WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Moses was one of the great lions, a true champion of faith! Moses built upon what Abraham established! Moses was the giver of the law, and the originator of the faith that was practiced by observant Jews throughout the millennia. The law revealed God’s righteousness! When Jesus was accused by the Pharisees and Sadducees, he was not accused of violating God’s laws. He was accused of violating the laws of Moses and of thinking himself to be greater than Moses. And the life of Moses is indeed mostly a testament to his obedience to God. Yet Moses, like pretty much every other human character in the Bible, was not perfect. He wasn’t even close to perfect. He committed murder! Thankfully, the Word also demonstrates time and again that God chooses imperfect vessels to accomplish His will, for it is in our weakness that He is made strong!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-10; Numbers 16

Moses faced a number of situations which were extremely trying on his patience. From dealing with Korah’s uprising to the Israelites forging an idol for themselves to worship while Moses was with God on Mount Sinai, Moses had to contend repeatedly with a rebellious people who spent most of their time complaining about how they would rather be back in Egypt as slaves. When the Israelites made the golden calf, God responded by suggesting that He fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by wiping out the Hebrews and starting over (the Hebrew nation afresh with Moses. Moses interceded for the people and implored God to forgive them. Obeying God in our calling is vitally important for us to be effective in ministry, or even in our everyday walks as believers. As we will see with Moses, failing in our obedience to God can have serious consequences for both of our ministries, and even our lives as well as our nation!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Scripture: Exodus 7:1-6

Much of the rest of Moses’ ministry is lived in obedience to God. We don’t know for certain who the Pharaoh of the Exodus was, but in much of the media, the name Ramses is frequently thrown about. Whoever he was, he was likely a prince in Egypt during the time that Moses was raised there. It is possible that the Pharaoh was familiar with Moses, even if they were not former friends as is sometimes portrayed by Hollywood. Still, Moses was faithful to God in pronouncing God’s judgment on the Egyptians and after the Exodus, in dealing with a rebellious, adulterous Nation of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. When dealing with situations that give us problems or produce extreme frustration, we can look to Moses and the struggles that he had with the Israelites.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

The prophets of old had challenging assignments of bringing correction and reproof to a frequently stubborn and stiff-necked people often without rewarding results. “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them.’” Jeremiah7:23-24 Scripture: Psalm 119:1-8. NLT. Our obedience to God and His Word has numerous, Life-giving benefits. Psalm 119:1-8 says in the New Living Translation. “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:31, Jeremiah 7:23-24

God calls us to obey him over our own desires or pleasures. It makes sense that Christ said that it is a narrow road which leads to salvation. Often we have to use our faith on our flesh to obey God. Is it any wonder the Apostle Paul said, I die daily. Walking that road requires surrender and obedience to God, and when we begin walking on that road is when we position ourselves to be used by Him!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Scripture: Romans 6:17

Obedience opens the door for God to use us mightily, even in ways which may not seem mighty to us at the time. Ministering into the life of a friend, loved one, coworker, or even stranger on the street could pay spiritual dividends in the future that we can scarcely imagine. Thinking that we know better than God, or allowing ourselves to get so frustrated that we lean on our own understanding instead of God’s can have unintended consequences. Obedience means surrendering ourselves and our will to do things God’s way. And the benefits of living life God’s way are numerous! In our online classes a few months ago we said concerning obedience, ‘Life is easier when we do it God’s way’ And it would also be appropriate to say, Life is deeper, more purposeful and more meaningful when we do it God’s way! Obedience becomes essential as the darkness grows deeper. Doing life God’s way has eternal benefits!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28

Deuteronomy 28 details the blessings that accompany obedience that God offered His people of Israel. The scripture starts in Deuteronomy 28:1: “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” When Israel was obedient, indeed they were set high above all of their neighbours. The kingdoms of David and Solomon while they were obedient to God were very blessed. David’s Israel was blessed militarily, and Solomon’s was blessed economically. Israel’s days of obedience were numbered, and due to repeated idolatry and wickedness, we know that God eventually allowed them to be carried into exile. Let us not surrender the blessings that the obedience of our ancestors purchased through pain and tears! Even if multiple others disregard Bible principles and morals the only wise path for us as believers is to do as Noah did and listen and obey the voice of God. Our obedience may very well lead to the salvation of many!

