December Edition Of Shepherds Guide

5th DEC 2009    DEVELOPING PATIENCE (1)

Patience is easy to demonstrate when everything is going our way. The true test to our ‘remarkable’ patience comes when our faith is being tested by delays. Check out the relic of our patience when cut in traffic? or when our rights are infringed invaded. DEAR LORD refresh our understanding of the fruit of the Spirit, …as followers of Christ AMEN. Hebrews 12:1 “THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,” I TELL YOU THIS! PATIENCE DOES NOT DEVELOP OVERNIGHT God’s power and kindness are crucial ingredients for the development of godly patience. May those ingredients be given to us in Jesus Name.

6TH DEC 2009      DEVELOPING PATIENCE  (2)

There is an impatient child in each of us that wants God to grant every request immediately even when God says ‘NOT YET’. Dear LORD all we ask You this day is to develop in us the following character builders:-discipline, trust, compassion and submission and above all the quality of patience (not being hasty or impetuo…us) in difficult circumstances in Jesus Name.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 “And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper]. But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

7TH DEC 2009   HE IS A WAKEFUL AND WATCHFUL  KEEPER (1)

When difficulties and dangers are greatest where do you go to for help? Who do you call on for help? Some may rely on great men of influence, princes and men of wealth David said “Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God.”

Your confidence should be in God only, Psalm 121:1 “I WILL lift up my eyes to the hills from whence shall my help come?” Stop polishing your chariots and stop grooming your horses-A faithful man shall abound with blessings packaged with faultless and flawless enduring protection- Read Proverbs 28:20 and Proverbs 30:5. We must see all our help in God and from God because trust in Him brings a sense of well-being; from him we must expect it, in his own way and time.

8TH DEC  2009   HE IS A WAKEFUL AND WATCHFUL  KEEPER (2)

The safety of those that put their trust in God is paramount to him-He doesn’t go on holiday when you need him; His phone lines are not dead, disabled or unreachable when you need to access Him in emergency for super security; And He doesn’t go on business trips when great difficulties and dangers are threatening, pushing or knocking down your natural walls of protection. He is a wakeful, watchful Keeper! He is always near his people for their protection and refreshment. He is ever there to add His super to our natural to make it supernatural.

9TH DEC 2009     FINDING  PURPOSE IN YOUR PAIN

One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

Do you know that finding purpose in your pain can help you to assembles your confidence?

The Bible in Job 1:22 said “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God. Finding purpose in your pain reinforces your trust and believes. When true trust is established in pain and great fear, you will be strengthened to see, and to know and consider and understand together, what the hand of the LORD is able to do. When you find the purpose in pain His Super will be added to your natural ability to increase your enablement to a supernatural level.

 

10TH OCT 2009     FINDING  PURPOSE IN YOUR PAIN (2)

Do you know that the capacity for finding purpose in your pain comes from knowing who God really is – He majors in impossibilities? Remember Joseph? Remember David? Remember Esther?

Genesis 50:20 Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

11TH DEC 2009    FINDING  PURPOSE IN YOUR PAIN (3)

The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. Then came the pain and challenge- and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me! She called to the men of her household and said to them, Behold, he [your master] has brought in a Hebrew to us to mock and insult us; he came in where I was to lie with me, and I screamed at the top of my voice.” Our pains are sometimes there to disengage us from our comfort zone and the comfort factor in our lives and open us to new possibilities. And Joseph’s master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the state prisoners were confined; so he was there in the prison. Joseph may have been sad, depressed, miserable, gloomy and dispirited. But remember we serve an almighty God that major in impossibilities. Genesis 39:21 says “But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy and loving-kindness and gave him favor in the sight of the warden of the prison.” This in actual fact was going to be the beginning of rigorous training for Joseph to assume the position of Prime Minister of Egypt. When you find and discover the purpose in your pain, God-the master planner and organizer will orchestrate, marshal and steer you in a new direction with a fresh mandate.  

12TH DEC 2009  LET YOUR SPEECH BE WITH GRACE

Sometimes our minds like the computer needs reprogramming and uploading with latest softwares before it crashes; God’s word from TV, Conferences, Christian podcasts & messages online; and from reading books and observing your quiet time are what we need to prevent the mind from acutely crashing. Sometimes our minds like the computer needs reprogramming and uploading with latest softwares before it crashes; God’s word from TV, Conferences, Christian podcasts & messages online; and from reading books and observing your quiet time are what we need to prevent the mind from acutely crashing.

Re-program your self talk! It’s a wonderful experience. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man-Colossians 4:6 GOD BLESS YOU IF YOU ARE READING THIS!

Re-program your self talk! It’s a wonderful experience. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man-Colossians 4:6 GOD BLESS YOU IF YOU ARE READING THIS!

 

13TH DEC 2009   ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives. Isaiah 59:19

14TH DEC 2009     HE DAILY EMPOWERS ME

I will serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. I will not be afraid to request His glory in this matter; because the LORD GOD whom I serve is longsuffering and gracious. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies (vindicated me on this matter),  You honour me by anointing my head with oil (daily empowered me),  My cup overflows with greater blessings. Psalm 23:5

15 TH DEC 2009   MY PRAYER FOR TODAY- REQUEST FOR INFILLING

Dear Lord I need a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit, let the Holy Spirit breath upon me and create order out of this chaos. I want another divine visitation from you LORD on this matter; let this cup pass over me Lord Jesus, now that the day is near. I have given up on trying to orchestrates events myself, because your word says “…he who began the good work in me will carry it to completion I know what the LORD ordains, He sustains!

