HE OPENS, NONE SHUTS

READ: REVELATION 3:7-13

In his letter to the church in Philadelphia, otherwise known as the Loyal Church, Jesus introduces himself as the One with the authority of David. He is the One who opens and none can shut; he shuts and none can open. As a result of their faithfulness and loyalty he decided to give them an open door that none could shut. It is on record that of all the seven Churches he wrote to, only the church in Philadelphia survived until this present time. Satan could not shut that open door.
 Jesus Christ is the Lord of heaven and earth. With such immense authority, we should not be afraid of any situation. Has the devil shut out your progress, business or finances? Have your household foes successfully tied up your womb? Has a case been decided against you? Has the doctor given his expert verdict concerning your health? Have people around you concluded that you case is hopeless? Do not believe them. Reject it, because you have the One who has all power in heaven and on earth with you. He will surely turn your situation around. No case is closed until he says so.
He has the final say. And when he speaks, no devil, situation or circumstance can stand in his way, because his Word is alive and goes forth as a terrible weapon. Anything that stands in the way of God’s Word is destroyed. But you ask if so, why are God’s promises sometimes hindered by Satan and his cohorts? When God sends his Word of promise to you or anyone; that Word leaves in power. Satan cannot stand in its way without destruction. What the devil does is if he wants to hinder the fulfilment of that word in your life, is come subtly to work on you.
He may try to cause doubt. If he fails, he may organise conflict between you and someone else and in the process insert unforgiveness into you. If he fails, he will try to make you disobey God in one area or another. He will keep trying. His purpose is to cause you to offend God. Then he will go and accuse you before God, using your sin as the basis to disqualify you from enjoying that promise. Draw closer to Jesus today and be faithful to him and he will open a door for you that none of your enemies can shut. In the same way, if any door has been shut against you; call on him and it shall be opened!

MEMORIZE: PSALM 119:89 –For ever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.

A GLORIOUS EXIT

READ: ACTS 7:55-60

Eagles enjoy their full life span. No enemy can easily shoot them down. They are difficult to catch. The y don’t fall sick easily because they eat only living things. They are not trapped by the rain so they don’t get pneumonia. Almost all of them grow old. Job 5:26 says: “You shall come to your grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn comes in his season.”
A true spiritual eagle is not afraid of death. If you live in obedience to God, you will not die before you complete your assignment on earth. Every move of Satan and his cohorts to take your life will continue to fail. The Pharisees and wicked leaders of the Synagogue made several attempts on the life of Jesus but they never succeeded until it was time to go the Cross. He willingly released himself into their hands (Luke 4:28-30). You will not die before your time.
When the time of an eagle is over, it behaves in a strange way. It goes to the highest mountain possible and perches on the highest point. It sits down and faces the sun. It remains in this position looking at the sun until it dies. This teaches us as spiritual eagles not to fear death but to fix our gaze on the Son of righteousness, the Lord Jesus himself, as we grow old and ready to depart (Malachi 4:2). You should die sitting down and looking unto Jesus, because he is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Since he began our faith, he also will end it.
A time to die is a time to look to the Lord, because you need his help. David says in Psalm 23:4 that Jesus will be with you when you go through the valley of the shadow of death, so you will not fear. Stephen looked to Jesus shortly before he was stoned to death and saw him standing with arms to welcome him home (Acts 7:55-56, 59-60). Revelation 21:23 says Jesus is the Sun of the Heavenly City. As we take our gaze from last minute worries and focus on Jesus, we will keep looking and drawing closer to him until suddenly we discover we are in the Heavenly Country. What a glorious exit! 

MEMORIZE: JOB 5:26 –You shall come to your grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn comes in in his season.

MISERABLE RICHES

READ: 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19

Money is a defence, just like wisdom. That means it is very useful in many areas. But God has defined how we should think about riches. God instructs his children, whom he has blessed, not to allow pride as a result of their wealth. Also they are to put their trust in God, not in their money, because God is the source of our wealth. A rich Christian is also expected to be full of good works and always ready to give to needy ones and invest his riches in God-glorifying projects as a way of laying up great rewards for himself in eternity.
Riches and wealth are part of our Covenant rights. Jesus Christ took our poverty and lack and gave us his riches. God has a purpose for them. When they are not used accordingly, they defeat the purpose of being sent. Proverbs 11:24-25 says that those who deliberately lay up wealth without meeting God’s purpose for it, may end up losing it. Saving is good but excessive saving – storing what God expects you to distribute to the needy – can turn riches into poverty.
James 5:1-6 warns the wicked rich of atrocities they commit. Wealth is power. A poor king can be maltreated by rich citizens of his kingdom. Wherever wicked men are rich, they want to assume control and dominate. Even in church today, there is great discrimination against the poor. Those who are wealthy want the pastor to become their slave. They want to dictate the progress, the message and all major decisions. They want to hire and fire and occupy the highest seats (James 2:1-9).
If you cannot submit yourself to your spiritual leader because you are rich, your riches will become a misery and an abomination to God. Instead of being a blessing, they will turn into a curse, an exhibit to use against you on the Day of Judgement. Be wise. Even when others are doing wrong, should you join them? Why not become an example of a truly wealthy Christian today?

MEMORIZE: PROVERBS 13:11 –Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.    

QUENCHING THE FIRE?

READ: ROMANS 1:15-18

In Acts 4:15-18, Peter and John were warned by the church leaders not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus Christ. This was after a man born lame had been miraculously healed. But Peter and John answered: “Whether it be right in the sight of god to hearken to you more than to God, judge you. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20). The devil used threats to silence Peter and John from preaching God’s Word but they refused to be stopped and separated from their source of power. No true believer will be comfortable keeping quiet about Jesus. Today Christians still fall far short of the standard laid down by the Early Church. Authorities tried to stop the disciples but they would not be stopped. Today, nobody tries to stop us from sharing the Gospel news. We stop ourselves.
I pray God gives you the Jeremiah experience. “Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name. But His word was in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jeremiah 20:9). When Jeremiah resolved not to speak God’s Word again, the Word became fire burning his bones so that he could not but speak out. Paul says: “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe to me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).  
There should be something inside you that compels you to preach the Gospel to those you meet. Compassion is one. Unsaved people are already sentenced to hell. It is accepting the Gospel message that removes that sentence. There is also woe – judgement on believers who refuse to preach to others, as the blood of the sinners will be on their heads. Nobody’s blood will be on my head – I take soul winning to be extremely important. Do not allow shyness, a low education level, procrastination, lack for money and other excuses to prevent you from sharing the Good News. Your reward will be great.

