Week 1, Day

Have You Forgiven Today? (Colossians 3:12-14)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against
another, as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do (Col. 3:12-13).

As far as we live in this world, offence must surely come, sometimes on a daily basis (John
16:33; Luke 17:1). People around us must continue to sin against us. There are some
fundamental things we must do on daily basis because of our identity and calling as Christians.
One of such things is to constantly forgive those that have sinned against us. Jesus answered, “I
say to you, not seven times but seventy times seven times” (Matt. 18:22), making forgiveness not
just a command but a necessity in our spiritual journey with Christ.

To forgive is to pardon an offence. The Greek word translated “forgiveness” in the Bible literally
means “to let go,” as when a person does not demand payment for a debt. Jesus taught his
followers to pray, “Forgive us our sins for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us”
(Luke 11:4). Likewise, in his parable of the unmerciful slave, Jesus equated forgiveness with
canceling a debt (Matthew 18:23-35). We forgive others when we let go of resentment and give
up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss we have suffered. The basis for true
forgiveness is unselfish love, since love does not keep account of the injury and covers a
multitude of sins (1 Cor. 13:5; 1Pet. 4:8).

If we fail to forgive others on daily basis, it means our daily prayers and means of
communication with God are cut off. Jesus reminded us that forgiveness of others is a major
condition for receiving forgiveness from God and a major condition for answering prayers (Mark
11:25). Unforgiveness can be an obstacle to divine blessings, favors and good heat - things we
need on daily basis. It can also be a doorway to demonic activities thus the bible warns us not to
give room to the devil (Eph. 4:26-27; 31-32). Though, we have been forgiven by God, He can
cancel the forgiveness if we fail to forgive those that sinned against us (Mtt 18:32-35). This is
very dangerous because it is a serious obstacle to our hope for eternal life.

Forgiveness on the other hand, is for our own growth and happiness; it frees us to live in the
present. Daily forgiving others will finally keep us on the path of divine blessings and eternal
life. So, have you forgiving today?

Prayer Points
1. Ask the Lord for the grace to forgive all that offended you on daily basis.
2. Begin to make a list of the people you are yet to forgive, forgive them in your heart and
pray for their well-being.
3. Ask God to restore every blessing you lost as a result of unforgiveness.
 Week 1, Day 7
WAKE UP THE MASTER
(Mark 4:37-39)
Life is like a journey in a boat through the sea. It is full of Ups and Downs. Sometimes things go
like you are lying on a bed of roses and at other times, it is like a man at war with the whole of
creation. For the man who sails in the sea, it is not about the tempest that befalls him but whether
or not he will reach the end of the journey in peace and in one piece. One remarkable thing is
that the tempest of the sea does not select which boat to attack. Whether the sailor is an
experienced sailor or not, the wind of the sea will still arise against his boat. It suffices to say that
challenges of life do not fear you because you are a Christian. In fact most of our fathers in faith
faced a lot of persecution and trials, but through that tempest of life they made it unto eternity.
For example, Abraham (Gen. 15:1-5), Daniel and his three friends, etc).

As we go through life, there are some very necessary things that we should know. First, that
there is Christ in your life does not mean that you are immune from trials and tribulation. It also
means that the presence of trials and tribulation does not indicate that Christ is not with you or in
you. Just as it was with the disciples, they had tempest even when Christ was with them in the
boat; so much wind that the water began to enter the boat. Jesus declared, “in the world, you
shall see tribulations, but be of good cheers for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Second, the Master is in the boat but you must increase you awareness of His presence by
studying His principle and approach. Due to lack of knowledge of God, many Christians perish
(Hosea 4:6). The disciples may have thought that Christ will automatically save them since he
was with them in the boat, but he didn’t. Rather He waited for them to apply the principle of “ask
and it shall be given unto you” (Matt. 7:7).

Third, wake up the Master with the declaration of His word. It was with the word that Christ
calmed the sea and He has given His word to us, only that we must apply them with much faith
(not little faith). How much of His word have you professed to that ugly situation in your life?
Do you even know what His word says about it?

Fourth, wake up the Master in prayer. The disciples went to Christ when disaster was about to
strike and asked Him to show concern for their plight (as if to say He wasn’t concerned already)
and immediately, He woke up and harkened to their prayer. We must learn to PUSH the master
until he wakes up! Never give up, keep PUSHing.

The scripture tells us that Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). The power is in you – Christ
Himself, in His fullness. Make your life a dwelling for Him and live in accordance with His will.
No matter the strength of the problem, wake Him up and He will see you through.

