A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT CHALLENGES 4

MEMORY VERSE: And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. Mark 5:21

BIBLE READING: Judges 21- Ruth 3

We have been looking at challenges from a different perspective. Whether you believe or not, challenges can be a blessing in disguise especially when you are in Christ.

The size of your challenges is a reflection of your destiny. The bigger your destiny, the bigger the challenges the enemy will throw your way. So, if you are facing unusual challenges, it could be because you have an unusual destiny. Take for instance the mad of Gadara (Mark 5:1-20). The Bible records that a legion demon took possession of him. A roman legion is between 3,000 and 6,000 troops. The question is, what is it about this man that made Satan fill him with so many demons? A demon or two would have sufficed, why that many demons? Satan somehow figured out that this man was destined to be a mighty evangelist who would cause problems for his kingdom. Mark 5:19-21 says: ‘Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.’ He knew this man had the potential to cause him trouble so he attacked him to stop him, but he failed.

Many years ago, a man had an unusual immigration challenge. He met all criteria, ticked all boxes; still, the Home Office insisted that he must return to his country. They didn't even take into consideration that his wife and children were citizens of the country. One morning, he went to sign in at the police station and they took him to the airport to deport him, but God intervened. Today, he is a pastor, an author, and a successful immigration lawyer whom God had used to deliver many from the clutches of immigration. Why was the enemy doing everything to get him out of the country? He somehow knew that this pastor was destined to deliver many, so he attacked him to prevent that from happening and failed.

NOTE: Those unusual challenges could be an indication that you have an unusual destiny. Don’t give up. God will see you through and you will fulfil destiny!

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YOUR FAITH PLEASES GOD

MEMORY VERSE: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 13-15

BIBLE READING: Romans 4:16-22

There is nothing as insulting as your children doubting you or your ability to take care of them. Imagine for a second that you overheard one of your children expressing his doubts in your ability to look after him or meet his basic needs – cloth, food and shelter- with his friends. How would that make you feel as a loving, responsible father? It will hurt; i mean you will feel really disappointed especially if there are no bases for such. The same thing happens when we doubt the Most High God. There is nothing as insulting to God as doubting His ability or His words. Firstly, He does not tell lies. He has never told one and He has no need to tell one. Numbers 23:19 says, “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?” Secondly, He is limited by nothing. He said to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me (Jeremiah 32:27)”? Thirdly, once He says something consider it done. Psalm 33:8-9 says, “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”

There was a great famine in Samaria that lasted so long resulting in people eating bird’s faeces and only the rich could afford it (2 Kings 6:25-2 Kings 7). Things were so bad that women began to eat their children. I pray you will never experience famine of any kind in Jesus name, Amen. And, if you are experiencing one at the moment the good Lord send provision your way in Jesus name, Amen. In the midst of this famine, God spoke and promised to turn things around within 24 hours. Everyone will have so much that there won't be need to buy anything, as such the price of food items would drop. One of the king’s advisers, a special adviser in God-knows-what said it was impossible. “Even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens”, he said, “Could this happen?” This man called the Most High God a liar in the presence of all. The man of God said to him, “Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.” What caused the famine was Benhadad (king of Syria) besieged Samaria; no one could go in or come out thereby shutting off food supplies. The Lord caused Benhadad and his men to hear a strange noise and out of panic, they ran away leaving their horses and all they had acquired from their raids. The people heard the news, rushed out and collected spoils for themselves. To manage the situation, the king appointed that man who doubted the words of the Lord to manage and oversee the whole affair. As the people where rushing out they trampled on him and he died. He saw it but did not eat from it as the word of the Lord.

On the other hand, there is nothing that pleases God like faith in Him or His words. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Your faith pleases God. A man whose faith pleased God was Abraham. He was not just old, the bible says “He was well advanced in age”; so was his wife. The Lord said to Him, “I have made thee a father of many nations” and he believed God. As old as he was, coupled with the fact that his wife had stopped producing eggs as she had now reached menopause and passed it - if there is something as such, he believed God and God was pleased with him. Romans 4:22 says, “And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.”

NOTE: No matter how impossible it may seem, if it is coming from God don’t doubt it. Remember, doubt is an insult to God’s personality.

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“HIS FATHER SAW HIM, AND HAD COMPASSION, AND RAN, AND FELL ON HIS NECK”

MEMORY VERSE: And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Luke 15:20

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Hebrew 5-7

BIBLE READING: Luke 15:11-32

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus spoke about the parable of the prodigal son. One morning, he walked up to his wealthy father and asked for his inheritance – his share of the old man’s estate. Disappointed, deflated, dejected, the old man called for his estate agent. When he arrived, the old man divided his property into two – since he had only two sons – and gave the younger his share. Few days later, the boy travelled to a far country and began to live big. He began to pop champagne and follow after strange women. Within a short while his wealth was spent, and he began to starve. In order to survive, he got a job on a pig farm as an attendant and fed on the pigs' leftover. His situation got worse and worse, so he decided to return home and work for his father as a servant since he was not qualified to be called his son anymore. Luke 15:20 says: “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”

 Jesus often taught truths in the form of stories or parables. The way that old man behaved toward his prodigal son is literally the same way our Father in heaven behaves towards backsliders when they return home. He welcomes them back with open arms. Have you backslidded back into the world? The Lord is waiting to receive you back with open arms – not as a slave but as a son. Although, He is not happy that you backslidded, He is not crossed with you. Just as the prodigal son was restored, restoration awaits any backslidden Christian. The fact that you committed abortion when you backslidded does not mean the Lord will not receive you back. There are many who think the Lord will not receive them back because of the terrible things they did when they backslidded; friend it is not so. There is restoration for anyone who returns to the Lord regardless of how terrible they have been.  