MEMORIZE: JEREMIAH 20:9 –Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name. But His word was in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.     

PENDING POSSESSION

READ: JOSHUA 13:1-5

“Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said to him. You are old and stricken in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.” (Joshua 1:3).
Joshua was Moses’ successor. He was a valiant warrior. Moses was asked by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage lasting over 400 years, and lead them to the Promised Land. Moses’ temperament stood in the way of accomplishing the assignment, hence Joshua was appointed to continue where he stopped. By the time Joshua was old and ready to leave this world, the Scriptures listed several portions of land the Israelites were yet to possess.
This tells us that God knows exactly what we are up against. He allows us to go through whatever situations we encounter. God knows all the opportunities he allows to come across our paths. He takes notice of the ones we utilise and the ones we throw away. He also has levels of expectation from us, depending on what he has invested in us. May you not fail him!
When you receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour, God begins to release his grace, gifts, Words, opportunities and blessings to you. In each passing week, month and year, God can tell where you should be if you take advantage of each opportunity. When you don’t, you leave much land unoccupied, as Joshua did. For instance, each time you take a bus to work or school, you have an opportunity to preach Jesus. How many times have you done so? So much land is not possessed.
Some Christians are 10 or 20 years old in the Lord, yet they have not amounted to anything significant for the Lord. Much land ownership is still pending. If you are crawling when you should be flying, if you are yet fully to develop your potential, if God’s investment in your life is yielding very little harvest, you still have much ground to cover. Are you where you ought to be? Arise today and cover as much ground as possible.  

MEMORIZE: JOSHUA 13:1 –Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said to him. You are old and stricken in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.

DEALING WITH STORMS

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

One thing the average bird hates is a storm. They can be drenched in the rain and exposed to cold and even death. Any time they see a storm coming, you will find them flying fast to their nests and screaming in terror. But the eagle, the king of birds, reacts differently. When it sees the storm coming, it responds in three ways: first, it tries to establish where the storm is coming from, then faces it and waits until it is close by. Then the eagle lifts up its wings and the waves of the storm come under it and lift it up, just as the wings lift up an aeroplane.
Secondly, the eagle begins to laugh, while other birds are turning their backs to the storm and flying frantically homeward. In the same way you as a spiritual eagle must not turn your back to your enemies. If you do so, they can strike you down – of all the armour available to you, there is not one designed to protect your back (Ephesians 6:13-18). Also 1 Peter 5:6-9 says you should resist continuously in any area of attack. That means, you will face the enemy and say, ‘satan take your hands off my property, in Jesus’ Name.’
When Goliath drew near David, David ran to meet his opponent because he was a true spiritual eagle. Never run from the problem. Do not run from those threatening you. Face and withstand them in Jesus’ Name. Similarly, James says you should rejoice when you go through diverse trials. Rejoice! Do not weep. Some people weep daily and ask God what they have done to deserve their predicaments. If you are a true spiritual eagle, you can enjoy a ride on the storms of lack, persecution and affliction, like Paul (2 Corinthians 11:22-30).
Thirdly, the eagle rides on the storm. Ephesians 1:19-23 says God has put all things under the feet of Jesus and we are in him, so all problems, demons and the storms of life are under our feet. This is why we should not be disturbed by the storms. Satan is under my feet so if he brings any storm, I will just laugh. Paul and Silas, while facing their storm in prison, began to praise God. Peter walk on stormy water to meet Jesus. After his arrest and under threat of death the following morning, Peter slept so well in prison that the angel had to hit hard to wake him up. Ride on your storm. Praise and worship God in the midst of it.

MEMORIZE: PSALM 34:19 –Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all.     

INDICATORS OF DYING FIRE

READ: 1 SAMUEL 28:5-6

There are some ways of knowing if the fire of the Holy Spirit in your life is going out. The first thing is lukewarmness. When the fire is out, the hot will become lukewarm and the lukewarm will gradually become cold. In those days, we took our Bibles to the toilet with the aim of learning more about Jesus while we are there. Today, many of us feel having read from Genesis to Revelation, we have no need of the Word again. Ministers do not prepare sermons anymore: all they do after picking up their Bibles now is to refer to the markings at the margins. Are you lukewarm? If you remain so, God may spew you out of his mouth.
When the fire is out, ashes gather. Ashes represent past testimonies and glories. If you do not have current and living testimonies of your walk with God, it is evidence that the fire is out. If all you say is that in those days God did this or that with me, you have become history! When the fire is burning there will be noise. When the fire of the Spirit has gone out in one’s life, there will be silence. In 1 Samuel 28:5-6, after God had departed from King Saul, all attempts he made to hear from God were futile. When last did you hear from God? If as a minister God has not whispered something into your spirit for a whole month, either your church is dead or you are dead.
Another way of knowing the fire is out is that flies begin to gather. When the gas cooker is not longer hot, the oil stains will begin to attract flies. Flies represent demons. The devil is called Beelzebub which means ‘father of flies’. When you see ministers of God asking for deliverance, you should know something has gone wrong. (1 Samuel 16:14).
The final way of knowing whether the fire is out is that darkness will set in. As long as there is some fire burning, there will be light. But once the light goes out, darkness comes. Sin is darkness. Has the fire gone out in your life? Run to the God of Pentecost today!

MEMORIZE: REVELATION 3:16 –So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.

IN WHICH BOOK?

