PRAYING EFFECTIVELY by Daniel Yohanna

PRAYING EFFECTIVELY

God always answers prayers - always. Matt. 7:8 assures us of that. 1John 5:14,15 gives us grounds for praying confidently. 

You ask and receive not because you ask amiss (Jam 4:2). 

So, how do you ask properly?

Understand first of all that prayer is a DIALOGUE with God. It is a conversation with your Father. It is joining forces with heaven. 

If it is a dialogue, it means your Father is also talking, as much as you are talking (praying). 

The most important part of your prayer life is what God is saying about the situation. 

Lots of time, we just rattle words and leave without waiting to hear God’s instruction on the subject matter. You often need to hear God tell you what you need to do. 

Many times, prayers go unanswered not because God did not hear us but because we did not hear Him telling us what we need to do. 

What you did the last time may not be what you need to do next time to obtain victory (Case-in-Point, 2Sam. 5:17-21,22-25)

Isaac prayed for his wife, because she was barren. She took in. When she began to have issues with the pregnancy, she asked God, “Why is this happening to me?” (Gen. 25:21-23). God responded with a message. 

Paul went to God concerning the “thorn in his flesh.” God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you...” (2Cor. 12:8-9). 

Instead of just barging on God, “Do it Lord, Answer me Lord, Do it,” you need to engage Him in a conversation, especially for things you have prayed for over and over again and for a while. 

While the children of Israel were crying before the Red Sea, God responded by saying, 

“Quit praying and get the people moving! Forward, march!” (Exo.14:15, TLB)

He then instructed Moses to stretch forth the Rod over the waters and the waters were parted. Supposed they just kept on praying for God to make a way where there seems to be no way?

Jesus assured us that whatever we ask the Father in His name, He will do it (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24)

Yet, remember that God exalts His Word above His name (Psa.138:2). He does all things according to the Counsel of His Will (Eph.1:11). 

Start by finding what He has said in His Word about the situation. 

That’s exactly what Jacob did in Gen. 32:9-12;

“Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’:”

Deliver me...

For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well...”

What has God said in His Word? Start from there. 

The written Word is referred to as LOGOS in the Greek. 

Stand upon the LOGOS as you wait for a RHEMA (a specific word or scripture given you at the moment). 

God said to “Call to Him and He will answer you and SHOW YOU great and mighty things which you do not know (Jer.33:3). 

“Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” (Jer. 33:3, MSG)

When Israel cried for thirst, they found water at Marah but the waters were bitter. When Moses cries to the Lord, God showed him a tree, which was cart into the waters to make them sweet (Exo.15:22-25)

In the midst of the storm, Paul had a RHEMA from the angel (Acts 27:22-25) and it turned the entire situation around. 

The Word of God says “None shall be barren among us,” (Deut.7:14), so if you are experiencing a delay in childbirth, take that Word to God in prayer and meditation until you receive a specific Word on what you need to do, or stop doing. 

The Word says “None shall want her mate” (Isa.34:16) and “He sets the solitary in families,” (Psa.68:6) and you are trusting God for a life partner. Stand on those words until you receive a specific word. 

Why is this necessary? Since what is written in the Word is not manifesting in your life, you must find the missing link. 

His Will must be done in your life as it is in heaven. 

There must be an alignment of your life until it is in conformity with His Will. 

When you receive a RHEMA from God, you can go to sleep, your case is settled. You can take that Word to the bank. It shall be done. It shall come to pass. 

It is a new day for you in Jesus name. 

MARRIAGE WITHOUT TEARS X: What men expect of their wives By Daniel Yohanna

What men desire of their wives By Daniel Yohanna

It's too simplistic to assume all men are looking for is about good food or good sex:
Good restaurants can give good food, and any call girl can offer good sex.
If you think you can lure a man through sex, you're deceiving yourself. He'll see you as a sex toy. Men always get tired of their toys and seek the latest or upgraded version.
So, if you depend on your beauty to captivate the man, what if he meets a more beautiful woman (since women's beauty, kind of, lasts for a year: no Miss Nigeria has won for two years running).

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

1. The primary duty of a woman is to submit.
Submission is bringing your mission under. It means yielding to another in love. You are not running your own agenda, but aligning your vision to the overall vision of the house.
Show respect to your husband, whether you are richer, more educated or older. He is still the head of the union.
Never undermine your husband's authority. Never challenge his authority, especially in the open.
Avoid nagging. Stop being assertive, always insisting things must go the way you suggest. A suggestion is not an instruction.

Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. (Ephesians 5:22-24, 33 AMPC)

IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives, When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him–to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband]. Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them]. It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you]. (1 Peter 3:1-6 AMPC)

2. Men desire an understanding wife. Many men feel their wives don't understand them. They don't think along the same lines. They're not on the same page on many issues. And that's the source of conflict.
When he shares his vision, don't shoot it down. Study it first. See how you can make his dream come true instead of expressing pessimism every time he attempts to do something. Very soon, you'll be seeing surprises of finished projects, or you'll be hearing his plans from third parties.
Even if you disagree, do it strategically.
"A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger." (Prov 15:1)

By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance. (Proverbs 25:15 AMPC)

"Be patient and you will finally win, for a soft tongue can break hard bones." Prov.25:15 (TLB)

Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. (Ephesians 5:22-24 MSG)

Many women feel their husbands are stubborn, don't listen to their advice but listens to outsiders' advice.
Lots of time it's because you fail to understand him before trying to advise him.
Because women are more intuitive than logical, they do not know how to reason things out logically. A lot of things don't seem to make sense to them.
If you don't understand a man's vision, how then do you support him in fulfilling it?
Why do some men prefer hanging out with friends and colleagues in clubs, joints and other hangouts rather than return home?
The women don't understand how to make them relaxed.
He loves football, you hate it, so he'll go to a viewing centre to watch it, and pray he doesn't end up seeing some other things he didn't plan on watching before.
Every time he says, "Let's take a walk," you respond, "How can we be moving aimlessly as if we have no work? Please, I have plenty of work to do."
"Escort me to see my friend," you respond "Ah, you know, me I'm an indoor person." Ok. You'll remain indoors while things are happening outdoors with your man.

3. To build, and not tear down
EVERY WISE woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. (Proverbs 14:1 AMPC)
To incubate
Think about the taxi driver's wife who saved money from the house-keep money given by the husband. The day his taxi was grounded and he needed to buy a new engine and didn't have enough money, He was shocked when his wife brought out money. She said she anticipated the day there would be an emergency, so she saved from what was not enough.
Dr Myles Munroe called women domestic managers (not full-time house wives).
A man I know got a brand new car. He gave it to his wife. He said his wife prevented him from being extravagant. She helped him to be prudent and moderate. He had wanted to buy a car because he saw that of a friend, and she said, "There was no need. You are not in competition with other men."  As opposed to the wife that would always harass her husband: "Can't you see your mates? Are they not men like you?" Imagine that the billionaire kidnapper Evan's wife claimed not to know the kind of business her husband was into, yet was enjoying the proceeds of crime, eating and 'cleaning mouth.'

4. Women who can care
So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children, To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting and subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited). (Titus 2:4, 5 AMPC)

Pastor Bakare often said, "My wife gave birth to 5 children but she nurtured 6." (He being the sixth child).

5. Wives should provide comfort for them. They must must make the home a comfortable place to eagerly return to.
Delilah posed as the model wife a woman should be to her husband. Get him to trust you with reckless abandon. Samson so trusted Delilah he slept off on her laps. He told her all his heart, without keeping back anything. He didn't know she was an enemy - going to use the information she had against him. Do you use the things you know about your husband as a weapon during a quarrel or conflict?
If you can't let your wife know ALL your assets, investments, income and dealings, something is fundamentally wrong with that marriage of yours.

Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. (Genesis 24:67 NKJV)

Let your fountain [of human life] be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity], and rejoice in the wife of your youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant doe [tender, gentle, attractive]–let her bosom satisfy you at all times, and always be transported with delight in her love. Why should you, my son, be infatuated with a loose woman, embrace the bosom of an outsider, and go astray? (Proverbs 5:18-20 AMPC)

As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love. (Proverbs 5:19 NKJV)

Woman, keep your shape and looks the best you can, giving room for "wear and tear."

Avoid staying all day with wrapper over your chest.
Look good at all times.
Wife, don't be wearing swimming trunk as an underwear, with jeans trousers, to sleep. Make it easy for your man, let him not sweat trying to find something...pls, easy access, right? Keep it simple...dressing in seductive ways in the bedroom. (It's ok for you to make the first move...and make sure you move very well). I can see someone buying a new set of nighties. Yea, something is about to happen. Yes, let it happen.

