REFLECTING GOD’S IMAGE - 16/06/2014

REFLECTING GOD’S IMAGE - 16/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "REMAINING AS LIGHT”. Today's message is titled "REFLECTING GOD’S IMAGE" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Genesis 1:27: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.". Today's reading was taken from Psalm 8:3-6 and the Bible reading in one year is Leviticus 14 and Psalm 125 - 126 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input:

"The work of creation as recorded in the book of Genesis reveals God’s great variety, beauty, exactness, accuracy, power and order. Man was the epitome of God’s creation. He was made last of all the creatures and as soon as he was made, he had the whole visible creation before him to enjoy. It is also interesting to note that man was made in the image of God and after his likeness. God gave him authority over other creatures and made man His representative on earth.

“Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou has put all things under his feet.”

Psalm 8:8

In spite of all this, many people are living in ignorance. They roam about the surface of the earth without fulfilling their destiny. As God’s representative on earth, you have been honoured with an open cheque. You have the right to exercise authority over God’s creatures. It is your duty to reflect the image of God. In what ways should you reflect the image of God? Taking a cursory look at Genesis 1:26, it is logical to conclude that the soul of man bears the image of God. The soul is no doubt the seat of knowledge, emotion and instinct. These faculties can be described as the brightest and clearest looking-glass in nature through which we see God. Since like begets like, the soul of man should be God-like to reflect the image of God. In effect, your soul must be regenerated. One way to reflect the image of God is by being born-again and by living in holiness on a daily basis (1 Peter 1:14-16). God is holy and we can reflect His image by living holy. In His purity and rectitude, God’s image upon man consists in knowledge, righteousness and true holiness. A true child of God should reflect God’s image in his or her discussion. Again we should ensure that our righteousness is intact in Christ and we should abstain from all appearances of evil. Another way to reflect the image of God is by walking in love. As Christians, we should love one another. You reflect the image of God when you put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication out of your mouth. You reflect the image of God when you do not allow your decisions and actions to be clouded by tribalism, racism and nepotism. You reflect the image of God when, if any man has a quarrel with you, you forgive the person even as Christ forgave you. Finally, you reflect the image of God when you are thankful and allow the word of God to dwell in you in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16)."

The Key Point for today is : The soul of a regenerated person bears the image of God.

Thank you and God bless you richly for your contribution to today's discussion

Wishing you a blessed week ahead, amen

REMAINING AS LIGHT - 15/06/2014

REMAINING AS LIGHT - 15/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "MOVING ON”. Today's message is titled "REMAINING AS LIGHT" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Matthew 6:22: "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light". Today's reading was taken from James 1:17-22 and the Bible reading in one year is Leviticus 13 and Psalm 123 - 124 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is the message for your input

"you look at the account of creation in Genesis 1:1-3, and observe the pre-eminence given to light, you will realise that one of the most pleasing events to God is when His children shine. As lights, we are expected to shine. Are you shining in your family, place of work, church, society, town, state, province or country? Can the Almighty God see you as light wherever you are located? May you never disappoint the Lord in Jesus’ Name. One of those who shone as light of the world was the man Abraham. His light was so bright that God could vouch for him. Genesis 18:19 says this about him:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

Can God vouch for you? Can God see you as light in the midst of darkness? How bright is your light? How much of God’s light do you reflect at your place of work, church or whatever little corner of the world you are in? Jesus in Matthew 5:16 said:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