READ: EXODUS 32:30-35

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17). God is the judge of the whole earth (Genesis 18:25). Also, being all knowing, he has to record all that transpires in the four corners of the earth to enable him to judge everyone accurately. Everyone has a file in one of two books: the book of life contains the names and files of those who are genuinely born again and heaven-bound. The names are not many – they do not even fill one book. But the books of destruction are overflowing. They contain the names and files of everyone who is not genuinely born again, right from the creation of man till the end of this dispensation.
These books clearly reveal the rewards of each person and their eternal destinies. For instance, Revelation 22:18-19 says that it is possible for someone who was born again to forfeit all his rights in God’s Word and in the heavenly Jerusalem. Anyone who dies with his name in the Book of Life is guaranteed eternal life in heaven. Anyone who dies with his name in any of the books of destruction will end up in the eternal lake of fire.
There are many activities going on regarding these two sets of books. Names are constantly moving from the books of destruction to the Book of Life and vice versa. When a child attains the age of accountability, his name will enter the book of destruction. At the time such a child at whatever stage – it could be as a teenager, adolescent, adult or aged person – gives his or her life to Jesus, that name will move over to the Book of Life. Those in the Book of Life who are toying with sin or have completely backslidden will have their names returned to the books of destruction. That your name is in the Book of Life today does not guarantee that it cannot move to the other side. It is your commitment to Christ, coupled with your lifestyle that determines where it will end up. Where will your name be?  

MEMORIZE: 1 PETER 4:17 –For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

INVITING TROUBLE?

READ: ZECHARIAH 13:9-10

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:3-4). In our reading, God says he will take his children through fire, so as to refine them like gold. Before God can truly use you, he has to prepare you to be a usable vessel. He says two thirds of his children are likely to die. It is the remaining one third that will have to go through fire. All around us, you find Christians who speak in tongues and shout Hallelujah but are already dead and decaying. You have to decide where you belong.
If you want to belong to the chosen remnant, then you must be prepared for fire, why the fire? Malachi 3:1-3 says if God takes you through the fire, you will be able to serve God for long or offer quality service. If you are not tried and tested by fire, the standard of your Christianity will soon nosedive when you are exposed to fellow Christians of other countries.
Some Christians who ask God to prosper them so that they can do his work will realise that if prosperity precedes the fire, they will forget about God and rely on their bank accounts. They will feel too big. Many times, Christians invite trouble for themselves. If you ask God to promote you, you are asking for trouble. If you ask God to prosper you abundantly, you are asking for big trouble.
God’s blessings are original and lasting. The way God brings them about may be the exact opposite of your expectations. If you ask for promotion, be ready to go through demotion and other humbling experiences. That is the pathway to God’s promotion. If you ask God to make you his treasurer, be ready to pass through the path of poverty, lack and hunger. God will have to take you on these roads to teach and prepare you before arriving at your destination: prosperity. Now are you ready to be outstanding, prospered and promoted?   

MEMORIZE: JAMES 1:3-4 –Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

IN HIS PRESENCE

READ: ACTS 4:13-22

When Peter and John appeared before a council to defend their role in the healing of a lame man at the Beautiful Gate temple, which led to the conversion of thousands for Christ, their accusers observed that they were bold. Proverbs 28:1 says the righteous are as bold as a lion. The Spirit of God inside of you is the Spirit of Boldness. You have the Greater One inside you. He is bigger than any situation or circumstance you may be facing. You should not fear anything. It is his business to ensure no harm befalls you (1 Peter 3:13).
Their accusers also observed that in spite of Peter’s lack of education, he spoke as one with authority. Of course he had authority. He did not attend an earthly university but he was a graduate of the University of Heaven. His approval for the ministry did not come from any earthly theological school. He was certified from heaven. Where do you get your backing and authorisation? If God could use unlearned Peter, he can use anybody. God finds easier to use the uneducated than the educated, because the former willingly obey him, no matter how foolish it seems; whereas the latter allow their educational degrees to stand in the way of full obedience and service. That is why, if you are educated and want God to use you, you must be prepared to put your degrees aside and become a fool for Christ (1 Corinthians 1:25-27).
The third observation of the accusers was that Peter and John had been with Jesus. If you spend quality time in God’s presence, it will show when you emerge. Situations and mountains will bow o you. The enemies who were chasing you will suddenly retreat. Moses spent 40 days in God’s presence on Mount Sinai. By the time he came down, his face was radiating the same glory God radiates (Exodus 34:28-34). When was the last time you tarried so long in God’s presence that when you came out, people noticed you had been with Jesus?
It is being with Jesus that makes the difference. When two preachers preach, when two singers sing, you can tell which of them has been with Jesus. Are you ready to stand out? Go into his presence.

MEMORIZE: PSALM 16:11 –You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.     

TELLING OTHERS

READ: MARK 16:14-20

“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:20). The lord Jesus came to this world to save mankind. He paid the debt we owed in the slave market of Satan and obtained the receipt. His blood was shed and his life was given in place of ours. Unfortunately, many people do not know this. Many have not heard. Among those who have heard, most do not understand.
Many do not know that they should no longer be slaves to sin. They do not know that they can now live a righteous life before God. Many do not know that Jesus Christ has delivered them from all their enemies and henceforth they should not live in dread, but occupy the exalted position of dominion in him. Many do not know he has paid the price of the sickness, poverty and curses they are still carrying. Many do not know Jesus has freed them from the accidents, death and destruction Satan has programmed against their lives. If they remain ignorant, they will be destroyed.
That is where you come in. You already know all this. You have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. You are a testimony. This is why Jesus commands you to go and tell those around you in your family (extended and nuclear), your colleagues at school or work and others in your neighbourhood.
In the reading, as the disciples went about preaching, the Lord was with them in Spirit. His Holy Spirit backed them up and signs and wonders began to flow. Many Christians want the anointing, signs and miracles to follow them. All they do is fast and pray. They refuse to go out and preach. That is the true source of power. People have asked me the source of my power and I tell them it is soul winning. Each soul you win for the Lord generates a measure of anointing for you.
As you go out to tell people about Jesus, God will see to your affairs. You will soon see those things you have been struggling for coming effortlessly to you.     

