A NEW BEGINNING

READ: GENESIS 27:39-41

The surest way to get rid of curses is to surrender your life totally to Christ. When you wish the curses in your life to go, and never return, you must start a new lifestyle. You have to start living a life of holiness and purity. When you study the Bible in detail, you will discover that there is some curses that vanished but re-emerged several years later. Curses are usually stubborn. For example, if you have been studying the history of America, you would have discovered that there were certain presidents who got killed while they were in office. What is the way out of this terrible circle of curses? You have to make sure that your own life does not attract curses. One of the benefits of being born again is getting a new name. You will become a child of God. I am a child of God. This is confirmed in 1 John 3:1, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. ” When you get a new name, any curse coming through the dispensation of your old name will not find you. The curse will be seeking out the fellow with the old name. We have an example in the story of Esau and Jacob. Jacob stole the blessing of Esau. Anybody who steals the blessing of another person automatically qualifies for a curse. In fact, Esau vowed to put Jacob to death. “So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” (Genesis 27:41). Jacob knew that he was slated for death hence he importuned the angel he wrestled with on his way back home to bless him. Knowing that Jacob needed a new name, the angel changed his name to Israel. When Esau saw Jacob the next morning, instead of killing him, he embraced him. Maybe death is waiting for you tomorrow. I have good news for you. Instead of death you shall have life. Instead of sorrow, you shall experience joy.

MEMORIZE: 1 JOHN 3:1 –Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

READ: DANIEL 9:3-19

The subject of intercessory prayer is so deep that we can hardly survey its depth. It is so high that we can hardly survey its height. It is so sublime that the more we think we know about it the bigger the area, which we have to cover. Those who have decided to exercise themselves in this noble spiritual calling can only catch the whole breath of intercessory prayer. Today our text gives us some important insights into the ministry of intercession. Let me bring out some salient lessons. One, Daniel was purposeful. He said, “I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer.” Two, he put on the spirit of an intercessor. Prayer, supplication, putting on of sackcloth and ashes, he was ready to do anything to fulfil the calling of an intercessor. He was not an armchair intercessor. He accepted the ministry of intercession with all its raw tasking demands. Three, he put himself in the place of those for whom he was interceding and confessed their sins. Four, he appealed to God’s attributes and nature. He did not forget to remind God of His covenant and promises. Finally, he pleaded the case of the children of Israel, justifying God for sending judgement   upon them and asking for mercy. You can learn from Daniel. You, too, can be an intercessor.

MEMORIZE: DANIEL 9:6 –Neither have we heeded your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.

COMPLETE PROVISION

READ 2 CHRONICLES 16:1-9

God is able to give you an all–round protection as you journey through this world. As you go out on your daily business, and even as you return home each day, God’s protection over you is assured. Yes, the Bible says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). Though lions walk about seeking preys, the eyes of the Lord run about to protect you. He will there whenever you need Him. In 2 Chronicles 16:9, the Bible says: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” The lion is walking about but the eyes of the Lord are running to and fro. The One running is obviously faster than the walking. As long as the Lord is your help, before the lion can get to you, He is already by your side. When the lion looks at you, he will see the Lord. The eyes of the Lord constantly survey the whole world to locate His own and see if there is any danger on their path. If God has to wait all the time for us to pray before He acts, it may be too late. Long before we pray, the Almighty God has spotted the danger on our ways and has made provisions in any case. God is everywhere at all times, according to Psalm 139:7-10: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” He is on the mountain top. He is in the valley. He is in the air and also under the sea. God is everywhere. He will protect you everywhere you go. You are safe in His hands. Underneath you are Everlasting arms.

MEMORIZE: EXODUS 12:13 –Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.