Text: Isaiah 40:3 (KJV)

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Friends, when you heard today’s topic, who came to your mind in the Bible? If your answer is John the Baptist, then we are on the right line of thought. The Bible tells us that John the Baptist was a voice in the wilderness, and he continually declared, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” However, the truth is that he is not the only voice in the wilderness. You and I are also voices, and our wilderness is the place around us where there is a need to be met in our vicinity. Do you know that you are a sent voice and not a crowd voice? God has given us a bold voice, and we are meant to use it to fulfill our God-given assignment and to correct things positively. As Scripture says in 2 Timothy 1:7- For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

We are reminded never to feel intimidated when our voice seems small or lonely, because we are made in God’s image and we have a voice that can move mountains. Mark 11:23 says, For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. So, do not give up. Learn to overlook people’s distractions and remain focused as a voice, knowing that your mandate is from God. You are still speaking, but sometimes the atmosphere is choked, which is why your voice is not clearly heard. Remember, you are made differently and given an assignment to fulfill God’s agenda. Therefore, be confident in the voice God has given you in that environment, because you are on a divine assignment. And I pray we shall fulfill our divine mandate today in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINTS:

1.      Father, may my mouth not be shut as to fulfill my purpose despite the choked atmosphere, in Jesus name.

2.      Oh Lord, please help me to deliver your assignment upon my destiny, in Jesus name.

ACTION QUOTE: Remember to ask yourself: Is my voice pleasing man or God?

Text: 1Timothy 6:12  (KJV)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also call, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Friends, the fight in the journey of life is endless, but the real question is: how do you fight to win? It is not a physical battle fought with the energy of the flesh. Rather, you fight with your belief system and with bold, positive confession to recover a destiny that may be challenged by the wicked. Remember most battles are won long before the first physical blow is exchanged. In a wrestling ring, opponents often try to intimidate one another even before the contest begins, using gestures and displays meant to weaken the other person mentally. Consider David in 1 Samuel 17:26: For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?  You can see that the voice of confession is a victory key in both physical and spiritual battles. We are not fighting for victory, but from victory, because Christ has already overcome the world. It is important we understand this for our peace. John 16:33 (KJV): These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Amazingly, for David and Goliath, the battle was already won at this point of open declaration. Notice how David spoke with authority and confidence before he ever lifted a stone. That is why we must be careful not to live or fight in fear. Faith-filled speech is a winning strategy. I encourage us to speak with positive faith and not with fear. The enemy often comes with suggestions that must be challenged. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. However, if we must win our battles, we need to recreate our world of thoughts and images by remaining in God’s Word, even in the face of adversity. Therefore, as we stand firm in faith, declaring God’s truth, every battle around our destiny must bow to the authority of Christ in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Lord Jesus, may I not be intimated with fear by the threatening voice of the opposition in Jesus name.

2. Father, may I always see the glory gain as to persist on that battle for my victory in Jesus name

ACTION QUOTE: Friends, do you know the battles are won from within?

Text: 1Timothy 6:12  (KJV)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also call, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Friends, our calling is not only to have faith in God, but to hold firmly to eternal life, because it is a profession. Think about it, how do you handle your own profession? We become professionals through many victories and battles in fields of different levels of examination and training. Therefore, we must run with focus and determination to win. We must learn to engage properly, because victory is guaranteed in Christ. We are on the battlefield of life, and we must rise to receive our inheritance in Him. Yes, the promise is ours, but Scripture also instructs us to fight. It is important that we contend for our survival, because life is filled with many enemies. Yet, by God’s grace, we must overcome them all.  2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imagination and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Unfortunately, life is full of warfare, but as believers we are soldiers of Christ, so fighting is our calling. The race is not run carelessly by every participant. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:26, Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. Consider a fighter in the physical ring, there are many hours of training and discipline before stepping onto the limelight. You must strive to win. Victory is not determined by outward appearance or size, but by what is built on the inside. God has nothing to lose if we fail, but we have everything to lose. Good things and honor do not happen by chance; there is always a hidden place of preparation. Your destiny is a battle, and you cannot sit back while the wicked take hold of it. I pray that we will brace up and face the battles before us to the very end, and obtain a glorious victory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYER POINT:

1.Oh Lord may I wake and sleep with a bold mindset that I can make it no matter the fierce battle in Jesus name.

ACTION QUOTE:

Remember not to allow the look of the enemy to intimidate you as to win the struggles of life.

Text: Luke 3:21 (KJV)

 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened.

Friends, life often presents us with a choice between a closed heaven and an open heaven. At every point in our journey, there is always a decision to make. The truth is that people choose the kind of heaven they experience, and it largely depends on their attitude toward life. Some make decisions that result in a closed heaven, while others choose an open heaven. Matthew 3:16 - The heavens were opened unto Him. An open heaven is a realm where prayers are answered, and it is what believers long for. We all have access to heaven, but our choices determine whether we draw from an open or a closed heaven. To experience an open heaven, one must be led by the Spirit of God, because the Spirit brings us into a realm of constant access to God. Frankly speaking, when there is an open heaven, there is no emptiness or dryness. Every source you will ever need is supplied. Matthew 7:7 - Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Amazingly, when heaven is open over a person, blessings always descend, just as in the case of Jesus at His baptism, when the Spirit came down like a dove. The Bible says, John 1:32 - And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. Everyone of us can have access to this open heaven, but one of the major keys to sustaining it is prayer. Scripture exhorts us, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. A consistent prayer life helps us receive divine flow and direction from God, which in turn activates the spirit of grace and supplication in us. Beloved, we can all be connected to this heavenly access. All we need is a heart that desires it and a lifestyle of prayer at all times in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINTS:

1.Oh Lord, please help us not to be weary in our covenant prayer altar, in Jesus name.