  

MEMORIZE: MARK 16:20 –And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

GOD OF PENTECOST

READ: PSALM 90:1-4

In Acts 3:1-10, the man Peter and John met at the gates of the temple was a lame man. There were several other lame men but this one was born lame. He had an inherited problem. However, the fire of the Holy Spirit touched him and his condition disappeared. Psalm 90:2 says that even before the mountains were brought forth, the God of Pentecost was already on the throne. This means that he knows the history of every inherited problem in your life.
A sister once came to me. She had met someone who had agreed to marry her. But the problem was that her father said that she has been dedicated to the river goddess (‘Mammy water’) as a child and that this goddess was waiting to kill any man who married her, on her wedding day. I asked her to give her life to Jesus and she did. Then I briefly prayed with her. She went ahead and got married. Several months later when I saw her, she was breast-feeding a baby. When I asked about her husband, she pointed at the one handsome man who ‘Mammy water’ could not kill because of the touch of the God of Pentecost.
The lame man lay always where he was put until he was removed in the evening. He was fixed in one position until God touched him. Some Christians are like a goat tied to a stick, going round in circles. You may work so hard and save so much, just to meet your target, for example, build a house or buy a car. Just when you are almost there, a problem suddenly arises and takes all the money and you are back to square one. When the God of Pentecost touches you, that curse will be broken.
Some ladies cannot find a husband because of the spirit husband. Some after marriage cannot retain pregnancy: once they have conceived, the spirit husband will come and have sex with them physically or in a dream and that ends the pregnancy. If you call on the God of Pentecost today, he will set you wholly free.

  

MEMORIZE: PSALM 86:10 –For You are great, and do wondrous things: You are God alone.    

JESUS ADDICT

READ: DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9

When you meet a heaven-bound believer, you will know by the things he has surrounded himself with. When you enter his apartment it shows. The kind of decorations, inscriptions and posters there will tell you. When you look at his audio and videotapes, CDs and VCDs, you will know by his restricted selection. Should you visit his bookshelf, you will determine it from what he spends his time reading. A trip with him in his car will inform you that this man is a stranger in this world. By the time you get to his office, what you see there and his lifestyle will make his colleagues confess to you that this man is in love with a Man named Jesus. He can best be described as a Jesus addict.
The reading today gives the Christian pilgrim the ideal lifestyle expected of him as he returns to his heavenly home. We become strangers and pilgrims on this planet the moment we give our lives to Jesus. As the passage says, because of the price that was paid for your salvation on the Cross of Calvary, you are expected to reciprocate that love. 1 John 4:19 says: “We love Him because He first loved us.”  The degree of your love to Jesus should claim your whole heart, soul and strength. There should be no space left in you that your love for Jesus has not filled.
Besides, you should learn God’s Word by heart. You should teach all your children about Jesus, using all available opportunities and methods. The songs you sing, messages you hear, video you watch, books you read, things you say, what you think upon, what you do at home and abroad should glorify Jesus and constantly remind you of his coming. “And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3).
Yes, he is coming very soon. He is coming to separate the wheat from the chaff. He is coming like a thief in the night to steal only a group of people – his addicted – to be with him forever. If you hope to be with him you need to purify your life of every defiling matter.

MEMORIZE: 1 JOHN 3:3 –And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.

ANOTHER TRAVAIL

READ: GALATIANS 4:13-19

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19). Conception of a baby and its delivery is not something achieved in a short period of time. Usually it takes nine months of conception before one is set to deliver. But it does not end there. That is only the beginning of years of nursing, weaning, training and growth through different stages such as babyhood, toddler, childhood, teenage, adolescence and adulthood. These post-delivery challenges could be termed ‘another travail’.
If a woman, having successfully delivered a baby, says she is tired and cannot go through the rigours of raising that child, everybody will call her a wicked woman. They will ask her who forced her to conceive the child in the first place. As in the physical, so in the spiritual. Have you laboured over a soul until that soul received Jesus? Praise God! The first travail is over. You are just about to begin the second travail. Paul in our reading said, having travailed to give birth to his converts, he had to face an even greater travail – helping Jesus Christ to be formed in them. Paul was a great spiritual father. Are you like him? Some of us feel that having led a soul to Christ, our work is done. We wash our hands off him. We are wicked parents, like the woman who, after delivery, went to dump her baby by a dustbin and fled.
In John 15:16, Jesus says that after you bear fruit, it should remain. Any soul that is saved but cannot make it to heaven will bring no reward to the one who fathered that soul. There is a link between you and your children in Christ. As soon as that soul is saved, God releases some milk of grace into you to feed the convert. You can teach him the basic knowledge of God’s Word, prayer and fasting, how to live victoriously above sin; how to deal with enemies and handle life’s problems. Also ensure he keeps growing in the Lord and registers in the Young Converts Class. Your work continues until your convert eventually becomes a minister of God and is himself giving birth to others for the Lord. It is a joyful thing indeed to be a spiritual father! Prayerfully launch out today!   

MEMORIZE: GALATIANS 4:19 –My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.

PERSECUTED?

READ: ACTS 4:1-12

Peter and John were instrumental in healing a lame man at the gate of the temple. Through this healing, a multitude gathered; Peter preached Jesus to them and several souls were won to the Lord. The devil was angry. So he stirred up the hearts of some leaders who arrested them and made them stand before a council. They are lessons we can learn here. The first thing is that whenever God is using you to perform signs and wonders or you perform your assignment exceedingly well, Satan will be angry and will begin to fight you. The second thing is that Satan will always find a willing tool. (he will never find me to use!) He is a specialist at using church people against each other. Surprisingly, the church leaders who should have rejoiced the most for the healing of the lame man were the very ones who became angry.
When they landed in jail, peter and John were not saddened. They knew he was with them and proud of them. While Satan thought to discourage them from continuing in Christ, God sought to perfect them. Even Jesus was perfected through suffering (Hebrews 2:10)
In Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus says: “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Great rewards follow persecutions. If you want to be powerfully endowed and used like the prophets of old, you must be ready to undergo persecution. If everybody seems to be getting along with you and singing your praise, something fundamental could be wrong somewhere. But if they are speaking evil of you, misunderstanding your good intentions, making life unbearable for you and denying you your legitimate rights because of your faith in Christ, then you are in line for perfection through suffering.

MEMORIZE: MATTHEW 5:11-12 –Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.        

ADDICTED?

