DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday 7th of November 2023
Lay Down Your ‘Isaac’
Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” [2] “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” [3] The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.
Genesis 22: 1 - 3 NLT
even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” [19] Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
Hebrews 11 : 18 - 19 NLT
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
John 12 : 24 NLT
The Lord God had promised Abraham He was going to make him a father of many nations, and through Isaac (the seed of promise) his descendants would be counted.
To the natural mind it’s baffling how God would demand the same seed out of which would come many nations. But to the heart that sees nothing as impossible with God like Abraham thought, God is able to let Isaac die and yet bring him to life according to His purpose.
God’s Kingdom is that of order, and the Lord Almighty follows the orders He’s instituted that men may also follow and revere Him.
John 12 : 24 tells us unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies it remains alone. We see the fulfilment of same scripture in the life of Jesus. He died and resurrected to become the first among many brethren, in that many have been reconciled with the Father through Him.
So with Isaac, since it was promised that through him many nations were going to come forth, he had to die (be sacrificed unto God) so that his resurrected life would be one that would bear many nations as promised by God.
At the poinnt of sacrifice, God didn’t let Isaac die physically for already in Abraham’s heart he was as good as dead. God saw through his heart and recognised the sacrifice was already offered even though it hadn’t be done physically yet.
He that sees the heart and reads the motives of men approved of Abraham, and therefore provided a ram in exchange for Isaac’s life.
Indeed, through Isaac, the descendants of Abraham have been counted and are still being counted as many nations.
Beloved, every time we lay down whatever God asks of us, we receieve multiple blessings, the same sacrifice we make at the end yields numerous blessings, not just physical also spiritual.
Child of God, perhaps there’s something the Lord requires of you which is a struggle, you must know as you obey it will eventually turn out for good and bring you joy. Whether it’s a material or spiritual sacrifice or even the sacrifice of your time, it will yield an increase.
Listen, God may ask you sometimes to give money, clothes, food, give up a habit, give up a relationship, give your time to fasting and prayer, sacrifice your job if may be you are in the wrong job, or it’s a hindrance to your godliness, or give up that sin.
The scripture didn’t say Abraham delayed and dragged his feet for days to obey, no it says He got up early next morning and stepped out to obey God.
Beloved, if God has spoken to your heart about something, it’s wise not to delay any longer, for Him that’s called and asked from you is faithful and He will surely reward your obedience and faithfulness.
So rise up and lay down the ‘asked’ and watch as it comes back to you with grace and favour.
Monday 6th of November 2023
Fresh Grapes In The Desert!
The Lord says, “O Israel, when I first found you, it was like finding fresh grapes in the desert. When I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the first ripe figs of the season. But then they deserted me for Baal-peor, giving themselves to that shameful idol. Soon they became vile, as vile as the god they worshiped.
Hosea 9:10 NLT
Rip your heart to pieces [in sorrow and contrition] and not your garments.” Now return [in repentance] to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness [faithful to His covenant with His people]; And He relents [His sentence of] evil [when His people genuinely repent].
Joel 2:13 AMP
Let the wicked leave (behind) his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion (mercy) on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:7 AMP
Beloved, how was it when you first met the Lord and your heart was touched by Him?
For many it would have been like a burden was lifted. A great deliverance was wrought. A gracious and joyful opportunity was received to live and love the Lord like never before. It was meaning of life finally discovered and the privilege of connecting back to God.
It was these and many more a lot of believers have felt within themselves at the times they accepted Jesus to be their Lord and Saviour.
Beloved, from the words of God through Hosea,
when the Lord first found us like He found the Israelites of old, it was like finding fresh grapes in the desert, and not stale ones. Found in a place unexpected, showing how special or treasured we have become in His eyes.
Anyone who goes to an open fruit or vegetable stalls knows how it is to find fresh produce displayed and equally buys them.
Beloved, at the very point we met with the Lord, we were likened to fresh grapes, clean, juicy, crisp and sweet in taste. In practical terms it depicts our whole hearted gratitude and love for God, portrayed in the zeal and passion we had for Him. The excitement and contentment we had following and wanting to obey Him in all things reflected in the times we made out to pray, study the Word of God and attend to other things pertaining to God’s Kingdom and His church.