Yesterday we spoke about the correct response to sin. After you must have confessed your sins to God, there is also a need to confess your sins to man. You see, even after God forgives our sins and forgets them forever, our past isn’t magically erased. Hurt and angry people still lie along the way behind us. With God’s help we must go back to each one we can find and ask for his or her forgiveness. It’s not an easy thing to do but it must be done. After i gave my life to Christ i had to call a lady i offended back in my high school days and apologised to her. She didn’t even remember the incident again but she was amazed that i would do such a thing. 

ACTION: Can i suggest a project that will help you settle the things of the past? Make a list of people you have hurt and things you need to set right.  After you have made your list, lay it down before the Lord. (No one else needs to see it, so destroy it as soon as you can). Confess your sins to Him. Then determine how you will contact each person on your list to ask for his or her forgiveness and make restitution, if necessary. The bible says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed” (James 5:16).  

NOTE: Confession is the healing balm of our soul. 

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

THE GIFT OF FAITH 2

MEMORY VERSE: To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:9

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Amos 1-4

As we mentioned yesterday, there are three kinds of supernatural faith. The first, which we looked at yesterday, is the 'saving faith'. The second kind is faith as a 'fruit of the spirit'. Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” This, kind of faith, comes as a result of our salvation: union of Christ. According to John 15:5, Christ is the Vine, and we ,Christians, are the branches. Anyone that abides in Him and He in them, the same will bring much fruit. From the time of our union with Him (the Vine) we have the potential of bearing fruit. Our faith (trust, belief) in Jesus is the work of God the Holy Spirit, and it is He who supplies the faith as we go along in the Christian life. Our part is to respond to Him. Faith in Jesus, both initial faith and continuing faith, is the basis for all other fruit and gifts of the Spirit. The fruit of the spirit called faith is brought about through the process of time. One doesn’t plant a tree, and the next day pick fruit, No! The tree must be cultivated, fed, and watered. This is exactly what ‘abide’ means which is to take up permanent residence. The result of abiding in Him is the fruit of a Godly Christian character.

The last kind is the gift of faith. It is a potential in the believer from the time of receiving Jesus, but like the other gifts, it becomes much more active after the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Unlike faith the fruit mentioned earlier, the gift of faith is given instantaneously. It is a sudden surge of faith, usually in a crisis, to confidently believe without a doubt that as we act or speak in Jesus’ name it shall come to pass. The gift of faith is distinct from the working of miracles though it may produce miracles. If the disciples in the storm-based boat had remained calm and assured in spite of their dangerous situation, they would have been manifesting the gift of faith. As it was, Jesus had to still the storm by a miracle. If Daniel in the lion’s den had slain the dangerous animals with but a gesture it would have been the gifts of the miracle. As it was, he rested unharmed in the presence of the fully active lions, showing an even greater amount of faith. Several years ago in Tanzania, some Christians gathered for Easter services, when suddenly an enraged lioness in a wild mood dashed out of the jungle, attacking everything in her path. She killed several domestic animals, then a woman and a child and headed directly for the assembled believers. She stopped only few yards from them, snarling ferociously. The people trembled with shock! The preacher shouted, “don’t be afraid – the God who saved Daniel from the lions is here – the risen Christ of Easter is here.” He turned to the lioness, and cried, “You lion, i curse you in the name of Jesus Christ!” From the scattered clouds, without a sign of rain, a bolt of lightning struck the lioness and she dropped dead. That day, seventeen people gave their lives to the Lord Jesus. The level of faith in which we are living may ebb and flow. Sometimes we find that we are strong in faith; the Holy Spirit in our spirit is allowed to work, and wonderful things happen in our lives. At other times the ‘hang-ups’, doubts, fears, and the ‘debris’ in our souls that the Holy Spirit is working to remove get in the way, and we are not able to function as we.

NOTE: Though the gifts of faith may be active from time to time in our lives, it should not surprise us if we also experience times of doubts. This should only serve to remind us of the scripture: “it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Expect the Lord to manifest his wonderful gift of faith through you, just as you expect the other gifts.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

THE GIFT OF FAITH 1

MEMORY VERSE: To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:9

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 23-24 

What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In other words, faith is believing before seeing. You have not been invited for that job interview but you already believe the job is yours. No brother has approached you for your hands in marriage but you know that you are going to be someone’s wife very soon. Faith brings substance to what you have believed. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is now. It is present tense; hope is future tense. Faith is not passive but active.

There are two basic kinds of faith: Natural faith and Supernatural faith. People have faith in the things of this world through the experience of the five senses. It takes natural faith to turn on the TV, and to believe we will see and hear something of interest. Even though the average person doesn’t understand the electronics of television, he still has a faith enough to turn it on. Natural faith is simply trusting in something or someone you can see, hear, or touch. “Seeing is believing”. Now you don’t need to be a Christian to have this kind of faith. Even atheists have this kind of faith. The other kind of faith, Supernatural faith, comes from God, or is above the natural senses. 

There are three kinds of supernatural faith. The first is “saving faith”. Might i at this point say this: “Faith is simply believing.” Just as you see something, and thus know that you have sight; you believe something; and thus know that you have faith. The bible makes it abundantly clear that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Salvation does not come from our good deeds but from our faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31 says, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” The key to Christian faith is not “seeing is believing,” but “believing before seeing.” Although Jesus is not evident to our physical senses, by the Holy Spirit we are able to experience His love and fellowship here and now. The saving faith is a gift of God not something you and i manufacture (Ephesians 2:8-9). This saving faith comes by the proclamation of God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Once we have received Jesus, the Scripture says that each Christian has been given “ the measure of faith”.  Romans 12:3 says, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

NOTE: We all start out with an equal measure of faith, yet some continue to grow in faith and some don’t, but the choice is ours.

