Believer's Breakfast

Believer's Breakfast EASY TO UNDERSTAND, EASY TO FOLLOW AND EASY TO APPLY WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

24/04/2015

FRIDAY: PREPARING FOR THE BATTLE
In the case of Moses, we saw that Pharaoh’s Nile River altar failed to keep the children of God under bo***ge (Exodus 7-10). We also saw in the case of Balak and Balaam that the curse could not alight on the Israelites simply because they were the children of God and God had already blessed them( Numbers 22 and 23). The story concludes with a remarkable declaration worth of acceptance by all children of God. Numbers 23:23 says; “Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!”
First things first – a man must be born again to become a child of God. John 1:12, John 3:5-21, Romans 10:9-11 all make clear that a man must receive Christ the Son of God to become a son of God. One becomes a son by receiving the Spirit of the Son which cries Abba Father to God Almighty (Romans 8:15-16, Gal. 4:6-7). God defends His children from the powers emanating from evil altars as He did the Israelites. So get born again and be shielded by God's army. Stay under the blood of Jesus. Live a life that pleases God so that you may stay under the wings of the Almighty.
Secondly, put on the whole armour of God mentioned in Ephesians 6. Paul writes to the Ephesians telling them to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (vs. 10). This means that one can be weak in the Lord. Paul then tells them to put on the whole armour of God – to be able to stand against the wiles of the devils (vs. 11). The wiles of Satan are where evil altars are involved.
Prayer Point: “Father, teach me to effectively use the armour to advance the Kingdom of God in Jesus’ Name.”

23/04/2015

THURSDAY: EVIL ALTERS GALORE
The Bible is full of people who erected evil altars. We saw how the Nile River was an altar for Pharaoh, Balaam build twenty-one altars to curse Israel, and the king of Moab used a wall as an altar and sacrificed his son. The Bible is also full of people of God who erected godly altars on which they offered sacrifices that pleased God. Abel (Genesis 4:4), Noah (Genesis 8:20), Abraham (Genesis 12:8, 13:4, 13:18), Jacob (Genesis 35:1), Moses (Exodus 20:24-26) all built altars unto the Lord and offered sacrifices that pleased God.
Are people still building evil altars today? The world is filled with evil and wicked altars in worship of false gods. The rampant su***de bombing of our generation are evil altars and sacrifices. The wave of mass shooting in malls, universities, public schools are all evil altars and sacrifices playing out in our times to advance the agenda of Satan – to steal, kill and destroy.
In our various communities - evil altars include trees under which village elders sacrifice, certain mountains, hills or raised earth features where people resort to worship false gods. Certain forests are also altars, regarded by their communities as sacred. Certain cults operate near cemeteries and graveyards. A common altar is the road junction upon which a victim’s life can be paralysed and confused by a sacrifice at the crossroad.
These evil altars are not limited to poor societies, but are found in both the high and low suburbs of every city in the world. The worship of Satan is global and involves all races and peoples of the world.
Can you identify any evil altar in your community? What is it saying against the children of God in that area?
Prayer Point: “Father - let the blood of Jesus Christ silence every voice against my life coming from every evil altar in the Name of Jesus.”

22/04/2015

WEDNESDAY: THE KING WHO OFFERED HIS HEIR.
2 Kings 3:26-27
“And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew the swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not. Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.”
In this account, the Israelites had totally subdued the Moabites and were burning their cities. The king of Moab tried to break the siege of the Israelites with seven hundred warriors, but failed. He then turned spiritual and invoked the powers of his gods by sacrificing his eldest son on a wall. The Bible says that there was great indignation against Israel such that Israel retreated to their land.
This is a typical evil altar erected to reverse the gains of the children of Israel. This indignation is the demonic response to the human sacrifice and the children of Israel had to retreat.
How do you respond if someone in your family, organisation or community raised an evil altar against you and sacrificed to reverse your gains or progress in life?
Prayer Point: “Father, let the blood of Jesus Christ answer every sacrifice on every evil altar erected against my life, family and destiny in the Name of Jesus.”

21/04/2015

TUESDAY: PHARAOH HARDENS HIS HEART.
A careful study of the ten plagues can reveal that Pharaoh hardened his heart even though the plagues increased in intensity with each passing plague. Why was this so? In Exodus 7:15, the Bible says that Pharaoh would go to the river in the morning. In Exodus 8:20, again Pharaoh comes to the river in the morning. According to secular history, the Egyptians worshipped River Nile and various deities linked to it. This morning ritual that Pharaoh engaged in (water) was in fact worship of the water spirits that ruled Egypt. A careful study will also reveal that God focused a number of His plagues on the waters of Egypt to humiliate and spoil these false gods in whom the Egyptians trusted. Thus this water altar blinded Pharaoh, hindering him from seeing that the finger of God was involved in these plagues. Most people who erect evil altars can fight against children of God relentlessly, till they themselves are left totally impoverished and even destroyed. They are stubborn pursuers like Pharaoh pursuing, until they are eventually drowned in the Red Sea.
To defeat Pharaoh, Moses kept bombarding Pharaoh’s evil altar with the miracle working power of God until the marine kingdom bowed to Jehovah God.
Do you have any Pharaohs pursuing your life to cut it short? Focus your prayers on the altars from where they draw their strength.
Prayer Point: “Father, by the power in the blood of Jesus Christ, cancel every curse issued from every marine altar raised against my life in the Name of Jesus.”