READ: ROMANS 6:11-18

Today many people are addicted to all kinds of things: drugs, music, drinking, television, newspapers, jewellery, video games, the internet, education. Whatever you are addicted to determines where your times, financial resources, and efforts in life will be channelled. Some of the things we are addicted to are good. Some are bad. Others are in-between. Behind every addiction, there are spirits propelling the addicted person on; and where you are addicted to something, it can also affect several other things in your life. For instance, a man who is addicted to pools betting or gambling would feel compelled by demons to continue to spend his earnings in the same way. In the process, his family starves and he cannot live comfortably. Even when he realises the negative consequences of his habit for his family, he may not be able to disengage, because the demons will tell him he may hit the jackpot the next time.
“Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). A child that is addicted to television or video games can be sure his academic and domestic duties will suffer. A jewellery addict may soon find her decorations a ‘god’ to her. She will feel incomplete without bedecking herself. Whatever you are addicted to can determine your future, both here and in the eternity.
Anyone addicted to sin will reap death as eternal wages (Romans 6:23). And right here on earth the person will suffer. For instance, a smoker will get cancer of the lungs and other smoke-related diseases. A fornicator, apart from unwanted pregnancy, may contact HIV/AIDS and die prematurely; a drug addict could become insane or live in abject poverty. What are you addicted to? How is that addiction affecting you today? Are you addicted to sleep, pleasure or food? These can render poor and useless to the kingdom of God. Break those addictions today through repentance, obedience and yield totally to the Lord and his Word.  

MEMORIZE: ROMANS 6:16 –Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

LEARNING TO FLY

READ: HEBREWS 5:11-14

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). This verse tells us of three possibilities in the Christian faith: walking, running and flying. Most Christians are at the first stage – walking. A few in numbers have started running. Only a very few have started flying. When confronted by mountains, how they will respond depends on where they are. While the walking and running Christians may command or attempt to climb the mountain, the few will simply fly over the mountain and continue their journey. May God take you to the realm of the flying Christian!
Remember, we are spiritual Eagles. When a mother eagle is about to build her nest, she will go0 to the highest branch of the tallest tree. She will lay the foundation of her nest with many thorns. Then she will weave some leaves into the thorns and take some feathers from her body to cover the leaves, making the nest cosy and comfortable. Then she lays her eggs and hatches them.
As they grow, when it is time to teach them to fly, without informing them, she removes the feathers, followed by the leaves until the eaglets are uncomfortably seated on thorns. Then she pushes them one by one to the edge of the nest and they fall off and tumble down, thinking it is the end. But just before the eaglet lands on the ground, the mother swoops down and the baby lands on her back. She takes it up and pushes it out again until the eaglet becomes conscious of its wings and begins to flex them, like the mother. Then the baby is free.
To make you fly, God will first remove the things that make you comfortable. While you cry and bind and loose, things will worsen. This is done for your good. (Jeremiah 29:11). David said in Psalm 119:71 that afflictions caused him to learn certain things. Some of us refuse to pray effectively until something serious happens. When the nest has been taken away, you either learn to walk by faith or you crash. It is time to start flying.   

MEMORIZE: ISAIAH 40:31 –But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and shall walk, and not faint.

OFFENSIVE FOOD

READ: ROMANS 14:13-15

The average Christian is infectious. The Scriptures say you are the salt of the earth. What you do is being carefully watched mostly by unnoticed observers, and it will have a definite impact upon them, either for good or bad, depending on whether your actions are positive or negative.
As you grow in the Lord and attain levels of leadership, your power of influence increases. The higher you go, the greater your level of influence over those under you. You have to be extremely careful about what you do, where and how. This is why James 3:1-2 warns teachers to be very careful about what they teach their students. A single error from one teacher can be passed on to 10 or 20 students and from there to 100 or 200 more, and so goes the chain.
This shows that a little false doctrine can have a devastating effect on a multitude. Yet the blood of those who respond to that false teaching may be on the head of the teacher. You have to take pains to know your subject before you pass it on. For instance, accepting and teaching that ‘Nobody knows who will go to heaven: just do your best and leave the rest’ will make your hearers focus on their good works and salvation by works. They will be unable to reach heaven, because it is by grace through faith in the shed blood of Jesus that we are saved.
All your actions are equally important. The Church has all kinds of people and believers at different levels of growth, knowledge and understanding. Some are struggling with certain sins. All they are looking for is some leader who will do a similar thing and therefore become excuse for their own evil. If a young convert sees taking wine, he may not care to know whether it is alcoholic or not. That might just be his excuse for returning to drunkenness. As a result, we ought to be careful what we say or do. We have to be careful about the example we give to others – so that we do not end up giving poisoned food to those under us, misleading them in the process.

MEMORIZE: ROMANS 14:15 –But if your brother be grieved with your meat, now walk you not charitably. Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died.

OPPOSERS OF GOD

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-6

It is dangerous to be on the opposite side to God. It is equally dangerous to oppose his Word. Isaiah 45:9 states that everything and everyone who opposes God is headed for destruction. When God brought a turnaround to the siege in Samaria, the man of God spoke the word of God but the king’s counsellor opposed him. His opposition attracted judgment, which was fulfilled within 24 hours and led to his death (2 Kings 7:19-20).
“When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can behold Him? Whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only...” (Job 34:29). When God has ordained peace for you, anyone who is planning evil against you is courting trouble. God is so powerful and mighty that the same time it will take him to destroy one person, say one second, is enough to destroy a whole nation. Who or what is challenging God in your life?
“For if you live after the flesh, you shall die; but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:13-14). This passage tells us that just as the Spirit of God directs God’s children, so does the flesh. This means your flesh is opposing God to ensure that you end up somewhere God has not planned for you. If you allow your flesh to have the upper hand in your life, dictating what you do, and where you go, it will lead to your destruction. The passage also gives you the clue on how to deal with your flesh. Destroy it by the help of the Holy Spirit. Put your body under.
Besides your flesh, there are other opposers of God. Ephesians 6:12 shows that demonic forces are positioned to hinder your every move in obedience to God. But Luke 10:19 says Jesus has empowered you to put them where they belong – under your feet. Apart from this, your loved ones may oppose your being born again or obeying his call upon your life. Proverbs 21:1 tells you to ask God to turn their hearts to favour your cause. Arise today and silence everything that exalts itself above Jesus in your life!    

MEMORIZE: JOB 34:29 –When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can behold Him? Whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only...

FEW SAVED?

