KEYS TO ANSWERED PRAYER

MONDAY 23rd MARCH 2015

KEYS TO ANSWERED PRAYER 

Memorise:

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Psalm 65:2

READ: Matthew 7:7-11

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: HOSEA 11:14 and MATHEW 7:1-23

Message:

If Christians can master the art and practice of prayer, this world will definitely become a better place to live in for them. Someone described prayer as a paradox. It is both simple and complex. It is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try, and the sublime strains that reach the Majesty on high. What is prayer? John Bunyan, while in Bedford Prison, defined prayer as “a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God had promised according to the Word for the good of the Church, with submission, in faith, to the will of God.” Our God is a prayer-answering God. It is God’s will to answer the prayer of His children. However, He operates on principles. There are conditions which activate the answering of prayers by God. These I will refer to as keys to answered prayers. Are you a child of God? It is the desire of your Father to answer all of your prayers (John 16:23). If your prayers are not being answered, look inward. Are you employing the appropriate keys to answered prayers?

One of such keys is contrition (2nd Chronicles 7:14). Contrition describes a state of feeling or showing of sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming. Do you want your prayers answered? Examine your relationship with the Lord. Are there sins not confessed in your life? Psalm 66:18 says,

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”

Approach God with humility and confess your sins, iniquities and shortcomings to Him. Repent of them and ask for forgiveness. Another key to answered prayers is whole-heartedness (Jeremiah 29:13). This has to do with your commitment and intimacy. How committed are you to the Almighty God and to His work? How intimate is your relationship with God and His Word? John 15:7 says,

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Do you want all your prayers answered? Be a doer of the word and not a hearer only. The next key to answered prayers is faith. Faith is one of the most important factors required for prayers to be answered (Mark 11:24). How strong is your faith? To receive anything from God, you must believe that you have received what you asked for and then you will have it. The forth key to answered prayers is righteousness (John 9:31). Simply put, righteousness denotes acting in accordance to the divine nature and being free from the guilt of sin. A righteous person is morally upright. Such a person abstains from all appearances of evil. The last (but not the least) key to answered prayers is that you must ask in order to receive (Matthew 7:7).

Action Point:

Do you have any unanswered prayer? Apply the keys to answered prayer to it today.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

DO YOU HAVE TRUE LOVE

SUNDAY 22nd MARCH 2015

DO YOU HAVE TRUE LOVE 

Memorise:

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, eudureth all things. 1st Corinthians 13:7

Read: 1st Corinthians 13:1-13

1 THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : HOSEA 6:10 and MATHEW 6:16-34

Message

Our God is wonderful, and He has many wonderful attributes. Some of these attributes are unique to Him alone. For example, in all of heaven and earth, God is the only one who is all-knowing, all-powerful and is present everywhere. However, there are other attributes which God, as a wonderful Father, shares with His children. Some of such attributes are holiness, mercy, faithfulness and love. These attributes are scarce in the character of present-day society. Just like the Corinthians in the days of Paul, many homes, communities and churches nowadays are torn apart by contentions, are divided along party lines and are envious of each other. Such character proves that the love for God and love towards fellow man is wanting. Love is paramount to God. Our numerous gifts and abilities are nothing in the eyes of God without love.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1st John 4:7

Love should be differentiated from lust. While lust is impatient to get, love is always eager to give. John 3:16 describes true love:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

This is the kind of love God expects from us. True love means have strong affection or deep tender feelings towards God, towards yourself and towards others. It means to love the way God loves. It implies knowing and worshipping God rightly, seeing yourself the way God sees you and caring for others the way God cares for you. Without true love, all gifts (however excellent) are useless in the eyes of God. A person who has outstanding gift such as the divine ability to speak many languages, the gift of prophecy and understanding all mysteries and knowledge, and the faith to remove mountains is nothing without true love. In the like manner, sacrifice, no matter how expensive, profits nothing without true love (1st Corinthians 13:3).

