life? It is uprooted now. It was Passover for the Israelites. To pass over is to pick from one place and move to another location. A meal that can kill or heal should be feared and handled with extreme caution. When the Israelites and the Egyptians went to bed that night, both experienced different things. While the former experienced unlimited joy, the latter experienced unlimited sorrow. While the former were given what was denied them for over 400 years, the latter lost the most important members of their families - the first born - both of animals and human beings. As you partake of this meal this season, all your enemies will encounter great losses.
Read: 1 Cor 11:28-31
There is a difference between eaters and non-eaters of the Holy Communion. A line of demarcation is drawn the moment you partake of it. When you read Exodus 12:11- 12, you will observe this difference on the night the Israelites partook of this meal. When God's glory descended, the Egyptians experienced a 'passing through' while the Israelites experienced a 'pass over'. When God's glory descends, it will pass through the enemy. When the wind is blowing and something stands on its way, it will be uprooted. What is that token of the liar that has been standing in God's way in your life? It is uprooted now. It was Passover for the Israelites. To pass over is to pick from one place and move to another location. A meal that can kill or heal should be feared and handled with extreme caution. When the Israelites and the Egyptians went to bed that night, both experienced different things. While the former experienced unlimited joy, the latter experienced unlimited sorrow. While the former were given what was denied them for over 400 years, the latter lost the most important members of their families - the first born - both of animals and human beings. As you partake of this meal this season, all your enemies will encounter great losses.
WHEN TREES FIGHT
Memorise: "For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured" (2 Sam 18:8)
Read: 2 Samuel 18:6-17
In Revelation 22:16, the link of the Lord Jesus with plants, vegetation and trees was established by His title Root of David. Another benefit of having Jesus as your root is that He can mobilize trees to fight for you. David was a beneficiary of this. In 2 Samuel 18:5-15, when Absalom revolted against his father and sought hard after his life, he thought he had everything. He really had all the details. He knew his father's strengths and weaknesses. He turned one of his father's greatest strengths - Ahithophel against him. The only missing aspect in his battle strategy was that he forgot that his Father had roots. That day, the Root of David simply mobilized all the trees in the bush and told them it was time to display their war talents as His army. Boy! You wouldn't believe how valiantly the trees fought human soldiers! 2 Samuel 18:8 puts it this way: "For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured".
Read: 2 Samuel 18:6-17
In Revelation 22:16, the link of the Lord Jesus with plants, vegetation and trees was established by His title Root of David. Another benefit of having Jesus as your root is that He can mobilize trees to fight for you. David was a beneficiary of this. In 2 Samuel 18:5-15, when Absalom revolted against his father and sought hard after his life, he thought he had everything. He really had all the details. He knew his father's strengths and weaknesses. He turned one of his father's greatest strengths - Ahithophel against him. The only missing aspect in his battle strategy was that he forgot that his Father had roots. That day, the Root of David simply mobilized all the trees in the bush and told them it was time to display their war talents as His army. Boy! You wouldn't believe how valiantly the trees fought human soldiers! 2 Samuel 18:8 puts it this way: "For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured".
THE LIFE GIVER
Memorise: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11)
Read: John 10:9-11
The Prince of Peace can give you victory over the battles of life. He can perform wonders materially and maritally. Never say you are too old to conceive. Sarah said so but got a shocker. Recently, in one of my visits to America, I heard this testimony: There was this lady who had been barren for years. I went to minister in their parish. From the hotel where I lodged, I went for church service but forgot my offering envelope. So I sent for an usher who incidentally was the husband of the lady in question, to go to my hotel room to bring my offering envelope. On his way, his wife asked where he was going and he told her. She screamed that her opportunity had come at last. She pleaded that she should have access to the envelope for a few minutes before he dropped it into the offering basket. She rubbed the envelope on her stomach before it was dropped and that month she became pregnant. The Prince of Peace who gave her victory over barrenness will give you victory this season over barrenness of whatever kind that is operating in your life.