But after a while, it’s noticed our attention and focus are stolen by things that are ungodly, or by some that are permissible but not beneficial and even by those beneficial. Our passion and zeal begin to wane just like fresh grapes turn stale in the stall because ìt’s been exposed to people’s hands that randomly pick and examine them, or exposed to flying insects that perch on them or even exposed to the heat of the sun, these and more are agents that hasten staleness or rotteness of the grapes when not properly covered for preservation.
Today, perhaps our walk with the Lord has become stale, dampened and lukewarm due to the distractions that have stolen our hearts and attention, wherein we have subtly relegated God from the place of True Priority to a place of secondary management without remorse.
The Lord exhorts us to repent and retrace our steps so it can be well with us. Any other except God that sits in our hearts and steals First consideration from us has become our idol.
Beloved, let’s examine our hearts to make sure the Lord God is still our first love, and our zeal and passion for God’s business is top notch.
May our daily encounter with God be attested to be like Fresh grapes in the eyes of our God Almighty.
Wednesday 1st of November 2023
Outside The City Are The Dogs!
Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. [15] Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.
Revelation 22 : 14 - 15 NLT
[9] Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor (perversely) effeminate, nor homosexuals, [10] nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers [whose words are used as weapons to abuse, insult, humiliate, intimidate, or slander], nor swindlers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6 : 9 - 10 NLT
Beloved, if the Word of God is true and sure does it not mean He will be faithful to honour and carry out His promises whether they please us or not.
When God says nothing unrighteous will inherit or share in His Kingdom so it will be.
How do we expect the God who is Holy to defile his presence with any form of ungodliness?
Light and darkness can’t dwell together, so it is and so will it remain even at the end of the age.
In the Kingdom of Heaven nothing that’s defiled or of a perverted character would be allowed to enter the gate of the Heavenly City.
All disobedients will be outside the City.
Remember outside the City is a place without the presence of God. The scripture says outside the City are the dogs. Who are those referred to as dogs?
The unrighteous, the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers, the sorcerers, the murderers and all who love to live a lie are the dogs that would be left outside the City.
Child of God, when the Word of God says these would not enter through the gates of the city nor eat of the tree of life, it’s not a fable or a joke.
Every believer in Christ who desires to share in the Kingdom of God must therefore not meddle with these sins nor pet them. We have been forewarned, should we not be forearmed? It’s wise to lay aside those sins that easily beset us.
Beloved, eternity with Christ should be our goal, may it never be that our portion would be outside the gate of the City.
Tuesday 31st of October 2023
Blessed Are Those Who Wash Their Robes.
I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.
Isaiah 61 : 10 NLT
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her [26] to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. [27] He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
Ephesians 5 : 25 - 27 NLT
Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. [15] Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.
Revelation 22 : 14 - 15 NLT
Let your clothes always be white [with purity], and do not let the oil [of gladness] be lacking on your head. (Ecclesiastes 9 : 8 AMP)
Beloved, Jesus didn’t go to the cross so that we may remain the way we were before His death.
He died that He might give us a new identity and way of life. His precious blood bought us our freedom from a life of slavery and bondage which would have resulted in our death.
He hasn’t just given us a new life in Him but has also changed our filthy, stinking garments of shame to white garments of righteousness and praise.
He has done so because He at the right time, after we have been made ready would present us before His Father, The King above all Kings.
Would it not be careless of us not to get ourselves ready in anticipation to meet with the King? Do you think the Son of God Almighty, the Son of the King of Kings having given up His life for redemption of His bride would risk taking a careless, ungrateful, unloving, dirty bride to His Father? Would it not be a disrespect to the Father and shame to the Son.
The Son knowing there’s a certain expectation from the Father would do all He can, and provide all needed to ensure His bride steps into His Father’s presence in the glory of a worthy bride. One thing to note is that the bride has been left under the care of an able chaperone whose responsibility it is to train and get ready the bride for her presentation.
Unfortunately inspite of the authority the Chaperone has been given, He can only urge and not force the bride to be dressed properly in readiness for the Groom. It has to be the bride’s choice to meet and be with the groom.
Beloved, Our Groom, Jesus has saved and put on us the garment of righteousness. He expects us by the help of the Holy Spirit to keep our garments clean always. We do so by constantly examining our hearts in the light of God’s Word and staying away from every defilement or corruption in obedience.
Imagine how disappointed Jesus would be if He comes back and meets His bride with stains of sin and defilement on her beautiful garment, not prepared to meet with His Father .
