GIVE THANKS DAILY

Luke 17:18 "There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger."
Relatively few people who receive the goodness of the Lord return to give Him thanks for what He has done. That does not keep the Lord from doing what is right for us. He healed all ten of these lepers according to their request - not just the one who was thankful. However, there was only one out of the ten that was made "whole."

The Lord desires that we prosper in spirit, soul, and body. He wants us to be whole - not just healed. Part of the reason God meets our physical needs is to prove to us His willingness and ability to meet our emotional and spiritual needs. The Lord is concerned about our temporal needs (Mt. 6:30), but He is even more concerned about our eternal needs. All of these lepers needed physical healing and the Lord was moved with compassion and met their need.

He was also desiring to meet their spiritual needs, but only one out of the ten came back for that.

Being unthankful is always a sign that self is exalting itself above God. A selfless person can be content with very little. A self-centered person cannot be satisfied. Thankfulness is a sign of humility and cultivating a life of thankfulness will help keep "self" in its proper place.

Thankfulness to the Lord for what He is and what He has done is a very important part of the Christian life. One of the many benefits of thanksgiving and praise is that they keep us from being "self" oriented.

Giving thanks is a totally unselfish action and is a key to relationship with the Father that makes us "whole" and not just "healed."

HYPOCRISY

Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."
Hypocrisy is often said to be doing something even though you don't want to or feel like doing it. It is true that God demands that our motive and reason for doing things be right, but this does not mean that we always want to, or delight in, doing something. To do what God wants you to do, or to do unto others what you would want them to do unto you, is not hypocrisy (Mt. 7:12)- even if you don't feel like doing it. It is hypocrisy only when your motive for doing it is wrong and you're not genuinely seeking the welfare and benefit of others. Remember, Jesus didn't feel like going to the cross, but He went anyway to seek the welfare and benefit of the world.

Agape love is described as the, "love (that) can be known only from the actions it prompts." This is not the love of complacency or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects (Rom. 5:8).Christian love (agape), whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward others generally, is not an impulse from the feelings. It does not always run with the natural inclinations. It (Agape) seeks the welfare of all (Rom. 15:2) and works no ill to any (Rom. 13:8-10). "(Agape) seeks opportunity to do good to all men. . ." Let God's love flow through you today.

RECOGNIZE THE REAL ENEMY

Every Christian is at war. There is a perpetual struggle against Satan and his kingdom from which there are no "leaves" or "discharges." Our enemy goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Those who resist the devil will see him flee (Jas. 4:7).

Some of us believe that anger will put others in their place. But "the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God" (Jas. 1:20). Anger against people makes us play right into the hand of the devil. The way to overcome the spiritual powers that come against us through people is to turn the other cheek (Mt. 5:39). This makes the demons flee in terror. We cannot win a spiritual battle with carnal weapons. We must realize who the real enemy is and fight with the spiritual weapons the Lord has given us. It is supposed by many that the higher echelons of the devil's spiritual authority take more power to rebuke or remove. That's not true. There is no demonic power, including the devil himself, that will not flee at the name of Jesus when faith is put in that name. What a wonderful name!  

Mark 8:33, "But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."Jesus was not implying that Peter and Satan were one-and-the-same, but was referring to the fact that Satan had inspired Peter's statement. This type of metaphor was used elsewhere in scripture such as when God spoke to the serpent in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:15) as though addressing Satan. The serpent was merely the vehicle of communication Satan used to tempt Adam and Eve, while Peter was the vehicle Satan used to tempt Jesus. Ephesians 6:12 reveals that our warfare isn't with people, but against the spiritual powers who inspire and use people. Jesus recognized that Peter's reaction to His prophecy about His death was motivated by His enemy, Satan, so He went right to the source.

SELF SEEKING NOT GOD SEEKING

Jesus knew the hearts of all men and therefore, He did not commit Himself to this crowd. Just the day before, these same people tried to take Him by force and make Him their king, but He withdrew and spent the night in prayer.

This crowd looked like they were seeking Jesus, but they were actually trying to use Jesus to seek their own end. It is true that there are many personal benefits to be reaped through serving the Lord, but the benefits are never to become our object. In all things, Christ must have the preeminence (Col. 1:18).

Jesus exposed the true intentions of the people's hearts by preaching a strong message of commitment. Those who were self-centered were offended and left while those who were willing to lay down their lives to experience God's abundant life remained. Commitment to God Himself (not what He can produce) is what always separates the true worshippers of God from the false.