One of the ways to shine is through soul-winning. This is the primary mandate of believers. To shine therefore, we should make soul-winning a continuous practice till Jesus comes back in power and glory (Acts 1:6-8, 2 Timothy 4:5). You can achieve the mandate to win souls by preaching the gospel through witnessing and tracts distribution. Souls won must be prayed for regularly and followed up to avoid loss (John 15:16). You can also shine as light by attending to the needs of the less privileged (Matthew 25:41-45). You need refuelling in order to sustain your light (Isaiah 40:31). To do this, be conversant with the word of God. Spend quality time reading, studying and practising the word. Listen to sermons of seasoned and anointed men of God. Spend quality time in worship, prayer, thanksgiving and intercession on a daily basis. We should also avoid pollution in order to shine. Our light can be polluted. Most times, what pollutes our light is weight. The weight that can pollute our light and render it impotent is sin. Easily-besetting sins like gossiping, exaggeration, hatred, variance, wrath, strife, envying, drunkenness etc, can pollute our light and keep us from shining. Identify all sins that can pollute your light, confess them to God, repent and change. It is your time to shine."

Today's Prayer Point is: Father, let your light shine through me to the whole world.

God bless you abundantly for your contribution to today's discussion. 

Wishing you a fulfilling service in Churdh today, amen.

LIVING RIGHT- 12/06/2014

LIVING RIGHT- 12/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "EXCEPTIONAL APPRENTICE”. Today's message is titled "LIVING RIGHT" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise John 5:19:   "whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Today's reading was taken from 1Peter 2:9-12 and the Bible reading in one year is Leviticus 5:14 - 7:38 and Psalm 119:145-160 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is the message for your input

A child of God is the light of the world. Light is the direct opposite of darkness. Everybody welcomes light with a shout of joy. Where there is light, hidden agendas are revealed. Jesus expects us to prove Him right by living according to His description of us. The implication of being called a child of God is that you should cease to live in sin. The most painful experience a Christian could have is for someone to look at you and say: “And you call yourself a child of God!” unbelievers know that they are not children of God, but they expect a life that is compliant with your confession as a child of God.

Some of us have forfeited many things we could have legitimately fought for, because we do not want anybody to say: “And you said you are a child of God”. I recall the death and burial of the late founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The senior pastors suspected that I was going to be his successor even though nobody had officially said so. They waged war against me. On my part, I prepared for battle by loading myself with some mathematical calculations and putting together some Bible passages I could use as arrows. I was ready for a total showdown spiritually. Along the way, the Lord began to speak to me. He said to me, “As a son of the Prince of Peace, are you supposed to fight?” That was the end of my plan to fight my detractors. Living holy costly. But the consequence of not living holy is too terrible to be compared to the cost. It may be hard to remain faithful to your spouse or abstain from sex before marriage. People would mock and dismiss you as being old-fashioned. But when weight against the awful result of immoral living, such as the likelihood of contracting HIV/AIDS and the consequent perpetual regret, holiness at any cost would be better appreciated.

The Almighty God is not going to change His standard for anyone. He commands us to comply but leaves us to decide. Jesus never advised any of those who hesitated to follow Him to first go home and think about issue. They had to decide there are then. Self-denial is a basic qualification for discipleship, and it involves fasting and praying when others are sleeping, and studying the Bible while others want to spend time on leisure. It also entails keeping quite while others are talking or engaging in frivolous past-times.

Today's prayer point is Father, help me to use self-denial as a required daily sacrifice for

living right.

Thank you and God bless you richly for your contribution

EXCEPTIONAL APPRENTICE- 11/06/2014

EXCEPTIONAL APPRENTICE- 11/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "A STEP FURTHER”. Today's message is titled "EXCEPTIONAL APPRENTICE" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise John 5:19:   "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. " Today's reading was taken from Exosuds 14:26-31 and the Bible reading in one year is Leviticus 4:1-5:13 and Psalm 119:129-144 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is the message for your input

An apprentice is someone who is attached to a master to learn his master’s trade, so that he can become like the master someday. An apprentice watches the footstep of the master and tries to fellow them. A good and wise apprentice closely watches everything them master does in order to gain all his knowledge and experience. In John 5:19, Jesus saw Himself as an apprentice of His own Father: He did whatever He saw the Father do. We can learn some deep lessons from this principle of apprenticeship in all areas of Christian activities. A true disciple will not go outside of whatever his master does. The servant is not greater than his master, according to the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 10:24-25). Anyone who learns a tread should consider himself a success if he is as good as his master, Jesus however made an exception of His disciples. He expects us to do the works He did, and exceed them by doing even greater works than He did. I am convinced that for a reader of this devotional, greater works, as promised by Jesus in John 14:12, will be done through you in Jesus’ Name.