Child of God, be assured no one with a stained garment would be presented to our Heavenly Father.
So let’s strive to always keep our lives pure because without holiness no man shall see the Lord.
Blessed are those who wash their robes !!
Monday 30th of October 2023
The Lors Isn’t Slow But Patient !
This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory.
[5] They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. [6] Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. [7] And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.
[9] The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
2 Peter 3:1, 5 – 7, 9 NLT
Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, [10] or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT
Beloved, the mercies of God should keep us grounded, grateful and faithful in our faith.
It should make us not to be complacent in our christian walk with God.
Having a sense of complacency can lead one to live in oblivion, forgetting that which is most important to live for and live by.
May the Lord help our minds to be stimulated to wholesome thinking and our memories renewed.
It is said when a wise person knows He is expecting an August visitor, he begins to prepare and put everything that’s needed in place, but more importantly he’s alert to open the door whenever the visitor knocks on the door or presses the bell.
The bad that can happen is for the host not to be available or prepared, or perhaps gone into a deep sleep at the time the visitor arrives.
In the same manner if someone suspects thieves are targeting to break into his house, the owner of the house tries all he can to secure the house with burglary alarms, CCTV cameras, strong locks, metal protectors for doors and windows and even sleeps cautiously to be alert perhaps the intruder invades.
Beloved, the Messiah would be coming back for His people, and He means every word of His promise.
Unfortunately, because He hasn’t come back yet many are beginning to think and say He wouldn’t due to the length of time that’s gone by.
Child of God, do not be deceived or carried away.
Yes, it shouldn’t mean because He hasn’t come back yet therefore He wouldn’t. His Word tells us His delay to come is because He’s chosen to be patient so many more people would repent and be saved.
What we must be concerned with is being alert so His sudden return would be a thing of joy and not of regret.
What do we do then?
Number our days! Carefully examine our hearts regularly to make sure God finds us in Faith and righteousness.
To stay Faithful and bear fruits in the work He’s committed into our hands..
And finally rejoicing in His peace and love as our eyes are lifted up in expectation of His return!
Beloved, He will certainly return, Be ye ready!
Wednesday 25th of October 2023
Protocols Will Be Broken For You!
[3] Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.
[5] One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. [6] When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” [7] “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” [8] Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” [9] Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! …
John 5 : 3 NLT
Beloved, today we would learn wisdom from the meeting of Jesus and the paralytic man.
The paralytic man is like any of us that has one need or the other but is hindered by our circumstance.
In his own case being a paralytic meant he couldn’t walk or do much for himself, therefore leaving him at the mercies of people.
Does that sound familiar? There are mountains if you could move yourself, you would have moved them long ago, but unfortunately only another in that able position can move them for you.
We are told the Paralytic had been in that position for a long time, probably with all hope lost. Do you know Jesus looking at him knew he had been in that sickness for a long time. Listen what man doesn’t know about your pain, God knows. He knows where you are, your hurt, and how long it’s been. Just like Jesus visited and identified the paralytic, so will the Lord single you out among many for unfamiliar favour and miracle.
We need to note that Jesus didn’t go the familiar way. The Paralytic man probably expected a help into the pool, but Jesus had to break every protocol.
May the Lord break all protocols to meet your need to His glory.
The Lord didn’t allow the paralytic to go through the hassles of being lifted up into the well which would have got him wet, instead Jesus asked him to stand up, pick his mat and walk.
The man that was accustomed to being sat or laid on the floor was opportuned to stand up. The man that couldn’t move without help was not only standing but also walking. He got his healing without going through the process others went through. Only God favours people in that way.
Beloved, may this day be the day of your divine visitation, when all limitations will be lifted.
In the midst of many, grace and favour will locate you.
Beloved, because God knows where you are, you don’t give up on your miracles, for what men can’t do God will do for you in His due time!
Beloved, it will happen for you through Christ!
Tuesday 24th of October 2023
Trained By Discipline!
[7] You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
[10] For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. [11] For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].
Hebrews 12 : 7 AMP
Beloved, the Kingdom we have been called into is not a haphazard Kingdom. It’s a Kingdom of orderliness. It has rules and expectations, therefore to function well and fulfill all that’s expected of us as citizens of this great Kingdom, we must learn and live by the instructions of the Kingdom.
No one goes to a new country to live and expect not to live by the rules governing the nation. It will be ridiculous to reside in the new country and strive to live by the rules of the previous country of abode.
