GOD’S THANK YOU

READ: GENESIS 22:15-18

When you do a favour for someone, that person will normally show their appreciation is some way. The least they will do is to say ‘thank you.’ When you satisfy God and make him happy, he will also tell you ‘thank you.’ However, his ‘thank you’ is often so overwhelming that it can be frightening!
One day, according to Luke 5, Jesus borrowed Peter’s boat for a few hours to preach. This was the same Peter who had spent the whole night fishing on the lake without catching anything. Fortunately, he had enough sense to do business with God. When Jesus thanked him for using the boat, Peter threw out his nets and caught so much fish that his boat, as well as some other boats which he called in to help, nearly couldn’t handle the load.
In 2 Chronicles 1:6-12, Solomon gave an offering that touched God’s heart. When God told Solomon that he could have anything he desired, Solomon made a request born out of selflessness and a desire to glorify God. This pleased God, and he decided to thank Solomon for it. God said: “Wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like.” (2 Chronicles 1:12).
In our passage, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. Abraham obeyed and passed the test with flying colours. God was pleased and thanked Abraham by promising to bless him and to make his seed “as the dust of the earth.” (Genesis 13:16).
Are you afraid to do business with God? Do you think your sacrifice in his Name will yield nothing? Do you think you will go unrewarded for suffering shame, lack, and pain for his Name’s sake? No! God will surely say ‘thank you’. He is a faithful rewarder of those who please Him. Go ahead and serve Him.

MEMORIZE: 1 CHRONICLES 1:12 –Wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like.

STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS

READ: HEBREWS 11:8-16

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:11). The Bible likens Christians who are washed by the blood and have a genuine faith in Jesus Christ to strangers and pilgrims. The word ‘stranger’ comes from the Greek word zenos, which is translated as ‘strange’ or ‘host’. It refers to people outside their own country; in other words foreigners. The word ‘pilgrims’ stems from the Greek word parepidemos, which means ‘sojourner’, ‘not permanent dwellers’, ‘not naturalised’ (1 Peter 1:1).
We do not belong down here. We may be born as citizens of such and such a country, but in reality we are permanent citizens of a heavenly realm that outshines any country on earth. We should not forget our true origins, because very soon we will return there. Some Christians live as if everything begins and ends with this world. They cast God aside and focus on mundane things with no eternal value. They join the unbelievers in competing for earthly treasures, position and power, using worldly methods. But 1 Corinthians 7:31 warns: “And they that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passed away.”
In today’s passage, Abraham demonstrates his status as a stranger and pilgrim on earth. He had the opportunity to return to worldly systems, but he shunned them. He became dissatisfied with earthly dwellings. He had wealth, money and great possessions, but he was not bound by it. His heart was not his wealth. He was ready to forego all and inherit heaven, the centre and peak of all his aspirations.
Are you a stranger to the earth? Or are you so involved with worldly activities and achievements that you would even let the sound of the trumpet go unnoticed? Change your focus. Turn heavenwards. Shun sin and dedicate your life to the Most High every day. Watch out for the moment of wondrous rapture to the home prepared for us by God.

MEMORIZE: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:31 –And they that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passed away.

PUSHED INTO BLESSING

READ: GENESIS 50:18-20

Are you going through intense pressure from the camp of the enemies? Is there a king Saul on your trail? Are some brothers of Joseph scheming to sell you into oblivion? Is the continued denial of your legal rights almost forcing you to quit? Wait a minute! Don’t worry: your situation is about to change.
Elisha, the man of God, died and took his anointing to the grave, because there was no worthy candidate to whom it could be transferred. Years later, after Elisha’s body has been reduced to dry bones, a man died. His relatives went to bury him near Elisha’s grave.
At the burial ground, they had commenced burial rites when they saw a band of Moabite soldiers coming towards them (at that time the Moabites regularly raided the land). The relatives of the dead man did not want to join him in the grave, therefore they dumped his body in the first available graved and ran off. Fortunately for the deceased, that grave happened to be Elisha’s. As the corpse landed on Elisha’s withered bones, it immediately came to life, and the man could join his relatives once more.
Unwittingly, your enemies can ‘push’ you into your blessing. Your enemies can help you to reach your destiny sooner. If it weren’t for the Moabites, the man would have been buried in the grave that had been prepared for him. Had that happened, he would have remained dead. It was the presence of the enemies that caused his relatives to throw him into the grave that restored him to life.
In today’s passage, Joseph informs his envious brothers that, even though they were pushing him into slavery and oblivion, God was pulling him closer to the premiership. Enemies attacked Jehoshaphat and tried to push into defeat, but God gave him a wonderful victory and more riches than his soldiers could carry (2 Chronicles 20:1-25). King Saul was pushing so hard to get rid of David, but all he managed was to wear himself out, so that David ended up succeeding him sooner. That problem that is pushing so hard now will soon push you into your breakthrough. Remain calm and rest in the Lord.