“verily verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that! do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

At the time of my new birth in Christ, I was a lecturer of mathematics at the University of Lagos. I considered myself a smart boy in those days, but when I got into the church, my ignorance was revealed to me with humility. The challenged I got from the display of Bible knowledge by uneducated members of the church made me study the Bible as if I was preparing fora PhD examination. As I read the Bible again and again, I was stunned by the promise of Jesus in John 14:12. I saw that those who believe in Him would raise the dead, make the lame walk, open blind eyes and do even more than He did. From that moment, I made up my mind that according to His word, I also would do the works He did, and that I would do even greater works than He did. I decree that you will begin to experience the performance of the Lord’s promise to do the works that He did and even much more, in the mighty Name of Jesus. Doing greater works than Jesus did is real, and that promise has been fulfilled in the lives of many. I am announcing to you that you are next in line, because from now on, you will begin to watch closely everything the Master does, so that you can gain His knowledge and experience.

Today's Key Point is that  An apprentice watches the footsteps of the master and tries to fellow

them.

Thank you and god bless you richly for your comtribution

COMPLETE DELIVERANCE-08/06/2014

COMPLETE DELIVERANCE-08/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "THE FIRE FELL”. Today's message is titled "COMPLETE DELIVERANCE" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise John 8 : 32:  "If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" Today's reading was taken from Exosuds 14:26-31 and the Bible reading in one year is Exodus 35:30-38:20 and Psalm 119:81-96 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is the message for your input

Many people in the world today, including some ignorant spirit-filled bom-again Christians, are groaning under demonic oppressions and all kinds of bondage. They may not be demon-possessed, but they are certainly demon-possessed. They are suffering from various types of yokes that keep them from being fruitful. When God delivers, He does not leave loose ends, so that there would be no more trouble. In Exodus 14:26-28, when God dealt with the hosts of Pharaoh, not one of them escaped. Also, in Daniel 6:24, not one of those who put Daniel into the lion ’s den escaped. They were destroyed together with the members of their families. God will gather all those who say they will not allow you to reach your goal and finish them. The power of God brings the enemies to forcefully surrender Enemies of the gospel are enemies of the children of God and they are not willing to surrender without a strong hand. The enemies of God will submit when they encounter superior power from the Almighty. This is the power expected to be manifested by the presence of God's ambassadors. As an ambassador of Christ, you must stop operating at the realm of the flesh and begin to exercise kingdom rights.

“Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is my hand, and high is my right hand.” Psalm 89:13

Some years ago when I was still in ignorance, I was taken to a witch doctor to seek help. I was told that he would look after me and give me some charms to prevent my cars from accidents. When we go his dirty house, he saw me looking at him with a sign of wonder on my face. I was looking at

him that way because his leg and right hand were bandaged. He told me he was involved in a motor accident some five days before and that he was the only survivor with a broken leg and arm. This was the fellow who was going to look after me. Thank God for Jesus Christ. Unlike dumb idols, our living God will answer when we call on Him. He made eyes therefore He can see. His everlasting arms are underneath those who put their trust in Him. When your enemies think that you are finished, they will suddenly discover that the Almighty God is still supporting you. When they think that you have fallen, they will not know that you are in the embrace of the Almighty God.

Today's prayer point is Pray that all enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ will not escape destruction.

As we pray this prayer point with the whole of our heart today, every enemy behind the current crisis in Nigeria will receive the wrath of God and meet their destruction in Jesus Name, amen

Thank you and God bless you for your contribution. 

Wishing you a fulfillment of purpose in Church today, Amen. 

