GOD HAS A SUBSTITUTE.

MEMORISE: And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. 1 Samuel 15 : 28.

READ : 1 SAMUEL 16: 1.

1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 CORINTHIANS 10 – 13; PSALM 15 – 16.

One important thing we need to learn in today’s reading is that God always has a substitute. If God says He wants to use you, rejoice! However, be careful, because even as He is choosing you, He has already prepared a substitute. 1 Samuel 2 : 27 – 30 tells us about Eli. God chose Eli and his family to serve Him. God later changed His plans because He only honours those who honour Him. One thing about God’s rejection is that the devil takes the place of the resultant vacuum that is created. This was what happened to King Saul. We also have the case of Judas Iscariot in John 13 : 26 – 27. He was a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. The moment God rejected him, Satan entered him and he ended up hanging himself. Psalm 75 : 6 – 7 tells us something interesting: “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Whenever God gives you an opportunity to serve Him, please humble yourself. It is better for God not to use you at all than to use you and then push you aside. Once He pushes you aside, this gives room for the devil to come in. I pray that God will never substitute you with someone else.

In today’s reading we see the rejection of King Saul and his replacement by David. No one would have heard of David if King Saul had not lost his crown and position; just as nobody would have heard of Esther if Vashti had not lost her position. God has given us these examples so that we can learn a lesson. God told Samuel to stop mourning over King Saul because He had already rejected him. He told Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go anoint one of the sons of Jesse as king. Samuel said Saul would kill him if he found out about his mission. This is an interesting statement because it shows clearly that Saul had degenerated so badly that he could kill a servant of God. It is a terrible thing to backslide. This is why you must never touch sin. We need to study the lives of the people that God rejected in the Bible so that we can learn one or two lessons from their cases. We have to know what God saw in their lives to make Him reject them, so that we can run away from their mistakes. Why was Esau rejected? The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12 : 15 – 17 that he was rejected because he could not control his appetite. I pray that your stomach would not send you to Hell. Some people have never fasted since they became Christians. I pray that your appetite would not put you into trouble to the point where God would reject you in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, have mercy on me. Help me not to embark on a path that will lead to my rejection and replacement in Jesus’ Name. If I’m on such a path, please salvage me from it now.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE I

MEMORISE: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6 : 11.

READ : EPHESIANS 6 : 10 – 13.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 CORINTHIANS 14 : 26 – 16 : 24; PSALM 10 :12 – 11 : 7.

When we are told to put on the whole armour of God, one thing becomes clear instantly. This is the fact that there is a God. We cannot be talking of the armour of God if there is no God. Anyone who thinks that there is no God is a fool ( Psalm 14 : 1 ). You have to pray that God would reveal Himself to you. The Bible in Daniel 11 : 32b says, “...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

Little wonder, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ in Philippians 3 : 10 also said: ”That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

These scriptures show that knowing God is a weapon of spiritual warfare! When you know your Maker, your battle is 90% won. From our Bible reading, we also realise that there is the armour of God. This armour is made up of several parts, otherwise we would not be told to put on the whole armour of God. The constituents of this armour are listed for us in Ephesians 6 : 14 – 17. The armour of God is not built into us by default as children of God. It is external, and we have to pick it up in order to be able to put it on. The reason many children of God are defeated in the battle of life is because of their failure to fortify themselves with the armour God has made available to them.

From today’s memory verse, it is also clear that there is a devil. The devil is alive and active. In Job 1 : 7, we read about the instability and unpredictability of his destination. This is one of his wiles. Through this corrupt wisdom, he gets people into trouble. The devil’s attacks are not always direct. They may not come from the direction which you expect. A good example is found in Joshua 7 : 1 & 12. Joshua had been victorious all the time; Jericho had just been taken and Joshua was beginning to feel confident. Then the enemy came from behind. He entered one man who stole what God said they should not take. Joshua thought God was still with him so he went against a small town called Ai. The Israelites had to flee from this small town. The enemy had used a new method. It was an indirect attack. Another classical example of an indirect attack of the devil is found in 1 Samuel 18 : 5 – 9. David did nothing wrong but the devil used wiles. He got women together and taught them a song: “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands”. This turned Saul against David. I pray for you that the devil’s wiles against you will be exposed and defeated in Jesus’ Name. However, you must put on the whole armour of God.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, arise and fight on my behalf and on the behalf of my loved ones in Jesus’ Name.

PROVOKING SIGNS & WONDERS II

MEMORIZE: And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11

READ: 1 Samuel 17:34-37

³⁴ But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, ³⁵ I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. ³⁶ Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. ³⁷ The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Corinthians 11:17-14:25, Psalm 10:1-11

There is one other very important principle for provoking signs and wonders akin to prayer and worship; this is testify to the goodness, majesty and wonder-working power of the Almighty God. Some years back, I observed that I could not hear people well when they talked with me. While they were almost shouting at the top of their voices talking with me, I would say to them “louder please; speak up”. I later found out that there was a growth in my hearing canals. The doctor who did the check-up advised that I should be ready for urgent medical operation but I told her that I was not ready for the operation. After she left, I told God that i did not want healing but brand new ears. Seven days later, the doctor came back and did another check-up. This time, she found nothing and she could not hold back her amazement at the wonderful works of God. It was a simple matter with the Lord because He only had to replace the old, faulty parts with brand new ones. He will do the same for you today in the Name of Jesus.

