MEMORISE:

 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.Genesis 32:26

READ:  Genesis 32:24-30

 24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

 29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

 MESSAGE:

 There are many blessings that have been prepared for God's children, but many do not receive them because they are not just desperate enough. In our Bible reading for today, Jacob wrestled with God because he was desperate for a blessing. Mark 2:4-5 records that the paralyzed man was healed because he and his friends were desperate for his healing. I tell you if only you can be desperate, that issue you have been waiting on God for could have been history by now.

Unfortunately, some Christians take unpleasant situations as their fate. That shouldn't be! There is nothing you cannot change if you approach God desperately. There was a festival of arts in one of the Northern states in Nigeria some years ago and some of the people who went from the South were involved in a fatal accident on their way back. There was a young man - a Christian who was also involved in the accident. He was among the few survivors but was in a coma for days. Once in a while, he would come out of the coma and shout just one word: "Jesus", then go back into unconsciousness. One day, he came up again and said "Jesus", then opened his eyes and continued, "Death, you are not going to have me; I refuse to die." I am sure he was at the verge of dying, but he fought and overcame. The forces of darkness and hell could not hold him down because he held desperately unto Jesus.

 Are you going to let the devil hold you down in that situation? Are you going to give up hope and let the devil have his way? You must be desperate in you prayers today. You must tell the devil " No way! I am not going to let you have the last say over this matter.

Now go ahead and Pray to God concerning that stubborn matter. Tell Him you will not rest until He has answered you. Keep calling the name of Jesus concerning that situation. Today is your day of freedom!

If you don’t  have  anything  to  pray  about,  pray for someone else, or you can pray for me.

ACTION POINT:

 Pray desperately about that issue that has lingered for too long. I join my faith with yours and I decree that your answer will come speedily in the name of Jesus.

 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Ephesians 1-3

HYMN 18:  PASS ME NOT, 0 GENTLE SAVIOR.

 1.       Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

 o   Refrain:

Savior, Savior,

Hear my humble cry,

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

 2.       Let me at Thy throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition,

Help my unbelief.

 3.       Trusting only in Thy merit,

Would I seek Thy face;

Heal my wounded, broken spirit,

Save me by Thy grace.

 4.       Thou the spring of all my comfort,

More than life to me,

Whom have I on earth beside Thee,

Whom in Heav’n but Thee.