Be Imitators Of God In Love

Be Imitators Of God In Love

WALK IN LOVE

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2

How much do we really know about love? We’ve talked about it. We’re familiar with all the scriptures about it. And we’ve heard so many sermons about it that, if we’re not careful, we’ll just let them flow in one ear and out the other. But in spite of all that, most of us don’t know the first thing about the real power of love. For instance, researchers have found that hostility and the stress it causes are physically damaging, but walking in love is good for your health. And the benefits don’t end there.

Agape love, God’s love, is a new kind of power. It makes you the master of every situation. As long as you walk in love, you cannot be hurt and you cannot fail. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper. No one even has the power to hurt your feelings, because you are not ruled by feelings but by God’s love. You walk in the image and likeness of God who is love.

This agape love is completely selfless. It constantly seeks the well-being of the beloved. Though it does not seek its own, it lacks nothing. The more it gives the more it receives. This love is revolutionary. If we fully understood the great return from living in God’s love, we’d probably be competing with each other, each of us trying to love the other more. And without a doubt, everyone would emerge from that competition a winner! Think about that. When you’re yielding to love, you’ll be enjoying the best God has to offer: love, joy, and peace. The whole world is chasing after those things. People are trying to reach out and get them through drugs and alcohol and immortality. But they can’t. They are reserved for those who walk in the love of God.

Prayer: Pray for grace to love God and others more and more.

Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 5:1-20

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;

4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Walk in Light

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Be Imitators Of God In Love

Time For Your Harvest

Time For Your Harvest

IT’S HARVEST TIME

That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries. Proverbs 8:21

The most abundant harvest into the Kingdom of God the world has ever seen is about to take place. It’s time for us to lay claim to our harvest. This is the time we must learn how to reap all that we have sown and see the multiplying impact of God’s laws for harvest in all areas of our lives. It is time to put in the sickle and reap abundantly. This is time for an unprecedented transfer of both souls and wealth from the world to the church.

First we must understand what this harvest is all about. The biblical principle of harvest primarily refers to the winning of souls into the Kingdom of God. But there are other aspects of harvest, and those who will reap are those who understand and apply the principles for reaping.

One of the basic conditions for reaping is sowing. The problem is that many times people are sowing their seeds with their tithes and offerings, but they are not reaping.

To see the increase become a reality, we must allow the same Word that stirs us up to sow also stirs us up to reap. We must not only understand how to sow in faith but reap in faith as well. We must believe this is the time for our harvest. We must begin to boldly confess and appropriate this prophetic declaration that this is our harvest time.

God’s desire is clear; He wants us to plunder the world the same way the children of Israel plundered Egypt. We have to prepare and position ourselves to take part of this harvest.

Prayer: By faith destroy every stronghold that is withholding your harvest, and command your harvest to come to you now!

Scriptural Reading: Proverbs 8:12-21

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.

13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.

15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.

16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.

17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

20 I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,

21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.

NKJV

Time For Your Harvest

Be Clothed With Humility

Be Clothed With Humility

HUMILITY

Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5b

In our day the call is to esteem yourself, believe in yourself, promote yourself and reward yourself. But God’s word calls us to humility.

God hates pride and has always resisted the proud. He brought devastation to the land of Egypt after Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey Him?” He put king Nebuchadnezzar down on his all fours to eat grass like an animal after he boasted of his accomplishments. And Herod was eaten up with worms when he failed to give glory to God.

As you search your own heart to see if there is pride that needs to be rooted out, consider that humility is an acknowledgement of unworthiness. Jacob declared that he was unworthy of the least of God’s mercies. The publican cried out, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

Humility is submission to God. You may not understand some of the providences unfolding in your life, but you bow in submission and know God is working His will and accomplishing His purposes. It means believing what God says, accepting what is in His Word and making no attempt to explain it away.

Humility recognizes the need for grace. The humble have a great sense of their own weakness and know they must come to the throne of grace to find mercy and grace to help in time of need. They know they need grace to pray, grace to overcome the world and grace to minister to others.

How is it with you? Are you clothed with humility?

Prayer: Lord, clothe me with humility.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-6

Be Clothed With Humility

Forgiving One Another

Forgiving One Another

FORGIVE

Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

What soft comfort and what hard conviction are contained in this one admonition! First, we are told that God has, for Christ’s sake, forgiven you.

Not only has He forgiven you, but He has done so with kindness and with tenderness of heart. This is no begrudging, reluctant forgiveness. God’s heart is tender toward us. His love toward us is genuine and His forgiveness is complete.

However, the more we marvel at the undeserved and kindly affectioned love of God for us, the more we convict ourselves by the standard that is here set before us. We are to be kind, and tenderhearted, and forgiving toward one another in the same way that God was kind, and tenderhearted, and forgiving toward us.

How did God forgive you? Did He wait until you deserved His forgiveness? Did He make you grovel, or earn, or beg for it? Does He bring your past sins up over and over again in order to shame you? Did He wait for you to pursue Him, or did He pursue you in order to bring about healing and reconciliation in your relationship with him?