Read: John 10:9-11
The Prince of Peace can give you victory over the battles of life. He can perform wonders materially and maritally. Never say you are too old to conceive. Sarah said so but got a shocker. Recently, in one of my visits to America, I heard this testimony: There was this lady who had been barren for years. I went to minister in their parish. From the hotel where I lodged, I went for church service but forgot my offering envelope. So I sent for an usher who incidentally was the husband of the lady in question, to go to my hotel room to bring my offering envelope. On his way, his wife asked where he was going and he told her. She screamed that her opportunity had come at last. She pleaded that she should have access to the envelope for a few minutes before he dropped it into the offering basket. She rubbed the envelope on her stomach before it was dropped and that month she became pregnant. The Prince of Peace who gave her victory over barrenness will give you victory this season over barrenness of whatever kind that is operating in your life.
HONOUR AND DESTINY
Memorise: "Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed" (1 Sam 2:30)
Read: 1 Samuel 2:29-30
When you are privileged to see the end from the beginning, it empowers you to achieve in a significant way. As I searched the Scriptures, I discovered that those whom God showed something concerning their goal or future victory but who still failed to reach it were very few. The fact you have this negligible few shows that it is possible to see the goal and not reach it. It is possible to be shown the goal in a match and never be able to score. The Lord will count you out of those with frustrated destinies in Jesus' Name. Among those who saw the goal but could not reach it was Eli. 1 Samuel 2:30 says, "Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed". God had planned to raise priests from Eli's immediate and extended family. God showed him a future of priestly succession that would have immortalized his name forever but at some point he began to misbehave. God warned him several times but he had grown deaf to God. Eventually, God changed the plan. Honour and destiny are linked.
Read: 1 Samuel 2:29-30
When you are privileged to see the end from the beginning, it empowers you to achieve in a significant way. As I searched the Scriptures, I discovered that those whom God showed something concerning their goal or future victory but who still failed to reach it were very few. The fact you have this negligible few shows that it is possible to see the goal and not reach it. It is possible to be shown the goal in a match and never be able to score. The Lord will count you out of those with frustrated destinies in Jesus' Name. Among those who saw the goal but could not reach it was Eli. 1 Samuel 2:30 says, "Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed". God had planned to raise priests from Eli's immediate and extended family. God showed him a future of priestly succession that would have immortalized his name forever but at some point he began to misbehave. God warned him several times but he had grown deaf to God. Eventually, God changed the plan. Honour and destiny are linked.
EFFECTIVE AGREEMENT PRAYERS
Memorise: "How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?" (Deut 32:30)
Read: Deut 32:29-30
"How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?" (Deut 32:30).
There is power in agreement prayer. When you have made singular prayer efforts that have failed to yield the expected result, team up with somebody - your spouse, pastor or prayer partner to agree with you and it shall be done. Agreement prayers can take care of 70% of prayer needs of the average family. Some couples hardly pray together. In fact, some tell their spouse, 'I don't agree with you' on very crucial issues. As long as there is no meeting of the minds on an issue, such a couple could suffer for long and be at the receiving end of demonic manipulations. For agreement prayer to work, you must be born again and in right relationship with God. Also, there must be cordial relationship between the parties to the agreement. Your request concerning that issue must be one and the same. You must not be asking for a male child while the other is asking for a female. Eradicate all areas of conflict and disagreement. Create time to discuss and agree on what would benefit your family the most. Openly confess your agreement with your mouth to each other, saying for instance; 'We both agree that stagnancy has come to an end in our family'. Convey your point of agreement to God in prayer. Back up your agreement with the seal of God's promises on agreement prayers. Thank God for answers. Never accept anything contrary to your agreement. Expect it to be established. Wait on it even when time flies. It shall be so.
Read: Deut 32:29-30
"How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?" (Deut 32:30).
