YOU NEED A COUNSELOR

Memorize: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselor there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

Bible Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 35:36, Luke 14:25-15:10.

Message: Some Christians feel that they have outgrown the need for counselors in their lives, but nothing could be further from the truth. The unfortunate thing is that such Christians who erroneously think this way gradually graduate to the level of believing that they can also live their Christian lives in isolation.

Resultant effect of this is that they stop fellowshipping with other believers, contrary to our Lord’s injunction in Hebrews 10:25, which says:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Every one of us will always need a counselor at one point in time or the other till we see Jesus in glory (l Corinthians 13:9-12).

I recall the story of the first dump truck we bought at the Redemption Camp in Nigeria. It was a result of wise counsel I got from our Camp Manager. We had received some money that looked substantial to me, and I felt we should go ahead to execute some of our building projects.

As I was contemplating on the next project to embark on, the Lord spoke to me, instructing me to seek counsel from our Camp Manager. When my commander in-Chief speaks, l don’t waste time in carrying out His bidding.

I got to the Camp Manager, and contrary to what I had in mind, he recommended that we should buy dump truck for transporting sand from the quarry, where we could buy sand for construction at a cheaper price, instead of purchasing from resellers at an exorbitant rate as we had been doing.

He was of the opinion that we would need a lot of sand for the projects at hand, and having our own truck for getting sand at a cheap price would reduce the cost of these building projects substantially.

That was how we got the dump truck, and this opened our eyes to other opportunities as it further reduced the cost of our construction projects drastically.

Isaiah 9:2 says that the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, and those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of Death have received the light of life. How did this happen? The Holy Spirit answers is in Isaiah 9:6 saying:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince 0f Peace.”

Jesus is the Counselor of counselors. How yielded are you to the counsel He gives you through His word, through the voice of His Spirit inside you, and through the people He has placed around you? If you do not receive His counsel, His gentle Spirit will not force you, but you will bear the consequences that follow.

Prayer point: Gentle holy spirit, I acknowledge your knowledge is beyond mine: I therefore yield to your counsel in all my ways. Please lead me to the place of heaven’s rest in Jesus Christ.

ARE YOU A WORTHY ASSOCIATE?

ARE YOU A WORTHY ASSOCIATE?

Memorize: And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach mark 3:14

Reading: John 15:10-16
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 37-39 Luke 15:11-32. Hymnals: Sing Hymn 16

Message: Great number of people fail to realize that a tree does not make a forest, and so they despise the blessings that come with having associates in their lives. God did not design man to attain his full potential as a lone ranger. Genesis 2:1 8 says:

“And the lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him and help meet for him.”

We should however note that the associates we let into our lives must be worthy ones, and unfortunately, the problem of many leaders today is that they are short of worthy associates.

For this reason, their organizations don’t grow to their full potential. Abraham, the father of faith, had worthy associates who were ready to go to war with him when the need arose (Genesis 14: 24) Genesis 14:13 says:

“And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eschol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.”

I pray that the Lord will give you worthy associates in Jesus’ Name. Even our Lord needed worthy associates when He was here on earth.

The purpose of these associates was first and foremost, to be with Him, and secondly, to send them on assignments that would lead to the fulfillment of His mission here on earth.

Mark 3:14 says: “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that he might send them forth to preach.”

Today, I prophesy into your life that worthy associates, whether in business, marriage or ministry, will come your way in Jesus’ Name.

Just as the Lord chose the twelve disciples, He has also chosen us to be His worthy associates and we must be worthy ones indeed. He said to us in John 15:16:

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:”

We must therefore bear the fruit of the Spirit, so that our Father in heaven may be glorified (Galatians 5:22-25). We must also bear the fruit of souls into God’s kingdom.

When we do this, we will have our bountiful rewards, which include express answers to our prayers, and this alone is worth more than silver or gold. May God make you a worthy associate of His Son in Jesus’ Name?

Prayer Point: father please makes me a worthy associate of Jesus Christ through the fruits I bear from today onward in Jesus name.

THINGS MONEY CANNOT DO.

MEMORISE:

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Acts 8:20

READ: Luke 12:15-23

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

MESSAGE

One of the fallacies of life is the notion that when you have money, you have everything. How untrue this is! My experiences in ministry have taught me that there is so much that money cannot do. For example, money cannot make a barren woman conceive. If you doubt this, ask the wealthy Shunammite woman (2 kings 4:8-17). It is amazing that when Elisha asked this woman what she desired, she momentarily forgot or pretended to forget that there was something she lacked which her money could not buy, which was a child (2 Kings 4:13). Irrespective of this, in 2 Kings 4:16, Elisha declared to her:

“And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.”