The overwhelming teaching of Scripture—and especially the first half of this book Ephesians—is that God sought us out and forgave us in Christ without any conditions, or qualifications being met by us. We, therefore, ought to be just as kind, just as tender, just as forgiving toward each other.

Prayer: Lord, help me forgive others as I have been forgiven.

Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 4:29-32

Forgiving One Another

Bless The Lord Always

Bless The Lord Always

GIVE THANKS

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalms 103:2

How easily, in the clamor and distractions of life, we seem to forget the Lord’s many blessings to us. If we pray at all then our prayers are largely taken up with requests for family and friends and health and blessing. But how often do we pause to bless the Lord, to praise Him for the many benefits He has given to us already?

Thousands of people struggle daily with discouragement and frustration, or at least with discontentment, even though they are surrounded by prosperity and property. Why is this? Why does there seem to be so little contentment in the midst of such enormous wealth? Perhaps it is because we have neglected to develop grateful hearts.

But we are here encouraged to develop the habit of gratefulness — forget not all His benefits. Not a single blessing of God should be taken for granted. Not a single benefit should come to us without our carefully marking it as yet another unmerited favour from our Heavenly Father.

It is also interesting that this admonition is an entirely inward one. The psalmist is actually speaking to himself, addressing his own soul. He is keeping a close check on his spirit and correcting trends that he sees there toward ingratitude, complaining, or dissatisfaction.

We ought, also, to stir ourselves up to habitual, genuine, God-centered gratitude; which will then lead us to habitual, genuine, God-centered praise.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for all Your benefits in my life.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 103:1-5

Bless The Lord Always

Walk As Children Of Light

Walk As Children Of Light

CHILDREN OF LIGHT

Walk as children of light: proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:8b,10

What criteria do you use in order to decide for or against a particular action, ambition, or way of life? Do you weigh the financial benefit, the career advancement, or perhaps the physical pleasure that any given opportunity may afford?

Paul tells us, first, to walk as children of light. In other words, our lives ought to be radically, fundamentally, unmistakably different from those who do not claim Christ as their Lord and Savior. Light is glaringly different than darkness.

We should not be asking the same questions that any one in the world would ask in our same situation. We should not be making decisions that reflect the priorities and self-seeking ways of sinful, unsaved individuals. We should not have the same goals as those who don’t have an eternal perspective.

In short, Paul says, we should be testing everything to see, not whether it is pleasing to our palate or to the world, but what is acceptable to the Lord. Is this thing in agreement with His Word? Will this draw me closer to Christ? Does this further the cause of Christ in the world, through me?

Thankfully, God has not left us in the dark regarding how to walk as children of light. We do not have to guess about what is pleasing to Christ. He has given us all we need to know about his desires and pleasures by communicating them to us in his Word.

Therefore, take his Word, discover what is acceptable to the Lord, and walk in it as a child of light.

Prayer: Lord, help me live a life worthy of a child of light.

Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 5:1-20

Walk As Children Of Light

Godly Marriage

Godly Marriage

MARRIAGE

They are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:6

When a man and woman marry, the two individuals then become one. This marvel of marriage implies both a new and tremendous liberty for them both and a vital and voluntary constraint upon them both.

On one hand, a tremendous liberty: two individuals working together in unity are able to accomplish and enjoy far more together than they ever could alone. Every good marriage is made up of more than just the sum of its two simple parts. Marriage multiplies the pleasures, the accomplishments, and the opportunities of life.

On the other hand, their new oneness implies restrictions — they are no longer free to make their own decisions or set their own goals as individuals, without consideration for each other. Go to any three-legged race and you will quickly see the awkwardness and bondage of two individuals, who are joined together, still trying to make their own way and rely on their own strength.

Although the decision to marry is made by the two individuals, once they commit themselves to the God-invented institution of marriage, it is in effect God who has joined them together. They are therefore responsible to God for their commitment to each other.

What God has joined together in the holy bonds of matrimony is not to be lightly or selfishly or wrongly separated by any mere mortal. Therefore, strive to make yourselves, and those loved ones of yours who are married, more unified for the glory of God. Never seek to divide was God has glued together.

Prayer: Lord, help me as I strive to honour You with my marriage.

Scriptural Reading: Matthew 19:1-12

Godly Marriage

Joy Comes In The Morning

Joy Comes In The Morning

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Weeping does indeed endure. In fact, the night of weeping can sometimes appear to be endless. When sorrow comes over us in waves, when disappointments follow hard on the heels of each other, when physical pain wracks our body the — night stretches on and on.

But here is the great consolation of Scripture. Joy is coming! It may seem to linger, but it is irresistibly moving toward you and will reach you with the darkness-shattering power of the dawn. No matter how severe the shadows, no matter how stormy the darkness, once the dawn comes the night is easily and quickly forgotten. No darkness is so great that the coming of the Son does not drive it away.

For the Christian, the best is always yet to come. Is the energy and beauty of youth behind you? The best is yet to come. Has health and strength left you? The best is yet to come. Have you lost a loved one to that old enemy Death? The best is yet to come.

Weeping may endure; there are sorrows that simply cannot be faced without tears. But joy is coming. . .dawn is approaching. . .the best is yet to come.