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"AND THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK"

MEMORY VERSE: Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:14-15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 13-15

There are several ways to pray for the sick. For instance, you can lay hands on them . The “laying of hands” usually means touch the sick person’s head with one or both hands as you pray. Laying of hands is not magic, but it is scriptural. It provides a “point of contact” for the sick person to “release his faith”. It also can be a channel for real spiritual power. Jesus laid hands on the sick and healed them. Luke 4:40 says, “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.” Jesus also promised that believers will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. Mark 16:18 says, “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” What if i lay hands on the sick and the sick does not recover; won’t people make fun of me? Well, you are not the healer. Jesus Christ is the healer, you are just an agent. I have prayed for a lot of sick people and in all sincerity, not of all of them have recovered on the spot. There are times they will come back two months later to tell me that after praying with them they felt relieved or the pain subsided or they were healed.

The bible says that we may lay hands on the sick (Mark 16:18), and so we do. However, Jesus prayed for the sick in different ways. Sometimes He laid hands on them, at times on their eyes or ears; sometimes He made no outward gesture, but just spoke the word and they were healed. Often He commanded them to do something as an act of faith. There was a time He once put mud on a blind man’s eyes, and told him to go wash it off! Another time He simply said to some lepers: “Go and show yourselves to the priests” and as they turned to go they were healed. The “priests” in the olden days are the equivalent of the health department today. This, by the way, should be noted by those who are suffering from diseases that need to be controlled with medication. We do not encourage people to discontinue such medication (for epilepsy, diabetes, heart trouble, etc., for example) until they have “gone and showed themselves to the priests” – the doctors- and their cure has been verified. The same would apply to a person suffering from tuberculosis, or other communicable disease, who is healed by Jesus through the gift of healing. In the Epistle of James we read of healing in conjunction with “anointing with oil”. James 5:14-15 says, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” The elders, the leaders of the congregation, are to anoint with oil as they pray for the sick of that particular congregation. The disciples anointed with oil as they prayed for the sick (Mark 6:13). Oil is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. “Anointing” meant to pour oil (usually olive oil) on the sick person as prayer was said. Today the usual custom is to touch the forehead of the sick person with the oil.

NOTE: The bible says, “the prayer of faith shall save (heal) the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up...” (James 5:15). Take note of the unconditional nature of the promise! We have no scriptural warrant to end a healing prayer with the faith-destroying phrase, “if it be Thy will”! Jesus never prayed for the sick in a conditional manner. God perfectly made it clear in His Word that it is His will to heal the sick.

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FEAR THOU NOT; FOR I AM WITH THEE

MEMORY VERSE: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 11-12

Isaiah 6:3 says, "and one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." What does it mean to say the Lord is holy? (Permit me to quote from a wonderful Sunday school manual I read). "The basic idea of the word ‘holy’ is that of being separate or set apart. When God is declared to be holy, the word expresses all that sets him apart and makes him different from his creatures. The threefold ‘holy, holy, holy’ in Isaiah 6:3 is a Hebraic way of emphasizing that God is very holy." In addition, when we say the Lord is holy, it means He is morally upright, just, transparent, pure, sinless, etc. Asides His purity, He has integrity. He says what He means and means what He says. If He makes a promise, He will do everything possible to fulfill the promise.

Because of His holiness, once He says ‘I will do something’, be rest assured that He will do what He has promised to do. Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness". If the Lord says He is with you, be rest assured that He is with you. The fact that you don’t feel it does not mean He is not with you. The fact that the hair at the back of your neck don’t stand does not mean He is not with you. Actually, He is closer to you than the cloth on your neck. If He says in His holy bible that He is with you, then He is with you. That fact that God is with you does not mean you will not face challenges. No! In Mark 4:36-39, Jesus was in a ship with His disciples when a mighty storm arose and threatened to destroy the ship. The fact that the Lord is with you does not mean the enemy will not come after you. The pillar of fire and cloud that hovered above the children of Israel everywhere they went was visible for everyone to see and know that God was with them, yet the Egyptians chased after them ( Exodus 14). The fact God is with you does not mean you will not experience lack. No! No! No! In Mark 6:30-44, five thousand men not counting women and children were with Jesus and they experienced lack. The fact that the Lord is with you does not mean you will not face challenges. No! The good news is storm may arise, but Jesus will ‘still’ the storm. The enemy may come after you to harm you but they will not be able to do you any harm. Jeremiah 15:20c says, "for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord." In your walk with God, you may experience lack but it will be a temporary thing. The five thousand men not counting women and children ate and there were left- over. Although the journey may be rough, the Lord will see you through. It does not matter how tough the battle is, He will see to it that you come out victorious.

NOTE: If He is grieved, He may leave. If one continues to live in sin and refuses to repent, He will leave.

ACTION: Thank the Lord for being with you and pray that He will never leave you.

WHAT LEVEL OF REVELATION?

MEMORY VERSE: And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. Exodus 33:18

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 27-28

There are different levels of knowledge. Take for instance, the knowledge of a particular brand of car called ‘Mercedes Benz’. There are different levels of knowledge of a Mercedes Benz car. Firstly, there are people who have no knowledge of Mercedes Benz at all. Some have never heard that name before in their life. You may find it hard to believe but there are some indigenous tribes in the Amazon rain-forest who don’t wear clothes. They have never seen a car in their life talk-less of know a Mercedes Benz car or any car whatsoever. Secondly, there are some of us who know Mercedes Benz. Although, we may not be opportuned to see them every day like those who live in big cities but at least, we can tell the difference between a Mercedes Benz and Toyota or BMW. Thirdly, there are some who own or drive a Mercedes Benz car. These people know Mercedes Benz at least better than some of us who don’t own a car and definitely, far better than our brothers and sisters in the Amazon rain-forests. Lastly, there are people who make Mercedes Benz cars. These are the people, who we can say, truly knows Mercedes Benz. If a Mercedes Benz develops fault, they know what is wrong with it and can fix it.