As Jesus began to explain in these verses that He was the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:6) and that they would have to come through Him, the people grew angry. It always angers the flesh to think that all our righteous acts can't save us, but Jesus made it clear that our only part in salvation is to believe. Believe what? Believe on Jesus and His sacrifice - not ours. Salvation is a gift and cannot be purchased (Rom. 10:2-3).

Many times, we get so intent on seeking God in one area that we forget the greatest miracle of all, which is the love and redemption given to us from God through His Son. God loves us so much!



John 6:26, "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled."

DEMONS IN CHURCH

Mark 1:23, "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out;...."

Many people don't associate demon possessed people with places of worship. Yet most of the demons that Jesus cast out were encountered in the church. Why would demon possessed people be in church?

In some cases, the people were there because they were seeking help. The church, like a hospital, offers people the cure and therefore, attracts those who are sick.

In other cases, the devil sows these types of people in the church to spread spiritual disease. A church that is teaching the true Word of God should either try to evangelize these individuals or make them so convicted that they move on. Sad to say, demon possessed people can thrive in most religious settings today.

We always need to show love for the sinner as Jesus did, but we should cut the devil no slack. If a person wants to keep an evil spirit on the inside of them, they should not feel at home in church.

Let the Spirit of God live through you as He did through Jesus and you will either make people mad or glad, but there will not be indifference.

GODS WORD IS THE FOUNDATION FOR WEALTH

Ps 112:1,3 say, “…Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments…Wealth and riches shall be in his house…” Please, don't toy with your interest in God's word. Don't give in to procrastination, because satan will always tempt you to keep busy with other things and postpone the study of the word till later, only for you to go through the whole day without reading one verse of scripture. So, you must give full attention to the word of God as you attend church services and in your private studies. Read your bible and other anointed books, listen to tapes of life, and ensure that you do it committedly. That is how to turn your poverty into prosperity.

A decision for the word is what drives poverty away. You know the Bible says in Isaiah 11:9, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” It is the knowledge of the word that terminates every hurt of life. It is the word of God that puts an end to the destruction of poverty. So, make a quality decision to go for the word from this day. Renew your attention in the word, open up to it and you will see every form of lack and want terminated in your life!

Being Faithful

Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” The baseline for blessing is faithfulness. You cannot be faithful and not be blessed. Show me a faithful man today and I will present to you a man who will be blessed tomorrow. Prayer does not bring blessing, faithfulness is the key to blessing. God does not bless the volume of your prayer, neither does He bless the position you occupy, He simply blesses you in response to your faithfulness in all your dealings.

 

Hebrews 3:1-2 says, “…Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.” Moses was blessed because he was faithful. Jesus also was blessed because He was faithful. His faithfulness was so outstanding that of the twelve disciples God gave Him, none was lost except the son of perdition (John 7:12). May God find you faithful and approve you for His showers of blessings this season.

GOD IS LOVE

God's kind of love is not self-serving or self-seeking. Agape love will cause a person to lay down his life for another (Jn. 15:13), because he has literally forgotten himself. Many times when heros are asked why they put themselves in jeopardy to save someone else, they reply that they didn't even think about themselves. All they thought of was the danger to the other person. That's God's kind of love.

God's type of love involves emotions many times, but it is not an emotion. It is an act of the will. We can choose to love even when we don't feel like it and we can always conduct ourselves in a godly manner, when we feel God's kind of love. God's kind of love is a choice.

God's kind of love is also the antidote to selfishness and pride. We cannot conquer self by focusing on self. The only way to win over self is to fall in love with God more than with ourself. It is in discovering God's love that we lose self love.

Jesus didn't feel some emotional sensation when He chose to die for us, but that was the greatest demonstration of God's kind of love that the world has ever seen. He made a choice in spite of His emotions. Because He was consumed with God's love, He acted properly, even when His emotions didn't agree.

IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST

Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the Lord makes rich and He adds no sorrow with it.” What makes rich is the blessing of the Lord, not your labour. God's blessing package for you is comprehensive, it covers all aspects of your life; spiritual, physical, material and social. For instance, Genesis 1:27-28 says, “…God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply…” Which means when a male and female come together as husband and wife, they step into the blessing of fruitfulness, it is already waiting for them. Every properly married couple have a guarantee for fruitfulness! So, no matter what is happening around you right now, God says, “Be Fruitful!” That is both a blessing and a decree. And psalm 127:3,5 says, “…Children are an heritage of the LORD…Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them….” So, you can have as many children as you desire!