Why did she doubt Elisha’s declaration? It was because she considered it too good to be true! She also probably felt that whatever money could not do, nothing else could do it. I have good news for a user of this devotional: that need that money has failed to meet in your life, which you have used good money to travel across several hospitals in the world to resolve to no avail, you will receive it this season in Jesus’ Name.

I was once invited to preach in an area where the “who is who” in Nigeria reside. When I got to the particular house I was invited to and saw money in action, I decided to change my sermon to something like “It is good to bless the Lord”, because I could not imagine that family having a single need; but I was wrong. Before long, I realized that there was a problem that money could not solve in that family, so I introduced them to the God with whom there is no impossibility. At the end of the day, God solved the problem that money could ot solve for them. God will solve the problem that has defied the power of money in your life today in Jesus’ Name. Today’s Bible reading narrates the interesting story of a man who was very successful in his farming business. Although most rich men are never satisfied with the amount of wealth they possess, this particular one was so rich that he planned to retire from creating more wealth, unfortunately, he did the same night he conceived his plan. His money could not prevent death from snatching him away from enjoying his hard-earned wealth. Shame to money that cannot save its owner from death! If money cannot save from physical death, how would it save a person from eternal death? Jesus said the foolish of this rich man is applicable to those who lay up earthly treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God (Luke 12:21). Are you one of such people?

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please bestow on me blessings that surpass what money can buy in Jesus’ Name.

A Microwave Christian?

Memorise: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4

Bible Reading: John 11:18-26

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Bible Reading in one year – Jeremiah 18-20 and Luke 10:17-37.

Message:
Impatience is the younger sister of doubt because when someone is impatient, the fellow may not be able to operate under the divine timetable. Impatience can cause a person to doubt the integrity of the ever faithful God.

The devil uses impatience as a tool to sow doubt in the minds of believers, so much so that some even begin to doubt the infallible word of God. For this reason, James 1:4 says:

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

The blessings attached to being patient are many. For example, in our memory verse, the Holy spirit reveals that a patient fellow will lack nothing good.

This may sound foolish to the carnal mind, but it is the truth of God’s word. The carnal mind is tuned to believe that by being impatient, more can be achieved and more can be amassed, but this is a lie of the devil.

In today’s Bible reading, impatience almost destroyed the faith of Mary and Martha. As a matter of fact, they indirectly indicted Jesus of their brother’s death because He came to them at a time they considered to be too late, after He had received their message notifying Him of Lazarus’ sickness. John 11:21 says:

“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”

What is indictment! By this comment, they doubted the extent to which Jesus actually loved their family. This probably accounts for why Jesus wept in John 11:35, after Mary repeated the same accusation (John 11:32). It is dangerous to be a “microwave Christian” who always expects things to happen when you feel they must happen.

A microwave Christian is like an infant who reacts to and cries for everything that causes discomfort. The Holy Spirit describes the state of such Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2; Some brethren feel offended and therefore decide to leave a church when the promotion they believe they are due is not forthcoming from the church authorities.
Some others feel victimized when they are transferred from their station of comfort, even resorting to blackmail in some cases.

Some even give God an ultimatum on when a miracle must “drop”, or else they won’t serve Him anymore. All these examples may sound unbelievable, but they are true life experiences.

Beloved, it is time to grow up from the stage of infancy. God expects you to become not just a meat eater but a bone cracker. May the Lord cause you to grow in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Points: Father Please help me to grow in patience and keep me standing for You till the very end in Jesus’ Name.

Antidote To Temptation

Memorise: Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:37

Bible Reading: Mathew 13:24-26
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Bible Reading in one year – Jeremiah 14-15 and Luke 9:28-50.

Message: Temptation is the pressure to yield to influences that can lead a person away from God and into sin. It is also the means by which the loyalty, commitment and obedience of a child of God is tested and proved.

Temptation is a part of life that no one can escape from, because nobody is protected or exempted from its influence. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself experienced temptation (Hebrews 4:15). one who orchestrates temptations, also known as the tempter, is the devil (Mathew 4:3). He has perfected highly deceptive means of carrying out his evil enterprise, because he has been long at it.

However, glory be to God because the Lord has developed a way of escape for every type of temptation the devil can come up with (1 Corinthians 10:13). If we refuse to use the means of escape provided by God, we will end up falling for devil’s tricks and disobeying God. This can have devastating repercussions, as seen in the fall of mankind through temptation and the judgment of God which followed (Genesis 3:1-24). It is therefore important for us to learn how to overcome temptation and also reduce our exposure to it by applying the antidote provided by the Lord.

In the last few hours before our Lord Jesus Christ was arrested, knowing what was about to happen shortly, He gave the disciples the antidote to temptation, saying in Matthew 26:41: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

In this verse of scripture, He named watchfulness and prayer as the antidotes to temptation. Watchfulness is the state of being alert and expectant while carefully observing a person or situation.