20/04/2015

MONDAY: WHAT IS SATAN’S MISSION STATEMENT?
John 10:10
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Stealing, killing and destroying define the unchanging mission of Satan and all those that work for him. It’s naïve for any Christian to believe that Satan is done stealing, killing and destroying lives.
People are a special creation of God, made in the image and after the likeness of God. Man was given dominion over all the earth (Genesis 1:26). This reign and authority given to mankind hinders Satan from freely carrying out his mission on the earth. Satan, therefore, has to engage other members of the human race to open doors for his attacks on his targeted people. Evil altars are part of Satan’s answer. They are used to allow entry of demonic and satanic powers into the earth realm and attack targeted people.
In Numbers 23:1, 14, 29, Balaam asks Balak to build seven altars in three different places from where he expected to curse the children of Israel with defeat. In this story, the altars were appeasement platforms where Balaam expected to access the spirit world and from there curse the children of Israel. God intervened and turned Balaam’s curse into a blessing.
Are there still Balaams and Balaks out there fighting the progress and advancement of the children of God? Do you sense that in your life, your progress or lack of it has anything to do with evil altars erected against you as Balak and Balaam did?
Prayer Point: “Father, let the blood of Jesus Christ stand in the way of the curse of Balaam and Balak in my life in the Name of Jesus Christ.”

19/04/2015

DEALING WITH EVIL ALTERS– PUSHING BACK THE DARKNESS!!
INTRODUCTION
An altar is a place where spiritual transactions between people and God or their gods take place. An altar is set up or erected by a person to his God or gods as a point and place of contact. In Gen. 13:18, Abram built an altar at Mamre to the Lord. These transactions include offering sacrifices in worship, making, activating and servicing covenants, communing with God or gods, invocations, operating as gates or entry points into the spiritual world, operating as entry points or gates from the spiritual to the physical realm and as a platform of engaging God or gods to intervene in people’s affairs.
For a Christian – the Cross of Jesus is the ultimate and eternal altar. Jesus Christ the ultimate and final sacrifice which God accepted forever into the Holy of Holies never to be offered again (Hebrews 9:24-28; Hebrews 10:12-14).
Do people set up evil altars? How does a child of God deal with such evil altars erected against his/her life?

18/04/2015

SATURDAY: OFF PLANET INVESTOR
How can we conclude?
Eph 2: 10 tell us that God has already prepared good works for us to walk in them. Eph 6:8 reminds us that God takes note of the good works we do to reward them. Do more good - every day – God is watching and recording.
Hebrews 10:24 encourages us to stir one another to good works. Hebrews 6:10-11 further strengthens us by telling us that God does not forget our works – they cannot go unrewarded unless they fail the fiery test (1 Cor. 3:11-15).
Hebrews 13:16 reminds us not to forget to do well and share – God is pleased with this.
What is the conclusion of the matter?
Pay close attention to your labour (or lack of it) in the Lord – it will be tested by fire. There is a reward apart from everlasting life.
Do an off-planet investment plan in the heavens by giving alms and sharing with the poor? Your earthly wealth can be made eternal!!
Give to the work of God – missions, building God’s people a sanctuary and the spread of the Gospel.
What have you sent off the planet recently!

16/04/2015

THURSDAY: ARE THERE TREASURES IN HEAVEN?
In 1 Cor. 3:14, we noted that if one’s work is destroyed, he himself may be saved, entering heaven as through fire. He enters heaven without a reward despite his labours on the earth. In Matt 6:19-21, Jesus reveals to us a superior investment strategy which never fails or diminishes. As humans, we have been privileged to have two lives - one short one on the earth, another everlasting one – the shorter one influencing the eternal life. Jesus in Matt 6:19-21 introduces to us how we can influence the eternal life in our earthly life – what a privilege we have as believers!
Jesus says – “lay up for yourself treasures in heaven” - how? Why? Matt 19:21 “Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
The construction of the above verse is critical in our understanding about investing in heaven.
Jesus gave a direct link between giving to the poor and treasures in heaven.
Giving to the poor is an earthly transaction with heavenly or eternal consequences.
We saw in 1Cor. 3:14 that there are rewards in heaven, we also see here that there are treasures in heaven invested beforehand while on earth, but multiplied and made immortal.
Note that treasures are mentioned before Jesus says, “follow me,” hence the giving is what triggered the treasures in heaven.
This poses a number of questions for the believer:
Is it possible that in heaven, believers will be living different lives – some with rewards and others without? Some with treasures and others without? What does this all mean, different dwelling places maybe? Different lifestyles maybe? Whatever all this means, I believe one is better off with both rewards and treasures!
What do you think about treasures in heaven? Do you have some of yours already gone ahead of you? How much?