THE CHOSEN ONES 05/06/2014

THE CHOSEN ONES 05/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "LEADERSHIP AND ANOINTING”. Today's message is titled "THE CHOSEN ONES" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Matthew 20:16  "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen " Today's reading was taken from Matthew 25:1-13 and the Bible reading in one year is Exodus 29 :1- 30:21 and Psalm 119:33-48(Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is the message for your input

"There were many virgins in the land but only men were chosen. Before the ten were chosen, you can be sure all other virgins would have been called. This scenario is seen in the book of Esther. When the king wanted another wife to replace Vashti, he called all virgins together so that he could choose one of them. If you are a minister of God, you are already called but possibly not chosen. Experience has shown that many ministers of God will not make Heaven. The chosen are selected to be special (Deuteronomy 7:6). They are also chosen to be peculiar (Deuteronomy 14:2). As a chosen people of God, everyone should see you as peculiar without you saying a word. The chosen must be precious (1 Peter 2:4). Are you precious of God? Have you brought yourself into a relationship with God so that if you die today, God will notice that somebody has died? The chosen will be defended tremendously against his enemies (Isaiah 41:9-13). The first reason for choosing the twelve apostles was for companionship. This is very important, but this quality is lacking in the life of many ministers of God.

As for the ten virgins, nobody told them when the bridegroom would arrive.Watch, because you do not know when the bridegroom will come (Matthew 25:13). You must be extra careful. The foolish were careless while the wise were careful. The five that took extra oil decided to be extra careful. They were chosen from a big competition and they knew that another competition might just be ahead. As admonished in Ephesians 6:13-14, when you have done all things to stand, stand steadfastly. You never know where your next test will come from. While you are thanking God for winning one competition, another may be starting. The chosen will always forget pass successes because they know they have not reached their goal yet.
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ”Philippians 3:13-14

Forget past success because you have not yet reached your goal. The five wise virgins knew they had been chosen to go and meet the bridegroom, but the bridegroom had not come yet. They knew that if their oil should run low, there would be no time to go home for more oil. Once you lay your hands on the plough, you cannot look back. To avoid looking back, the ones chosen must take extra precautions from the start."

Today's Key point is that There is great danger which one relaxes in the midst of unfinished
business.

Thank you and God bless you richly for your contribution to today's discussion

LEADERSHIP AND ANOINTING- 04/06/2014

LEADERSHIP AND ANOINTING- 04/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "FIGHTER'S QUALIFICATION”. Today's message is titled "LEADERSHIP AND ANOINTING" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Psalm 23:5 " Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Today's reading was taken from 2 Samuel 5:1-3 and the Bible reading in one year is Exodus 27 - 28 and Psalm 119:17-32 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is the message for your input

Some people hide under the fact that they have been previously anointed, and by this, pre-suppose that they do not need any further anointing. The truth is that God gives extra anointing to these whom he wants to give extra blessings and glory. Perhaps you have discovered that God has ordained you to be great; you still need to wait for the anointing. The fact that God has deposited the seed of greatness in your life does not mean that you have arrived. You need the anointing to fulfil your vision and achieve your destiny (2 Samuel 5:1 -3). The new anointing that God is going to add to your life is going to complete what He has started in your life. One of the reasons why the anointing is so important is that whatever is anointed cannot be reversed by the enemy.

From the scripture, we understand that David was anointed not just once, or twice, but three times. Whenever God decides to favour someone, and He decides to demonstrate this by anointing the person whom He has chosen over and over again, His intention is to completely silence the enemy and grant victory and blessings to His people. God gives extra anointing to those whom He wants to give extra blessings and glory. The moment God anoints you, a decree goes out fi'om His throne room to back you up. All the negative forces of the universe are commanded to steer clear of the anointed (Psalm 105:14-15)

“He suffered no man to do them wrong: ye, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. ”

Tragically, not all heads are ready to receive the anointing. There were many children in the favoured family of Jesse, but only one of them received the anointing. As a leader, you cannot decide to do whatever you feel like doing and yet expect to receive God’s anointing. The anointing of God is available for those who qualify for it. Are you one of them? Each of the sons of Jesse was eager to receive the anointing, but all their heads except that of David were rejected. May your head never refuse the anointing in Jesus’ Name. The heads of the seven sons of Jesse must have refused the anointing because God knew certain things about them, which perhaps, no one knew. Are there things God knows about you which men do not know? If they are negative things, you can be sure it will disqualify you when it matters most.

