DAY 61: ACCESSING THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (2) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS
ACCESSING THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (2) FRIDAY 19TH OCTOBER, 2018 Texts: EPHESIANS 2:18 Introduction We can assess the help of the Holy Spirit if we are a child of God: The Spirit of God can only be received by the children of God. This is because the world neither sees nor knows Him – John 14:17. You need to be born of the Spirit of God. Secondly; we need to be obedient; keeping the commandments of Christ gives you access to the Holy Ghost. Jesus said if you love Him and keep His words, He would pray to the father and He would give you another Helper, the Holy Spirit – John 14:15-16. Thirdly; being obedient to God attracts the help of the Spirit. Have a thirst for Him. Matthew 5:6. Fourthly; be filled with the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit gets you filled with the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:1-4. The Spirit of God comes and dwells within you in His fullness: with all His power, majesty, splendor, peace, glory and honor. Jesus is the baptizer (Luke 3:16), so ask Him in faith and He will baptize you with the Spirit of the Lord. Remain ever filled. Once baptized is not always baptized, you can grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). You need to constantly go for refilling in prayer and in word study and ministration. The disciples were always returning for more in-filling and they never lacked access to the help of the Spirit of God (Acts 2:4, Acts 4:31, Acts 13:52). PRAYERS Empower me Holy Spirit to accept and grow in the supernatural life Holy Spirit, wash and renew me Holy Spirit, seal me to the day of redemption Holy Spirit, set me free from the law of sin and death Holy Spirit, reveal the deep things of God to me Pray in the Spirit for the next ten minutes Thank you for reading, kindly share this post by using the share buttons. Please click to register for NASA2018, bit.ly/NASAreg Early registration has closed. Late registration N2,000 (8th Oct. – 30th Oct. 2018) Very late registration N5,000 (31st Oct. – 4th Nov. 2018)
DAY 60: ACCESSING THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS
ACCESSING THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1) THURSDAY 18TH OCTOBER, 2018 Texts: HEBREWS 4:16 Introduction Holy Spirit is the best companion to have. He is the Helper Jesus promised His disciples that He would ask the Father to give them. He is your present help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16), but if you can’t access Him, you can’t access His help. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you – John 14:15-17 (NKJV) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit – John 3:5-6 (NKJV) PRAYERS Holy Spirit, help me to let go of all my earthly attachments Holy Spirit, help me to recognize what I am attached to that is not of You, and then hold my hand as I walk away from the things of the world Holy Spirit, give me the determination and the strength to let go so that I have no other gods before me. I want only You. Holy Spirit, I now surrender to You my ideas, my limitations, my preferences, and my goals Fill me, Holy Spirit, with all Your supernatural gifts Pray in the Spirit for the next five minutes. Thank you for reading, kindly share this post by using the share buttons. Please click to register for NASA2018, bit.ly/NASAreg Early registration has closed. Late registration N2,000 (8th Oct. – 30th Oct. 2018) Very late registration N5,000 (31st Oct. – 4th Nov. 2018)
DAY 59: OUR DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT (3) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS
OUR DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT (3) The Spirit’s Empowering Work WEDNESDAY 17TH OCTOBER,2018 Texts: ACTS 1:8 Introduction The Holy Spirit is not some intangible force. He is God. But through the work of the Holy Spirit, God’s people receive power. And that power is given for two major purposes: Evangelism of the Lost Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told His disciples this in Acts 1:8… “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The Holy Spirit empowers us with boldness, with faith, with love, the discernment, the words, the Bible verses, to share the gospel with those who don’t know Christ. And because God is sovereign in salvation, we can be assured that some will be saved. PRAYERS Holy Spirit, I thank you for your empowering work in me Father, I receive from you the spirit of counsel and might Father, let the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of God rest upon me Father, fill me with the spirit of excellence and wisdom for greatness By your empowering work in me, from today I receive grace to witness to the lost souls By your empowering work in me, from today I will stand out in my career and ministry in Jesus name.