PRAYER

• Command the new moon to praise GOD who created it to mark the times and seasons. Psalm 104:19; 136:8-9; 148:3,
• Command the new moon to receive instruction only from GOD and from Kingdom citizens to fulfil only the purpose which GOD created it for in this season.
• Pray that the moon shall reject the incantations, prognostications, and manipulation from any other ungodly source.
• Pray that as the new moon waxes as a witness in the sky, so shall their desire to know the true LORD GOD grow with it.
• Pray that GOD should cut off those that handle the sickle in the time of harvest against the ignorant and cause them to flee. (Jer 50:16) At the new and crescent moon proclaim and enforce Num. 23:23 over your life, family, and the ignorant in the Ecclesia and territory.

Pray for yourself and others around you to gain this favour from the Lord.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, Daniel 11:32

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” Being obedient and surrendered in our Christian walk enhances our ability to war successfully against the enemy. It keeps our communion and relationship with the Lord alive and uncluttered, and gives the Holy Spirit greater access to move in us and through us. Daniel 11:32 says, “The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” God is recruiting His people as warriors in this hour. The book of Daniel has noteworthy accounts of 4 of God’s young men who were used mightily of the Lord, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. These warriors were set above others in a land of exile. Each was poised as a potential for martyrdom. In each case God delivered and spared them. Their mindset of regard for God and His Word was an issue of no compromise and deemed worth dying for! Do we want to participate in great exploits when they are needed? It’s time to prepare!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Scripture: I Samuel 15:22-23 Just as our obedience to the voice of the Lord gives us more fulfillment in life, disobedience can have the opposite effect. Saul’s disobedience to the Word of the Lord delivered through the prophet Samuel was the beginning of the end of Saul’s kingship over Israel. Saul had specific instructions from the Lord to spare none in dealing with the Amalekites, including the animals. ISamuel15:22-23says,“So Samuel said,  ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.’” We have no doubt Israel suffered due to Saul’s disobedience. Disobedience often times carries painful penalties that could have been avoided. Saul’s son Jonathan, a noble friend of David died in battle. Is it possible his death could have been avoided under a different king?

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Scripture: Acts 9, Proverbs 22:4

Ananias and Sapphira are well known Bible names from Acts 5, but there is another perhaps lesser-known Ananias who was a humble and obedient servant and prophet. This Ananias played a key role in the Apostle Paul’s conversion and call. Paul on the road to Damascus was blinded by divine Light. As he was waiting and pondering God’s visitation God clearly spoke to Ananias to go to Paul. In spite of his major objections probably including fear, Ananias went. He feared disobedience to God more that he feared man! Paul was healed as Ananias prayed and was launched into his call and true ministry as Ananias prophesied. Obedience to God has an element of humility. It is a ‘bowing of the knee’ within. It is our unspoken way of declaring, ‘You, God know the beginning from the end and Your thoughts, ways and plans, I elevate above my own.’ When we choose obedience to God we are always making the wisest choice. Proverbs 22:4 says, “By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.” The Passion Translation puts it this way. “Laying your life down in tender surrender before the Lord will bring life, prosperity, and honor as your reward.” One has to wonder if this obscure saint smiled every time he heard mention of the Apostle Paul and Paul’ journeys and fruit. May God give each of us something of this magnitude to smile about! Once Gideon settled the issue, it is not who I am but who God is that counts, his next hurdle was proving that it was God talking to him. He asked for a sign as he offered an offering. God answered by fire and Gideon perceived the angel was real and God was indeed talking to him! Faith came to obey the direction he was getting and God proved Himself to be for the nation of Israel!