“AND THE IRON DID SWIM”

MEMORY VERSE: And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. 2 Kings 6:6

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 33-37

2 Timothy 3:1 says: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” The perilous times Paul spoke about is here. As such, we must be careful. Guard the things God has given to you, jealously. Why? Firstly, it can be taken from you. Revelations 3:11 says: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” There are agents of the devil out there who want to empty you of everything the Lord has given to you. Secondly, it can be lost due to carelessness. You may lose your salvation if you play with it or buy into the "eternal salvation" theory. There are several examples of fervent brothers who lost their salvation in the bible e.g. Demas, Hymenaeus, etc. According to Holy Scriptures, a man is known by his fruits (Matthew 7:16). Paul would have selected a co-worker who showed lots of it. Paul instructed Timothy and Titus on how to go about appointing elders, by making sure the selected persons were truly qualified and had a high level of morality, so we can only expect that Paul obeyed his own instructions. For instance, in Acts 15:37, Paul rejected John Mark due to his past. I am sure, Paul would not have appointed Demas as a co-worker in the ministry if he was not saved and bearing fruits. This brother later lost his salvation and went back into the world. 2 Timothy 4:10 says: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”

Thirdly, the Lord (who gave it) can decide to take it back if abuse it or don't use it. The master of the servant who failed to use his talent took it back from him and gave it to the servant with ten talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The Lord warned the children of Israel whilst on their way to the promise land to run from sin or else, He would drive them from the land like He did to those before them. Leviticus 18:28 says: “That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.” Is it possible for one to lose his or her spiritual gifts? Yes, especially if one falls into the sin of fornication or adultery. An example that comes to mind is that of a sister who fornicated. After fornicating, she lost the gifts of praying in tongues and her spiritual life went down. She had hit rock bottom when we met her. Our of mercy, the Lord restored the gift after she repented and we prayed. Guard the things God has given to you, jealously. If you have lost something due to your carelessness or for any other reason, God can restore it. However, it is better not to have lost it in the first place. I pray that He will have mercy on you and restore what you have lost. The One who retrieved an axe head from the River Jordan, a muddy river, is alive and able to retrieve the irretrievable (2 Kings 6:1-6). Verse 6 says: “ And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.”

NOTE: Don’t give up. If what you have lost is irreplaceable which is rarely the case, He will give you something better. Trust in the Lord. God wants you to be happy.

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THE POWER TO CREATE YOUR WORLD

MEMORY VERSE: And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. Genesis 2:15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 29-34


Genesis 2:15 says: “And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof." The task of giving names to the creatures God created was not a small one. Firstly, it was a time-consuming task. As of today, according to BBC, there are 8.7 million species of animals. Secondly, it was a task that required a great knowledge of animals and divine wisdom because the names had to be in consonance with God’s purpose for the animals. The Lord brought these living creatures – animals, fishes, birds, etc. - to Adam to give them names for two main reasons: To distinguish one from another, (and point at something in them that was natural to them, and made them different from each other) and to put them into his hands, and give him authority over them.

There are few things I will like to point out in Genesis 2:15-16. Firstly, God gave Adam free hand to give names to the living creatures He was putting under him (See Genesis 2:15a).  Secondly, He didn’t interfere with the whole process. He allowed Adam to give them names that pleased him. Thirdly, the living creatures answered to the names that Adam gave to them (Genesis 2:15b). Just as God gave Adam free hand to give names to the living creatures He was putting under him, God has also given you a free hand to give names to the children He gave or will give to you. Not only that, He has given you a free hand to describe your life and give a name to your situation. God will not interfere with the names you give to your children, yourself, business, company or situation. Lastly, your children, business, company and situation will answer to the names you give to them. If I were you, I will never call a situation a hopeless situation because, as God lives and His Spirit lives, that is what that situation will be –it will definitely become a hopeless one. If I were you, I will never call my child a good-for-nothing boy or girl. You may have done it out of anger but you have also damaged the destiny of that young boy or girl. Thank God, you can reverse those names.

NOTE: The power to define your world is in your words so use it wisely.