There is power in agreement prayer. When you have made singular prayer efforts that have failed to yield the expected result, team up with somebody - your spouse, pastor or prayer partner to agree with you and it shall be done. Agreement prayers can take care of 70% of prayer needs of the average family. Some couples hardly pray together. In fact, some tell their spouse, 'I don't agree with you' on very crucial issues. As long as there is no meeting of the minds on an issue, such a couple could suffer for long and be at the receiving end of demonic manipulations. For agreement prayer to work, you must be born again and in right relationship with God. Also, there must be cordial relationship between the parties to the agreement. Your request concerning that issue must be one and the same. You must not be asking for a male child while the other is asking for a female. Eradicate all areas of conflict and disagreement. Create time to discuss and agree on what would benefit your family the most. Openly confess your agreement with your mouth to each other, saying for instance; 'We both agree that stagnancy has come to an end in our family'. Convey your point of agreement to God in prayer. Back up your agreement with the seal of God's promises on agreement prayers. Thank God for answers. Never accept anything contrary to your agreement. Expect it to be established. Wait on it even when time flies. It shall be so.
WORKING RIGHT
Memorise: "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly, so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:" (1 Cor 9:26)
Read: John 21:1-6
The one who would flourish must find grace in God's sight. Also, the fellow must be prepared to work hard. When God has opened the door, it is not time to sleep, but time to work. In addition to these, to flourish, you must work right. Working hard is not as important as working right or else, labourers would have been the richest people on earth. Although Peter fished all night, he caught nothing because he was in the wrong place. He had to be guided on the right location and timing so that his hard work would yield a good harvest. Today, many people are working with all their heart and might in a wrong place, job or business hence, no harvest. When at the wrong job, your efforts virtually go down the drain. In any way you are labouring at a wrong location, the Lord will guide you to your appropriate place of harvest in Jesus' Name.
Read: John 21:1-6
The one who would flourish must find grace in God's sight. Also, the fellow must be prepared to work hard. When God has opened the door, it is not time to sleep, but time to work. In addition to these, to flourish, you must work right. Working hard is not as important as working right or else, labourers would have been the richest people on earth. Although Peter fished all night, he caught nothing because he was in the wrong place. He had to be guided on the right location and timing so that his hard work would yield a good harvest. Today, many people are working with all their heart and might in a wrong place, job or business hence, no harvest. When at the wrong job, your efforts virtually go down the drain. In any way you are labouring at a wrong location, the Lord will guide you to your appropriate place of harvest in Jesus' Name.
THE COMMUNION DEMARCATES
Memorise: "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt 26:28)
Read: Exodus 8:22-23
Some thousands of years ago, a particular meal was eaten by an enslaved people and it brought down the glory of God. Whenever God's glory descends, it has different effects on people. For instance, on that fateful night, when the glory of God came down after that meal, it brought death to the house of their captors. None was exempted. On the other hand, that same meal brought freedom, deliverance, healing, financial breakthrough and promotion to the Israelites who ate the meal. As you take the Holy Communion this season, it will give you life and bring death to every token of the liar in your life- oppression, loss, sorrow, etc. A particular man battled with insomnia for weeks. He took sleeping pills based on medical advice yet, could not sleep. After meeting his pastor for prayers one day, he was able to sleep for about two hours; after which he stared at the ceiling throughout the night. Eventually, he was invited to partake of the Holy Communion Service. He later testified that immediately after that meal, insomnia was gone and he resumed his normal sleep. Have you been battling with insomnia or any health condition? As you go in faith to the Lord's table this season, you will be healed.
Read: Exodus 8:22-23
Some thousands of years ago, a particular meal was eaten by an enslaved people and it brought down the glory of God. Whenever God's glory descends, it has different effects on people. For instance, on that fateful night, when the glory of God came down after that meal, it brought death to the house of their captors. None was exempted. On the other hand, that same meal brought freedom, deliverance, healing, financial breakthrough and promotion to the Israelites who ate the meal. As you take the Holy Communion this season, it will give you life and bring death to every token of the liar in your life- oppression, loss, sorrow, etc. A particular man battled with insomnia for weeks. He took sleeping pills based on medical advice yet, could not sleep. After meeting his pastor for prayers one day, he was able to sleep for about two hours; after which he stared at the ceiling throughout the night. Eventually, he was invited to partake of the Holy Communion Service. He later testified that immediately after that meal, insomnia was gone and he resumed his normal sleep. Have you been battling with insomnia or any health condition? As you go in faith to the Lord's table this season, you will be healed.