This applies to humans too. Take for instance the Prime Minister (PM). There are people who have never heard of the PM in their life. They don't even know if a country called England exists. These people don’t have any knowledge of him. Secondly, there are people who have seen his picture, probably in the newspaper or poster. These people know the PM to some extent. Thirdly, there are people who went to the same school or worked with the PM. These people know the PM better than those of us who see him on TV, and definitely far better than those good people in the Amazon rain-forests. Fourthly, there are the PM's family and friends. These people, especially parents, know the PM better his colleagues. They raised the PM. They watched him grow from a boy to become a man. Fifthly, there is the wife. She knows a lot about the PM especially intimate things. This is because they share the same bedroom. But God, who created the PM, knows the PM more than himself. He knows the PM's future.

Just as our knowledge of people or things are in levels, so also our knowledge of God. Firstly, there are people who don't believe in God. Secondly, there are people who believe in God’s existence, they may or may not practice any religion. To some extent, these people know God. Thirdly, there are people who have read the bible or go to church. These people know God and they can say a thing or two about God e.g. they know God is love. Fourthly, there are people who have experienced God's power, maybe they had a serious challenge and God came through for them or they received a miracle. These people know God at least better than people who believe God exists. Fifthly, there are people who have walked with God for several years e.g. Enoch, Moses, etc. They are regularly led by the Spirit of God. They even hear the audible voice of God once in a while. The bible records that Moses spoke to God face to face like a man speaks to his friend ( Exodus 33:11). That is a very deep knowledge of God. Beyond this very deep knowledge of God is yet a deeper knowledge of God. Exodus 33:18 says, “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.” Except God, Himself, reveals His glory unto us, we have not truly known the Lord.

NOTE: Although, there are still more revelations that awaits us in heaven, but whilst we are here on earth, we must yearn to behold the glory of the Lord.

PRAYER POINT: Father, show me your glory.

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BELIEVING: A KEY TO RECEIVING

MEMORY VERSE: And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 6-10

Don’t give up! Jesus is still in the business of answering prayers. He has answered a lot of prayers in times past. He is still answering prayers today and He will continue to answer prayers as far as we call on Him. That same Jesus we read about in the bible is still alive meeting needs, touching lives, opening doors, wiping away tears, restoring broken homes, doing wonders, etc. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Not too long ago, a sister and I were discussing about one of her young sisters who had just undergone a major operation and they needed large sums of money to pay for her rehabilitation. This kind-hearted sister was the bread winner of her family and she had spent ‘all’ she had on the operation. In addition, she had exhausted all the avenues she could get money from and all to no avail. I would have loved to give her the money but I didn’t have a penny too. Thank God, we, I and the sister, both knew a God who owns the entire bank in the world. As she shared this problem with us, this dropped in my spirit: “if everything fails, try praise”. I told her what I heard and encouraged her to start praising God. I must confess, convincing her to praise God, at that point, wasn’t easy but the Holy Spirit convinced her and she did. Last night, I was told that a doctor, a man with a large heart, from the hospital had volunteered to foot the bill. God literally paid the bill without her going into debt. What a wonderful God we serve. What a powerful God we serve. What a caring savior we have. The fact that you don’t have money does not mean you can’t do that project.

One key to receiving that thing you have asked for in prayers is ‘believing’. Jesus said, ”And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22). When Jarius received the news about his daughter’s death, Jesus told him, “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole” (Luke 8:50). He believed and his daughter was raised back to life. Before Peter received his miracle of abundant fishes, he first believed. Luke 5:5 says, “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” Before that generous widow of Zarapheth received her divine provision, she first believed that the God of Elijah was able to do those things He had promised through His servant (1 Kings 17:7-16). All we need to receive our blessings is ‘believe’. Believe what the word of God says about you and your circumstances. The moment one begins to doubt, that's it. James 1:6-7 says: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Believe that all will be well with you. You don’t need to have a doctorate degree in theology to believe. You don’t have to be a powerful man of God to believe. You don’t need to be a deacon to believe. Fortunately, I and that sister are ordinary people. We believed that praising God will release financial breakthrough and it did. Even if you have problems believing, probably because this is the first time of hearing this and it seems too simple to your educated mind, you can still ask the Lord to help your unbelief and He will do that for you.

NOTE: Romans 6:14a says, ” For sin shall not have dominion over you”. Believe that Word and begin to walk in the liberty that Christ has given to you.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please help my unbelief.

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MAN’S REVIEW VS GOD’S REVIEW

MEMORY VERSE: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 16-20

I was informed, recently, by my Mobile Network Provider that i was due for an upgrade. Since i had two mobile phones in mind but i wasn't sure about which one to pick, i went online to see what experts and users of both phones had to say. I also spoke to some colleagues at work who owned both phones to get their opinions. As i considered what everyone had to say about these phones, this dropped into my spirit, “you have checked man’s reviews of both phones, how about God’s review of both phones?”