Marriage without Tears ix: WHAT WOMEN EXPECT OF THEIR HUSBANDS

What women expect of men
By Daniel Yohanna

Ephesians 5:25-33
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

1. The primary duty of a man is to love his wife unconditionally. The greatest need of a woman is not money (she can make her own money). It is love.
She wants love and affection. She wants undivided attention. She wants a listening ear. She doesn't want you listening to her and watching Arsenal play at the same time or phubbing with your phone : undivided attention.
When you love a woman, submission becomes automatic - Col. 3:18,19. Christ loved us first.
When you love a woman, you will enjoy her comfort - Gen. 24:67
When you love your wife, you're actually doing yourself a favour => "Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage." (Ephesians 5:25-28,MSG)
2. Another need of a woman is security. You need to let her feel secure. You need to protect her. Protect her from family members, friends and people in general. He needs to leave father and mother so as to cleave to his wife. He must project his wife above family members. That's Bible. If you hate your wife you hate yourself. If you wound your wife you wound yourself.
Song of Songs 8:6-7 reads:
"Set me as a seal upon thine heart,
as a seal upon thine arm:
for love is strong as death;
jealousy is cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof are coals of fire,
which hath a most vehement flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can the floods drown it:
if a man would give all the substance of his house for love,
it would utterly be contemned."
3. As the head of the family, you need to provide leadership. They eyes are in the head. You need to provide visionary leadership.  Where is this family heading to? What plans do you have for the family? If anything happens, what are we going to do?
Abraham failed in this aspect. He allowed his wife Sarah make the critical decisions, which is why we're still having problems today with the sons of Ismael, because Abraham wouldn't provide leadership, to reject wrong counsel and stick to what God told him.
4. A man needs to provide for his family, or else God sees him as worse than an infidel (1Tim. 5:8)
5. A man needs to intercede and pray for his family, like Isaac did in Gen. 25:21. Isaac didn't send Rebecca out to go look for the solution to her problem. He prayed for her.
6. A man needs to fight for his family, not like the man who heard robbers knocking on the door and he ran under the bed and told the wife to go and ask them what they want. When they entered the house, she told them he was under the bed and she called him out, querying, "Are you not always reminding me you are the man of the house? Come out and face men like you!"
The woman is always at the man's left hand so his right hand can be free to fight.
Read Nehemiah 4:14 - fight for your households.
Use your strength for her and not against her.
7. Men need to protect their family from intruders. Where was Adam when the Serpent was having a field day persuading Eve to eat the fruit? We have a lot of "absentee Dads" today, and the usual excuse is, when confronted, "Is it not because of you people that I'm running up and down?"
8. Men need to improve their spouses and add value to them. Ephesians 5 says to purify her with the washing of water with the word, so as to remove all spots and wrinkles - through the words they speak to them. Not men who are intimidated by the progress and success of their wives and wound rather put them down.
Every woman is beautiful. Invest in her and see the beauty come out.
9. Women want men who will understand them - and handle them with care, as the weaker vessels. They are delicate; don't treat them roughly: handle with care. That's why men are called, "Gentlemen!" Because they deal with women gently.
Understand the moods of the woman, that she goes through monthly hormonal changes that affects her moods. Sometimes, you just need to give her a break: let her be.
"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." (1 Peter 3:7)
10. Women expect men to treat their wives with honour knowing that they are "suitable help" (Gen.2:18) for him. She's your helper. God  brought her to you to help you. You need the help of your spouse. [While men can be analytical and rational, women are intuitive. We just know things without knowing how]. Don't ignore her advice. She's more than a baby factory or a sex toy. She doesn't just belong to the kitchen, the living room or the other room. She has a purpose.
11. Men ought to bless their households regularly. To bless is to eulogize - to speak well of. Speak well of your wife and children. Don't run them down before your family and friends. David blessed his household as seen in 2Sam. 6:20a.