A man who had been married but childless for some years listened to this testimony of mine and his faith was provoked. He had been told that he had no sperm count and so his case could not be medically helped. He said to himself, “since what I have cannot be improved upon medically, let me ask for a total replacement from above” after prayers during one of our all-night programmes, he got back to his house and dreamed that he saw me walk and smile towards him. He woke up and knew that the Lord had visited him. By the time he was sharing his testimony, the man with no sperm count at all was carrying his own child. I pray that your testimony will be greater than this in Jesus’ Name. Either your testimony or the testimonies of others can provoke faith which in turn will provoke signs and wonders because Romans 10:17 says: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.

Because your testimony about what the Lord has done for you is a form of praise, worship and practical show of gratitude, it is very potent in provoking further signs and wonders. I want to encourage you to cultivate the habit of listening to testimonies. These testimonies often provoke miracle-working faith in hearers just like or even more than sermons. The problem with some children of God is that they sometimes feel that time given to testimonies is a waste; hence they don’t pay attention to them. I decree that you are the next to give your testimonies in Jesus’ Name.

ACTION POINT:
Cultivate the habit of sharing your testimonies, and your miracles will not only be permanent but will also increase.

PROVOKING SIGNS & WONDER

Memorise: John 11:40- Jesus saith unto her, said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
 

Read: Matthew 8:8-10

⁸ The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ¹⁰ When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:16, Psalm 9:11-20 

The prayer of the centurion is the model one want us to consider as a typical example of a prayer that was answered instantly with commendation, it is the prayer of the centurion. The prayer of this man made the wonder-working saviour to marvel! This prayer manifests something I must draw your attention to: it was a prayer of humility. The man said: “I am not worthy”. When you listen to some people praying to God, you begin to wonder whether they are talking to their houseboy or maid. With every sense of arrogance, they begin to issue commands after listing the reasons for which they believe God must answer them! May your prayer-life receive a fresh sense of humility, coupled with an assurance that will provoke signs and wonders in Jesus’ name.
Another spiritual principle that provokes signs and wonders is the principle of praise and worship. When I see some people who think they are good to worship the King of Kings I begin to wonder what they think themselves to be. Do you know that even God wanted to say no to ‘yes’? The syro-phenician. Woman in Matthew 15:21-28 came to Jesus and said:” have mercy on me; my daughter is grievously vexed of the devil”. Jesus didn’t answer her a word. This woman persisted in asking, yet Jesus seemed not to pay attention to her. He even said He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The bible says the woman came and worshipped him saying: “I know I don’t qualify for a miracle but look at me, I am on my knees”. At the end of the day, she got her miracle. So when you hear me eulogising God with names such as: Rock of ages, Ancient of days, the Lion of the tribe of Judah etc, I know what I am doing. I am provoking signs and wonders. How many people get up in the morning and say: “Thank you Lord” on a daily basis? When you are provoking signs and wonders that will greet the day you are going into. As from today, learn how to use the weapons of prayer, praise and worship to provoke the needed signs and wonders in your life.

ACTION POINT:
Before you begin to bombard God with your requests, thank him, worship Him and praise Him for all His benefits you have received in the past.

MIRACLE-PRODUCING EXPECTATIONS

MEMORISE: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

READ: MATTHEW 9:20-22

²⁰ Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” ²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Corinthians 5-7, Psalm 9:1-10

Having expectations depends on many variables, particularly if we are talking about having expectations of God. One of these variables is the promise. If God has made you a promise, then you have the right to expect that the promise will be fulfilled. In Genesis 8:22, the Almighty God made a promise. It is based on this promise that the expectation of a farmer rests. He said as long as the earth remains, seed time and harvest time shall never cease. This promise of God is the basis on which a farmer planting a seed expects that there will be a harvest. Another variable which expectations depend upon is the integrity of the one giving the promise. If you are dealing with a man who doesn’t keep his promises, you don’t expect anything from him. If you are dealing with a man who in the past said “I am going to the right” and you discovered he went to the left, the next time he says “I am coming”, you will know he is going. 

Thank God that Numbers 23:19 says clearly that our God is not a man that He should lie. Once He makes a promise, you can go to bed knowing it will be fulfilled. The resources and ability of the one who has made a promise is another foundation upon which an expectation depends. There was a time I visited my village and a little boy ran to me asking for a pair of shoes for Christmas. I promised to buy him one. The young boy started spreading the news that he would soon own a brand new pair of shoes. His mates did not believe him until he told them that it was “Lagos Daddy” (as I was been called then) that promised him a pair of shoes. The reason being that, apart from the fact that they all knew that whatever “Daddy from Lagos” promised to do he would do; they also knew that God had blessed him with the wherewithal to keep his promises.