Prayer: Thank You Lord, that the best of my life is ahead of me both in this life and eternity.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 30:1-12

Joy Comes In The Morning

Serving Others

Serving Others

SERVING OTHERS

In lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. —Philippians 2:3-4

What mindset invariably leads to serving others? Humility. When we see ourselves as undeserving of God’s goodness, we esteem others better than ourselves. When our own faults are clearly before our eyes, we have no room left for criticizing others.

And when we, in genuine and personal humility, esteem others as we ought, we will cease to look for ways to please ourselves and begin to look for ways to help others. Rather than using others to better ourselves, we will use ourselves to better others.

What have your goals and thoughts been about this day? Are you planning the hours in such a way as to better your own situation or as to better the situation of others around you? Is your great concern the fulfillment of personal ambitions or is your ambition to lose yourself in the service and benefiting of God’s people around you?

How we plan our day, how we use our time, how we spend our money — these are all barometers of true humility. May your self-esteem be transformed today into service for others. May you find the great joy and satisfaction that only and paradoxically comes from giving up your own pleasure for the sake of others.

Prayer: Lord, give me a heart of a servant.

Scriptural Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

Blessed Sunday!

Serving Others

Get Involved With Christ

Get Involved With Christ

GET INVOLVED

Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages. Ephesians 3:21

The goal of the church is the glory of God. Although our attention and efforts are so easily distracted toward building programs, political games, or personal relationships, none of these can substitute as a foundation or motivation for the church. The church exists to glorify God in the world.

But we cannot do this in our own strength. That is why Paul prays that this glory will come by Christ Jesus. The more we rely on our own ingenuity, business savvy, or personality for the success of the church, the less God is glorified in the church.

Any organization can thrive through careful business models or market research. But Christ’s church dies without Christ. God is glorified in the church only as Christ is looked to as the sole source of strength and motivation and direction for the church.

Thank God, though, He has not left the church merely to the inventions and power of any person or earthly organization. He has purposed that glory will be given Him, by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages.

What about you? Are you part of God’s plan for glorifying Himself? If you are not actively involved in a local church then you are not taking part in this great purpose. So get involved.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for the privilege to serve in Your church and bring glory to Your name.

Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

Get Involved With Christ

Generosity In The Lord

Generosity In The Lord

GENEROSITY

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:25

The promise is made to the liberal soul – the one who is liberal in giving not only material things but giving of his time, his love, his ministry to others. In our human nature we tend to be selfish, consumed with our own interests, pursuing our own plans. But the previous verse tells us that spirit leads to poverty.

In contrast, the one who by grace loves his neighbor, considers others and looks for opportunities to minister to them is the one who is made “fat.” God has promised that the one who sows bountifully will reap bountifully. It is a principle that Paul tells us concerns our giving but it reaches into every avenue of Christian service.

No one is more impoverished than the covetous man who finds no joy in giving or the person who is so caught up in her own plans that she has no time to pray for or minister to others. But when one is giving liberally of his money, his time and himself, he is then watered with great joy in serving God.

Just as an individual with a giving spirit is enjoying showers from on high, it is equally true of a church that possesses that generous spirit. There is a joy that prevails within the body of Christ as joyous givers give and others are blessed by their giving. A church with a giving spirit is a church which is honoring Jesus Christ as it faithfully ministers to those in need. Is there anyone in need you can minister to today?

Prayer: Lord, bless me and make me a blessing.

Scriptural Reading: Proverbs 11:24-28

Generosity In The Lord

Be Encouraged

Be Encouraged

ENCOURAGEMENT

Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 1 Peter 3:13

At first glance, Peter’s question may not seem to have an encouraging answer. Haven’t thousands of martyrs, including most of the apostles, discovered that there is great harm in the pathway of Christ? Hasn’t every saint found that following Christ leads to suffering for Christ? Didn’t Christ himself tell us repeatedly that it would be so?

The answer of course to each of these questions is in the affirmative. Yet the same Jesus who warned us “they will persecute you” (John 15:20), also promises us that “there shall not an hair of your head perish” (Luke 21:18).

How can these both be true? Peter explains in the context of his own assertion. Because the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open to their prayers (verse 12), then even when they suffer for righteousness’ sake there is no need to fear or be troubled (verse 14). No true harm ever comes to those who follow the good path of God.

Although we will have tribulation, He has overcome the world. Although we will fall into various trials, we can count them a joy knowing that the trying of our faith is working patience in us. Although we will face tribulation, we glory in tribulation knowing that through our suffering the love of God will be shed abroad in our hearts. As a child of God, you can rest assured that whatever you are going through will eventually work for your good.

Prayer: I thank You, Lord, that in all situations you remain faithful.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-15

Be Encouraged

Be Of Good Comfort

Be Of Good Comfort

BE COMFORTED

Be of good comfort. . .and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

This admonition and promise, at first glance, seem to be backwards. It seems as though Paul should first give the promise of God’s presence with us, followed by the admonition to therefore be comforted. But he doesn’t.

Paul actually says for us to be comforted and then promises – subsequently – that the God of love and peace will be with us. The clear implication is that the love and peace of God will only be felt by us after we follow the admonition to “be of good comfort.” Why?