DAY 58: OUR DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT (2) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYER
OUR DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT (2) TUESDAY 16TH OCTOBER, 2018 The Spirit’s cleansing Work Texts: TITUS 3:4-6 Introduction The Holy Spirit also work in sanctification – which means He is purifying us daily. What that means is that as a Christian grows in maturity, we also grow in awareness and recognition our own sin. The Holy Spirit convicts us – which means when we sin, He pricks our hearts and reminds us that is not pleasing to God. And He does that to lead us to repentance. The Holy Spirit does a cleansing work in us by removing our desire for sin and increases our desire for God, for His word, and for the things of God. God places His Spirit in us and causes our hearts to daily turn from sin and turn to Christ, to grow in maturity and to be more like Him. PRAYERS Father, I thank you for the cleansing work in me Father, I thank you for giving Holy Spirit as the down-payment and guarantee of my inheritance in Christ Holy Spirit, give me understanding of the gospel and makes it effective in my life. 1 Cor. 2:4; 12; 1 Thess. 1:4-5 Father, let your Spirit rest upon me Father, grant to me the spirit of wisdom and understanding in the knowledge of your person Pray in the Spirit for the next five minutes
DAY 57: HOLY SPIRIT CONNECT ME WITH MY DESTINY (1) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS
HOLY SPIRIT CONNECT ME WITH MY DESTINY (1) MONDAY 15TH OCTOBER, 2018 Texts: LUKE 4:17 Introduction Everybody in life needs something to be delivered into his hand to fulfill destiny. We keep seeking for things in life – money, position, connection etc., because we want to fulfill destiny. Jesus went into the synagogue and a scroll was handed over to him. I pray for you today, that which you need to make your life better shall be handed over to you in Jesus name. Amen. Not only was the scroll handed over to Jesus but He found the place where the fulfillment of His destiny was written. Moses not only possessed the rod, he was shown how the rod will make his life better and helped him fulfill destiny. I pray for you now that Holy Spirit will help you to know the usage of that gift or blessing in your hand in such a way that your life will be made better by it in Jesus name. Amen. Moses could have been going about using the rod of wonders as a walking stick but God taught him to use it the right way: Holy Spirit will teach you the right usage of that blessing in your hand in Jesus name. Amen. As soon as Jesus read and closed the book, all eyes focused on Him. Those that didn’t know that He was there before that time were compelled to recognize Him. As the Lord helps you, even those that didn’t recognize your personality will be forced to pay attention to you in Jesus name. Amen. You will not live an uncelebrated life in Jesus name. Amen. Finally, as we are gradually moving towards the end of this year in the ministry calendar, I pray for you and every member of your family that you will not end this year in shame and sorrow in Jesus name. Amen. PRAYERS Father, everywhere I go from now, whatever is there that could make my life better, let it not be withheld from me in Jesus name. Father, help me make the right use of whatever gift, talent, ministry etc that you have given me in Jesus name. Father, give my destiny a voice. Let my destiny not be silent in Jesus name. Father, make my life a significant one. In everything that I do, let me be a force to be reckoned with in Jesus name. Holy Spirit connect me with my destiny Father, the connection that will change my family statue and story let it locate me this year Father, order my steps to come in contact with those that God has prepared to help me Father, let me receive a divine connection for greatness Father, release me into the company of great men and women, those who would challenge and motivate me to be my best Father, open the floodgate of heaven and let it rain financially over me Father, connects me to my financial breakthrough this year Pray in the Spirit for five minutes Thank you for reading, kindly share this post by using the share buttons. Please click to register for NASA2018, bit.ly/NASAreg Early registration has closed. Late registration N2,000 (8th Oct. – 30th Oct. 2018) Very late registration N5,000 (31st Oct. – 4th Nov. 2018)
DAY 56: OUR DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT (1) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS
OUR DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT (1) SATURDAY 13TH OCTOBER, 2018 The Spirit’s Saving Work Texts: EPHESIANS 2:5 Introduction To live by, to keep in step with, to walk by the Spirit is what every believer is called to. That means, as followers of Christ, we cannot do it in our power or wisdom. We need supernatural help. We need help to live our own lives of growth and maturity in Christ. And we need supernatural strength to help others follow Christ. That’s what the Holy Spirit provides – supernatural power to be and to do what Christ has called us to. We are completely dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit to live gospel-centered lives and to do the work Christ has given us to do. The most amazing miracle that we will ever witness in this lifetime is the Spirit’s work of regeneration. Ephesians 2:5 – “even when we were dead in our trespasses, [He] made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—“ We know the primary purpose of the Holy Spirit is to point people to Christ. And He does this through the miracle of regeneration (which means to live again, to be given new life). Before Jesus saved us, we were dead in our sin. But in an act completely initiated and fulfilled by God, the Holy Spirit came to us, took our dead, lifeless, sinful heart, and made it alive in Christ. If you’re saved, it’s because God saved you. When you responded to the good news of the gospel, even that response was a result of the Spirit at work in you, causing you to be able to say “yes” to Christ. PRAYERS Thank you Holy Spirit for giving me a new life Holy Spirit, forgive me for wasting so much time and spending it in my own strength Holy Spirit, fill me afresh Holy Spirit, teach me how to live like Jesus From today, let me be an instrument that is always being used by Holy Spirit Pray in the Spirit for the next five minutes Thank you for reading, kindly share this post by using the share buttons. Please click to register for NASA2018, bit.ly/NASAreg Early registration has closed. Late registration N2,000 (8th Oct. – 30th Oct. 2018) Very late registration N5,000 (31st Oct. – 4th Nov. 2018)
DAY 55: SPIRITUAL GIFT OF LEADERSHIP (4) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS
SPIRITUAL GIFT OF LEADERSHIP (4) FRIDAY 12TH OCTOBER, 2018 Texts: ROMANS 12:8 Introduction As shepherds of God’s people, gifted leaders rule with diligence and possess the ability to discern true spiritual needs from “felt” needs. They lead others to maturity in the faith. The Christian leader leads others to grow in their ability to discern for themselves that which comes from God versus that which is cultural or temporary. Following Paul’s example, the church leader’s words are not “wise and persuasive” from the viewpoint of human wisdom but are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, leading and encouraging others to rest their faith on that very power (1 Corinthians 2:4–6). The goal of the gifted leader is to guard and guide those he leads “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). The spiritual gift of leadership is given by God to men and women who will help the church to grow and thrive beyond the current generation. God has given the gift of leadership not to exalt men but to glorify Himself when believers use His gifts to do His will. PRAYERS Father, we thank you for our leadership system as an organization Father, we reject every spirit of laziness and procrastination in our leadership system Father, transform our leadership system to a desired and envious height and shape Raise leaders who are more keen to wash others’ feet than to have their own feet washed. Father, may our leaders be exemplary in all that they do. Pray in the spirit Thank you for reading, kindly share this post by using the share buttons. Please click to register for NASA2018, bit.ly/NASAreg Early registration has closed. Late registration N2,000 (8th Oct. – 30th Oct. 2018) Very late registration N5,000 (31st Oct. – 4th Nov. 2018)
DAY 54: SPIRITUAL GIFT OF LEADERSHIP (3) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS
SPIRITUAL GIFT OF LEADERSHIP (3) Texts: ROMANS 12:8 DAY 54: THURSDAY 11TH OCTOBER, 2018 Introduction There are several characteristics of those with the spiritual gift of leadership. First and foremost, they recognize that their position is by the appointment of the Lord and is under His direction. They understand that they are not absolute rulers but are themselves subject to the One who is over them all, the Lord Jesus who is the Head of the church. Recognizing his place in the hierarchy of the administration of the body of Christ prevents the gifted leader from succumbing to pride or a sense of entitlement. The truly gifted Christian leader recognizes that he is but a slave of Christ and a servant of those he leads. The apostle Paul recognized this position, referring to himself as a “servant of Christ Jesus” (Romans 1:1). Like Paul, the gifted leader recognizes that God has called him to his position; he has not called himself (1 Corinthians 1:1). Following Jesus’ example, the gifted leader also lives to serve those he leads, and not to be served by them or lord it over them (Matthew 20:25–28). James, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus, had the gift of leadership as he led the church in Jerusalem. He, too, referred to himself as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). James exhibited another quality of spiritual leadership—the ability to sway others to think rightly, biblically, and godly in all matters. At the Jerusalem Council, James dealt with the contentious issue of how to relate to Gentiles coming to faith in Jesus the Messiah. “And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, ‘Men and brethren, listen to me: Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His Name’” (Acts 15:13–14). With that opening statement, James led the delegates to think clearly and biblically, enabling them to come to a right decision on this issue (Acts 15:22–29). PRAYERS Father, we thank you for fresh revelation of your word in the area of leadership as a spiritual gift Father, correct every leadership error or decision that is not making our branches, departments, fellowships, districts, directorate and ministry to move forward to the next level Father, correct every leadership error or decision that is not making Nigeria to move to the next level Father, let your Spirit rest on everyone involve in leadership to move the ministry forward to the next level Pray in the spirit for the next seven minutes for the spiritual gift of leadership Thank you for reading, kindly share this post by using the share buttons. Please click to register for NASA2018, bit.ly/NASAreg Early registration has closed. Late registration N2,000 (8th Oct. – 30th Oct. 2018) Very late registration N5,000 (31st Oct. – 4th Nov. 2018)