READ: LUKE 13:23-30

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14). The call for salvation goes to everyone on earth (John 3:16) but how many have responded and accepted it in your family, community, place of work, state, nation or the world at large? Only a few. Among the few (all those who claim to be born again) how many do you think will make it to heaven? Again – only a few! In Genesis 6:1-8, when angels began to mate with women and give birth to giants, and the earth was being taken over by wickedness to a point that God regretted making man, he decided to destroy them. How many were saved? Only eight. The rest were destroyed in the flood.
What of those nations that are not born again; are they going to hell? How about the several millions who are actively involved in other religions of the world? What is their fate? God is the Creator of the heavens and earth. He made the nations and caused the men he created to inhabit them. Psalm 22:28 calls him the Governor of the nations. Psalm 72:11 says that all kings and nations will worship him. But if whole nations feel too big to worship or serve God, what happens? Psalm 9:17 says: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God.”
In our reading, someone asked Jesus, ‘Lord, are just a few people going to be saved?” From his reply, many will not go to heaven because they refuse to enter in at the door. Jesus is the door. Also, many refuse to meet with God’s requirement and drop their excess luggage. Rather, they want God to modify his requirements to suit them. But that is not possible. Some who claim to know Jesus will not enter heaven if they become wicked, such as maltreating those God puts in their care. The same fate awaits believers who fail to do God’s will or who begin to compromise with sin or become re-entangled with worldly things. Only a few will make it. I will surely be there. Are you prepared to be among the few? Can you pay the price?  

MEMORIZE: MATTHEW 22:14 –For many are called, but few are chosen.

EMPTY HANDED?

READ: 2 TIMOTHY 4:1-5

Must I go and empty handed
Must I meet my Saviour so?
Not one soul with which to greet him
Must I go empty handed go?

These are lyrics of a song by CC Luther. He is asking a set of questions that every believer should answer – either here and now or when you meet your Lord. A positive response to these questions now will elicit a glorious afterlife through all eternity.
You have given your life to Christ. You have been saved. You are on your way to heaven. Praise God! Somebody preached to you, using whatever medium. You heard the gospel through someone, which led to your salvation. How many people have you preached to who genuinely gave their lives to Christ? How many souls have you won for the Lord? What are their names, addresses and their spiritual state? You should know. “But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5).
Christians and church leaders today have misplaced their priorities. Ask a brother, ‘Why don’t you evangelise?’ He will tell you he is not in the evangelism department – let those in that department face their work. Ask a church leader, a pastor or senior pastor, ‘Why don’t you win souls?’ He will tell you he is busy with the administration of the church and that God understands. Some will even equate whatever assignment they are doing with soul winning.
The above scripture was directed to Timothy. He was a senior pastor and also an administrator. Yet he was instructed to be involved in evangelism. Evangelism was to come first, even before his ministry. Evangelism is the main thing, whatever other assignment, office, departmental duty and so on should be made to support it. How many souls will you be taking with you to heaven? 

MEMORIZE: 2 TIMOTHY 4:5 –But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.  

WEIGHTS

READ: 1 SAMUEL 17:38-40

There are certain things that can constitute a weight – a load or heavy object – on you and thereby hinder you from making quick progress. Why do you think athletes use shorts, T-shirt or singlets and canvas? It is to eliminate any unnecessary weight so that they can be free to perform as expected.
Blind Bartimaeus was a street beggar. Because most of his time was spent on the street, he wore a garment thick enough to give him warmth from the cold. One day, as Jesus passed his way, he drew the Lord’s attention. When Jesus sent for him, he tried to go quickly to meet him, but his garment had become a weight. Refusing to allow the garment to hinder his blessing, he threw it away, ran to Jesus and came back seeing!
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1). Every weight in your life has to be discarded if you want to continue to run the Christian race you have already enlisted in. Different things constitute a weight to a Christian. Besetting sins are a weight. There are sins you committed frequently before you came to Christ. They are your weak point. Somebody’s weak point may be another’s strong point. Yet everyone has weaknesses. If you don’t take them to the cross and deal with them, they will make your Christian life miserable.
That pending restitution can become a weight in your path of progress. Speaking against authorities and men of God could be the weight blocking your womb or finances. Doubt and unbelief could be the weights in your life. Is that compromising situation the weight shutting your mouth from declaring the whole counsel of God? David discarded Saul’s armour when he was going to fight Goliath. Your trust in the arm of flesh and in the people in authority you know to help you get that job could be the very weight hindering your promotion. Repent today. Put your trust in God and obey God fully and speedily. Every weight will give way. 

    

 MEMORIZE: HEBREWS 12:1 –Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

RESTORING THE FALLEN

READ: GALATIANS 6:1-2

Believers are in a race to heaven. At the same time they are in the battle against the forces of darkness, whose main preoccupation is to derail them from their heaven-bound journey. At the side of the road are several very colourful and tempting distractions to remove their focus from the journey and distract them from their enemies, so that eventually they become easy prey – sitting targets for demonic forces.
Also in the midst of believers are some who, like Judas, have exchanged their eternal reward in heaven for an immediate temporary blessing. Such ‘sold’ believers become a distraction to those who are still heaven-bound, and begin to make the journey cumbersome, like king Saul chasing after little David. Worse of all is the internal enemy called the ‘flesh’ which the believer has to continue to live with. This flesh gives signal to the external forces and cooperates with them, revealing all the weaknesses of each believer and when and where these enemies should strike.
The aftermath is that several are wounded and many are fallen. Many are weak and discouraged. If left in that state for too long, they are taken over by the roadside distractions and fully occupied, they forget the race. Yet some who are still strong and in the race, when they see these ones, begin to laugh at them and brag and beat their chests. They are strong, but fail to realise that they could be the next victims.
Dear child of God, wake up. Each brother or sister who returns to the world weakens your fight against demons. Search for the backslidden. Go and encourage them in love. Tarry in prayer and fasting for them and reclaim their souls from Satan. Each one of them you restore, strengthens your position in the race. You need them, and they need you. Those already discouraged, encourage them. If they rebuff you and you stay away from them a while, do not fail to seek them again, as Jesus sought Peter and restored him. It is your duty to seek and restore those who have fallen. The Lord will give you what it takes to put them back in the race. Ask him to help you and give you wisdom.