The fact is that Paul is exhorting us to be comforted. We are to allow the transcendent promises of God to flood our hearts; we are commanded to receive the marvelous truths of the gospel and hold on to them and believe them. It is only when we allow ourselves to be comforted, when we give in to the reality of goodness and joy and pleasure in all that God promises to us and purposes for us – it is only then that we can feel the love and peace of God with us. It cannot be in any other order!

We may often wonder why God has not sent comfort our way, why we do not feel the presence of God with us. But the truth is that God has sent countless comforts our way, in His Word, but we have not believed them, have not received them, have not allowed them to infiltrate our doubting and discouraged and deflated hearts.

It is only when we allow ourselves to be comforted by the truth of all that God has promised us that we will then feel the love and peace of God with us. So, child of God, be comforted.

Prayer: Thank You Father the comfort and encouragement of Your promises.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Be Of Good Comfort

Overcoming Temptation

Overcoming Temptation

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Luke 11:4

There is a balance to successfully avoiding or facing any temptation. On the one hand, we have a responsibility to turn away from any situation, person, or opportunity that draws us away from God.

We cannot, with any sincerity, be praying for our heavenly Father not to lead us into temptation, if we are not ourselves striving to avoid temptation. If we are praying “lead us not into temptation” while rushing headlong into sin, our prayers are a farce and will be ineffective.

On the other hand, Jesus’ model prayer reminds us that we do not, in and of ourselves, have the strength to face or overcome temptations to sin. This is why we pray for our Lord to deliver us from evil.

We need His deliverance. We need His strength. When it is all said and done, we must confess that any sin we have ever overcome or been delivered from was overcome through the grace and leadership of our heavenly Father.

It is for this reason that we are taught to also pray, “Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.” May that be our heart’s song as we face every temptation through the strength of His Spirit.

Prayer: Father, strengthen me in my spirit to overcome every temptation that may come my way.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 11:1-4

Overcoming Temptation

Jesus Our Example In Everything

Jesus Our Example In Everything

JESUS OUR EXAMPLE

He laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.1 John 3:16

John 3:16 famously declares the love of God, the giving of His Son, and His purpose that whoever believes on His Son will have everlasting life. But 1 John 3:16 takes this truth a step further.

It is true, John says, that genuine love, perfect love is seen in the death of Jesus Christ for us. From this, however, we are meant to learn that genuine love is a sacrificial love.

You see, John explains, not only did the Father give His Son for us, but the Son gave Himself for us! He laid down His life for us. This was not cosmic or divine child abuse, as some have suggested. The cross of Christ is the ultimate display of the perfect and united love of both the Father and the Son.

Such love, though, is meant, not only to save us from hell in the future, but also to deliver us from selfishness and vanity right now. As we look at Jesus on the cross, His sacrificial love for us should lead us to lay down our lives for each other. In fact, John says, the cross makes us indebted (“we ought”) to love each other.

How has Jesus’ love affected you? Does it lead you to more self-absorption or to sacrificial service? Christ’s love for us includes His love for others, and so our love for Him must include a love for others, as well.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to love others as You have loved me.

Scriptural Reading: 1 John 3:11-18

Jesus Our Example In Everything

Man Of Faith

Man Of Faith

MAN OF FAITH

“Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee.” Judges 16:28

What an embarrassing scene. What a shameful spectacle. Samson, who had been judge over Israel for twenty years, had been blessed with supernatural strength, had in one day killed a thousand Philistines with nothing but a bone in his hand – this same Samson now stands in the stadium of the Philistines, being made sport of and being himself the occasion for thanksgiving to their pagan gods.

And the worst of it all is this: he is there because of his own sin, his own foolishness. Because he wouldn’t say no to the temptress Delilah, he had been caught unawares, defenseless, and helpless. His eyes have been put out because he was too blind to see how dangerous sin is.

Why then would anyone use Samson as an example of faith? Shouldn’t he be an example of how to throw away everything that God has given you and make a royal mess of your life over and over again? Well, yes, he is that too.

But Samson is also an example of true, God-honoring, world-overcoming faith. God Himself mentions his name among the select few that are included in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11. And why is he mentioned? Because, through faith, Samson “out of weakness was made strong” (32,34).

Even after all his failures, all his shameful conduct, all his detestable sins, Samson had faith to come to God again and pray for forgiveness and healing. Imagine the nerve! And yet God commends him for his faith. In fact, that kind of faith is mentioned as one of the most courageous and admirable to be found.

Believer, if you have made a mess of your life, follow Samson’s faith and turn to God. He will hear you, He will heal you.

Prayer: Lord, heal me and restore me.

Scriptural Reading: Judges 16:23-31

Man Of Faith

Preach The Good News

Preach The Good News

PREACH THE GOSPEL

Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations. Luke 24:47

First of all, it is important to notice among these last words of Jesus what it is that is to be preached. We are to preach repentance and remission of sins. It is not right to preach remission of sins without repentance. Neither should repentance be taught without the comfort of sin’s remission. The two go hand in hand.

Second, both repentance and forgiveness are to be preached only in His name. As Peter later followed His Saviour’s commission, he proclaimed, “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Salvation, including both repentance and forgiveness, are only found in Jesus Christ.