Because true love is a commandment of God (1st John 4:21), you need it in order to enjoy the blessings of God (Isaiah 1:19). Know also that without demonstrating true love, it is impossible to make heaven. True love is praised in 1st Corinthians 13:4-7. It is slow to anger and not predisposed to revenge. It is patient and forbearing, good natured, gentle, tender and affectionate. True love is never harsh or rude; it is polite and courteous. It is prompt in giving due respect to superior and in showing respect for their opinions. True love is humble and unselfish. It does not seek its own happiness to the injury of others. Do you have true love? 

Prayer point:

Father, please grant me the grace to demonstrate true love. 

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

SIN-DOMINATED?

SATURDAY 21st MARCH 2015

SIN-DOMINATED? 

Memorise:

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14

READ : Romans 6:1-6, 

1 WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : HOSEA 1-5 and MATHEW 5:43-6:15

Message:

Mankind is the epitome of God’s creative art. He was created by God to have dominion over all things (Genesis 1:26). God did not design man for sin, neither should sin have dominion over man (Romans 6:14). Sin is an enemy. It is our most persistent, determined and pernicious enemy. Sin seeks to rob us of every good thing God has designed for us. It is very subtle, bringing death and creeping into our lives when and where we least expect it. It packages itself so attractively that we are lured into thinking that it cannot really harm us.

Sin is undoubtedly a weight. In Hebrews 12:1, Christians are likened to sprinters: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

The competition before us is fierce as sin stealthily and relentlessly tries to entangle our lives. We will never be able to run the race marked out for us as long as we are entrapped in sin. Anyone who is born of God has a nature that should not sin (1st John 3:8-10). However, children of God fall into sin by not being watchful. Sin should be recognised for what it is. Some people engaged in self-deception. They call sin a mistake, a bad habit or a weakness. Sin is more than these. It is cancerous, terrible and results in outright destruction. Sin must be admitted and tackled at its root. It is dangerous to blame your sins on others; neither must you allow pride to convince you that it is too humiliating to admit the sin in your life. Sin can blind a person to its presence. It does not always command people’s attention, but rather, it subtly and pervasively robs one of spiritual power and victory. 

Are you living in sin? Are you deeply and dangerously entangled in it? There is good news for you: there is no extent to which sin can entangle us that God’s grace does not abound to free us from it. Romans 5:20 says,

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”

Has sin robbed you of joy? Do you go about life in a manner that is moody and melancholy? Has sin prevented you from being the best husband, wife, son, daughter, friend, minister, boss or subordinate you ought to be? Is it keeping you from spiritual maturity and fulfilment in life, business, marriage and ministry? If you have become entangled with sin, God can release you immediately! He however requires repentance from you. Harden not your heart. Repent and recommit your life to Jesus Christ now.

Prayer point:

Father, grant me grace to live above sin, Satan and all his allied forces in Jesus’ Name.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

SANCTIFICATION PRECEDES DIVINE COMMISIONING

FRIDAY 20th MARCH 2015

SANCTIFICATION PRECEDES DIVINE COMMISIONING 

Memorise:

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 2nd Timothy 2:21

Read: John 17:13-19

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DANIEL Daniel 11:12 and MATHEW 5:21-42

Message:

The most important thing a person needs is to be born-again (John 3:3). From personal experience and from the experience of others, certain things give you the assurance that you are born-again. If you are born-again, you stop thinking about yourself alone. You stop thinking only about what Jesus can do for you but also of what you can do for Jesus. This was the case with Paul after he met the Lord in Act 9:6:

“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

You also begin to think about restitution (Luke 19:8), and you begin to serve God with the same vigour with which you served the devil (Acts 9:20-22).

