Prayer Pointers

1 Corinthians 9: 24 - There is a Race, Run

2017-08-31T00:22:00.000+01:00

Apostle Paul, the writer of this book uses the example of athletes competing against one another to explain his point. Athletes compete to win the prize on offer which could be medals, trophies, championships and in the case of professional sports, money.

Exposition

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it – In the case of a Christian, you are encouraged to view life as a race in which there is a prize.

Running is exercising faith in Jesus Christ. It is increasing in the knowledge of Christ. It is going to Him at all times for strength to overcome the challenges of life.

For athletes, there is a winner and a loser. In the Christian race, there are no losers as there is a prize for all who run the race. We are not competing against one another, rather we are meant to help one another to run the race.

In the Christian race, what is the prize? It is not salvation or eternal life because that is a free gift that you do not work for. Jesus Christ has paid the price and it is settled. The prize is approval from God. Matthew 25: 21 shows us that the Lord will say to the servant – well done good and faithful servant. God introduced Jesus in Matthew 3:17 saying – this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. You and I should be running for such a great testimonial.

Finally, the charge is for you to run, know that you are in a race, do not allow the enemy to change your focus. The enemy is constantly looking for those who do not know their place in Jesus Christ by placing hurdles and pits along their race track. May we all overcome and run our races with distinction in Jesus name.

Prayer

Help me, Lord, to run the race in front of me. Help me, Lord, to focus on my race and my race alone. Help me Lord so I do not run another man’s race. Help me, father, to finish my race. Help me so I do not give up in the midst of my race. Help me, father, to complete my race.

At the end of my race, I will obtain my prize in Jesus name. Thank you for your abundant grace.

Genesis 5: 24 - Walk With God

2017-08-30T06:18:00.000+01:00

Photo credit: https://biblia.com

Exposition

Enoch walked with God despite God not being physically present with Him. We are told in Hebrews 5:11 that he did not die, rather he was translated to heaven just as Prophet Elijah was too.

Enoch lived in times just before the flood that destroyed the earth. The Bible says there was wickedness in the heart of men and men’s thoughts were wicked. The world today is no different from what transpired back then. Enoch’s life is an example of the life we are meant to live in our generation. To walk with God is to agree with God as Amos 3:3 says can two walk together except they agree?

Walking together with God is walking in tandem, step by step with God. Man is meant to align his steps with God and not the other way round.

You will become friendly and close to the person you walk with every day. As you walk, you’ll share stuff that is close to your heart, your joys and challenges will be a matter for conversation. You will be able to stand up for one another. You will get to know the secrets of God because you will be intimate with Him.

We can only become close to God through Jesus Christ, for he came to bridge the gap between man and God. Today the Holy Spirit is the part of the Godhead that is available to man at all times. You can start a determined walk today by setting apart time to get to know Jesus. Read your Bible, meditate on what you read, decide to be obedient and pray. Be determined to be a witness of Jesus Christ. Spread the Good News.

Prayer

Lord, I want to be your friend and I want to know you more. I want to walk with you, talk with you, listen to you and be close to your heartbeat. Help me to share our relationship with the world. Let me be a part of what you are doing in these times. Teach me all it takes to walk with you. Let my life be pleasing to you alone in Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 48

Exodus 24-25

Ruth 3

Psalm 7

Jeremiah 48

Luke 4

2 Corinthians 4

Isaiah 60: 1 - I Stand Up

2017-08-25T06:52:00.000+01:00

Photo credit: dailypromisecards.com

Exposition

Jesus said to the dead girl in Mark 5: 41 arise and the girl arose. Jesus spoke to the sleeping disciples in Mark 14: 42 rise up and let us go. The angels said to Lot in Genesis 19: 15 take your wife and daughters and leave this city. In Genesis 13: 17, God said to Abram, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

From the above, it should be clear that “arise” can mean different things to different people depending on their spiritual and physical state at the time the command is issued. In the past few days, we have learnt that some people are spiritually dead, some are sleeping and some are sitting with the wrong people.

You could also be hiding your faith. You are not proud to be identified as a Christian. Jesus said in Mark 8: 38 if anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns to the glory of the Father. What would happen if Jesus is ashamed of you? It is time to stand up and be counted.

Today, it is also a call to action to those who sitting down and doing nothing about their spiritual lives or about the millions who need to hear the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Without you standing up, they will still be under lock down by the devil. Many who are bound by sickness and disease, poverty, darkness and sin have to be released into the marvellous light of God. It is time for the manifestation of the sons of God. Peter standing up with the eleven in Acts 2: 14 spoke and over three thousand were added to the Church.

Arise, my brother and sister. Stand up and move from where you were. Without standing there can be no shining. Let there be a determination to stand up for the light has come. Christ is the light and there has to be a change because your heart has received a new colour. Let the love of Christ envelope your heart and move you forward.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for your light that has risen upon me. I arise from slumber and every form of weakness. I refuse every lie that I have previously believed that is contrary to the word of God. I rise to take my place and to impact my generation in Jesus name. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 47

Exodus 22-23

Ruth 2

Psalm 6

Jeremiah 47

Luke 3

2 Corinthians 3