Finally, we observe where this message is to be taken: it is to be preached among all nations. How utterly we miss the point if we think the command is fulfilled by only declaring the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ from our safe pulpits and within the walls of our own home!

The name of Jesus is to be exalted in all the earth. This message is to be shared among all nations. None are to be excluded, none are to be considered above, or beneath, this proclamation.

Will you be a faithful witness today? Will you pray for and support those God-sent heralds whose beautiful feet are trekking the planet for the glory of Christ?

Prayer: Lord, empower me to preach the gospel to the nations.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 24:36-49

Preach The Good News

40 Days Of Power

40 Days Of Power

PEACE AND PROSPERITY

And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive and pray to the Lord for for in its peace you will have peace.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

Personal – 5 am to 8 am

1. Thank the Lord for His plans and purposes for the nation; ask Him to reveal to you your role in bringing them to pass.

2. Ask God to bless our homeland Ghana; commit to every collective effort to make our nation great and strong.

3. Take authority over every community around you and declare that the peace of God will prevail there always.

Family and Church – 8 am to 11 am

4. Pray for safety on our roads and declare protection for all members of your family and the church from accidents.

5. Pray for unprecedented open doors for the preaching of the gospel; declare that there will be a spiritual revival across the earth.

6. Pray that the church will provide leadership, direction and vision to the world; ask God to make the church a refuge of hope.

Productivity, Career and Business – 11 am to 2 pm

7. Present all Christians in business and commerce and in the private and public sectors to God; pray for integrity, commitment and dedication to duty.

8. Pray for the peace and prosperity of the world; ask God for creativity and innovation as we develop our nation.

9. Ask for the move of God’s hands in the formulation of policies and plans that affect education, trade and industry in Ghana; pray that His perfect will always prevail.

Nation, Continent and Global – 2 pm to 5 pm

10. Intercede for the leadership of the country; ask that their choices and actions will bring the nation growth and increase.

11. Plead the blood of Jesus over the nation and declare that any agenda designed to bring destruction and unrest will pass over us in Jesus’ name.

12. Pray that the mighty hand of God upon the country will continually bring promotion and prosperity to the nation.

Declaration – 8 pm

Today, we affirm God’s blessing of peace and prosperity over our World. We declare that in this year God will exalt our nation in power and lead us in His righteousness. We boldly confess that the Lord’s peace which surpasses all understanding will guide and keep World, and make us great and strong. Amen!

40 Days Of Power

The Last Enemy

The Last Enemy

THE LAST ENEMY

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26

In this life we face many daunting foes: temptation, grief, discouragement, fear (to name just a few). But none has proven so devastatingly indestructible as death itself.

As children of God, we have all known what it is to fight against sorrow, to war against lust, to battle with depression — and still emerge victorious, through the power of Jesus Christ. But none of us has ever known anyone who has locked horns with that grim enemy Death successfully.

The last enemy, the one whom we all quake to face, is the very enemy that we cannot possibly defeat. But this is the very same foe that Christ has promised to vanquish on our behalf! The last enemy will be His final victory.

Christ, Paul declares, is mighty in the destruction, not only of his own enemies, but of yours as well! In fact, Christ was willing to feel death himself, so that we might be forever delivered from the power that death had over us.

With death destroyed, what is left for the child of God, but everlasting life? With the last enemy finally conquered, no further adversary could ever be expected to raise its ugly head against us. Beloved, the same inexorable power that is employed in overcoming the enemies of God has been exercised on your behalf, in order to bring death to its own demise!

Jesus Christ will one day bury death. And the triumphant monument that He will raise over its grave will be the everlasting host of His redeemed children.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for setting me free from the fear of death.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

The Last Enemy

Most Blessed

Most Blessed

MOST BLESSED

Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. Luke 1:38

It is true, as the angel said, that Mary was “highly favored” and “blessed among women” to be given the honor of bearing the Savior himself in her womb. But it is also true that this privilege brought with it many, many difficulties.

For Jesus’ sake, Mary would suffer tension with her fiancé Joseph and shame in her community; she would have to travel to Bethlehem to be taxed; she would have to flee to Egypt…and eventually she would see her own son tortured to death. Almost every prophecy that concerned Jesus would affect her.

But what a noble, faithful response she makes to this announcement! “Let it be to me according to your word.” Whatever the Lord wants for me, let it come to me. If my suffering will fulfill the Lord’s good pleasure, then let it be so.

Believer, the only place of honor in the kingdom of God is the place of service. The only way to be useful is to be submitted entirely to the Lord. There is no place of privilege in the kingdom of heaven that is not also a place of special suffering.

Have you submitted your life completely to God? Can you say that whatever the Lord wills for you is welcome, if it means that his name will be glorified? Do you see yourself as a “handmaid”, a servant of the Lord? If so, then you are truly blessed among humans. May it truly be unto you according to the word of the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, let all your word for my life be done.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Most Blessed

Be Strong In The Lord

Be Strong In The Lord

STAY STRONG IN THE LORD

Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of. 2 Timothy 3:13-14

Not exactly an encouraging forecast is it? Evil men will multiply in number and in wickedness. Not only will they be set on deceiving others, but they themselves will be so hardened against God that they will justify their wickedness to themselves, deceiving themselves.