After you are saved, you need to be sanctified before you can be divinely commissioned for service. An unsanctified believer is susceptible to backsliding, hence the need for sanctification. The state of the human heart before salvation is one of the reason why sanctification is necessary. Jeremiah 17:9 reveals that:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Every person is born with a heart that is desperately wicked, and every of our actions originate from the heart (Matthew 15:19-20). Sanctification changes the nature of a person’s heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Many people who were one born-again backslid because of their failure to get sanctified. A backslider is worse than a sinner who has never been saved. Backsliding is horrible. It can be likened to a dog going back to it vomit. Worldliness can cause a Christian worker to backslid. Demas was an example of a Christians worker who backslid because of his attachment to the things of this world (Philemon 24, 2nd Timothy 4:10)

The ability to live holy is given by God. Jesus died for our sanctification. When a person is sanctified, he or she begins to think like Jesus. You forgive like Jesus and like Him, you become humble. You develop a servant-spirit and you become obedient and meek (Matthew 11:29). To become sanctified, you must believe that it is possible to live holy (1st Peter 1:15-16). You must then admit that you cannot do it without the assistance of the Holy Spirit (John 15:5). Finally, ask God to remove the heart of stone from you and replace it with a heart of flesh.  

Prayer point:

Father, sanctify me wholly; give me a heart of flesh that is in line with your nature.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

SATAN'S ATTACK OR THE LORD CHASTENING?

THURSDAY 19th MARCH 2015

SATAN'S ATTACK OR THE LORD CHASTENING?

Memorise:

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Hebrew 12:6

Read: Hebrew 12:4-6

4. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : DANIEL 9-10 and MATHEW 4:23-5:20

Message:

Christians are spiritual soldiers. We engage in constant warfare against principalities, powers and wicked spiritual forces that operate in high places. Ephesians 6:12 says that: '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.'

There is a tendency among Christians to view anything unpleasant that happens to them as emanating from spiritual warfare. When difficult situations arise, many immediately ask God to remove their distress. It is worth nothing that not all problems we face as believers have something to do with the devil or the spiritual warfare we are engaed in. In Galatians 6:7, the scripture says,  'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.'

Some hardship, difficulties and unpleasant happenings arise as a result of sin,disobedience, pride or other shortcomings that call for disciplinary action from our Heavenly Father. Sin frequently attracts purnishment. Sin can be described as transgression or non-conformity to the law of God in our inward or outward conduct of life, whether by omission or commission. The Bible Indicates that sin justly deserves purnishment and that it calls down the righteous judgement of God( Romans 6:23). Various kinds of sins are mentioned in the Scriptures. These include presumptuous sin, secret or hidden sin and sin against Holy Ghost.

Presumptuous sins refers to defiant acts of sin. These are sins committed on the basis of assumption. Some people steal, tell lies, commit fornication or adultery, forge documents or engage in other evil acts. When such people are confronted with God's view on their waywardness and its implications, they argue that God Understands. They assume that God is too holy and kind to send a sinner to hell-fire. Presumptuous sin is dangerous. God is God of both Love and judgment. ( 1 john 4:8, Hebrew 10:31). King David wisely prayed that God should keep him from presumptuous sins( Psalm 19:13). Secret sins are sins which escape the notice of the soul. Many people commit sin without been conscious of it. These also attract divine judgement and chastisement. What such people need is repentance and deliverance. David also prayed that God should cleanse him from secret sins ( Psalm 19:12). last but not the least is the sin against Holy Ghost or what is referred to as " sin unto death" ( Mathew 12:31-32, 1 John 5:16). This is a willful rejection of grace. Are you facing unpleasant happenings? Look inward. God's expectation from chastising is repentance. 

Action Point:

Examine yourself to see if there is any presumptuous or hidden sin in your life. 

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

LIVING BY VISION AND REVELATION

WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH 2015

LIVING BY VISION AND REVELATION 

Memorise:

AFTER these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1

Read: Genesis 41:38-43

38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : DANIEL 7:9-8:27 and MATHEW 4:1-22

Message:

Vision is the energy of progress and a determinant of destiny. Vision is no doubt one of the most powerful forces available to a man on earth today. It gives meaning to life, keeps us alive and conditions our lives. Vision inspired the Greeks to produce philosophy and art that still impacts the thinking of our world. It motivated the great Roman Empire to expand its influence and develop the known world. Vision inspired the explorers who circumvented the globe and ignited the creation and expansion of many of the nations we know today. It is your vision that determines your destiny. Proverbs 29:18 says; 'Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.'