DAY 53: SPIRITUAL GIFT OF LEADERSHIP (2) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS
SPIRITUAL GIFT OF LEADERSHIP (2) WEDNESDAY 10TH OCTOBER, 2018 Texts: ROMANS 12:8 Introduction The Bible discusses the means for the church to accomplish tasks, develop the local congregation, serve the needs of the fellowship, and help it establish a community witness. The Bible describes these means as spiritual gifts, one of which is the gift of leadership. The spiritual gift of leadership in the local church appears in two passages, Romans 12:8 and 1 Corinthians 12:28. The Greek word translated “rule” or “govern” in these verses designates one who is set over others or who presides or rules or who attends with diligence and care to a thing. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12 the word is used in relation to ministers in general: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord.” Here the word is translated “over you.” Everything rises and falls with leadership. The more skillful and effective the leadership, the better the organization runs and the more the potential for growth increases. In Romans 12:8 the word translated “ruler” indicates care and diligence with reference to the local church. The ruler is to attend, with constant diligence, to his work, which is to watch over the flock and to be ready to sacrifice personal comfort to look after needy sheep. PRAYERS Father, we thank you for giving us more insight to the gift of leadership Whatever decision the leadership have taking before as a ministry, in our departments, fellowships, districts and in directorate, that is not helping the growth, father, have mercy and re-direct us In the name of Jesus, we put an end to leadership decision or plans that is affecting the growth of the ministry, departments, fellowship, districts and in directorate Father, give LIVING FAITH FOUNDATION skillful and effective leadership Pray in the spirit and thank God for answering our prayers. Thank you for reading, kindly share this post by using the share buttons. Please click to register for NASA2018, bit.ly/NASAreg Early registration has closed. Late registration N2,000 (8th Oct. – 30th Oct. 2018) Very late registration N5,000 (31st Oct. – 4th Nov. 2018)
DAY 52: SPIRITUAL GIFT OF LEADERSHIP (1) – 70 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS
SPIRITUAL GIFT OF LEADERSHIP (1) TUESDAY 9TH OCTOBER, 2018 Texts: ROMANS 12:8 Introduction The spiritual gift of leadership is closely related to the gift of administration and, interestingly, the spiritual gift of pastor/shepherd. The Greek word for the spiritual gift of leadership is proistemi. This word means to lead, to assist, to protect and to care for others. The spiritual gift of leadership is found in Romans 12:8 sandwiched between the gifts of giving and of mercy. It is placed there intentionally to show that it is a gift associated with caring for others. This is what connects it to the gift of pastor/shepherd, and what differentiates it from the gift of administration. It is more people oriented than task oriented in its application. This is not to say those with the gift of administration do not care for people, of course they do, but those with the spiritual gift of leadership focus on people and relationships more directly. The word proistemi is connected to caring for people in other passages as well. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Paul says to “respect those who labor among you and are over (proistemi) you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” The labor and work of those who were leading the believers in Thessalonica was that of tirelessly caring for their souls. Paul also connects leadership to caring for others when he asks, “If someone does not know how to manage (proistemi) his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” 1 Timothy 3:5. The Holy Spirit gives the spiritual gift of leadership to some in the church to care for God’s people and lead them into deeper relationship with Christ and each other. They base their success on how well they help others succeed and grow in their spiritual walk with Jesus. They are able to accomplish many different tasks and objectives as they lead, but they will always lead relationally and with a deep concern for the well-being of others. They are “visionary” and less concerned with mundane details than those with the spiritual gift of administration. Many are entrepreneurial and willing to take risks to see the kingdom of God advanced through the church. They will go to great lengths to protect those under their care and are well-equipped to lead through crisis situations. See also Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 12; 5:17. PRAYERS Father, we thank you for opening the eyes of our understanding to the spiritual gift of leadership Father, thank you for making us to know the importance of leadership in ministry Father, thank you for blessing Living Faith Foundation with the gift of leadership Father, help us to identify and better understand the gift of leadership In the name of Jesus, we receive the gift of Leadership in LFF Pray in the spirit and thank God for answered prayers. Thank you for reading, kindly share this post by using the share buttons. Please click to register for NASA2018, bit.ly/NASAreg Early registration has closed. Late registration N2,000 (8th Oct. – 30th Oct. 2018) Very late registration N5,000 (31st Oct. – 4th Nov. 2018)