Why would Paul be so forthright about the coming days of difficulty and sinfulness? Because he wants us to, in being forewarned, commit ourselves to patient perseverance in the truth. Continue thou.

Of course it is discouraging when fewer and fewer are standing with you for the truth of Jesus Christ. Of course it is disheartening to see increasing numbers of people give in to the deceptive pleasures and propaganda of our age.

But, Paul insists, do not forget the things you have learned and know to be true. Do not compromise God’s perfect word for the fallible thinking of fallen heads. Do not relinquish, or even reduce, your commitment to live for Christ.

What about you, believer? Have the many voices of modern seducers caused you to question the veracity of Christ’s call upon your life?

Do not be deceived. Continue upon the course that Christ has set for you, trusting in the truth you have learned from Him. And may His name increase in glory, even in the midst of waxing wickedness in the world.

Prayer: Lord, I have made a decision to follow You. Nothing will cause me to turn back.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Be Strong In The Lord

All Knowing God

All Knowing God

THE ALL-KNOWING GOD

All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him. Hebrews 4:13

The one true God is omniscient; He is all-knowing. There is nothing in the past, in the present, or in the future that is hidden from Him. There is nothing spoken in secret, or thought in private, or done in darkness that is not known to Him.

The realization of God’s omniscience brings with it both conviction and comfort. It is convicting to consider that our whole life is an open book to God. “Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance” (Psalm 90:8). There is no hiding from the Holy One.

However, for the believer, God’s omniscience also carries an incalculable comfort. The fact that every sin is open to His eyes means that every sin was paid for on the cross of Jesus Christ. The fact that God knew us so intimately and still chose to send his Son to die for us is unspeakably reassuring.

And when we come to the omniscient God in prayer, Jesus reminds us, He knows what we need before we even ask Him (Matthew 6:8). Not only that, but He knows our frame; He will never let us suffer more than we can bear (Psalm 103:14)

As Job reminded himself, “He knows the way that I take” and nothing will be allowed into my life except it be for my refining, for my good.

Prayer: I praise You Father, that You know all things and nothing in my life is by chance.

Scriptural Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13

All Knowing God

The Counsel Of The Lord

The Counsel Of The Lord

SOVEREIGN LORD

Declaring the end from the beginning. . . saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure. Isaiah 46:10

There is a famous military motto: “No plan of war survives first contact with the enemy.” This maxim holds true in every human conflict because it is impossible to know for certain how one’s enemy will react or what circumstances may intervene to change any planned course of action.

But this is not true of God. God does not wonder what the future holds. God does not worry about His purposes coming to fruition. God’s plans are never frustrated, foiled, or even hindered.

He has declared (not merely described) the end from the beginning. In other words, this declaration is not simply a factor of His omniscience, that He sees and knows the future; it is a result of His sovereignty, which forms and shapes the future.

It is for this reason that God says, “I will do all My pleasure.” He is not limited to describing events that will come to pass; He has declared what events will come to pass. His counsel shall stand and all His pleasure will be performed.

For believers, this is a great comfort because we know that it is the pleasure of God to overrule every wickedness for the good of His people and the glory of His name. He is working everything out for our good. He will surely bring us to His expected end. What an encouragement to be assured of an inexorable victory!

Prayer: Thank You Lord, Your plan for my life will surely be fulfilled.

Scriptural Reading: Isaiah 46:8-13

The Counsel Of The Lord

Only Jesus Can Save

Only Jesus Can Save

ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE

Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John 5:40

What a terrible, treacherous thing sin is! In Jesus Christ is everlasting life, and yet our sinful nature willfully rejects the abundant life for the pursuit of the non-existent. Our passion by nature is to seek lasting pleasure outside of the loving embrace of Christ. But there is no such thing.

Not only are we unable to turn to Christ on our own, we are unwilling to turn to Christ on our own. We could not if we would, but here is the astounding truth – we would not even if we could. We would never repent, never turn, never submit, never believe of our own free will.

This is the depth of our depravity. It deceives our heart and leads us away from the love, forgiveness, peace, and joy of the one and only Savior. We would rather die in the attempt to save ourselves than to rest in the capable arms of Jesus Christ.

How is it with you today? Is there unaddressed sin in your life? Are you seeking to hide behind the fig leaves of your own righteousness? Are you unwilling to come to Christ that you might have life?

Prayer: Lord, there is no saviour besides you. Thank you for saving me.

Scriptural Reading: John 5:36-40

Only Jesus Can Save

Follow Your Dreams

Follow Your Dreams

FOLLOW YOUR DREAM

And Moses said unto God, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, ‘Certainly I will be with thee."” Exodus 3:11-12

Have you ever had a Holy Spirit-inspired dream, a dream of doing something really great for Jesus? A dream of being so prosperous, for instance, that you can finance a nationwide revival? A dream of leading thousands of people to the Lord? At one time or another, you probably have, but you backed away from it. You thought, Oh my, I couldn’t do that. Satan’s kept me defeated for so long I have a poor self-image.