The word of God lays particular emphasis on the need to keep watch for two important events: the second coming of our Lord and the devil’s temptation, which is our focus today.

We are called to be alert to the dangers posed to our Christian life by false teachings, sinful pleasure, sexual immortality, and all other forms of temptation. Your watchfulness should begin with the admonition of Proverbs 4:23, which says: *Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Romans 12:2 also speaks about renewing your mind, and this is best done by filling your heart with the undiluted word of God. Another aspect of watching is bridling our tongue in order not to sin with it (1 Peter 3:10, James 1:26).

For your faith not to suffer shipwreck due to temptation, you are called by God to soberly watch and be prayerful (1 Peter 4:7). Are you keeping watch?

Prayer Point: Father, please don’t allow any temptation derail my Christian journey in Jesus’ Name.

The end is near!!!

Adultery is allowed in South Africa,
Man or woman no longer has the right to repudiate
the other because of adultery
2-The United States confirmed that for all countries in the
world to build good relations with the great power, these countries must practice
homosexual marriage (woman + woman = 1 or
Man + man = 1).
3. Germany had just signed the law which declares
that there is no more incest, that is to say: Brother and
Sisters can get married, Mum with her son and
Dad with his daughter ..
4-The City of Miami is now proclaiming a City of public sex which means that on the road, church, market, football field etc if you need sex you can have it en route
without having any problem.
5-Canada allows bestiality (sex with Animals) In Spain: pornographic films are allowed in high school and universities.
6- The authorization of the prostitution of minors,
Marg Luker declares that any young girl at the age of 10 feels sexual pleasure and
no one should defend that person from discovering how her body works.
7- the US has opened the church of satanic publicly.

8. Finally in Columbia, was a newly open church of satan, the ceremony started by parading the 12ft. Satan with fork mascot, and cheered by the public.

Dear brothers and sisters, the end is near, the departure in the Glory approach.
The Lord Jesus is coming soon! MARANATHA
Christians are being distracted, and the devil wants to take maximum number of souls with him in order to stop them from divine mercy.
If you have a minute ... share this message.
Why do we sleep in church but stay awake in the bars?
Why is it so hard to talk about God but so easy to make gossip?
Why is it so easy to ignore God's msg but to send back dirty easy messages?
Will you send this message to your friends or will you ignore it? Jesus said, "If you deny me before your friends, I will deny you before my father."
If you love Jesus send this message to your best friends in 60 sec.
God bless you. Amen!!

OFFENCES

MEMORIZE: Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to the man by whom the offense cometh! Mathew 18:7

Read: Mathew 18:1-7 (KJV)

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Bible in one year: Isaiah 43-44, Luke 3:7-22, Hymnal: sing hymn 15

Message: Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke in very strong terms against offences in today’s Bible reading. I therefore believe it is a wise thing for us to understand what they are and try to avoid them. Offence is a biblical term which refers to an obstruction lying on a pathway over which one may stumble.

It is anything that hinders and tends to trip one up in the course of living a righteous life. A hindrance in this regard often stands as temptations to sin. One source of offences that was mentioned by the Lord in His sermons is the cravings of our body (Matthew 18:8-9).

Another source which He also mentioned is the people we interact with on a day to day basis (Matthew 18:7, Romans 16:17). The Lord made it clear that a life without any obstacle, hindrance, stumbling block or temptation is impossible, but that anyone who places obstacles in other people’s path or who leads others into sin is already cursed by God (Luke 17:1).

Jesus declared that great sorrow awaits them, also that it would have been better if they were not even born. All those who are behind ‘our problems in life shall run into the wrath of the Almighty God in Jesus’ Name.

Some people have mastered the art of setting traps for others, and they themselves have become a living trap, supporting anything that ensnares or hinders people from pleasing God and deriving satisfaction from causing people to stumble.

They ensnare unsuspecting and ignorant people, and mislead innocent and immature Christians into fatal errors that lead to hell. Greedy for money, power and fame, they consciously build an army of loyal followers in order to exert their influence on them.

They falsely appear as saints and subtly present another “gospel” that is completely different from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their message is built on human wisdom and understanding but carefully wrapped in a garb of spirituality.

They have a warped understanding of the Bible, which they present as new revelations from God or “prophetic preaching”. Their message of easy-going Christianity has led many people into worldly lifestyles and complacency in holy living through their activities, many have missed the high mark of God’s calling.

You will notice that some of these offenders are experienced Pastors who are knowledgeable in the things of God but deliberately mislead others. Therefore, be warned about the existence of such characters within the Church of God. Watch carefully to prevent yourself from falling into their trap. 1 pray that the rod of the wicked one shall not fall upon your portion, and you will not be led away from the presence of God in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer point: Father, please grant me grace to perceive offences and to live above them in Jesus’ name.