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ONLY IN FULL MEASURE

MEMORY VERSE: And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 23-28

One of the names of our Lord Jesus Christ is Wonderful (See Isaiah 9:6). Wonderful simply means full of wonders. Another name of Jesus Christ is Merciful (full of mercy). Exodus 34:6 says: “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” He is also called Faithful (1 Thessalonian 5:24).

You will observe from His names mentioned above that He is full of good things. Hence, James said, “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from Him (James 1:17).” The Lord deals only in FULL measures. He gives His Spirit in FULL measures. He anointed the Psalmist with oil and his cup RAN OVER ( See Psalm 23:5). Jesus, BEING FULL of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 4:1). Stephen, BEING FULL of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55). The Lord FILLED Bezalel with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship (Exodus 31:3).

He FILLS His children with blessings (See Proverbs 3:10).  He COMPLETELY heals; i.e., He makes whole. Luke 17:19 says: “And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” He gives FULL protection to His children (See Psalm 125:2). He destroys ALL the enemies of His children. The Moabites, the Ammonites and the Meunites waged war against Judah ( 2 Chronicles 20). Verse 24 says: “And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.” He FILLS children with peace. Romans 15:13 says: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” What does the Lord expect in return? He expects His children to love Him with ALL their heart, soul and mind ( See Matthew 22:37). He expects FULL service/ commitment from His children (1 Samuel 12:24).

NOTE: It is either you seek Him with everything in you or you don’t because you will only find Him when you seek Him with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

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PRAYER: A MASTER KEY

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 READING: 1 Kings 5-8

There is a song we used to sing back in Nigeria: ‘Prayer is the key. Prayer is the key. Prayer is the master-key. Jesus started with prayer and ended with prayer. Prayer is the master-key.’ How true are the lyrics of this song? Jesus started His ministry with prayer (in the desert) and ended it with prayer (on the cross). One of the secrets of Jesus' success whilst He was on the earth was prayers. He prayed regularly. Prayer is a prerequisite for greatness.

Anyone who wants a change of story, a change of circumstances, victory, a breakthrough, etc., must pray. By praying for the sick, God can heal them. 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.’ Fervent prayer can turn a situation around. James 5:16 says: ‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.’ There was a conspiracy at work to get rid of me some years back. At a point, it was certain that I was going to be sacked because they recruited someone to replace me. I reported the matter to God and He turned the table around. The person that led the conspiracy was demoted and she left out of shame. Others were sacked. Prayer draws angels closer to you. Jesus prayed and angels came to minister to Him (Luke 22:39-43). Prayer diffuses fear and imparts unshakeable confidence. Acts 4:31 says: ‘And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.’ However, one thing is required for your prayer to be answered and that is faith. 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.’

NOTE: Prayer draws you closer to God.

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HE DELIGHTS IN THE PROSPERITY OF HIS CHILDREN

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

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 19-22

Matthew 19:24 says: “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” 1 Timothy 6:10 says: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Many read Matthew 19:24 and 1 Timothy 6:10 and concluded that riches is bad for Christians. Some actually believe that no rich man will enter heaven. As such, they hate money and do everything possible to ensure that they do not become rich. Jesus did not say riches will take you to hell neither did He say that poverty will take you to heaven. The only condition to get to heaven is be born again (John 3:3-5).

The Bible teaches that God delights in the prosperity of His servants (See Psalm 35:27).  Why would God delight in the “prosperity” of His servants if wealth/prosperity is bad – if prosperity will take them to hell? God wants you to prosper. Abraham, a man described in James 2:23 as the Friend of God, was a rich man. Abraham’s servant said, “And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses (Genesis 24:35).” David, a man God described as a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22), gave close to a billion dollars towards the building of the temple (1 Chronicles 29:1-30). Bible scholars valued the gold and silver he gave to the tune of $867.5 million. After Job passed the test, God greatly prospered him. God wants His children to prosper and as such, He gives them the power to get wealth ( See Deuteronomy 8:18). We have established that God wants you to prosper; however, there is a caveat to it. If you want divine prosperity you must live holy. Isaiah 1:19 says: “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:” You must be a giver. Proverbs 11:25 says: “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” You must be diligent. Proverbs 12:24 says: “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” Lastly, you must not be a lover of pleasure. Proverbs 21:17 says: “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” Many of us are not rich simply because we love pleasure – flashy things.