The Prayer Point is Father, I present my head for your fresh anointing for greatness; anoint me till my cup runs over, in Jesus’ Name.

Thank you and God bless you richly for your contribution to today's dicsussion

FIGHTER ’S QUALIFICATION - 03/06/2014

FIGHTER ’S QUALIFICATION - 03/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "WHY EXPECTATIONS FAIL”. Today's message is titled "FIGHTER'S QUALIFICATION" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Luke 3:9 " And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.   " Today's reading was taken from John 15:1-6 and the Bible reading in one year is Exodus 25 - 26 and Psalm 119:1-16 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is the message for your input

Whenever someone is invited to join the army, he is told the beautiful things that he will get when he signs up: cheap food, free clothing and a lot of other fringe benefits. He is never told what he will go through when he gets into the barracks. In the barracks, he is taken through heavy rigours and at the end of the day, he is taken through heavy rigours and at the end of the day, he become the same manner, before the Almighty God would hand over His weaponry to anyone, the fellow will go through some rigours. The good news is that He promised in Isaiah 43:2 that He will be with you while you pass through those challenges.

“When thou passest through the waters, Iwill be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Every fighter is the army of the Lord must be aware that the Commander-in- Chief will not tolerate parasites. He is highly intolerant of those who have nothing significant to contribute (John 15:2). He wants everyone engaged in His vision to contribute their own quota. The question is: in the service of God, would you be referred to as an asset or a liability? Also, in the army of the Lord, there is no room for loafers and deserters. While all loafers are summarily dealt with, deserters face eternal death (Luke 3:9). There is no backing out in the army of God. This is why in Ephesians 6:13-17, there is no armour of our backs. The day you turn your back to the enemy, you become exposed to his attacks. With your hands still on the plough, you are not even allowed to look back (Luke 9:62). Furthermore, in the army of the Lord, there is no room for slothfulness. There is no room for lazy people. You are supposed to be diligent. There is also no room for divided loyalties (Matthew 10:370. your loyalty must be only to the Commander-in-Chief. You have to rely on God because you cannot do these things on your own accord. If you rely on Him and draw your strength from Him, you will be amazed when you start doing certain things that you never thought were possible. You will discover obedience become very easy. For you to succeed in the army of the Lord, the Lord Himself must hold your hand and continue to lead you on. What must you do so that He can hold your hand? The answer is found in 1 Peter 1:15-16:

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for l am holy. ”

The key point is You have to plough looking straight ahead. God is not a democrat. He
rules by decrees.

thank you and God bless you richly for your contribution

WHY EXPECTATIONS FAIL-02/06/2014

WHY EXPECTATIONS FAIL-02/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "BE DETERMINED TO WAIT”. Today's message is titled "WHY EXPECTATIONS FAIL" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Nahum 1:7 "Memorise: The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. " Today's reading was taken from Jeremiah 29:1-13 and the Bible reading in one year is Exodus 29:1-24:18 and Psalm 118 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is the message for your input

Some expectations don ’t come to pass and there are reasons for that. It is Painful experience to see your expectation fail. When expectation is based on assumption, it will fail (Deuteronomy 1:42-44). Great expectations are founded on God’s promise. By simply assuming that you will succeed in certain businesses just like others, you are setting yourself up for failure. Some Christians invest their money in projects without God’s approval, only to have their expectation for dividends fail. Basing your expectation in marriage on physical qualities like beauty, good stature and good physique will surely lead to failure (1 Samuel 16:6-7). Elements of physical beauty can be misleading (proverbs 31:30). Some single ladies today are learning the lesson of humility in a hard way. They trusted in their beauty and expected that it will earn them prompt marriage, a good husband and a happy home. Many of such ladies are crying in their closet today because they have realised that any expectation not centred on God will fail.