As this question sank in, i realized how little i depended on God. It dawned on me that i only run to Him when i am about to make a big decision like the choice of where to reside. For one reason or other, i just felt that God was not in interested in trivial matters like mobile phones. Is it not disturbing how technology and the internet have in one way or other reduced our dependency on the Holy Spirit? When we don’t understand a bible verse, instead of asking the author which is the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), we check Google. There are a lot of good materials on the internet but be careful of the wrong interpretations too. We are eager to hear what people – experts, business associates, friends and families – have to say concerning a particular move we are about to make not what the Holy Spirit has to say. A fellow, who wants to relocate to an area, will first inquire from the people who have lived in that area or who live in the area not the Holy Spirit before making the move. One thing he does not know is that the Holy Spirit knows that area even more than the residents. Many have missed their ‘God-sent helpers’ simply because they made the right journey at the wrong time. A man wanted to buy a plane ticket for his junior brother who was coming from abroad. Whilst booking, he saw that the flights on 26th December where cheaper than those on the 24th December. Rationally, he would have booked the flights for 26th December but he didn't. As he prayed, the Holy Spirit told him to book the flight for 24th December and he obeyed. Unknown to him, his God-sent helper was also coming from abroad on the same flight. Whilst he was waiting at the airport, something let to another and he got talking with a man. Later they both shared contact details and left. His ministry and life changed that day forever because a lot of big things happened in his life as a result of that meeting.

Back to my story, as i pondered on the question, i remembered a major incident that happened last year. One of the biggest car companies in the world recalled 1.75 million cars in England alone due to faults in their break systems, faults in the fuel deliver pipe systems and faults suction plates. Anyone who knows about cars will tell you that a faulty fuel deliver pipe system could cause leakage which increases the risk of the car catching fire. Had it been the owners sought for God's reviews, they probably would not have bought that particular model at that time. But as usual, people always prefer what experts write in car magazines not what God has to say. A similar one occurred in Australia where a mobile phone company had to recall a particular model of phone due to technical faults. Many who were not good with phones lost contacts, pictures, files, etc. God's review on this particular brand would have saved one a lot of hassle. In these two instances, we saw the limitation of human reviews. God’s review is always better as it not only focuses on the present but on the future too.

THOUGHTS OF THE DAY: The length of time we are willing to wait on God determines how dependent we are on Him. Those who really depend on God are willing to wait on Him no matter how long it takes. It is those who wait that end up with a meaningful achievement (Isaiah 40:31).

QUESTION: How much do you depend of God?

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

FAITH PERFECT FOR SALVATION

MEMORY VERSE: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 96-100, Proverbs 20

BIBLE STUDY: Romans 12:1-2

What is faith? Hebrew 11:1 says: “ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In other words, faith is a confident assurance, a well-grounded assurance that something we want and hope for is going to happen. It is a conviction of the reality of things hoped for, which we cannot yet see. To have faith in God means to completely trust in God. It means being absolutely convinced that God would do what He has promised to do. Faith must have a basis of which it must be firmly rooted and grounded. Our faith is grounded in the Gospel, we believe that the Gospel being preached to us is true, and the bible on which the Gospel was written must be true. We are absolutely convinced that Jesus died and rose again. His resurrection from the dead becomes a guarantee to us that we who put our faith and trust in Him will one day rise from the dead to ever live with Him.

There are things you need to know about faith. Firstly, faith becomes useless when it is without deeds (James 2:20). Secondly, faith alone is dead without works (James 2:17). Thirdly, faith can be perfected. James 2:22 says: “seest thou how faith wrought with works, and by works was faith made perfect?” A perfect faith is one, which results in a transformed life. For one’s faith to be perfect for salvation , one must do the will of God. Matthew 7:21 says: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

To do the will of God, one must first discover God’s will. To discover God’s will, one must first present his body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). A sacrifice is something that is totally and absolutely given with nothing held back. To present your body as a living sacrifice means to put your body on God’s altar as a living sacrifice. From now on, you do not own your body. God owns it. You do not decide where you are going to go or what you are going to wear. They are now God’s decision. Your body becomes God’s personal property. The good news is that God accepts maintenance responsibility of what He owns. Secondly, one must not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2). The phrase “conformed to this word” refers to anything pertaining to the habit, manner, dress, style of living, music, of this sinful world. Christians are to dress modestly which means not drawing attention to themselves. Modesty is rule of the Christian’s apparel and dress that does not draw attention to one sexually. Thirdly, one must be transformed. To transform something means to change it. We are to be transformed from living a life of seeking worldly pleasures and self-goals and desire to one of living for the Lord. For transformation to take place, our minds must be renewed. The old carnal mind is replaced with one that seeks the Lord and is able to understand God’s truth and apply it one’s life.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: God’s will is that we live today for Him, giving our lives sacrificially to Him.

PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to live my life daily for you.

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TEST OF TRUST

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee. Genesis 12:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 37-40

BIBLE STUDY: Genesis 12:1-3

In Genesis 12:1-3, God told Abram to pack his bag and baggages and leave town for a place He will show him. A lot of us have read this story but not really grasped what God was asking Abram to do. Imagine for a second, whilst busy at work reading your emails, God told you to go home, pack your bags , pick a bus going out of town and drop at a station He will show you. Ordinarily , people don’t like changing their enviroment. One thing I dread most is moving house, it takes a week to pack everything , 2 – 3 days to move , another week or two to unpack and rearrange stuffs and forever to settle into the new enviroment. Asides the fact that God is asking you to move from a familiar enviroment – friends and family, He is asking you to go to an unknown place. At least if you know the place , you will be able to prepare for the new town. If it is a warm area, you will buy some T-shirts . If it is a cold area, you will buy some sweaters and jumpers. More over you will be able to arrange for an accomodation in advance, but in this case , God is saying leave all - your work, family and friends, support network ,everything familiar to you to a place He will tell you. You agree it is a hard one. This was what God was asking Abram to do. His case was harder because he had to go with his family. In every way we look at it, emotionally , mentally, financially, it wasn’t an easy one for Abram.

