Saturday 17th. March, 2018.

Saturday 17th. March, 2018.

JESUS PRAYED AND FASTED.....Luke 4:1-13.

JESUS was a habitual PRAYER warrior.

(1). The first instance where HIS  PRAYER habit is mentioned is in this chapter where HE fasted and PRAYED for strength and guidance by GOD for 40-days and nights in the wilderness; This was in line with the WILL of GOD, HE got just that.

(2). Just before HIS arrest and subsequent death, we meet JESUS CHRIST again up the mountain PRAYING earnestly.

Here, in (Luke 22:39-46) HE PRAYED for the cup of suffering to pass HIM, this was not in line with the WILL of GOD, it never happened, HE suffered and died on the Cross.

(3). Hannah prayed to GOD earnestly for a baby son whom she promised she would give back to GOD. GOD knowing the sincerity of her heart gave her exactly what she had asked for, and on her part, she did just as she had promised
(1 Samuel 1:1-End).

(4). Joshua prayed to GOD for the Sun to stand still;  GOD answered his prayer which was in line with the WILL of God (Joshua 10:12-14). The Sun stood still.

(5). The deceiver gets deceived. In the absence of sincerity, GOD changes your plans and makes them work for the GLORY of HIS HOLY  name as was the case between Jacob and Laban (Genesis 30: 31-43).

(6). GOD answered Sarai's prayer for a child even though she had lost hope and never thought she would  conceive and get a child (Genesis 18:1-15). GOD still remains faithful in fulfilling HIS promises unto us. She got a child at that advanced age.

Brothers and Sisters in CHRIST, with the foregoing in mind, GOD will still answer our PRAYERS and more so when we fast depending on the reason for prayer and fasting.

The only thing that you must know will happen whether you fast or not is that GOD will answer according to HIS WILL; you can not  ARM-TWIST GOD through your fasting to answer your PRAYER as you will;  it has to be in-line with HIS WILL.

Good morning !!!

_Sabbath School Summary_

_Sabbath School Summary_
*Debt-A Daily Decision*
_Lesson 11_
_Memory Text: Romans 13:7, 8_

*SATURDAY*: "Deny yourself a thousand things rather than run in debt." Though some people may lend us money from a pure heart, the majority lend to earn more. A Christian steward must manage his affairs wisely not to incur debt (EW, p. 267). "When one becomes involved in debt, he is in one of Satan's nets, which he sets for souls". Money needed to run the church must be sought wisely to avoid debt.

*SUNDAY*: "Borrowing money always entails a risk". We feel we're able to repay it but we don't know the future (Eccl. 8:7). It was after the axe fell into the water that the steward cried out; "'it was borrowed'" (2 Ki. 6:5). Spending borrowed money tempts us to borrow again till we are overtaken by debt (Ps. 37:21; Eccl. 5:5, Deut. 28:44, 45). God is our only way out of debt (1 Cor. 10:13).

*MONDAY*: Those who lives in the present seeks to instantly gratify their desires, and in so doing find themselves weeping (Gen. 25:34). Had Esau controlled his feelings, he would not have lost his birthright (Heb. 12:17). Unlike him, Jesus overcame the test of appetite after fasting to make us joint heirs (Matt. 4:3-10; Rom. 8:17; Titus 3:7, see 2 Sam. 11:2-4; Gen. 3:6, Phil. 3:19; 1 John 2:16; Rom. 8:8).

*TUESDAY*: Christian stewards must learn to "keep their expenditures within the limit of their income". The wise is not wasteful, but the foolish "greedily spend wealth" at his disposal, "even borrowed wealth" (Prov. 21:20). Paul counsels us to be content with Christ (1 Tim. 6:8; Phil. 1:21). We can have a planned budget to escape debts (Matt. 6:33; Prov. 14:15; Luke 14:27-30).

*WEDNESDAY*: The Bible admonishes us to abstain from debts or being guarantors of debts (Deut. 28:12; Prov. 17:18; 22:26). The one in debt may find dubious means to repay it and may stain his spiritual life. "Shun the incurring of debt as you would shun leprosy" or "small pox" (CS, p. 272, 257). Debt can make us a "servant to the lender" (Prov. 22:7). Say no to debt and owe no man.

*THURSDAY*: Saving is not hoarding (Prov. 6:6-8). Like the ants, stewards are to save to cater for their needs. Discipline, wisdom, and budgeting are key tools for a steward to manage his finances wisely. We double our monies in heaven when we give and on earth when we save (Eccl. 11:1, 2; Matt. 13:44; Luke 12:33). Saving wisely helps guards against poverty (Prov. 13:11; 21:5; 13:18; 15:22, see Deut. 8:18).

*FRIDAY*: All faculties given to man are to be used for God's glory. "Every good gift comes from above". God desires that all our nobler abilities and skills are harnessed for His work (Eccl. 10:10). Devout men of God put their skills to work to fulfill God's work (Exod. 35:31, 34). We have to educate our minds and harness our gifts to escape debts and foster God's work on earth (Matt. 25:15).

-Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 205.

*Keywords*

_EW- Early Writings_
_CS- Counsel on Stewardship_

*Captions*

_SUNDAY- Borrowing and Spending_
_MONDAY- Stewardship and Instant Gratification_
_TUESDAY- Living Within Your Means_
_WEDNESDAY- Saying No to Debt_
_THURSDAY- Saving and Investing_

*Discussion Questions*

📌 Although self-control is always important for the Christian, it is especially important when a lack of self-control can lead to financial hardship or even ruin. What can we as a church do to help those who could be in danger of this problem?

📌 Read Romans 13:7, 8. How can we apply these words to our daily lives and in all our interactions with others?

📌 Some argue that we shouldn’t worry about getting in debt, because Jesus is coming back soon. How would you respond to that assertion?

Never judge yourself

Never judge yourself by the things you cannot do. It’s easy to see ourselves as less than everything we were meant to be when we only look at the shortcomings in our lives. Often, we allow these underdeveloped areas in our lives to keep us from stepping out and trying to grow. Never forget the words of 2 Corinthians 8:12, “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” We don’t have to be the best at something to be used in that area. When we are willing to give, to try, and to serve, God honors our willingness not how polished the outcome is. Practice may not make us perfect, but a willing heart allows God to reach through us and touch this world

Be transformed,,Be blessed!

*WHY YOU SHOULD PRAY EARLY IN THE MORNING:*

*WHY YOU SHOULD PRAY EARLY IN THE MORNING:*
What is so important about early morning prayers.....?
1) Prayer in the morning is so important because you meet God before you meet the Devil.
2) You meet God before you meet the circumstances of life.
3) You talk to God before you talk to many people.
4) You fellowship with God before you fellowship with other people.
5) You hear news from Heaven before you receive any breaking news.
6) You sit before God before you sit before people.
7) You kneel before God before you kneel down before men.
8) You Honour God before you Honour people.
9) You get into His Presence before you get into the presence of people.
10) You feed your Spirit before you feed your body.
11) You  call Jesus before you call all other small names.
12) You see Jesus Christ before you see yourself in the mirror. 
13) You sweep your heart before you sweep your yard!

So, beloved, wake up and open your mouth and fellowship with your Lord Jesus!
Prayer is a powerful weapon and the weapon is in your hand and the power is in your mouth.
Rise up and use the power of prayer to empower yourself.