If so, I have some good news for you. If you’ll believe God, even a poor self-image won’t keep you from success. Look in the book of Exodus and you’ll see a man who proved that. His name was Moses. Moses didn’t have a very good self-image. He’d made a terrible mistake early in his career. It was a mistake that drove him into the wilderness and kept him there for 40 years herding someone else’s sheep. He’d once dreamed of being a deliverer of God’s people, but no more. As far as he was concerned, he was a failure.

But God didn’t think so. In fact, when God came to Moses in that wilderness, He didn’t ask for Moses’ credentials. He didn’t mention his shady history. You see, it didn’t matter who Moses was. What mattered was that the living God was with him. The same thing is true for you today. You don’t need a history of successes behind you to answer God’s call. You don’t need a string of spiritual credentials. All you need is the presence of the Lord.

Prayer: Thank the Lord for your purpose in life; ask Him to empower you to make all your dreams a reality.

Scriptural Reading: Exodus 3:1-14

Follow Your Dreams

Encourage Yourself

Encourage Yourself

ENCOURAGEMENT

David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6

David and his men arrived home to discover the army of Amalek had burned the city and had taken their wives and children captive. They wept until they could weep no more. The loss was overwhelming.

In their grief and frustration the men blamed David and spoke of stoning him. . . but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Under God’s direction, David then led a victorious march against the Amalekites and recovered their wives and children without a single loss; but we want to give attention to David’s method of encouragement.

You may have waited for someone to come and encourage you in your night of trouble, but no one has come. So you may ask, “How can I encourage myself?” First, consider that God is still on the throne and He is your God.

There was no friend at hand to encourage David; his own men had turned against him. But when it appeared everything was lost, he turned to God for his help. He saw God as his God. He did not consider God to be at such a distance that he would not come to his rescue.

Second, remember that daybreak may be just ahead. David and his men experienced the anguish of believing their families probably had been killed, but they were all recovered safely. The old adage goes, “The darkest time of the night is just before dawn,” and dawn may soon be breaking for you.

Further, you can encourage yourself by remembering that our trials are for a good purpose. The trials themselves are burdensome and distasteful but the end is good as they build character and hope in you.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to encourage myself in You always.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Samuel 30:1-20

Encourage Yourself

True Repentance

True Repentance

REPENTANCE

Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned. Lamentations 5:21

This prayer expresses the utter inability of anyone to heal their own spiritual wounds, to draw near to God in their own strength, or to turn from sin without His divine intervention and assistance: turn us unto thee, O Lord.

As sinners, we are completely shut up to the grace of God; there is nowhere else to turn and no one else who can help. We cannot even repent with genuine tears unless God grants us true remorse for sin and gives us the desire to walk in His way.

Yet this prayer also expresses the certain conversion, the inevitable response of those who are so moved by the grace of God. When God turns us to Himself, we will be turned! There has never yet been a heart so obstinate that God cannot overwhelm it with His love. Even the dirty tax-collector Matthew and the pharisaical Saul of Tarsus were won by the gracious work of God in their hearts.

What is your state today? Have you felt the irresistible grace of God, moving by His Spirit in your heart, and turning you to Christ? Have you felt the resistance of your cold heart crumble before the warm rays of God’s goodness? Turn to Him, and know that it is He Who is turning you.

Prayer: Turn my heart to You Lord, and give me a repentant heart.

Scriptural Reading: Lamentations 5:15-22

True Repentance

He Is My Wisdom

He Is My Wisdom

GREAT SALVATION

Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

We first observe here the source of our blessings. They are of God and in Christ. We are not righteous in ourselves, but receive the imputed righteousness of Christ. It is according to God’s purpose and by His grace that we are in Christ and that these spiritual blessings are ours.

Additional blessings are then described: not only do we have righteousness in Christ but also wisdom, sanctification and redemption. Wisdom that is not our own, sanctification that we could not effect on our own, and redemption that we could not purchase on our own. All of this is found in Christ alone.

We then look at what our response should be: glory in the Lord! What are you rejoicing in today? What are you boasting about today? We cannot boast in ourselves and we must not find our joy in this world. We are to glory in the Lord, to revel in His blessings, in His presence, and in His person.

This is the great purpose for which we have been saved – the glory of God and of His Son Jesus Christ. Are you fulfilling your purpose today?

Prayer: Thank You Lord for the gift of such great salvation.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

He Is My Wisdom

Take It To God

Take It To God

TAKE IT TO THE LORD

Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. — 2 Kings 19:14

Here is one of the best pictures of prayer in the Bible. Hezekiah is king over Israel when the cruel and powerful Assyrian army marches against them. Rabshakeh, the army’s spokesman, sends a threatening letter and tells Hezekiah not to trust in his God for deliverance.

Here was an enormous temptation and a trial, all wrapped into one little scroll. There is the imminent danger of being razed to the ground by the Assyrian empire; then there is the verbal prompting not to trust in God for a rescue.

But how does Hezekiah deal with this letter? He receives it, he reads it. . . and then he takes it straight to the Lord and spreads it before Him. What a wonderful picture of prayer! It is the spreading of our problems, our temptations, our struggles before the Lord in the face of every temptation to do otherwise.