WAITING by Daniel Yohanna

WAITING...
whether it is a flight, a husband, a contract, admission or children you're waiting for, IT IS NEVER AN EASY THING.
It is much easier when you're certain of the time the wait would finally be over. You can fill in the time with time-consuming activities, take a nap, read or surf the web while waiting. But when you don't know for how long you have to wait for...and to imagine that disappointment is a possibility.
I recalled the day I was to fly from Ibadan to Abuja for a visa interview the following day. My wife dropped me at 11am for a 12pm flight. By 12pm, we were told there was a 2hr delay. I left d airport for the NCCF family house which was near the airport. I called an airline official after 2 hrs only to be told, "Wait for another hour, and then another hour..." By 7pm we were told the flight was cancelled. And my appointment was 8am the next morning. I had to go to Abuja by a night bus.
So, in waiting, there is this fear of possible disappointment after the many years of waiting. You keep asking yourself, "Will it ever happen?" "When will it be my turn?"
That is why God gave us the force of hope, to undergird our hearts as does an anchor to a ship (Heb. 6:17-19) Hope does not disappoint (Rom. 5:5). This hope keeps us going until we see our expectation (Rom. 8:24,25). It is to this hope that faith becomes the substance, which means you have no assurance for it ever happening except that you trust the God that promised you.
And you know what? God has documented the testimonies of those who have gone through what you're going through right now and came out triumphantly, so that you can have hope (Rom. 15:4). They waited for Him and their expectation was not cut off. They looked to Him and were lightened. Their faces were not ashamed (Psa. 34:5)
My prayer for you is that "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13)
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation" (Isa.25:9)
"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." (Psa. 27:14)

TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT By Daniel Yohanna

TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

There was tithe before the Law of Moses. Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek (Gen.14:18f) in response the bread and wine and the blessing from Melchizedek. 

Jacob vowed to tithe as the Lord blessed him (Gen. 28:20-22)

How did they know about tithing? 

Let's see the first case of offering to God in Gen 4:3-5 where both Cain and Abel brought their offering to God. Who taught them? Heb.11:4 says by faith, Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice...and we know that faith comes by hearing (Rom.10:17). So Abel heard, that was why he offered.

Under the Law, there were 3 kinds of tithing. 

The first was to be given to the Levites for their upkeep (Num.18:26). The Levites were God's representative, and so giving tithe to them, was giving tithe to God (Lev.27:30)

The second was to be used to feast with your household (Deut.14:22-25; 26:11)

The third kind, which was done every three years, was for charity (Deut.14:28-29; 26:12)

When Malachi taught, he emphasized giving to God from the standpoint of HONOUR (Mal.1:6-8,12-14)

The tithe was not to be a mere financial transaction, it was an art of worship (Deut 26:10)

Closely related to the tithe is the firstfruit, and are often used together or interchangeably. 

The firstfruit is the first harvest or first income, which is given to God as a whole. The tithe was 10% of the subsequent harvest. 

These are principles we see operating throughout scripture, like God telling Adam to eat every tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17).
Israel was told not to take the devoted things in their first city of conquest - Jericho (Josh. 6:17-19)

What you hold in your hand (as a substance) never gets to heaven, but your heart (of worship) ascends to God. 

Prov 3:9 instructs us to HONOUR the Lord with our substance and with the first fruits of all our increase. 

What about the New Testament?

There is only one reference to tithing in the NT. Though Jesus endorsed tithing in Matt.23:23, that practice was still in the OT. 

In Heb.7, mention was made of Abraham giving tithes to Melchizedek. So crucial is this issue of tithing that it is recorded that Abraham's great grandchild (who had not been born) also gave when Abraham gave (or paid) tithes. Wow. The effect of your giving transcends your life and impacts your generation (yet unborn). 

Heb.7:8 - Here (on earth) men that die (the Levites) received tithes but there (where is there?) he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives (who is he who is witnessed that he lives?). The reference here is to Melchizedek (and by extension to Jesus) receiving tithes, and scripture said, Jesus was made a High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek, and not after the order of Aaron or the Levites. 

Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek willingly. And so must we offer to our High Priest - willingly.  

Why was there no mention of tithes in the book of Acts?

In Acts 4:32-37, there was such great grace in manifestation that they were not giving 10% but 100%. Nobody was compelled to give. It was an elective giving like Abraham did. 

The Old Testament tithe was the avenue through which the Levites were taken care of. 

Paul says those who preach the Gospel should live on the Gospel. How then would they be taken care of?

Gal 6:6 says the taught should share with his teacher in all good things. He calls this "sowing to the Spirit," whereby you partake of life. 

1Tim.5:17,18 says to consider the elders who rule well in word and doctrine to be worthy of double honour. Remember, giving is a matter of honour (Mal.1:6-8; Prov.3:9). 

Just like Abraham gave in response to the bread and wine he received from Melchizedek, so when spiritual things are sown your way, your response ought to be with your material things (1Cor.9:11-15). Remember when you give to God’s servant, you are giving to God.

What percentage of your income should be given to God? Should it be the tithe (a tenth) as in 10%?

Paul answers in 2Cor.9:6 that you are going to receive in the proportion that you give. But you must give it willingly, cheerfully and purposefully. 

Today, we don't tithe as people under the Law. We give because we love the Lord. We give because we honour God as our Source and Provider. We don't give because we're afraid of a devourer. We don't give because we're afraid of the curse, no, we're not under the Law and so have been redeemed from the curse of the Law. We don't even give to be blessed, no, we give because we are blessed (Deut. 16:17; 1Cor. 16:1-2). 

It's a question of honour. How do you desire to honour God? Malachi even compares your giving to God with your giving to your Governor. If your Governor visited you, how would you entertain him? Lavishly? Outlandishly? Generously? How then do you entertain God when you give to Him?

The tithe then, is a principle of getting God involved with your finances. The Govt takes a percentage of your income as income tax, by which they get involved with the economy of the citizens through the provision of services to the populace. Your tithe (giving) brings God in partnership with you. 

There have been people who are known to have given up to 90% of their income to God as "tithe" and have been so tremendously blessed. 

People like Peter J. Daniels, William Colgate, John Henry Heinz, John D. Rockefeller, Oral Roberts, have been people who gave more than 10% of their income to God.

"The tithe is not a ceiling for giving, but a starting point for gratitude." - Jim Elliot (Missionary Martyr) 

I never would have been able to tithe on my first million dollars if I had not learned to tithe on my first paycheck, which was a $1.50 for the week." - John D. Rockefeller  

Did you know that many are or have been almost 100% tithers? Among the many famous ones are William Colgate, (Colgate-Palmolive), James L.  Kraft (Kraft foods), and Henry John Heinz (Ketchup).  All three of these men started out tithing 10%, and so blessed were they by the practice, that at the time of their death, they were giving away almost 100% of their income!

SHOW ME YOUR FRIEND By Daniel Yohanna

SHOW ME YOUR FRIEND By Daniel Yohanna

It was Dr. Mike Murdock that said you will be at the same spot you are 5yrs from now save for the people you meet and the books you read. I believe that, because I know that when God wants to change your position, He introduces you to a person. Your location determines your allocation. Where you are determines who sees you. Who sees you determines the level of favour that comes to you. Your company determines what accompanies you. You can't flock with chickens and soar like an eagle.
Corrie Ten Boom said every person God brings into your life is in preparation for the future only known to Him. Remember Joseph in jail and Pharaoh’s butler. That’s why if you have to walk out of a relationship, close the door gently in case you have a cause to open it again someday. Some only use people to get to where they are going and dump them, because they don’t realize they may meet those same people on their way back. Usually they think they may never pass through that way again. FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
So, who do you relate with? Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are. When people send me an IV to be in their group, I like to check their other friends. Who is your friend? Birds of a feather flock together. Iron sharpens iron (iron never sharpens wood).
That's why you can't be the world's friend and be God's friend at the same time.
"You are like an unfaithful wife who loves her husband’s enemies. Don’t you realize that making friends with God’s enemies—the evil pleasures of this world—makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy the evil pleasure of the unsaved world, you cannot also be a friend of God." (James 4:4, TLB).
God told me once that in any direction you set out for, there are enough people to help you get there. If you want to fall, Samson, there are enough Delilahs to help you down. But if  desire to go up, God has positioned enough people to help you up. Even if you are handicapped, there are friends to carry you up – Mk. 2:1-12. So before you think you are alone, there are at least 4 faithful men that will always stand by you. You will not be stranded in your course in Jesus name.


A good friend
A good friend is one that will seek ways of taking you up and rejoice with your elevation – Mk. 2:1-12
A good friend will tell you the truth even if it hurts – Prov. 27:6. They will not flatter you or tell you only what you love to hear (Job 32:21,22).
A good friend is consistent (Prov. 17:17) and loyal (2Sam. 15:37; 16:17) always standing by you even when others forsake you (Prov. 18:24) and also gives you hearty counsel (Prov. 27:9). Don't forsake your friends because your level has changed (Prov. 27:10).
A good friend is a friend in need (Luke 13:5-8).