True vision is not based on what a person sees with the physical eyes alone, but on the images seen with the inward eyes of the mind. A man of vision sees what God has planned for him before its fulfillment. Vision entails planning and goal-setting. Every great person in history owned a personal vision. A man with no vision is at best a living corpse. He desires nothing and achieves nothing. Is your life directed by a clear vision? Do you know your potential for fulfilling this vision? Have you developed a concrete plan for your vision? What active steps have you taken towards the fulfillment of your vision? Do you recognise people's influence on your vision? These are all questions you need to answer if you will leave your prints on the sand of time. When you begin to act on your vision, it will stir up both those who want to help you and those who want to hinder you. How passionate are you about your vision? Visons requires faith for fulfillment. Have you built up the faith necessary for the fulfillment of your God-given vision? And most importantly, what is the source of your vision?

In addition to true vision, God's people live by revelation. A Christian is expected to operate on a God-given vision and by revelation. Christianity is an intimate growing relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. Every child of God should therefore live by the revelation of the Word. We should live by what the Word of God says. God expect you to arrange your life based on His Word, regardless of whether it makes sense to you or not, and regardless of whether it is convenient or not. God knows what is best for your future,your family, your church and your country. He wants to reveal what is on His heart to you, if only He can get your attention. He expects you to diligently pursue your vision and revelations He drops in your spirit. Actualising your vision and the revelation God gives you requires diligence, integrity, focus, good human relations, prayer and faith. How prepared are you to live by these?

Action Point:

Dust up that vision or revelation God gave you so long ago and diligently run with it. 

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

TUESDAY 17th MARCH 2015

LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

Memorise:

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. John 13:14

Read: Daniel 2:46-49

46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : DANIEL 5:13-7:8 and MATHEW 2:19-3:17

Message 

Daniel purposed in his heart not to partake of the king’s meat (Daniel 1:8). He denied himself all the goodies associated with classical palatial living because he wanted to make a difference among his peers. Anyone who aspires to be a leader must be self-disciplined, carefully choose the kind of people he or she associates with and must consciously cultivate habits that will distinguish him or her Like Daniel, leaders must fear God and be prayerful, respect authority, be diligent and have a penchant for hard work. Going by his personal testimonies, young David was diligent in keeping his father’s flock, and God rewarded him with a kingdom (1st Samuel 17:34-35). The way Joshua and Caleb delivered a minority report after returning from their assignment is a good example of how to have the right attitude when confronted with challenges (Number 14:6-8). Their level of faith in the Lord God determined their attitude and degree of courage. They admitted that indeed there were giants in the land and the walls were tall, but they confessed that the Lord would deliver the enemies into their hands. No wonder at age 85, Caleb could say, “Give me this mountain!” (Joshua 14:12). He knew it was not by his frail power or might but by the spirit of God. That is an attitude fired by faith.

A good leader is a regenerated, distinguished personality (John 3:3). Because he draws his energy and inspiration from the Word of God, he therefore mediates on it habitually. The Word of God dwells in him richly, and he takes delight in living a righteous life. He is conscious of the right people to associate with, and he walks in the perfect will of God. He is one who makes a difference among his peers, and must have been a good and consistent follower. He is a man of great and mighty vision, who remains focused at all times. He is a selfless and courageous champion on fire for God, a go-getter, very humble and willing to learn from others. When the young Joseph caught the vision of his future greatness, he developed the right attitude to remain focused. His attitude was spiced with integrity. He refused to be distracted, not even by the juicy mouth-watering offer of his master’s wife.

Leadership by example can be summarised with two words: “GOOD SUCCESS” (Joshua 1:8). Because a good leader is connected to his source – God, he is ever fruitful, ever buoyant, ever prosperous, ever peaceful and ever joyful. Simply put, good leadership guarantees a holistic fulfilled life which in turn rubs off on any given human system.

Key point:

You cannot lead successfully if you have failed as a follower.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE