FRUSTRATING GRACE
Zechariah 4:6-7, Galatians 2:19-3:5
“So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)
In one of the passages of our scripture reading for today, we see the following; “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” It is easy to fall into the temptation of asserting the flesh in an effort to please God or do the work of God. For some, they have left the simplicity of Christ and have exalted ‘working for God’ above fellowshipping with God. To as many in this category, Jesus Christ situates working for God within the parameters of believing in Him. Working for God starts and finishes with continuous faith in Jesus Christ. You must experience the new birth for heaven to see you as a worker of God. Jesus was speaking to a religious audience akin to the kind of people we find today who enjoy being in and working in the Church without allowing the grace of God to work within them for salvation.
There are some who understand the place of the Spirit of God and started their journey of faith leaning on the Spirit’s help. They couldn’t and wouldn’t take a step without recourse to the Spirit. Unfortunately, they are now trying to be perfected “through their human efforts.” Paul described people in this state as foolish. You can’t perfect (complete; attain the goal) with the flesh what was begun by the Spirit. In times past, you spent quality time waiting on the Lord for direction and inspiration; do you now follow formulas and familiar patterns to achieve the goal? You frustrate grace or set grace aside when you confine the Holy Spirit to a box. Grace is undermined when you depend on natural abilities and learning to accomplish a divine task. When you depend on the Holy Spirit from start to finish in your life and ministry, abundant grace will mark all you do. Like Zerubbabel, people will see you “set the final stone,” and they will exclaim, “Grace, Grace” because human effort did not and could not have done it.
Prayer
Pray that you always depend on the Holy Spirit for everything and that formulas and familiar patterns will not substitute this absolute dependence.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 139 1Samuel 2:27;-36,-1 sam, 4; John11:1-44; Psalm 64:1-10
GOD CAN DELIVER YOU
Daniel 6:16-28
He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:27
Despite being in a strange land, Daniel held on to his faith in God and he excelled. This brought envy among his colleagues. They conspired to get him out of their way. A decree was made that no one should pray to any deity except the king. Daniel in his usual manner continued to have fellowship with God. This led to him being thrown into the den of lions. The king knew about the God of Daniel and all the great things Daniel had told him. The king was disturbed and early in the morning he went to the den, inquired and said “…O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?’” Daniel 6:20 KJV. God proved himself able to deliver. God shut the mouth of the lions and they did not harm Daniel.
God is still able to deliver. I doubt if your situation is as critical as that of Daniel. Even if it is, God can deliver you. All you need to do is to behave like Daniel. Stand for God no matter the pressure, live an upright life, do not compromise your faith and God will always be there to deliver you. Never doubt God’s ability to deliver you.
Prayer
Father, help me to stand for You in this evil world and to put my faith in You when challenges arise knowing that You can deliver me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 140 1 Samuel 5,-1 Sam.7;-John 11:45-57,-John12:1-11; Proverbs12:18-27
THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD
Daniel 7:1-10, 13-14
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15.
The book of Daniel prophetically describes different kingdoms of the world ruled by men. Some are stronger than others. The Bible clearly states that the devil is the god of this world and controls the systems of the world. Believers are also admonished to be wary of this world. For though we live in this world, we are not of this world. The systems of the world conflict with the standard of God and makes war against God’s elect by creating a false image or standard that seems powerful. The world may look powerful but that power is short-lived and controlled by the all-powerful God.
As a child of God, do not compromise or bend under the weight of the offers of the world because God will bring the devil and his system under judgment. This world and its beauty will fade away and be destroyed. Only God’s dominion is everlasting. It will not pass away, neither shall it be destroyed. We have the assignment to depopulate the kingdom of hell by winning souls.
Which kingdom do you belong to? Are you living as a citizen of God’s kingdom?
Prayer
Father, cause me to be a participant in advancing Your kingdom here on earth in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 141 1Samuel 8.-1Samuel 10:1-8; John12:12-26; Psalm 65:1-13
A VISION OF THE FUTURE
Daniel 8:1–14
And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. Joel 2:28 NKJV.