In our bible reading for today, the woman with the issue of blood had a miracle-producing expectation. This woman sought Jesus Christ with great expectation and she got what she wanted – a miracle of healing. It is unfortunate that many people go to the presence of God without an iota of expectation, whereas the Bible in Isaiah 45:19a says: ” I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, seek ye me in vain:” I want to encourage you to begin to seek and trust the miracle-working God with great expectations for salvation, healing and astonishing breakthrough. I prophesy to your life that the mouth- opening miracle you have been expecting will come your way this season in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, my expectation is to have blessings that will overflow unto many nations; please bring this to fulfillment in the Name of Jesus.

SIGNS & WONDERS III

Memorize: They said therefore unto him, what sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What doest thou work? John 6:30

Bible Reading: Exodus 4:9

And if they don't believe you or listen to you even after these two signs, then take some water from the Nile River and pour it out on the dry ground. When you do, the water from the Nile will turn to blood on the ground.

Bible in one year: 1 Corinthians 1-4

We vividly saw from yesterday’s study that people required a sign from Jesus to prove He is the Messiah. If people required that Jesus should prove that He is the messiah through a sign, it is then expected that people would expect anyone who claims to be a minister of God to confirm his or her calling with signs and wonders. As a servant of God, the ministry God has called you to is designed for signs and wonders. Your ministry is your area of service to the Lord. It may be singing, teaching, evangelising, counseling, or just any definite area of service for which you have received special grace and anointing. For you to function effectively in your area of calling, you need signs and wonders to follow you. This will attest to the fact that God actually sent you and that you are not an impostor. Some people desire academic, theological or ministerial titles; there is nothing wrong with titles if God gives you the grace to acquire them legitimately to His glory. However, in the service of God, titles without signs and wonders backing them up are inappropriate. Show me your works and not your titles. You need signs and wonder- working anointing to make it in your business life and to establish your calling among the people.

There was a time we used to have a Bible study meeting in a living room at the University of Ibadan (Nigeria). We were quite few in number then. Later on, we moved to the rear of the building for the meeting. There was an occasion where it began to rain when we were about to start the Bible study. Surprisingly, the rain fell on every part of the campus but did not drop at the building where we were gathered for the Holy Ghost service. Then I went to visit the Christian Ecumenical centre under construction. When I got there, the white man handling the project said to me: sir, I was told you are connected with the man at the top”. I thought he was talking about Mr. President, and so, I asked him: ” you mean the president?” He said “No, I mean the Man at the top”. Then I knew he was talking about God. I said “O yes, by His special grace”. He then asked me to talk to God that there would be no rain during the day so that he could complete the job before sunday. I told him. There would be no rain during the day”. After I said that, I remembered we were to have the Abuja Holy Ghost service on Friday! On friday, the cloud of rain covered everywhere in Abuja and soon, it began to rain everywhere except the stadium where the programme was held. As you read this devotional, your life shall be filled with signs and wonders in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, for all those asking where my God is, show yourself mighty in my life for them to see.

BORN FOR A PURPOSE

MEMORISE: But ye are a chosen generation, a. royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people ; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:. 1 PETER 2 : 9.

READ: JEREMIAH 1: 4 – 5.

4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ROMANS 4 – 7: 6, PSALM 3 – 4.

One of the things you must endeavour to know is God’s purpose for your life. You were born for a purpose. You are not an accident. You are a product of divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The Almighty God does nothing arbitrarily. In everything He does, He is known for clear cut purposes. He knows where He is heading before He set out on any course. Even for those things or people you think are bad, there is a purpose they serve in the circle of life. Each purpose of God is known to Him from the beginning. This is revealed in Acts 15 : 8 :

” Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

God’s purposes are known to Him. This is so comforting for us to know. We have issues with God and with ourselves because we don’t know what He knows about us. Another reason we have issues is that we don’t make out enough time to seek His purpose for our lives. Since the fall of man, an inclination towards self-rule has been a part of every natural man. We rely on our human assessment and understanding of ourselves to determine what we think should be the purpose of our existence. Not seeking God’s purpose and self reliance are traits that hinder man from the glorious purpose for which God created him. This was not the case with Joseph ; he knew he was not going to end up being the chief of slaves in Potiphar’s house; hence he refused to be the “favourite” of the madam of the house ( Genesis 39 : 8 – 9 ). Later on in life, when his brethren began to exercise fears of retaliation, Joseph revealed his knowledge of the purpose of God for his life by saying :

“… Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50 : 19b – 20.

Everyone in the world came for a purpose. From what God told Jeremiah, we see that His purpose for us is not an after-thought. He had thought out His purpose for each of us before ever creating us. It also tells us that even though He has all power, wisdom, knowledge and understanding to do anything, He does nothing without a purpose. There is a purpose attached to your life ; strive to discover it from today. 

PRAYER POINT:

Father, I thank you for your purpose concerning my life. Please give me a revelation of your purpose for my life in the Name of Jesus.