MEMORIZE: MATTHEW 18:11 –For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

REPENT AND YIELD

READ: ACTS 3:11-19

After the lame man was healed at the gates of the temple, there was so much joy and surprise. The man was leaping, shouting and glorifying God. The service was disrupted that day. A large crowd had gathered. Peter and John were in the middle of everything. Everyone was amazed and began to look at them as great men. Peter took it up from there and preached a beautiful sermon. The purpose was to lead the crowd to receive Jesus, after the miracle.
“Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19).
Peter asked the people to repent so they could benefit from God’s blessings. In several churches today, they have only prosperity, healing and miracles. No repentance. In some churches where repentance is preached and an altar call is made, those who respond are not asked to confess their sins and repent of their sinful lifestyles. As soon as they raise up their hands or come out, they are celebrated as saved. Saved without repentance? No wonder many Christians who claim to have been born again are still living in sin, because they were saved by pastors and evangelists, not God.
The major message a sinner needs is repentance. Repentance means ‘to change direction.’ Make a complete U-turn! Godly sorrow for a past sinful lifestyle is necessary for salvation. There are several fake Christian experiences today. Care has to be taken to be sure that what you have is genuine.
However for those of you who have been born again, temptation will keep coming to try to make you sin and return to your old ways. The message God gives you for victory is Romans 6:13. It simply states that you should refuse every temptation and yield to completely to God. You have the power to say ‘No’ to sin. Exercise that power (John 1:12). The more you yield to God, the more he will fill you up. Let him fill all the compartments of your life.

MEMORISE: ACTS 3:19 –Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

WORKS THAT ENDURE

READ: NUMBERS 31:21-23

In life, one meets with many unpleasant circumstances, designed to test the believer and his works. Water can be used as well as fire. When compared, fire has the more devastating effect. For instance, if a man drowns in the river, no part of his body will be affected. He will just be full of water. But when a man is caught in a fire, he too will die, but you may find only ashes. He will be burnt beyond recognition.
In the Christian faith, for your works to be accepted and deserving of reward from the Lord, they must go through the acid test of God’s fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Into that fire are built all the required parameters, based on God’s Word, for a work to be rewardable. Works done with wrong motives, to earn the praise of men; with the wrong attitude, without love, or in sin will be consumed in the fire.
According to our reading, gold, silver, brass, iron, tin and lead are listed as elements that can pass through fire and come out clean. These typify the enduring works God requires of you. Any works less than this, like wood, hay and stubble, are burnt up in the fire (1 Corinthians 3:12). Carry out a critical assessment of your works and find out if they meet heaven’s demands.
Apart from works, your faith can be tested. Isaiah 43:2 states you can go through water and fire. In each case God promises to see you through. The extent to which your faith will be tried depends on God’s plan for your life. If God has a great plan for your life, be ready for the fiery test. The duration of your stay in the fire will also be determined by the degree God wants to use you. For instance, for a three and a half year ministry, Jesus underwent a 40-day wilderness experience. Moses, on the other hand, spent virtually 80 years preparing for a 40-year ministry. Are you going through God’s fire now? Congratulations. Fear not, favoured one. The fire will consume only the things that are standing in God’s way in your life. The fire will not burn you. He is with you in the fire.

MEMORIZE: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:14 –If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.   

NO LOOKING BACK!

READ: 1 KINGS 19:19-21

Most of the time, whenever God is taking someone to a place of honour, the devil will try to drive him in the opposite direction by erecting stumbling blocks in his path. What the believer does with the stumbling blocks determines whether he will arrive at God’s point of destiny for him, or not.
In 2 Kings 7:1-20, Samaria was besieged by enemies and there was much hardship. Elisha prophesied by Elisha, abundance came. The king had appointed his adviser to man the gate and he was so surprised at the provision that he became confused, obstructing those who wanted to partake of the blessing. So they pushed him out of the way to victory must die.
In today’s reading, we see Elisha. He was a very successful farmer. But God wanted to make him a great prophet and his farming stood in the way. One day Elijah met Elisha ploughing the ground and threw his mantle on him, to confirm God’s call upon his life. Elisha loved farming but he knew there was no way he could combine his work and his calling. So he tried to decide what to do.
One day Elisha took his oxen, roasted them and made a great feast. There he announced his decision to his parents, relatives and friends and bade them good-bye. He destroyed what he had used for business so that he could not return to it. Once you decide to follow Jesus, certain people such as friends and relatives may try to stand in your way. Attachment to certain habits and deeds will also stand in your way. Jesus says that no matter how precious they are – they may be like eyes or your right hand to you – if they are standing in the way of God’s expected will, cut them off. After giving their lives to Christ, some people hide their pornographic magazines under the bed so they can still have a look at them once in a while. Such people are not yet ready to follow Christ. Break every bridge that links you with sin. Then you are ready for Jesus.

MEMORIZE: LUKE 9:62 –And Jesus said to him, “No man, having put his hands to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.   

LASTING SOLUTION

READ: PSALM 23:1-6

In Acts 3:1-6, when Peter and John were on their way to the temple, they met a man who had been lame from birth. He was at the gate begging for alms. When they were about to enter, he asked for alms and received the miracle of this life!
The lame man simply asked for money. He was brought every day to the gate of the temple. That meant it was not the first time peter and John had seen him. They might have given him alms in the past, but that day they were tired of it. They knew giving him money daily could not truly solve his problem. They were dealing with the symptoms but not the cause. More importantly, that this cripple chose no other spot to beg but the front of the Church was embarrassing. It was a big reproach that day in and day out, he was there. He was silently saying that either God was not there or that he was no longer able to heal the sick.
The other disciples were unconcerned but Peter and john were angry. They felt challenged and took it to God in prayer. As they came for prayers at the ninth hour (3 pm), the man asked for alms again and they burst out, ‘Man, look at us very well. We have no more money to give you. It is all a waste. But there is something we can give to you that can solve your problem. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ And the miracle took place. That was the beginning of revival.
When those in need come to you for help, what do you give them? Even if you give them a million Dollars, one day it will be exhausted. But if you give them Jesus, before assisting financially, they will have a permanent solution to their problems. Jesus offers rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28) and promises to save and take care of all those who look up to him (Isaiah 45:22). The time has come to give your relatives, neighbours and friends the true solution they need. Give them Jesus.