2. Father, may the Holy Ghost descend upon us so as we can pray how we ought to, in Jesus name.

ACTION QUOTE: Remember, if you can see the physical cloud over your head, be sure that your heaven is still open.

Text: James 1:21(KJV)

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.

Friends, living a Christian lifestyle has become difficult in this last day, but the good news is that, as we embrace the Word of God as our mirror, it transfers the ability for Christian living to us, and in turn, we end up enjoying the Christian lifestyle. Our scripture above reminds us that until the Word of God is engrafted into us, we cannot truly function in the normal way of a Christian living. So, as God’s children, we are meant to have His Word engrafted in us because it is sealed into our lives by the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is a strong vessel and weapon, and it being sealed in our lives makes us stronger and dependent on it. Hebrews 4:12-For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Interestingly, the engrafted Word can fix any problem and influence both our physical man and spiritual man. It also instills grace in us to act and to do His will. Therefore, we all need this Word, but we must have an open heart to the Holy Spirit because He is our teacher. John 14:16- And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. As we keep hearing the Word of God, it gets rid of all filthy expressions around us. The Word also has the capacity to be imprinted into lives; we just need to be open-minded towards God’s word daily. I urge us to open our hearts today as we receive the engrafted word for total transformation in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINTS:

1.Oh Lord, may God’s nature be planted in our lives, so as to allow the cell of the Word of life to geminate, in Jesus name.

2.Father, please help us to continue to meditate on the Word of God, so as to produce genuine fruits in this kingdom, in Jesus name.

ACTION QUOTE: Remember, if the engrafted tree can bear the new fruit, we too can be grafted into right living as we align, daily.

 Text: Psalm 30:5 (KJV)

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Friends, no matter the pain, tears, the hardship, there is joy in the morning because the trials are not permanent but temporary. So, remember that the length of the night of sorrow notwithstanding, God is bringing us into a new season with streams of joy. Yes, God is turning the darkness into a new beginning of rejoicing because our God is faithful. Be rest assured that God will not allow the trails to continue but there shall be an end to sorrow. Psalm 126:5-6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.  Just as night cannot stop the morning from breaking forth, so trouble cannot stop God’s intervention from shinning out. Therefore, rejoice because there is a shift in that unpleasant season today. The scriptures above testified that God never abandons His own; instead, joy shall come with the new dawn. Be encouraged, because your tears today may water the seeds of tomorrow’s testimony. I pray God will take away the garment of sorrow and rewrite our story into joy unspeakable.

Amazingly, God’s mercy and goodness will always bring a brighter and better tomorrow. So cheer up, our God will ease and lighten our burdens for His name sake as He turns our mourning into dancing just like Hannah’s mockery from Peninnah brought forth Joy with her Samuel, a Prophet in Israel.  John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. This reminds us that though grief is real but God’s comfort is more realistic and His presence brings renewal and inner strength to us. Hence, morning always comes, and with it comes joy, peace, and restoration on every side in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINT: 

Father, may what we face today which may seem endless, turn around as God’s promise into our joy and no darkness can outlast His light in Jesus name.

ACTION QUOTE: Remember, no matter how thick the darkness, it is temporal.

 Text: 1 Kings19:7-8 (KJV)

And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.”

Friends, life is a journey that means that means we need strength for the adventure. Yes, there is a rough, crooked and difficult roads in life. For instance, Elijah, God’s prophet, reached a point where he was weary, discouraged, and ready to give up.  Col. 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Therefore, we need inner and divine empowerment to sustain life because there is a distance to cover in life but we need to eat fat and drink for the journey ahead. Hence, it is God that provides the strength we need to overcome the challenges and uncertain seasons of life. Remember, it is in Him that we receive grace, joy, power and supplies to move forward to overcome the burnout moment. It is important we learn to build hope and confidence in the capacity of our God for safe landing. Remember, our human effort cannot carry us rather we need divine enablement which takes us farer into His will. Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength… But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Interestingly, God show up to men of old like Joshua, he said be strong and of a good courage. To David, he encouraged himself in the Lord. He is also available to us, today. Friends, the journey of life in every perspective is demanding, so we need daily reliance on God either, physical, emotional, or spiritual. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. We need to build resilience and perseverance as to endure the seasons of tribulations. The path of the journey may be long, but we need to receive daily strength by His Spirit which comes as we dwell in His presence in the place of prayer, building up our faith, as well as in study and meditation of His word daily. Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. I pray His joy shall be our strength in our inner man today, in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINT: 

Oh God send an angel with food and water that will supply strength continually as I journey through life this month in Jesus name.

ACTION QUOTE: Remember, we need the comfort of the Holy Ghost to rise as to arrive at our destinations without fainting.