IT IS WELL

READ: 2 KINGS 6:24
            2 KINGS 7:1-20

In our text today, we read of a woman who consented to boil her son for food. This is a terrible thing to do and it makes one tremble. We have some interesting information here, however:
(i) Whatever situation you may be right now, you should give glory to God because things could definitely be worse. Thank God because you have not reached that situation where you will eat your child. You will never reach that level, in the name of Jesus. In 1 Kings 17:8-16, we see another widow who said she had only one meal left for her and her son to eat and die. She had a problem but it was not as terrible as that which could make her eat her son. In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we see yet another widow who had two sons, about to be sold into slavery because of her debt. She had a problem but it was not as terrible as that which could warrant her eating her son. In whatever situation you may find yourself today, thank Jesus for it, because things could definitely be worse. When there life, there is hope. David says in Psalm 42:9-11: “I will say to God my Rock, why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me, while they say to me all day long, where is your God? Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” David had a lot of agonies but he ended up by saying he would still praise his God who is his Rock. T does not matter how terrible you think your situation is; you should learn how to thank God. You should think of the problems of others and be grateful to God. Yours is not the worst situation.
(ii) Parental love can fail but divine love will never fail. Isaiah 49:15 says: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?  Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Here, God asks a question and gives us the answer. He says here that even though a mother can forget her sucking child, He will never forget us. Today, I want to cheer up. Your situation is not the worst. After all, you are not dead. Your future is bright. Do not give in to discouragement. It is well.

MEMORIZE: PROVERBS 28:1 –The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

YOUR KINGDOM COME

READ: MATTHEW 25:34-40

The Kingdom of heaven is not meant for those who are full of themselves. Self-opinionated, pompous and heady people cannot get there. You may ask, “Who are those that will make heaven?” Heaven is a place prepared for prepared people. Jesus stated categorically that we must be converted and take up the nature of newborn babies before we can be qualified for heaven. Our hearts must be malleable, soft and tender like that of newborn babies. We must be poor in spirit if we must enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who are hard-hearted, stubborn, impervious to correction, unrepentant and are filled with feelings of self-satisfaction are heading towards hell, not heaven. The poor in spirit are the humble and those who accept that their spiritual lives need to be developed further. The one who believes that he is poor in spirit knows that his spirit can still be developed further. He knows he can grow spiritually. There are many Christians who feel they already know it all. Those who will enter into that Kingdom, the Bible says, are those who will be on the right hand on the last day. What did they do when they were on earth? They took care of the brethren of Jesus Christ. This means your contribution in your house fellowship may make your entry into Heaven easier, especially as you minister to those who are in need. In the house fellowship, it is easier to know those who are in need of help because of the closeness or physical affinity. Obviously, you must be born again before you can even see the Kingdom. This is what Jesus Christ told Nicodemus. If you are not born again, there is no way for you. You cannot even see the kingdom not to talk of entering into it. But if you repent of your sin, you will see it and enter it. Get prepared for the heavenly Kingdom today.

MEMORIZE: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 –Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

BEWARE!

READ: JUDGES 8:22-27

The most dangerous moment in life is the hour of triumph. The devil usually waits for such moments for a counter attack. Whoever must remain a champion must remain in contact with the One who made him a champion, even after the contest has been won. Experience from the Bible has shown that the most dangerous time in one’s life is immediately after a victory. The devil is a cunning fighter. He knows how to strike when you have just won a victory. In Judges 8:22-27, after Gideon became victorious, he was called to become king. He refused but asked for all the golden earrings taken from the enemies. He made an ephod out of them. The ephod became a snare to Gideon and his family. In Genesis 9:20-27, we have the story of Noah. God wiped out the entire population of the earth and left Noah and his family intact. After the flood was over, Noah thought he could relax. He began to have vineyards. Very soon, he began to drink wine. It was not long before he became drunk and pronounced a curse on one of his children. The curse is still in place today. In Judges 15:14-19, the Bible tells us how Samson killed a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass. This was a mighty victory. As soon as he got the victory, became thirsty. At this stage, he was wise. He called on God for help. Ephesians 6:11-13 summarises everything for us.”Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil .For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ” To remain a Divine champion, pray without ceasing.

MEMORIZE: PROVERBS 1:7 –The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER

READ: PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7

Today, we shall examine occasions when we need to pray.
1. At the time of sorrow. According to John 16:24, Jesus can change your sorrow to joy: “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” It is within the ability of Jesus Christ to give you joy. When you find yourself at the very depth of sorrow, pray. He will change your sorrow to joy.
2. In the time of joy. Many of us forget prayers at the time of joy. It is when you are joyous most that your enemy is closest to you. Ask Herod, in Matthew 14:6-9. Herod was having his birthday when the plan to kill John the Baptist was hatched. From the height of joy, the king sunk to the bottom of sorrow because he knew what he was being asked to do would guarantee his chairmanship in hell. When you are rejoicing, the enemy is nearest to you than you can ever imagine.
3. When you are going out, either in the morning or in the afternoon. There is danger out there. 1 Peter 5:8 says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Pray!
4. When you are coming in. Matthew 10:6 says there is a greater danger at home: “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
5. When you are fighting your private wars. Isaiah 9:6 teaches that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He knows how to bring peace into your battles.
6. When there is peace.  It is at the time of peace that you should prepare for war. Jesus Christ told His disciples to “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. ” David had been practising how to use the sling in the time of peace before he was faced with Goliath.
7.  When God seems near. Isaiah 55:6 says: “Seek the LORD while He may be found, cal upon Him while He is near.” If God is near, He will hear you quickly and the result will come fast.

MEMORIZE: EPHESIANS 6:18 –Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-

DIVINELY PROTECTED

READ: ACTS 12:1-11

The issue of protection is so crucial that one must be certain about it. However, God is the only sure source of protection. The Bible says: “He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:3-4). The fact that God neither sleep nor slumber, invariably, implies that ordinary night guards can fall asleep. This is telling us that we should not put our faith in ordinary night guards. They are human beings who can fall asleep. We have a good example in 1 Samuel 26:1-7. This was during the time king Saul and his soldiers were pursing David to kill him. During that period, their camps were near each other and David sneaked into king Saul’s camp. He found him sleeping and removed his sword. King Saul’s soldiers were also fast asleep. David spared king Saul’s life, went back to his camp and shouted to rebuke the captain of the soldiers of king Saul. Your bodyguard may come from the best security company in your country but if God does not keep you, you are a dead man. It is when you become an enemy of God that you begin to look for protection from all sorts of sources. When you have God on your side, you are not afraid in the day or at night because you know that God is there to protect you. In Acts 12:1-11, the enemies watching over Peter slept off because they were enemies of God. God put them to sleep and rescued His own from among them. This is good news for us. We know that witches and wizards and the evil ones perpetrate evil at night. However, as they are about to plot against you, God will put them to sleep. In Acts 16:27, when Paul and Silas were put into prison, their jailers were told they were special prisoners who must not escape. However, they fell into such a deep sleep that even when Paul and Silas were praising God they did not wake up until there was an earthquake and the prisoners were released. God will cause those who are planning your destruction to fall asleep. Before they wake up, you will have broken free.

MEMORIZE: 1 PETER 5:7 –Casting all you care upon Him, for He cares for you.