MEMORIZE: ROMANS 8:28 –And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.

FRUITLESS FAST

READ: ISAIAH 58:3-5

Fasting can be very beneficial for any believer, but then it must be done according to Scripture. In today’s passage, the Israelites in Isaiah’s days were asking God why their fasting yielded no result. They were quite convinced that the problem lay with God, but God told them that it was the other way round.
Are you fasting and praying for long periods without experiencing any breakthroughs? Examine your ways sincerely, and you are sure to find out why. Some Christians start fasting and soon they get touchy and pick fights with everyone in the house. They do not refrain from sexual contact with their spouses. Instead of praying and studying God’s Word, they sit in front of the television and watch one programme after another.
Fasting is supposed to be a time of self-denial; a time of abstinence from food to weaken your flesh and empower your spirit. It is no use to miss breakfast and lunch if you are going to eat an enormous supper. It defeats the whole purpose of the fast, because the flesh remains empowered.
A very important aspect of fasting is that time should be set aside for praise, worship and prayer. Any believer who fasts from 6 am to 6 pm should be able to set aside 30 minutes for prayer, otherwise it could hardly be called a fast. If you become mean and wicked during your fast and give in to sin, your fast will likely produce no fruit.
How have you been fasting? Have you been able to practise self-control, love and forgiveness? Your attitude to fasting will determine whether it is true fast or a hunger strike.

MEMORIZE: GENESIS 4:7a –If you do well, shall you not be accepted? And if you do not well, sin lies at the door.     

PASSIVE PARTICIPANT

READ: 2 KINGS 2:1-15

At the beautiful Gate, a crowd had gathered. They were amazed over a well-known cripple who had just been healed. While the crowd enjoyed the sensation of the moment, only the cripple received a miracle that would change his life. On the way to Jericho another crowd had gathered. This time, Jesus and the blind Bartimaeus were at the centre. Everybody was amazed that the blind man was healed, but only Bartimaeus received the miracle.
In every gathering, there are always different categories of people. There are the people who testify about what God has done for them. They are the active participants. Then there are people who listen to those testimonies. They are the passive participants. Both groups are busy: one testifies, the other watches.
At the gate of Samaria, after God had provided bountifully and reversed the siege, many were experiencing the miracle for themselves. The counsellor of the king, however, chose to remain an onlooker. He kept looking in amazement, until he got in the way of those rushing to collect the bounty, so they trampled him to death. I choose not to be an onlooker, but an active participant!
From today’s passage, we see that the prophets knew that God would rapture their great colleague Elijah. Rather than see how they can benefit from him, the sons of the prophets stood at a distance, watching. Elisha, however, refused to be an onlooker. He decided to be an active participant. So he persevered until they had crossed the river Jordan. Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted, so Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s anointing, and got it. By the time he returned, the other prophets immediately saw the difference in him and bowed down before him. Onlookers cannot achieve their goals. They remain servants forever. Leave that group today, and join the active participants.

MEMORIZE: 1 KINGS 18:21 –And Elijah came to all the people, and said, How long halt you between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