The question is why did’t God tell him the location before leaving .God did this to check if Abram would trust Him with his life and family. He did that to see if Abram would obey His instruction without arguing. God wanted to see if Abram would depend on His word not his knowledge. Because Abram trusted God with his life and family , God gave him seven blessings. Firstly, He made him a great nation. Secondly, He blessed him. Thirdly, He made his name great. Fourthly, He made him a blessing. This is why today we say Abraham’s blessing are ours. Fiftly, He blessed all those that blessed Him. Sixtly , He cursed all those that cursed him and Seventhly, He ensured that through Abram all the nations of the world are blessed.

TO PONDER: In our walk with Christ, we will be faced with situations and circumstances that will demand that we trust God’s word with all.Can you trust God’s word with your life and family?

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.

IS FAITH ALONE SUFFICIENT FOR SALVATION?

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ecclesiastes 4-7

The turning of water to wine in Cana of Galilee has been a subject of debate in many Christian circles. Some are saying the wine was a non alcoholic wine, others are saying we are not sure; it could have been an alcoholic wine. I have heard some school of thought say, it was actually a fruit wine – grape wine to be precise.  The bible did not tell us whether the wine was alcoholic or not and I don’t think, the author of the book of John intentionally kept that information from us to hide something. James 1:17 says every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Every gift Jesus gives is PERFECT and GOOD. If Jesus gives you a wine, you can be rest assured that the wine is not only good but perfect also. I post this question to you, is alcoholic wine good for your health? Is alcoholic beverage, perfect for your spiritual and physical growth?

Many of us have been deluded into thinking that FAITH alone can SAVE a man, we justify this with John 3:16 which says for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. A lot are easily swayed by this convenient formula of salvation, all you need is accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior and you are sure of heaven. One has only to believe in the Son of God to gain eternal life. Is that what the bible teaches?  After you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, are you allowed to tell little white lies, purposely commit sin with the intention of asking for forgiveness later, etc?

Brethren, the bible do not sanction this belief neither can faith alone save man. James 2:14 says what doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? Faith would be useless if not coupled with works. We cannot claim to have surrendered all to Christ and still be keeping malice! FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS INSUFFICIENT.  James 2:17 says  even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. We cannot say we are saved and still accept bribes, abuse public offices or allow evil practices by pretending as if you don’t see it! Faith must be accompanied by works to make it perfect. Asides our faith, we need to do the will of God. Matthew 7:21 says not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. We need to accompany our faith with good deeds and obedience to the word of God. Philippians 4:15 says let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Everyone around us must know that we are different. No one has an excuse to misbehave! If you are struggling in one way or the other, ask the Lord to help you and He will help you.  Heaven will cost you something, but it is worth it!

ACTION POINT: Pray that the Lord will help you today in your areas of weakness! Also determine from today to stand out for Christ!

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus. 

IT SHALL TURN TO YOU FOR A TESTIMONY

MEMORY VERSE: and it shall turn to you for a testimony, Luke 21:13.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Sam 6, 1 Cor 16, Ezek 14, John 15

BIBLE STUDIES: Luke 21:10-13

The fact that we have given our life to Christ does not exempt us from the challenges of life. Actually as a Christians we will face challenges . According Psalms 30:5, we will face many but the good thing is the Lord will deliver us from them all. One of the signs of the end times is we will be persecuted. We will face unusual challenges at work, school, business, ministry e.t.c. At times the unexpected will happen just like it happened to me sometimes last year. I got to work and one of the senior managers called me into a room for short talk. We got into the room and he handed me a letter of suspension; I was at home for over three months.

In Christ there will be challenges. John 16:33 says these things I have spoken unto you, that it me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. One of the things that bring me joy is that Christ has overcome the world for me and I believe He did the same for you too. I remember after one particular prayer meeting during my suspension, a brother walked up to and said ‘Bro Sam, It shall turn to you for testimony’. It did turn to me for a testimony.

Just as Jesus assured His disciples in Luke 21:13 that whatever they may go through it shall to them for testimony, I am also telling you that whatever you may be going through at the moment ,friend it shall turn to you for a testimony. Without trials there will not be a testimony. Without big challenges, there will not be big testimonies. Without fire, there will not be gold. Are you battling with the repossession of your house? It shall turn to you for a testimony. Is your child’s behavior or conduct at school causing you to worry? It shall turn to you for a testimony. I was once suspended from school but today my parents rejoice over my salvation. Several years ago I was giving a month to leave the country; today it has turned to me for a testimony. Some months back I had a big financial challenge. During that period I received a letter from an organization that I had to settle a debt, failure to settle it will result in a court case. The Sunday before the Monday they were going to take me to court, the Lord settled the debt. I want you to know that the challenges you are facing is a divine opportunity from God to give you a testimony. Small challenges births small testimonies but big challenges births big testimonies. 

PRAYER POINT: Father, let all that I will face in the remainder of this year turn to me for a testimony.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world Jesus

ACTIVATING THE POWER OF GOD

MEMORY VERSE: and it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them, Luke 5:17.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Josh 2, Ps 123-125, Isa 62, Matt 10

BIBLE STUDIES: Luke 5:17-26

In our bible studies is a story we all know. Jesus was teaching in a particular house and everyone came to hear him teach. The power of God was present to heal every sick man and woman in the gathering. While He was preaching some men with stubborn faith brought their paralyzed friend, they tried to come through the door but could not because of the crowd so they decided to use the roof. When they finally got their friends to Jesus, He told the paralyzed man to stand up and walk. The paralyzed men stood up and began to walk.