MEMORIZE: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20 –Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.   

HOLY FRAUD

READ: 2 KINGS 12:1-8

Today we shall look at two fraudulent acts that were committed in our reading. The first thing we are told about King Jehoash is that he did what was right before God and obeyed every instruction the Priest passed on to him. But then we are also informed that he retained the high places that King Jeroboam had set up and kept the ‘worship’ there.
In 1 Kings 12, after God has given the kingdom to King Jeroboam, he feared that if he allowed God’s people to worship the Lord in the his temple in Jerusalem, a time would come when their hearts would turn away from him to Rehoboam, king of Judah. With that fear of losing his throne, he conferred with some people and came up with a plan. He built high places and altars, one in Bethel and another in Dan, and erected a golden calf in each of them. He then told his people that since Jerusalem was too far away, he had to provide them with an alternative. What an alternative!
Are you serving God, named after the Name of Christ, yet having an alternative? Do you worship with the brethren but still make time to dine out with the devil? Are you so desperate to win souls and fill up your parish that you have to resort to satanic powers? Are you in the bid to build the church of God so you can steal from and dupe others? These constitute holy fraud. Jesus says you cannot serve God and mammon. Choose one today.
The second matter in our reading is monetary fraud. King Jehoash instructed the priests of the temple to use the collections (offerings) to carry out repairs and maintenance in God’s house. Years later, the priests had not repaired the temple, yet they kept collecting the offering. That assignment was not performed until it was given to some other people who were under close supervision. Have you been given an assignment but have just refused to do it? Have you collected money to do something in God’s house but not done so? Are you stealing, unknown to others, from the offerings of God? This is fraud. Payday is coming. Repent and make restitution.

MEMORIZE: 1 CORINTHIANS 5:6 –Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?    

BLESSED BY ASSOCIATION

READ: 2 KINGS 6:11-17

God made a covenant with Abraham and blessed him. But because god is the Everlasting God, he purposed that the blessing would outlive Abraham. In fulfilling this, God promised that through Abraham’s seed, every nation on earth would be blessed.
Therefore anyone who is the seed of Abraham is automatically blessed, because Abraham was blessed. Through Jesus, you can become the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:13-14). In this world there are only two lineages: those who are connected with the lineage of Abraham and those who are not. Those who are in Abraham lineage are automatically qualify for the blessings. Romans 11:16-20 says that because of the unbelief of the Israelites, God had to graft the Gentiles in. We are the spiritual Israelites and as such we qualify for the covenant blessing God has released to us. We are blessed because we are positively connected with Abraham (through our faith in Christ).
Be careful whom you associate with. If you associate with someone who is blessed, you too will be blessed. If you are associated with someone who is cursed, the curse will also spread. In our readind the enemy came with a great host to arrest Elisha. Because Elisha’s servant was associated with him, he too was delivered and protected by the same angelic host guarding Elisha.
Associate yourself with a genuine man of God. If you do, the blessings and grace he enjoys will also be enjoyed to some extend by you. Keep away from those who are cursed. The children of Gehazi will regret generation after generation that they were ever born, because they were born into leprosy. Be mindful of those you mingle with. If you keep thieves, fornicators, liars, smokers, and fraudulent people as friends, their evil will also spread to you. Cut yourself off from such people today and associate with genuinely saved brethren.

MEMORIZE: 1 CORINTHIANS 5:11 –But now I have written to you not to keep company if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.   

FRUITFUL FAST

READ: ISAIAH 58:6-12

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to do the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).
God expects certain things from his children when they are fasting. If they fulfil those expectations, their fast will yield good results. In Isaiah 58, there is a list of 23 things you can do during a fast. Some of these are obligations to yourself, some are obligations to others and some are obligations to God. There are nine obligations you owe God and his Sabbath (or in our case, Sundays); and ten obligations to others in general, and the poor and needy in particular. If you take care to meet these obligations, your fasting will definitely produce good results.
A period of fasting is a time of consecration – a time during which you take your attention off the things around you and focus on God. It is a time of self-denial, a period in which you suspend the things that give you physical pleasure, and avoid the things that your flesh craves. It is a time to nurture and enrich your spirit with God’s Word, prayer and communion with the Holy Spirit.
Fasting should be a decision of your will. If you desire to fast for more than one day, it is good to prayerfully prepare and commit those days to God before you start. It is a time to be reserved – a time to avoid frivolous talk, jesting, gossiping and backbiting. It is also a time to give to others the best you have to offer and to release those who have offended you. Are you ready to engage in fruitful fasts?

MEMORIZE: 2 CHRONICLES 15:7 –Be you strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.       

ONE FOOLISH ACT

READ: ECCLESIATES 10:1-4

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.” (Ecclesiastes 10:1).
Everyone on earth is a builder. All of us are building something in one way or another. You may be building a family or a business empire. You may be building a ministry or an academic career. You may even be building a reputation or a name. Whatever you are building, you should build very carefully if you want to reach your goal.
It takes a lot of self-denial, money, time, materials and labour to build. It requires patience, perseverance, faith and hard work. To pull down something that has been built, is very easy. We have to remember this if we would like to avoid any big losses.
Our passage tells us that flies spoil the sweet smelling perfume the moment they enter it. It begins to produce a stinking odour. You should be extremely careful. Gehazi was building a ministry under the mentorship of Elisha. People knew him wherever he went. He was always with his master. He had access to the king’s palace and all the important places. Being the servant of the most feared and respected man of God won him several favours.
Other prophets envied him, because they knew sooner or later he would succeed his master as the country’s head prophet. Once that had happened, even the king would call him ‘father’. Just before he was destined to take over, he committed one act of foolishness. He agreed with the devil to be greedy for just once! But that single act of foolishness cost him everything. The ministry and reputation he had been building for years were wiped out in an instant. He ended up as the country’s head leper instead of the head prophet! Watch it. Your whole reputation and ministry could be lost as a result of a single act of fornication, theft, infidelity, dishonesty or anger. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to keep building consistently.   

MEMORIZE: ECCLESIATES 10:1 –Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.