15/04/2015

WEDNESDAY: GOING FOR GOLD
Peter, in 1 Peter 1:7, talks about genuine faith which will result in praise, honour and glory at the appearance of Christ. We have been discussing about how our works will be tested by fire to see if our works are fit for heaven. When the Bible gives us a picture like this of a future event, it is wisdom to prepare for this event for it shall surely come to pass. How do we prepare – through authentic, genuine, guileless, and pure works.
What makes our works authentic?
Aim always to please God rather than man. This is a big trap for all believers. There is a temptation to do things for the people, to be held in admiration by the people or to be accepted by the people. Peter asks the question of questions “Judge for yourselves if it’s right to please you or please God” (paraphrased) - Acts 4:19.
Doing in secret where only God sees and rewards (prayers, giving of alms, fasting) as taught by the Lord in the gospels.
Sticking to God’s written word which creates authentic and genuine faith.
Checking our heart’s motives every time we are doing work for God and His Kingdom.
Working from genuine love or compassion as opposed to obligation or forced.
Working from an eternal perspective – preparing our works for the test of tests - holy fire.

14/04/2015

TUESDAY: FIERY TEST PART TWO
1 Cor. 3:11-15 introduces an end –of –life judgement by fire where all our works are tested. Paul introduces certain materials which symbolise the quality and type of work that believers can be engaged in for Christ.
Gold - rare, high value, durable and eternal, high melting point (1,064 °C) thus able to withstand high temperatures.
Silver - high value, durable, high melting point (961.8 °C), more common than gold.
Precious stones – high value, beautiful and colourful, not really regular or well ordered, varying degrees of melting points.
Wood – low value, breakable, burns easily, common, easily eroded and eaten away, biodegradable. Wood will surely burn.
Straw – low value, burns fast and easily, common, eroded and eaten away easily. Straw will burn easily.
Hay - low value, burns fast. Common. Hay will burn easily.
Each person’s work shall become clear; the day shall declare it by burning. It is clear from the analysis above that three of the materials Paul referred to will burn away easily while the other three will be able to stand or will burn at very high temperatures.
Our rewards in heaven are directly linked to whether our works endure the heavenly quality test of fire or not. Note that these are not earthly tests and trials to strengthen our faith, but these are quality control tests happening in heaven - at the end of life - at the judgment seat of God.
If one man’s works burn, he suffers loss of the works and the reward that goes with those works - double Loss. He enters heaven, but empty handed!
If this be so with our ends – what must we do?
We should pre-test all that we do for God – our giving, our worship, our doctrine, our soul winning, our evangelism, our love for the brethren, and our walk in the world.
The scriptures are clear, there is a reward apart from entering heaven. What could that reward be?
From the list of materials above, which one would represent your major works in God? Is it gold or is it straw?

13/04/2015

MONDAY: FIERY TEST – PART ONE
1 Cor. 3:11-15 gives a vivid and important warning to anyone who would work for God. Whatever anyone does for God and His Kingdom will be tested before it is accepted into eternity. The Bible has declared that what is visible and physical is temporary, but the spiritual is for ever. This is important because it shows us that our focus should be the eternal rather than temporary. According to 1 Cor. 3:11-15, all our works in Christ shall be tested to reveal what sort they are. The take-home from here is that God is concerned with the quality of works done in His Kingdom and the heart and motives through which the works are done. Thus our giving in Church, our witness for Christ, our prayers and intercessions, our ministry of the Word, our doctrines, our total work for God and His Christ will be tested by fire to reveal what sort they are. It is time to carefully examine our work for Christ and pre-test it before God does His test and make the necessary changes this side of eternity.
So when we do ‘good works’ – they should pass the fiery test beforehand.
What works are you doing for God right now? In the Church? In your family? In the community? What is the deep-seated driving motive for you doing this work

12/04/2015

INVESTOR IN HEAVEN - PART ONE
MAINTAINING GOOD WORKS
The Lord Jesus went about doing good works which God had beforehand ordained that He should fulfil (Acts 10:38). 1 Timothy 2:9-10 exhorts us to adorn ourselves with good works. Paul puts, as a qualification for a widow to be considered for help, that she should have a good report of good works (1 Timothy 5:10). Speaking to the rich men, Paul admonishes them saying that they should be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate (1 Timothy 6:17-18). Paul is even clearer when he says that good works and evil works go ahead of us to the judgment seat of God (1 Timothy 5:24-25).
God’s desire is that we be thoroughly furnished unto all good works and that we may be perfect in good works (II Timothy 3:17).

LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH GOD
Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 3:9 that we are fellow labourers with God even as we are also the work of God. Since God said He finished His works on the sixth day, what works do we co-labour with Him? We labour with God when we win souls for Christ, when we become answers to people on the earth, when they cry out to God. We labour with God when we answer with provisions to a widow in distress, an orphan in want, a single woman going through a rough patch in life et cetera. We work with God when we do on earth what He is doing in heaven (John 5:17). Working with God involves us stretching our hearts and hands to touch other people’s lives on behalf of God.
What is God doing right now? How are you implementing it on the earth as His faithful ambassador?

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