Prayer Points
 Ask the Lord to help you to have the consciousness of His presence always.
 Pray to overcome fear and live by faith
 Pray fervently that the Lord should arise for you in that personal challenge which you
may be passing through.
 Week 2, Day 6
TAKE OFF THE LIMIT
(Isaiah 52:2)
Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your
neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive (Isaiah 52:2).

Most times we are limited by our attitudes and actions. The fear of the unknown has held most
people bound to their present level or comfort zone. This was not the case of Abraham (Genesis
12:1-4), who was willing to venture into the unknown. Those who are willing to take off the
limit are those who reach out to God for help. They call on God to awake, to put on strength and
God also extends the same invitation to them (Isaiah 51:9, 52:1). Our moving away from God to
serve other gods provokes God to anger and brings stagnation and limitations (Isaiah 51:21,
Deuteronomy 28:15-47). The problems we may meet on our way to success may make us decide
to move backwards instead of forward (Numbers 11:1-6). However, once we realize that we
cannot do it without God, it becomes time to invite the Almighty, the all Powerful into the
situation. Once He comes with his strength every limitation crumbles and every yoke broken.

Therefore, it is time to shake off the dust of unbelief, the dust of doubt, dust of procrastination,
dust of sin, dust of fear and whatever dust that has ever hindered and limited you (Isaiah 52:2). I
announce to you today that God has already loosened the bands, yoke, hindrances and everything
that has limited you. It is time to shake them off, liberate yourself and proceed to the next level.
Praise the Lord!

Prayer Points
1. I remove every dust of procrastination, doubt, fear and unbelief from my life.
2. I come against every spirit of limitation and cast them out of my life and situation.
3. Oh God usher me into my next level.
 Week 2, Day 7
THE DOORS OF IMPOSSIBILITIES, OPEN!
(Psalm 24: 7-10)

Lift up your heads, O you gates and be lifted up you ancient doors that the king of glory may
come in (Psalm 24:7).

An open door is a God given opportunity in the midst of impossibilities. A closed door is a
situation filled with difficulties and challenges that tend to sift us away, especially, as it pertains
to our faith, freedom and salvation. Some of life’s greatest disappointments are when a greatly
desired door is slammed in our face. There comes a time in our earthly sojourn that all doors
seem to be shut on us, but one truth to hold onto when it comes to life challenges is that; "for
every problem, there is an uncovered part".

In Psalm 24:7-10, Jesus travelled to the world of the dead and commanded the gates of Hades to
tear open, so that the King of glory, strong and mighty may enter. The same way he is speaking
to those doors of impossibilities in your life. These impossibilities are your own world of the
dead such as, that job promotion or new job expectation which is on hold for years; that
relationship that broke off; that financial opportunity you have been seeking for long; that
circumstance that seemed to bring tragedy, heartache, or disappointment; those missed
opportunities, the lives never lived; the dreams never realized; that sickness keeping you down
for years; - all these the Lord has commanded today to be open.

Opening the doors of impossibility is not an appeal or request, but an order, a command from the
Most High, which must be obeyed. The force responsible for the opening is God himself.
Prophet Isaiah declared that the zeal of the Lord of Host will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:7). The
dry bones obeying the prophetic unction came back to life and formed a formidable army
(Ezekiel 37:1-10). The manifestation of this command is also dependent on our disposition to the
promises. We must also realize that when the Lord allows certain doors to close - it is to direct
our lives on paths we may have not explored otherwise. Hence, be expectant for what the Lord
will do today. The days of sorrows are over.

Prayer Points:
1. Ask for mercy of God in any way you might have been the cause of your misfortunes.
2. Pray that every lost opportunity in your life be restored by the blood of Jesus Christ.
3. Thank God for the prayers answered, worship him in his Majesty.
 Week 2, Day
The Cost of Discipleship (Luke 9:23)

And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23).

In Christianity, a disciple refers to a dedicated follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. For anyone to
be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus and partake of the kingdom of God, and have eternal
life, he must become a committed disciple of him (Rom. 8:28-30; Gen. 12:1-3; Matt. 4:19,
compare Mark 10:17,21 & Luke 9:23). Discipleship is the process of making people from varied
backgrounds to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus. It is the method that God uses to
make us become like Jesus. The goal of becoming a disciple is to obtain eternal life. This can be
seen in the response of Jesus to the rich young ruler, when he asked, “what must I do to inherit
eternal life?” (Mk. 10:17, 21). Jesus’ response corresponded with the condition of being a
disciple as seen in Luke 9:23.

The cost of discipleship clearly stated in our text is to deny yourself, take up your cross and
follow Jesus Christ (See also Luke 14: 25-27,33). Self is the art of just being human i.e. living,
thinking, behaving and reacting as normal human being. Different bible translations expose the
true identity of self as the flesh, old man, carnal nature, sinful mind, evil nature, old sinful
life, human nature, etc. Each of these names describes the distinguishing characteristics of the
self-life and it manifests in so many sinful ways (Gal. 5:19-21).

The cross is God’s instrument that terminates our old life for the exchange of another life, even
the life of Christ (Is. 53:5-6; Rom. 6: 6-7, 7:1-6; Gal. 5:17-25, 6:14). It is the authentic symbol
and public identification mark of the new creation man (Rom. 6:1-2; Gal. 6:14,17). The cross is
also God’s instrument for rendering the devil impotent (John 3:13-16; Num. 21: 5-9; Col. 213-
15) and it insulates us from the world system so that we may be able to follow the leading of the
Holy Spirit with all liberty (Gal. 6:14, 17; Rom. 6:14, 18; 1John 2:15-16).

Therefore, what it means to carry your cross daily is to say no continually to your own will and
yield to the will of the master Jesus Christ in everything you do or say on a daily basis.
The cross is not a sickness, a deformity, or an infirmity (1Cor. 1:18; Num. 21:5-9, 3John 2). God
does not give people sickness as their cross. Rather, all these terminate at the cross. The cross is
not a physical ornament for decorating the body, nor a symbol for ceremonial purpose (1Cor.
1:18-23). Using it this way only robs the cross of its power.

Prayer Points:
1. Lord Jesus give me the grace to deny myself, carry my cross daily and follow you.
2. Holy Spirit, show me through searchlight various other subtle manifestations of self-life in my
life and help me to overcome them
3. Oh Lord, reveal to me the, mystery and the ministry of the Cross.
 Week , Day
Where are You? (Genesis 3:6-9)
…… Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” (Gen. 3:9). The
Lord God asked this question when he came down to fellowship with Adam and his wife in the
Garden of Eden but they were not at the place of meeting. For God to come back again at this
time to us as believers or charismatics with the same question, shows that we have drifted away
from our positions and mission as the light and renewal in the Church. It is quite unfortunate that
we gather two or three times every week in the name of having fellowship with the Lord Jesus
while the Lord himself is searching seriously for us with a loud cry, Charismatics, Where are
you? He called us by the name, Catholic Charismatic Renewal because there are many things
that he needed to renew in the life of the Church through us but each time he comes to meet with
us in what we called fellowship of brethren, our own ways of doing things now which is totally
different from his own ways will make it difficult for him to travel with us and in us, to bring the
needed change first of all in our own lives and then in the life of the church. For we have
abandoned his own principles and doctrines of the new covenant. Instead, we have eagerly
followed the doctrines of demons which promote the preaching of back to sender and the death
of our enemies and the pursuit of signs, wonders and miracle, etc. more than growing the life of
Jesus and the development of his characters in our lives. The word of god says, “Let this mind be
in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).

Hear the word of the Lord, you Charismatic, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you
who live in the church at the moment: “There is no faithfulness, no love, and no
acknowledgement of God’s word in the Churches and the fellowship groups. For e.g., consider
what the Lord is teaching in the gospel, Matt. 5:43-48 and Luke 6:26-28. But many preachers
and teachers among us preach and teach the exact opposite of what the Lord commanded in the
new covenant ministry. We have never seen or heard in the scripture where Jesus or his disciples
preach or pray for the destruction of their enemies. Jesus rather rebuked James and his brother,
John when they sought for permission to pray such kind of prayer (Luke 9: 51-56).

Doing and preaching today what Jesus and his disciples neither did nor preached, is the reason
the Father could not locate us in the place of our meeting since Jesus is our example (1Pet. 2:21)
and the only way to the Father (John 14:6). This is also the reason cursing and lying, stealing and
adultery; fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, sorcery hatred, contentions, jealousies, spiritism (i.e.
encouraging the activity of demons), fighting anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself,
complaints and criticisms, feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in your little group,
envy, murder, drunkenness, wild parties and all that sort of things are found in our midst today.

Amidst all these, the lord is now asking the question, “Where are you?” Remember therefore
from where you have fallen, repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and
remove your lamp stand from its place – unless you repent (Rev. 2:5).

Prayer Points:
1. O Lord! Release upon me the grace of genuine repentance.
2. Lord Jesus, teach me your ways and principles to follow.
3. Lord Jesus, help me to say no to whatever you did neither do nor preach.
4. Teach us O Lord, how to pray aright.