CONFESSION: I prophesy that this year will be my best year so far.

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GUIDANCE BY PROHIBITION

MEMORY VERSE: After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. Acts 16:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 14-18

Divine guidance is something the Lord promised all His children. Several verses of the Holy Scriptures allude to this fact; e.g. Proverbs 3:6 says: “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”; Isaiah 30:21 says: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

One of the ways God guides His children is through open doors. Isaiah 45:2 says: “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.” John 10:4 says: “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” No door can be shut against The Door (Jesus Christ). Doors automatically open before Him as He leads the way (Psalm 24:9) and you go through easily. One of the ways to know that God is in a matter is things just happen without forcing them. You achieve things without stress because the Holy Bible says, “it is not by power or by might but by my spirit says the Lord.” An instance that comes to mind was when I wanted to travel abroad to study. Due to lack of money, everyone was against the idea and I quite understand. Out of the blue, everyone that was against the idea suddenly bought into it and I was on my way to attend a visa interview. At the interview, I was nervous because I had never seen a white man before in my life. To make matters worse, I could barely hear him when he asked me questions. All through the interview, I was shaking and stammering. The next thing I knew was he asked for my passport and motioned to me to go and wait outside. When God is in a thing, I have learnt with the little time I have spent with Him that things go smoothly - so smoothly that one may think it is that easy. Another way He guides, although many are not used to, is through prohibition or closed doors. Paul wanted to go and preach in Mysia but the Lord did not want him to go so He shut the door at him. Acts 16:7 says: “After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” Many a time, God speaks to us and we pretend as if we can’t hear Him so He deliberately shuts the door to us- out of love. Friend, what God denies and keeps us away from is as much divine guidance as what He permits and opens to us.

NOTE: Every door that didn’t open, every opportunity you didn’t get and every call that didn’t come, is as much God’s guidance as those that did.

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CAUGHT IN A THICKET BY HIS HORNS

MEMORY VERSE: And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. Genesis 22:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 7-13

BIBLE READING: Genesis 22:1-13

Genesis 22:1 says: “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.” God does not tempt. According to Noah Webster’s dictionary 1828 edition, to tempt means “To incite or solicit to an evil act; to entice to something wrong by presenting arguments that are plausible or convincing, or by the offer of some pleasure or apparent advantage as the inducement.” It is not in God’s character to tempt people – He will never incite a man to do evil. It is Satan that tempts not God (James 1:13). The right translation, I believe, is tried. God tried Abraham not tempt him. If you feel like fornicating with a colleague at work or commit adultery, it is the devil tempting you. I pray you won’t fall so that you don’t lose valuable things in your life.

The story in Genesis 22:1-13 is a popular one. It is one we have heard at one time or the other and if you have not heard or read it, I will encourage you to get a bible and read it. Abraham loved God and Isaac. God wanted to see who he loved more so He tried him by telling him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham demonstrated his love for God by deciding to sacrifice his only son (Isaac). After all, the God who gave him Isaac is able to give him another one. Abraham was about to sacrifice the young boy when God stopped him and gave him a ram to use instead. Genesis 22:13 says: “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” I want us to pay a close attention to this phrase: “caught in a thicket by his horns.” You see, when God prepares a blessing for a man, He secures it so that no one can steal it. He secures it so that it is almost impossible to lose it. That ram would have walked away had the angel of the Lord not secured by tying it down. Friend, no man can take a position or what God has given to you. This is not a license to be lazy. This is not a license to relax in the place of prayer or stop praying. If you stop praying, the enemy will delay your blessing like the Prince of Persia delayed the angel God sent to Daniel. The point here is stop scheming – stop playing games. If it is yours no man can take it. Worse still, stop manipulating or stop trying to influence situations / people to get results.

NOTES: God does not do a “half job”. No man can take what He has decided to give to you. However, you can lose it as a result of your laziness. The angel secured the ram for Abraham; he didn’t kill or offer it for Abraham.

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