Anywhere Jesus is; the power of God is also there. This is because all power in heaven and on earth has been given to Him by the Father, Matthew 28:18. Anywhere the name of Jesus is mentioned, the power of God is present. This is why at the mention of the name of Jesus knees bow, Philippians 2:10. Every time we gather to pray, the power of God is present. Matthew 18:20 says where two or more gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them. 

On that day the power of God was present to heal everyone in attendance, Luke 5:17. The question is how come only the paralyzed man received his healing? The answer is only the friends of the paralyzed man activated the power of God through their faith. A generator has the potential to produce power for your appliances. For power to be generated you need to turn on the generator. The generator could be there for twenty years, if you do not turn it on it will not generate power for your appliances. You can pray for as long as you want,to activate the power of God in your life you need faith. Not too long ago I had a big challenge at work. I was suspended and invited for a final hearing. I had only 5 per cent chance of coming back. I remember the Friday before the Monday of my final hearing, I met one of my colleagues at work and he said ‘how far’? I told him I will back on Tuesday the day after my hearing. That is faith .Anyone in my shoes will be looking for jobs but I didn’t because I knew I will be going back.Even though defeat was guaranteed I told everyone I will be back and to God be glory I came back. 

TO PONDER ON: It is your faith that activates the power of God.

AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT, AS THEY WENT

MEMORY VERSE: and when he saw them, he said unto them, Go and shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed, Luke 17:14

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deut 21, Ps 108-109, Isa 48, Rev 18

BIBLE STUDIES: Matthew 14:19-21

When the going gets tough, look up to the heavens. When it seems like the enemies are closing in on you look to heaven. When you are weak and lack the strength to continue look to heaven. When you look to the right and to the left and there is no one to call on look up to the heavens. The Psalmist says I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth, Psalms 121:1-2. After looking up to the heaven, what next? First thank Him and then table your concerns before the Almighty. If you cannot think of anything, thank Him for the gift of life. As we discussed yesterday, only the living has challenges and only the living has hope. Job 14:7 says for there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that tender branch thereof will not cease. If there is hope for a tree when it is cut down, there is hope for you!

After Jesus blessed the name of the Lord, He did something interesting. Matthew 14:19 says and he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looked up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. After praying, He took actions in other words He took a step of faith. After blessing the Lord He broke the five bread and two fishes and gave His disciples to share them. The problem with many believers is they want the bread and fish to multiply before they start sharing. That is not how it is done, after praying you take a step of faith.

After Jesus prayed nothing really happened. The bread and fishes did not suddenly become a 1000. Before He prayed, He had five bread and two fishes. After He prayed, He still had five bread and two fishes, the question is what then multiplied the bread and fish? His step of faith.Don’t wait for physical manifestation before you know God has answered. Jesus told the ten lepers to go and show themselves to the priests, Luke 17:11-19. After Jesus prayed for these men, nothing really happened. They were lepers before the prayers, they were lepers after the prayer but the bible records that as they went, they were cleansed. As they took the step of faith, the power of God was activated in their matter. You situation will change when you take a step of faith!

KEYWORD: Your step of faith activates the mighty of power of God.

PHYSICAL ATTRACTION … A CRITERIA?

MEMORY VERSE: for we walk by faith, not by sight, 2 Corinthians 5:7.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deut 18, Ps 105, Isa 45, Rev 15

Believers are spiritual beings not sensual beings. Sensual beings depend on their five senses but Spiritual beings depend on the Holy Spirit. To grow spiritually you need to cut down your dependency on your senses especially sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Not only that your dependency on the Holy Spirit needs to increase. Our senses can’t pick spiritual signals. Many a time our senses do fail us. This is why the bible admonishes that that we walk not by our senses i.e. sight but by faith, 2 Corinthians 5:7. If you are waiting for physical manifestation before you know the Lord has answered your prayers then you have missed it. Mark 11:24 says therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. The bible says believe that you have received them not wait for physical manifestation before you know you have received them.

Should physical attraction play a role in my choice of a life partner? Is it a must that I must be physically attracted to the brother or sister before proposing or before saying I do? I am yet to find that verse of the bible that says there must be physical attraction before you propose or say I do. First of all physical attraction is a function of our senses – sight. If we do not walk by sight then the subject of physical attraction should not come up when making life changing decisions such as the choice of a life partner. Adam did not choice eve based on physical attraction, he choose who his creator (God) brought. Isaac did not have a say in who he married, he simply accepted who the Holy Spirit brought through the servant of Abraham. It was only Jacob who decided that the lady God brought was not good enough. To him Leah- God’s choice was not good enough because she had delicate eyes i.e. blear eyed but Rachel was beautiful and well favored in her shape and stature and in her complexion. He succeeded in marrying Rachel but Rachel brought her father’s household gods into his family, Genesis 31:19.

The reason why many are yet to hear from God concerning the choice of a life partner is because they have given God the specification of sisters or brothers they want. If that’s what you are doing, you are only wasting your time. Whether you believe It or not, whatever it is that you’re physically attracted to will not be there forever. People get old and beauty will fade away. This is why the bible says your adornment should not be merely outward but hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God, 1 Peter 3:3-4.

ACTION: Character should be the criteria not the beauty.

JUST BELIEVE

MEMORY VERSE: Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth, Mark 9:23

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deut 15, Ps 102, Isa 42, Rev 12

The key to receiving anything from God is faith. Almost everyone who received a miracle from Jesus got it by faith. Jesus would ask ‘do you believe that I am able to do this’? If they said yes, He would say ‘according to your faith be it unto you’. The same Jesus that raised Lazarus from the dead went to His home town and could not do much because of their unbelief, Mark 6:4-6. Without faith you cannot please God, Hebrew 11:6. James1:6-7 says let not that man (a man without faith) think he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Your faith activates the power of God. Your faith makes the power of God very potent in that circumstances or situations or matter.