A bad friend
Anyone that draws you away from God is not a friend - Deut.13:1-11.
A bad friend is one that is there for only what he can get. He is a parasite, whose mission is to suck you dry. It doesn’t matter if you have more money than him. He may not give you money, but he still adds value to your life, one way or another. Everybody has something to offer.
A bad friend will give you an ungodly counsel, like Amnon’s friend, who advised him to rape Tamar (2Sam. 13:1-20).
They influence you negatively (1Cor.15:33, NIV; Gal. 4:16-18; Prov. 22:24,25)
Job’s wife advised him to curse God and die (Job 2:9,10).
Job’s 3 friends condemned him in his trouble (Job 32:3)
I remember a girl I once confronted because she wasn't married but was advicing her married friend to deal with her husband. She felt the man wasn’t treating her friend well. The friend too started ‘showing’ the man. The man kicked his wife out of his house. Ironically, the girl later got married, while the friend, (with her child), was thrown out of her matrimonial home.
Be careful who you take counsel from. When people give you wrong counsel and it backfires, they never take responsibility for your woes.
How do you choose a friend?
Be friendly to have friends - Prov. 18:24
Two cannot walk together unless they agree - Amos 3:3
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? (2Cor. 6:14-17)
Prov. 27:9 says a friend gives hearty counsel. Contrast with Psa.1:1
Prov.27:17 says iron sharpens iron. Choose a friend that adds value to your life, not one that constantly drains you.
Prov. 13:20 says he that walks with wise men will be wise. How do you know a wise man? By the exploits in his life. Mk. 6:2 says, “What wisdom is this, that such mighty works are wrought by His hands?”

Let’s Pray:
1. Deliver me Lord from strange and deceptive pple – Psa. 144:11
2. Bring me in contact wt pple that will facilitate my destiny – Isa. 46:11 - destiny helpers, Lord! Also 1Chron. 12:1-2,21-22.
3. Anyone that would draw me away from the path of life, Lord, cut them off today (Gal. 5:12).

THE BENEFITS OF FASTING by Daniel Yohanna

BENEFITS OF FASTING
We are not fasting to get God's attention. Not like they did in the Old Testament, wearing sackcloth and ashes. Jesus said we should wear a "normal" look while fasting (Matt.6:16-18).
Fasting doesn't change God but changes us. Neither does it make God answer u faster. He's d same before, during and after your fast.
Fasting enables the flesh to be weak so that your spirit may be strengthened (which is why Jesus said a particular demon - then, before His death & resurrection - could only be dealt wt by prayer & fasting, as fasting makes your spirit strong). You don't need fasting to have authority over devils. "In my name," Jesus said, "you will cast out devils." (Mark 16:17). The devil is already defeated.
Your spirit becomes more sensitive and more responsive to God during a fast.
Jesus said there's a reward (an open reward) for prayer & for fasting (Matt. 6:6,16-18).
Fasting enables u to place ur attention on the Lord, as inferred in Matt.9:15 and Isa.58:3-7.
For fasting to be effective, it must be accompanied by prayer (or else, it is just a hunger-strike). The essence of our abstinence is to be more effective in prayer and communion with the Lord. (See Dan.9:3; Acts 10:30; 14:23; 1Cor.7:5)
You'll receive direction from the Lord as u wait upon Him in prayer & fasting (Acts 13:1-4; Isa.58:8-11)
You'll receive strength to mount up like an eagle to new levels (Isa.40:28-31; 58:14).
Depending on what ur aim is will determine how long ur fast goes for and how much u abstain.
I believe it is ok to drink water during a fast (for effective metabolism in your body) as water has no nutritional value.
If you're going for days, you could break in the evening with light or normal food (depending on you. I know of some that'll do 24hr fast, breaking in the morning only, instead of our regular evening break).
I've done different fasts at different times (over 4 months one time, breaking in d evenings. Now, I didn't set out for a 4-month fast. I just started and got used to it and so continued as I was enjoying my time with God) and 20days  marathon one time (breaking every 4th day in the evening).
Pls don't fast by some formula: 21-day fast (Daniel didn't set out to do a 21-day fast. He just held on till his breakthrough manifested on d 21st day. And not eating pleasant bread is unclear - whether he didn't eat at all or else ate but unpleasant bread. Kenneth E. Hagin talked about living a fasted-life: never eating to full capacity. He said he never did more than 3-day marathon b/c he always got d direction he was seeking by then).
Moses didn't set out to do a 40-day fast either. He wasn't fasting. He was caught up in God's presence on the Mount.
Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness for His 40-day fast. Be led pls if u have to go on a prolonged fast.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14). There is a link between fasting and the release of the anointing. Prayer/fasting releases the power of God.
Now, I do not see any biblical basis for d kind of "fast" where one eats food without some ingredients like oil or salt. That's affliction in O.T. fashion.
The Lord bless u as u wait upon the Lord.
I still wait upon the Lord the 1st 3 days of every month. We can do this together this year.
God bless u.