WANTED: A MAN

READ: EZEKIEL 22:30-31

God used Elijah to perform many miracles. When Elijah’s time on earth was up, God wanted to transfer his anointing to someone else. At the time several sons of the prophets were being trained in Bethel and Jericho. They were all hoping to be used as mightily as Elijah had been used, but none of them were willing to pay the price. Fifty of them made a feeble attempt. “And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.” (2 Kings 2:7).
These 50 men attempted to see Elijah, but they were only prepared to do so from a distance. Do you want to an abundant measure of the Holy Ghost’s anointing? Do you want to be used by God in healing the sick and raising the dead? Are you ready to pay the price? Are you where God is working, or are you viewing what he does from afar? Elisha paid the price. He served Elijah faithfully to the end. Some Christian ministers give up on ministry without completing what they started, or leave the church to start their own ministry. Usually they have many reasons for leaving, and naturally they often say that God has called them, but they do not allow God to each them humility and brokenness.
Elisha served to the end, but he didn’t stop there. He went the extra mile. God sent Elijah to Bethel, Jericho and Jordan, and Elisha followed him without ever turning back. Elisha knew what he was looking for. When he eventually asked God for a double portion anointing, he got it because God saw how earnestly he wanted it. You may ask God for tenfold or even a millionfold anointing of any man of God. The measure you will eventually get will be in accordance with the price you have paid. You cannot get more.
Gehazi only served Elisha up to a point. He could not pay the price, so Elisha took his anointing to the grave rather than transfer it to someone who has not paid the price. Ezekiel 22:30 tells us that – even today – God is still looking for a man or woman to empower so that he or she may perform signs and wonders and become God’s treasurer. Will you be that person? Will you pay the price?   

MEMORIZE: 2 KINGS 2:7 –And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.

EXEMPTED FROM WAR?

READ: DEUTERONOMY 20:5-9

In the law God allowed certain categories of people to be exempted from going to war. They were those who had yet to eat from the garden they had planted; those who had just built a house, but had not moved in; those who had been betrothed in marriage, and those who were afraid to join in the battle. God is the Commander-in-Chief of the heavenly armies. He is a warrior. God wants his children to be warriors like him. 2 Timothy 2:3 says we should endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ. But why then would he exempt some people from war?
Firstly, God does not always depend on numbers. He may call many, but choose only a few. This was part of the reason why God reduced Gideon’s army from 132000 to 300. He does not want people to attribute their victories to themselves, their power or their superior numbers, which is exactly what might happen if God allows them to be victorious.
Another reason why God excuses some people, is because certain assignments can only be handled by those who are strong in faith. The presence of the fainthearted in such a forum will weaken the faith of the strong. In Matthew 9:18-26, before Jesus raised the daughter of the ruler back to life, he asked all the professional mourners who surrounded her to leave. On other occasions, he excused all the disciples, except Peter, James and John. Before you can accomplish significant things for the Lord, you must excuse doubt and fear, and anything that brings it about.
Another reason for reducing numbers is to test people. Gideon’s army went through several tests. Sometimes it is necessary to determine whether your soldiers are in the battle heart and soul, or whether they are merely present in the physical sense. In the last days in which we live, Jesus is gathering his army. To belong to this army, you must pass the tests that come your way. If you pass, you will become a mighty instrument in God’s hand. If you fail, you will be excused. I have made the choice to be part of God’s army for the battle that lies ahead. How about you?

MEMORIZE: PROVERB 24:10 –If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

IT IS GOD’S BATTLE

READ: EXODUS 14:13-14

“The LORD shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14). The moment you become a child of God, you hand over the reign of your life to him, giving him control of everything, including your assets and liabilities. He also takes over your battles! From the instant that you become his child, your enemies become his enemies. They who fight you, are in fact fighting him!
During the siege of Samaria, the children of God didn’t have to do a thing in battle. By the time the four lepers got to the enemy’s camp, God had fought and won the battle for his people. All that was left, was for them to gather the spoils! In 1 Samuel 17:45-47, David told Goliath that the battle was the Lord’s and God did the rest in a matter of minutes. In 2 Chronicles 20:15, a Levite by the name of Jehaziel assured Jehoshaphat that the battle was not his to fight, but God’s.
Why? God knows you cannot fight and win unseen forces. By the time you feel the blow, they’re gone and you can’t return it. Besides, Satan, when he fell, was not stripped of the powers God had given him when he still served as Lucifer, the covering cherub. When he fell, he also stole from Adam the power to rule as the god of this world. Therefore he would easily destroy any man.
Jesus Christ won a decisive victory over the principalities and powers of darkness and openly paraded Satan and his host for all to see. Jesus also recovered the power to rule the world. That is why he said: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18). When you are born again, Jesus comes and lives within you. When demons try to attack you, they will see the One who defeated them in their headquarters in hell, and they will have to bow down to Jesus in you. They know that he is greater than all of them put together.
Why not turn your life’s battles in the workplace, school, finance, family and even the church over to Jesus? He has never lost a battle. But if you take up the battle yourself, he will withdraw. Be wise enough to hand over every area of your life to him today.   

MEMORIZE: EXODUS 14:14 –The LORD shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.