“And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for l am not among you; lest ye be smitten before t among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against he commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill. And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah. ” Deuteronomy 1:42-44

In the above passage, the Lord did not approve of the children of Israel Going to this battle. But to them, approval from above or not, they assumed they would be victorious. They got their soldiers ready and their expectation of victory was intact. Unknown to them, no expectation will ever come to pass if God is not factored into it. They fell on their faces when they should have lifted up their voices in songs of victory. Expectations fail when they are based on lies (Jeremiah 29:8). Expectations fail when they are based on connections and the power of associates. No association can replace God without consequences for those who put their trust in such associations (Jeremiah 1 7:5), nowadays, Christians express disappointment in fellow Christians because truth has been compromised. If you don ’t think twice before you jump at what those so-called Christian associates have to offer you, your expectation will fail to your surprise.

Today, the prayer point is that God would enlighten the eyes of your understanding to discern those expectations of yours that do no align with His purpose of your life.

God bless you for your contribution. have a prosperous week in Jesus Name, amen.

BE DETERMINED TO WAIT-01/06/2014

BE DETERMINED TO WAIT-01/06/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "IN VIEW?”. Today's message is titled "BE DETERMINED TO WAIT" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Job 14:14 "If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." Today's reading was taken from Habakkuk 2:1-3 and the Bible reading in one year is Exodus 20:1 to Exodus 22:15 and Psalm 117 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is the message for your input

"There is a waiting period that precedes the manifestation of great expectations. The gestation period of an African elephant is the longest of all mammals. It last for about 22 months, which is almost two calendar years. Contrast this with that of a rat which is just about 20 days. If your expectation is very great, your waiting period may be longer than that of another man with smaller expectations. Expectation for a great miracle warrants great patients. It is premature for an elephant to deliver nine months after pregnancy, whereas it is the joy of any woman to deliver her baby during that same period. You need to wait for your own appointed time as designed by God.

To wait for God's time requires your determination (Job 14:14). God will come to your aid, but when He does, will he find you still waiting for him? Jesus promised to return the second time but He wondered if He would find faith on earth at His return (Luke 18:8). There is a reader of this devotional, who like Job, has suffered untold losses. You have no idea of why you are in that situation; neither do you have any idea of how to survive your present predicament. I am speaking to your life by the word of the Lord that there will be clarity for all your confusion. 

The example of Job teaches a great lesson on patience in tribulation. Our waiting period in God's design does not mean that God is dodging His responsibility towards us as men do. When some people tell you to wait, it is an indirect way of telling you to forget about your expectation from them. But when God tells you to wait, He will attend to you. God has a timetable for each and every one of His children. Wait for His time. The mystery of God's appointed time is that it is often not known. All we need to do is wait for Him; trusting His love for us, His faithfulness to His promises and His unlimited power to do anything he wants you to handle your waiting, begin to testify of what He is about to do. This is why I keep telling myself “it is well with me” because know He has said “it shall be well with the righteous”. You may not be privileged to know the times and the seasons when He will manifest His power in your life; one thing is however certain: He will work in your life at His own time. The waiting period may be full of tears, but joy will still come in the morning. Some of those who waited to God in the past did so with tears in their eyes, but they never stopped waiting for Him, and they got their expectations."

The Prayer Point is Father, teach me patience in the place of waiting for my change, and deliver my expectations from failure in Jesus’ Name.

Wishing you a happy new month and mighty move of God's presence in your life in church today.

Thank you and God bless you all for your contribution