MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Scripture: Philippians 1:15-16, Jude 1:9-11

So what should we be asking the Lord for? Should it be provision for our families? Perhaps success in either our professional or personal lives? God declares His desire is that we prosper and live in blessing as our soul prospers! The Apostle Paul faced some of the same things we do today. Philippians 1:15 says, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains” Some are motivated by a desire to build their own kingdom while others build God’s kingdom in their hearts and in the lives of their hearers. The Abrahamic Covenant promises provision. Prosperity is a covenant promise – but one that can be misunderstood. God’s Word defines “prosperity” as ‘enough for us to bless others.’ That important key has been brought as a positive influence to the church. Christ summed up the appropriate way to pray for provision when He said, “Give us this day our daily bread.” In an age of warfare being conducted against the church, our prayers should similarly be geared towards warfare, but that warfare must be conducted wisely and with discretion. Jude, in writing about the archangel Michael’s battles with the devil over the body of Moses, says, But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Of people who would pray directly against former angels, Jude goes on to say, “Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” God judges motivation!