 

As you may know, you have access to the blessing of supernatural prosperity. Jesus came to be our substitute in poverty according to 2 Corinthians 8:9: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” He took our place in poverty and gave us His place in prosperity. So, to be born again and still suffer lack is an abuse on redemption. God redeemed you to enrich you.

 

Furthermore, you have the blessing of supernatural success. Deuteronomy 28:13 says, “…The LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath…” That means you have an heritage of headship wherever you find yourself. Take note of the phrase ‘above only.' The only place you are permitted to be is above. So, the blessing of the Lord enriches all areas of life. That shall be your portion in this season.

LIVING IN THE BLESSING

What does it mean to be blessed? It means to be empowered. God has empowered you to prosper; to multiply and be fruitful in all that you do. God's blessing is comprehensive; it is all encompassing. When you are blessed, it touches all areas of your life. He said concerning you, “…Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalms 1:3). “Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep…thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and …when thou goest out” (Deuteronomy 28:3-6). God also said in Ezekiel 34:26, “….I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.” That will become your story this season, in the name of Jesus.

Blessing is our heritage in God. That is why we talk about showers of blessing. Genesis 1:27-28 says, “…God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them…” After God created man, the first thing He did was to bless him. God did not curse man, He blessed him. Even though it was only Adam that God created at the beginning, the Bible says, He blessed them, because He knew that Adam would multiply. That is to say, when God was blessing Adam, you were in him. The day you were born into the world is not the day you began, you have been in existence since Adam! That is why God said, “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee…” (Jer. 1:5). So, when God said to Adam, “You are blessed, be fruitful and multiply”, you were there.

 

If check very well you will see that there is no curse in the first two chapters of the Bible, only blessings. Curses came in chapter three of Genesis, after man fell. So blessing came before curses and that means blessing is stronger than curses. God blessed man and whatsoever God does is forever (Eccl. 3:14). When God blesses, the blessing remains. That is why curses are temporary but blessings are permanent. You have a heritage of blessings; you have been blessed from the foundation of the world. Anything around your life now that looks contrary to blessing came too late. Never you be threatened by challenges, problems, calamities or curses because they came after you have been blessed. Whatever will stop your blessing must be older than God and since there is no such person or circumstance, you are irreversibly blessed

 

If you have been blessed in some areas of your life but you are still experiencing dryness in other areas, it simply means you are yet to come under the showers. But in this season, I see God bringing you under the showers of heaven. You will never know dryness again! Be blessed!

HEART FOR GOD

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart will all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.” The word works, but the working of the word begins from your heart. Your heart is the beginning of your world. Until your heart opens up, your world remains closed.

 

God spoke several things through Samuel about Saul but until Saul received a new heart, none of those prophecies came to pass (1 Sam. 10:9). Until your heart is opened your destiny remains closed. Look at this way: Ten drums of water can never be enough to fill up a cup that is closed or covered because the water would have no access into the cup. If you close up a cup and put it inside an ocean, how much water will get into it? Not a drop. So, you are not blessed according to the volume of notes you write in church or the number of messages you listen to, you are blessed according to the openness of your heart.

 

If there is any prayer you need to pray for yourself today, it is that God would do for you what He did for Lydia in Acts 16:14. The Bible says, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” God opened her heart and she attended unto the word.

 

The Bible says in Ezra 7:10, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” The first thing Ezra did before he began to seek the word was to prepare his heart. So, every time you want to receive God's Word either in your private study or in church, prepare your heart first. Until you have opened your heart, don't open the book because the book responds only to open hearts, not to open eyes. You can read and read until you become ‘red', if your heart is not open you cannot be blessed. God looks at the heart and not at the face (1 Sam. 16:7).

 

Proverbs 16:1 says, “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” The preparation of the heart must precede the answer from the Lord. Where is your heart? Is your heart open or closed? Is your heart good or evil? Is it receptive or ‘rejective'? Is it obedient or rebellious?

The Word of God is creative but the principal factor that determines it's effect is the heart of man. The practical manifestation of every man's destiny is at the mercy his heart. If your heart is right, one word is enough to turn your life around but if your heart is not right, 1,000 messages are not likely to make any change in your life.