The Lord promised to pour out His Spirit and one of the manifestations of the Spirit is that young men will see visions. Daniel was a young man in Babylon when he was taken captive. He was about 17 years old. He had served under many kings, was devoted and consistent in His walk with God. He didn’t turn from the instruction of God to the right hand or the left. All these attributes of Daniel brought him close to God so much so that God could show him visions of the future of his people. God considered him a friend.
God also spoke of Abraham “…, Shall I hide from Abraham [My friend and servant] what I am going to do’” (Genesis 18:17 AMPC). God would only reveal mysteries about what will happen to His friends (those He trusts). God wants to give us visions of what will happen in our families, churches, communities, states, and nations. All He wants is for us to draw near to Him and depart from evil. God wants to give you a vision of the future and tell you your role in that vision. Are you ready?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask that You give visions to your church again and cause us to play our part in the vision in Jesus’ nam. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 142 1 Samuel 10:9-27, -1 Sam.12;John 12:37-50,-John13:1-17; Psalm 66:1-12
UNDERSTANDING THE VISION
Daniel 8:15–27
And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision. Daniel 8:16.
Daniel was seeking the meaning of the vision that he saw. A voice said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” God’s desire was for an understanding to be created in the mind of Daniel. The person who does not understand a vision is no different from the person who has no vision- both won’t run with the vision. The essence of every vision is to give direction along the path of purpose. Daniel had to understand the vision for him to act in wisdom towards what was revealed.
You can identify those who have understood and bought into a vision by their level of application in that vision. This speaks of their commitment and investment towards the particular vision. Normally, people won’t sensibly commit to a vision that they do not understand. You will be properly motivated to run with a vision when you understand the importance and implications of the vision. Many are not running with God’s vision for the salvation of people because they do not understand the implications. Some are not running with God’s vision for their life and family because they have not understood the importance and implications. Ask the Lord today to give you a vision for your life. Also, ask Him to help you understand the vision so that you will run with commitment and make the necessary investments towards actualising the vision.
Prayer: Lord, give me a vision and help me to understand the vision for me to function properly and move in the right direction. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 143 1Samuel 13,-1Sam.14:1-23; John 13:18-38; Psalm 66:13-20
THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING
Daniel 9:1-5
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God told the people of Israel that they would be taken captive for seventy years. After these years, they will be set free and return to Israel. However, the number of years had long passed and the deliverance and restoration had not come. While Daniel was studying, he came across the prophecy of the restoration of Israel in the scriptures. If he had not studied, he wouldn’t have known that their freedom was overdue. Apostle Paul admonished Timothy to study the word of God to be well-equipped.
Most times, we are ignorant of the promises of God. We do not know because we do not study. The importance of studying cannot be overemphasised. As believers, we are to be knowledgeable in the Word. Ignorance can deprive us of a lot of God’s blessings and opportunities. Remember God said, “My people perish for lack of knowledge’” (Hosea 4:6). Study causes you to improve yourself and to be a blessing to others. Make a decision today to devote yourself to acquiring the right and adequate knowledge.
Prayer
Father, cause me to be studious and help me to apply the acquired knowledge in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 144 1 Samuel 14:24-52, -1 Sam.15; John14:1-31;Proverbs 12:28,-Prov13:1-9
THE INTERCESSOR
Daniel 9:3-19
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes. Daniel 9:3
When Daniel read about how the number of years of captivity in Babylon had been exceeded, he took it upon himself to intercede for the people of Israel. He was not nonchalant or carefree. He declared a fast and sought God’s face, asking for forgiveness and restoration of Israel. As believers, we are called to be intercessors. We are to intercede for our family, community, country and the church at large. God has placed us as watchmen; thus, we should be sensitive in the spirit and be proactive. Whenever things are going wrong around you, see it as an avenue to intercede instead of complaining and murmuring.
We should be channels of restoration and hope in society. We should not only pray for our personal needs. We are to pray for others too. When was the last time you prayed for the needs of someone? Most of us are guilty of being selfish. We are often encumbered with our challenges that we do not see the need to intercede for others. We should not be selfish while praying. Intercession is a sacrifice that we have to make as believers for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Take out time today and intercede for someone and a course beyond your person and family.
Prayer
Dear Lord, give me the grace to be an intercessor in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY145 1 Samuel 16,-1 Sam.17:1-37; John 15,- John16:1-4; Psalm 67:1-7
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