NECESSARY CHALLENGES
Memorise: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Rom 8:37)
For certain reasons, while telling us about the end, God reserves the real nitty-gritty to His chest. David is one example here. In 1 Samuel 16:11-13, David was anointed as king of Israel by that nation's authentic king maker - prophet Samuel. God did not tell him that he would have to wait for long before ascending the throne. He did not tell him of the intense persecution awaiting him to the point of going on exile. God did not tell him of the lion, bear, Goliath, king Saul, or cave at Adullam. Suffice it to say that between where you are and where God is taking you to, are several bus stops which come with their different challenges. Whether pleasant or not, each of such experiences has an important part to play in your life or destiny. You will not be taken through courses you do not need in the university of suffering. God has a place for every course. Jesus went through all and emerged with excellent grades. There is a place for you to be persecuted or denied. There is a place for you to be marginalized and made to feel very unimportant. There is a place for confronting your giants, lions and bears. All add up to prepare you for your destiny, without which you will be unfit for that place.
Another important thing here, is that those who would end up happier at last, start by facing the worst. Those who would be very wealthy start from extreme poverty. Have you been facing rejection, marginalization and denials? It could be because God is taking you to a place of prominence where nobody can afford to ignore you. David was rejected. He was sidelined yet, he was chosen to be king. To get the best of gold, you must take it through the fire. For your best devotion, commitment, love and service to come up, you must go through fire. Stop grumbling about that Goliath because he is an assignment that you must take care of on your way to the throne. There are battles to fight and rivers to cross and some of them are fiery, yet, you are assured of His presence. If you do not go through such tough situations, your preparation will be incomplete. You cannot become a general without facing war. Everything you go through in life is necessary for you to become what God wants you to become if you are in His will. The greater the challenges, the higher your destination. Ask God for grace to handle your challenges appropriately in order to deliver the right dividend to you.
The fellow who is not adequately prepared for a journey will suffer beyond measure. Ask God to prepare you for the task ahead.
For certain reasons, while telling us about the end, God reserves the real nitty-gritty to His chest. David is one example here. In 1 Samuel 16:11-13, David was anointed as king of Israel by that nation's authentic king maker - prophet Samuel. God did not tell him that he would have to wait for long before ascending the throne. He did not tell him of the intense persecution awaiting him to the point of going on exile. God did not tell him of the lion, bear, Goliath, king Saul, or cave at Adullam. Suffice it to say that between where you are and where God is taking you to, are several bus stops which come with their different challenges. Whether pleasant or not, each of such experiences has an important part to play in your life or destiny. You will not be taken through courses you do not need in the university of suffering. God has a place for every course. Jesus went through all and emerged with excellent grades. There is a place for you to be persecuted or denied. There is a place for you to be marginalized and made to feel very unimportant. There is a place for confronting your giants, lions and bears. All add up to prepare you for your destiny, without which you will be unfit for that place.
Another important thing here, is that those who would end up happier at last, start by facing the worst. Those who would be very wealthy start from extreme poverty. Have you been facing rejection, marginalization and denials? It could be because God is taking you to a place of prominence where nobody can afford to ignore you. David was rejected. He was sidelined yet, he was chosen to be king. To get the best of gold, you must take it through the fire. For your best devotion, commitment, love and service to come up, you must go through fire. Stop grumbling about that Goliath because he is an assignment that you must take care of on your way to the throne. There are battles to fight and rivers to cross and some of them are fiery, yet, you are assured of His presence. If you do not go through such tough situations, your preparation will be incomplete. You cannot become a general without facing war. Everything you go through in life is necessary for you to become what God wants you to become if you are in His will. The greater the challenges, the higher your destination. Ask God for grace to handle your challenges appropriately in order to deliver the right dividend to you.
The fellow who is not adequately prepared for a journey will suffer beyond measure. Ask God to prepare you for the task ahead.
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