16TH DEC 2009   A SIMPLE FAMILY REQUEST & PRAYER

Dear LORD I thank you for giving me and my family the daily grace to carry on despite the flood of intense trials, all I ask is to cause me to focus more and not to ignore what you want me to learn from all these and give me the exclusive wisdom to accomplish more for you in JESUS’ name AMEN!

I will serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. I will not be afraid to request His glory in this matter; because the LORD GOD whom I serve is longsuffering and gracious. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies (vindicated me on this matter),  You honour me by anointing my head with oil (daily empowered me),  My cup overflows with greater blessings. Psalm 23:5

17TH DEC 2OO9    BLESSINGS FOR OBEDIENCE

If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.

Moses made it clear that all that is required is obedience. In short this implies living your life  in line with His commandments.

  

18TH DEC 2009    GET A PRAYER PARTNER (1)

Why do I need a prayer partner?  Sometimes when we are up against something too big to handle alone or when we are overwhelmed by challenges and we find yourself retreating into persecution mentality instead going on our kneels and asking God for assistance. Then it becomes necessary to make a pact with someone who must be a Christian, a praiseworthy ally who share the same doctrinal principles and values and reverence for God to pray with you and for you.

A Prayer of agreement will rekindle your faith irrespective of your imperfection or shortcomings. Your faith is incensed or roused by the the daring faith and the fearlessness of others praying with you. Remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego -Daniel 3: 17-18

 

 

19TH DEC 2009      GET YOUR BEARINGS RIGHT

 

Getting our bearings right –That is praying according to His will regardless of what we want. The Bible says in Matthew 6:8 “…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” Once again emphasis is placed on getting the basics of our bearings right- Remember this all about God’s will and His Kingdom, not “My kingdom come my will be done.” Look at this fragment of the scripture in Matthew 6:9 Jesus said “After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”  God’s kingdom is not about some kind of ‘fair play’ because it is not based on man’s delusion of fairness as we may think.  It’s all about grace- fairness based on grace foundation because we are justified freely by grace because in that realm or sphere, God’s dazzling glorious will is unquestionably and delightfully done-a compliant honest and obedient heart receives! When are bearings are right, it implies we have full and unquestionable submission to the will of God

20TH DEC 2009  ESTABLISH YOUR LOCATION IN HIS WILL

 

Establish our location in His will (the will of the Father) as directed by him who freely justified us by his grace. Knowing and understanding where we are now and what God is saying about us is important, so that when we ask we don’t ask amiss. How God chooses to handle something is His will, the Holy Spirit is there empowering us to speak recognizing our weakness. Jesus model teaches us how to ask God to preside over every situation in a way that He deems best. We should never allow our will to flood His will for. Sometimes in our desperation we stumble in our faith-walk causing God’s will for us to be flooded with ‘Our Will’ because of the rising urgency in our sense of need and probably because of the dimness of our understanding of who God really is. His will for us is irrevocable and unchangeable though we may slow it down and cause it to go into hibernation but surely because He is able to deliver what He has promised it will come to pass.

 

21ST DEC 2009  HIS PROMISES HAVE BEEN FULFILLED IN CHRIST

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

 Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete.

27TH DEC 2009  A SIMPLE PRAYER IN THE NEW YEAR FOR OPEN DOORS

Lord you said “…Knock and the door will be opened to you.” I may have tried and knocked too hard in 2009; Dear Lord Jesus teach me to tone down my knocking, teach me to knock reverently-a simple knock to open the right doors in the New year 2010, so I can enter and evolve into that which you have destined for me. 

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need and knocking sensibly in 2010. Happy New Year.

28TH DEC 2009   TALKING TO DADDY GOD

Prayer is talking to God, our spirit man having a flow of spiritual desire to spend quality time with the Holy Spirit of God individually or collective in the congregation of the faithful. In the big picture, prayer is our spirit connecting and relating with God. Jesus specifically instructed us to pray every day just like he did to maintain communication with His father. There are several ways believers in Christ can talk to and maintain communication God and even evolve in their spiritual intimacy and relationship with God. Believers can talk to God by adoration, praise, thanksgiving, oblation, petition, and intercession.

However, we need to evaluate or review our prayer life in other to evolve it into something that will upgrade our relationship with God and identify areas for spiritual development/growth and also bridging the gaps in our lives to keep our life challenges as simple as possible.

 29 TH DEC 2009     OUR EARTHLY RESIDENCE IS TEMPORARY

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him therefore our Earthly residence is transitory, provisional and temporary because we know that our old (un-renewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin. By His grace (His unmerited favour and mercy), we are freed (loosed, delivered) from the power of sin [among men].

30TH DEC 2009  FASTING AND PRAYER AS THE YEAR 2009 COMES TO AN END

Fasting provides a penetrating view of events in our lives and highlights His will for us as we tune in and listen in spirit because God is a Spirit Being. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). 

Prayer changes the forecast even when predictions are out of step with the word of God. Fasting releases the power for change and aligns the situation so that God’s name may be glorified.

Fasting takes you out of ‘temporal spiritual retirement’ unnecessary diversions and changes your priority.

When you fast, you become less transparent about your situation (wants, needs, desires) because you are catapulted or spirited into another realm to enjoy a more involved and robust conversation and relationship with God.