Are you today wrestling with a temptation to sin that is threatening to conquer you? Spread it before the Lord. Is your heart weighed down with some terrible worry, or sorrow, or pain? Spread it before the Lord. Have you felt the weight of your guilt before a holy God for the first time? Spread it before the Lord.

No one has ever come to the Lord and gone away disappointed. Hezekiah did not, and you will not.

Prayer: Lord, you are my salvation. In you I take refuge.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Kings 19:1-19

Take It To God

The Weapons Of Our Warfare

The Weapons Of Our Warfare

THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

Our weapons are not carnal, or physical, weapons. This is a great comfort to know since Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are not wrestling or fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies.

Rather, Paul says, we are engaged in mortal combat with evil and powerful, but spiritual, enemies. So our weapons are well-fashioned for the war in which we fight. We are not given infrared scopes for a daylight combat mission; we are given spiritual weapons for a spiritual warfare.

But here is the most encouraging news, fresh from the battlefront — these weapons are powerful and effective. In fact, Paul the apostle testifies that he has seen these spiritual weapons pull down entire strong holds of the enemy. Unlike Saul’s armor which David wisely rejected, these are tools of war that have been well tested. And through God they have irresistible force.

Perhaps you think we have been speaking in metaphor thus far. We have not. This is a real battle and these are real weapons. So pick up your Bible, dear believer, and become acquainted with its contents.

God’s Word, when accompanied by God’s Spirit, has the power to win the most important conflicts that are raging in your life right now.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for giving us Your Word as a weapon. By Your word, we overcome the enemy.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

The Weapons Of Our Warfare

The Lord My Victory

The Lord My Victory

THE LORD OUR BANNER

Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi. Exodus 17:15

Jehovah Nissi is Hebrew for “the Lord my banner.” Moses publicly claimed the Lord as his banner. There are at least three things that we should consider about this banner.

First, a banner (or flag) is a sign of unified purpose; it is a rallying point, a standard to which all people of like mind and cause are drawn. As the psalmist writes, “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners” (20:5). All those who trust in God and rejoice in his salvation have a common interest, a bond that links them inseparably together.

Second, a banner is a sign of courageous defiance. It says, “We are here, and we are here to fight.” Even when this world is given over to wickedness, God will not be left without a witness; his banner will not fall. Isaiah proclaimed, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (59:19).

Finally, a banner can be a sign of glorious triumph. The flag is planted at the top of the hill; the victorious conqueror flies his colors. This was the occasion of Moses’ declaring the Lord as his banner; and notice that he claims the triumph is God’s alone. Joshua and Israel fought hard against Amalek, but God was the one who gave the victory.

May we today fight hard for the victory, but may the banner over our life be the Lord; it is through His strength and in His cause that we battle successfully.

Prayer: Lord, You are my banner, in You I walk in victory.

Scriptural Reading: Exodus 17:8-16

The Lord My Victory

The Glorious Cross

The Glorious Cross

THE GLORIOUS CROSS

The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

In this concise account we find two responses to cross-preaching and two descriptions of those who thus respond.

First, there are those to whom the cross of Christ is foolishness. They see no need for anyone to die on their behalf or to take away their sins; the idea of a savior is to them folly. The suggestion of a Lord is repulsive.

This response can take the form of outright derision for Christ and His claims, or it can be (and most often is) displayed by an utter indifference to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Personal goals are pursued, pleasure is sought after, family and friends are delighted in — all without any regard to the claims of Christ upon their lives. These people, Paul tells us, are perishing.

On the other hand, there are those to whom the preaching of the cross comes with the decimating, life-altering, Christ-exalting power of God. The cross is suddenly seen to be the only hope for ruined and reckless sinners. Rather than being despicable, the cross is the source of their glorying and rejoicing.

To whom does the cross come with such irresistible force? To those who are saved. Not only will they be saved, but they are saved now. Which response describes you?

Prayer: Lord, my boast is in Your cross alone.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The Glorious Cross

Call To Worship

Call To Worship

CALL TO WORSHIP

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. — 2 Peter 3:18

Here is a call to here-and-now worship. Yes, heaven will be wonderful and, yes, we who are redeemed by Christ will praise Him forever there. But are you praising Him now? We are called to worship Him now and forever.

Do you, by your life and priorities and calendar and checkbook, lift up Christ as the one great satisfaction to be found in the universe? Do you continually sell all that you have in order to purchase more of this treasure? Or is Christ simply a trinket among other baubles, a good-luck charm to hang around your neck, a joy among many joys?

If we have not yet seen Christ as being worth all that we have, then Peter says we have a knowledge deficiency. He prays that we will grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. For when we see Him properly — when our eyelids of ignorance are lifted to behold the beauty of His person — then we will not be able to take our eyes off Him.

To Jesus Christ be all our glory today. May He be the great grounds of all our rejoicing, our decision-making, our ambitions, our pleasure, our peace, our security, our love, our lifestyle.

Prayer: Lord, I give you the highest place in my life.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Peter 3:10-18

Call To Worship