After reading messages like this, this first thing that comes to the mind of many is how can I get faith? Many wonder how come some people have faith and others don’t. I want you know that faith is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 says for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. You do not work to get faith, faith is God’s gift. You also need to understand that every believer has this gift. As far as you have giving your life to Christ, you already have faith in you. Romans 12:3b says but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith in others words every believer has been given a measure of faith. Beloved you have all it takes inside you to tell a mountain to move and go yonder and the mountain has no choice than to obey.
God gets everyone started off the same way. He does not give one person more faith than He gives another. He gives to every man the measure of faith. You may be wondering how come some people have more faith than others. Well the measure of faith can be increased. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 talks about faith growing exceedingly. You are the one who increases your faith not God, but God provides the means whereby your faith can be increased. You can increase your faith by doing two things: 1) feeding it on the Word of God and 2) exercising it or putting it into practice in everyday living. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The more of God’s word you feed on the more faith you will have but remember that you need to exercise your faith because if you don’t, your faith muscles will be flabby. They won’t be able to do much spiritually when it comes to moving mountains in your life.

ACTION POINT: Start from where you are and begin to grow your faith

PONDER ON: It is God’s responsibility to give you faith but it your responsibility to grow it.

PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT

MEMORY VERSE: But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Lev 6, Ps 10, Prov 24, 1 Thes 3

What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? You see many equate praying with the spirit to praying in the Spirit. To pray with the spirit simply means to pray in tongues, for example Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:15, ‘what is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.’ Praying in the Spirit means to pray by means of the Holy Spirit or with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is praying according to the Spirit’s leading or praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for. Romans 8:26 says we likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.

When we pray in the Spirit we are praying according to the will of God. The Holy Spirit searches the mind of God and brings prayer points for us to pray on. When the Holy Spirit leads you to pray for a particular brother or sister, or leads to pray about a particular matter please pray about it. Most of the mishaps that happen in the body of Christ could have been avoided if only people prayed when the Holy Spirit asked them to pray. When you pray in the Spirit you are destroying the plans of the enemy. Not too long ago I shared the story of a man of God who the Holy Spirit led to pray against the loss of huge amount of money. At the point when the Holy Spirit was leading him to pray, he was not involved in any business dealings so the prayer point made little or no sense to him but he prayed. Several weeks later some men introduced him to some business, the men wanted to dupe him of his life savings but the Holy Spirit destroyed the plan and exposed these men because he prayed when the Holy Spirit led him to.

Ephesians 6:13 says wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye maybe able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Do you know that when you pray in the Spirit, what you are doing is you are putting on one of the armour of God? Ephesians 6:18 says praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watch thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
When you pray in the Spirit you get more results from your prayer life. I remembered a sister told me she was going for an interview and the Holy Spirit led me to pray with her. I asked her if she didn’t mind if a common church cleaner prayed with her and she said no problem. We said a very short prayer and she left for the interview. An hour later or so she called saying she got the job. What really amazed her was the interviewer did not really ask her any question aside when she was available to start. Instead of spending hours praying and binding the devil, losing and casting demons, the Holy Spirit led us to pray for favor and we did just that and the Lord took control.

PRAYER POINT: Father, as from now on help me to pray more in the Spirit.

GOD’S DRESS CODE

Genesis 3:21 unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 20, Luke 23, Job 38, 2 Cor 8

 

After Adam and Eve sinned, their eyes were opened and they found out that they were naked. The Lord made coats of skin for them to cover their nakedness. Let us briefly focus on what type of clothes was made for them. The bible records that He made coats of skin or tunic for them. There are three things about these coats of skin or tunic. Firstly, it was not transparent; secondly, it was not tight or it did not reveal their body shape; thirdly and most importantly it covered their nakedness. The fashion world advises otherwise but the reason why God created clothe for man was to cover his nakedness. Bible scholars have actually pointed out that the coat was from their shoulder to their ankle. This is the first occasion in the bible we see God giving humans a dress code. As a child of God, whatever we wear must satisfy at least these three: 1- not transparent; 2- not tight fitting or expose body shape & 3- must cover our nakedness.

 

God is not only interested in covering our physical nakedness but our spiritual nakedness too. The danger of been spiritually naked is that it exposes one to attack. Ephesians 6:12 says we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The question is what is our spiritual dress code? Ephesians 6:11 says put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. According to Ephesians 6:14, we should gird our waist with truth and put on a breastplate of righteousness. John 4:24 says God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 2 Corinthians 6:4-7 says but in all things approving yourself as minister of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and left. Ephesians 6:15 says we should shod our feet in peace. James 3:16-18 says where envying and strife (opposite of peace), there is confusion and every evil work. Ephesians 6:16 says our shield should be of faith. The moment our faith weaver Satan wins. Ephesians 6:17 says our helmet should be a helmet of salvation and our weapon which is the sword – a sword of the spirit which is the word of God. The bible records in Matthew 8:16 that Jesus casted out the spirits with His words. To be fully clothed spiritually one need to put on the whole armour of God. Any fellow studying the word of God but not living in peace is spiritually naked because he is not putting on the whole armour of God. Putting on the helmet of salvation without the breastplate of righteousness is as good as  naked. This is why we need to give our lives to Christ; live a life of righteousness; live in peace with everyone; study the bible regularly; build our faith by hearing by the word of God e.t.c. These are our spiritual dress codes.

 

PRAYER POINT: Father, greatly increase my faith.