Similarly it is for every child of God translated from the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light, and the new life now lived would be by the dictates of the Spirit of God.
The Spirit of God leads in righteousness and anyone that mentions the Name of the Lord (who is a citizen) in this Kingdom of Light must depart from iniquity. The Spirit of God who is the teacher, the helper, the leader and the guide helps us understand the Principles of the Kingdom of light. He empowers and gives us all we need to live and operate in the Kingdom.
The Holy Spirit is a gentle Spirit, in as much as He teaches and helps, He never forces Himself on anyone. He excels in strength where in He’s accepted and given the right hand of fellowship, but stays on stand-by mode when He is not allowed to lead and help.
Sometimes Citizens behave unseemly due to pressures of different kinds. They try not to conform but choose to copy and live in the Kingdom of Light like the citizens of the Kingdom of darkness.
Such unruly and ungodly behaviour attracts several corrections and instructions which when rejected, with persistent disobedience causes the arm of discipline to fall.
This arm of discipline comes down not only to correct and fix back this disobedient citizen but also to stop this wrong Spirit of disobedience from spreading unto other citizens who may think it’s an acceptable behaviour.
Beloved, sometimes the wrong desires of our hearts and dominance of our flesh can make us ignore God’s instructions, and if we remain disobedient without repenting it attracts God’s discipline.
Every discipline is for our own good, and it can come in different forms like our earthly parents would choose to do. What’s important is we submit to the correction of God and change our ways.
Whatever the Holy Spirit is pointing out in our lives must be dealt with. Whichever direction He’s pointing us to walk in we must obey and follow no matter how scary or uncomfortable it looks. Whatever we are asked to do not minding if our ego is bruised we must comply. Only in our obedience would our love for God and His Kingdom be proven.
Again, it’s only in our compliance God is able to entrust us with more responsibilities close to His heart in this great Kingdom.
So, Beloved let’s not fight the discipline of God, it trains to equip us for Fruitfulness and takes us higher up the place God Almighty would have us be
Monday 23rd of October 2023
Pray Until Something Happens!
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. [2] “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. [3] A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ [4] The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, [5] but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’” [6] Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. [7] Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
Luke 18:1-7 NLT
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
The story in Luke 18 above is told by Jesus Christ himself to His disciples to show how they ought to persistently pray or ask until the Lord answers them.
Proverbs 13:12 in the EASY version states ‘When you do not receive the things that you hope for, it makes you sad. But when you receive what you have always wanted, you are very happy.’
So the Lord knows our hearts can be overwhelmed with disappointment when our prayers haven’t been answered yet. He wants us to know delays can come sometimes when we pray but we mustn’t allow ourselves to be cheated out of what we could receive through our persistence than giving up.
In as much as God is willing to send forth the answer to our prayers, He also knows Satan and his cohorts may decide to hinder the Heavenly couriers which may cause a delay or setback.
Now it’s our persistent prayers that pushes on for angels to take up the needed assignment, remove demonic obstacles and ensure our expectant answers get to us, even if it means engaging in a battle on our behalf in the unseen realm. We read of such a hindrance and battle on Daniel’s behalf, when the answer to his prayer (which was already dispatch) got stopped from getting to him by wicked spirits.
Beloved, whatever you are asking of our Heavenly Father according to His will, will eventually get to you, so do not give up your confidence in Him just because your answer hasn’t yet manifested. It may tarry but wait for it in the continual spirit of prayer.
Remember, we must persist to ask, seek and knock for that’s what God expects from us.
So align yourself with God, arm yourself with His Word, then push on in Pray and you will be glad you did.
Wednesday 18th of October 2023
Recount And Tell Aloud God’s Marvellous Works!
I WILL praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds!
Psalm 9:1 AMPC
Beloved, what do you WILL this day?
No doubt there are many desires in our hearts, many things we would love to experience and accomplish, be assured God is aware of every one of them.
David was one man that had a lot going on, but one thing he willed was to praise God with his whole heart, and to recount and tell aloud God’s marvellous works and wonderful deeds.
It takes someone that’s so appreciative of the wholesome goodness of God, which outweighs whatever the present challenges might be to will to praise the Lord wholeheartedly.
The scripture says He that observes the wind shall not sow, similarly any child of God that decides to be consumed with the events and challenges around him would never praise God because problems never cease.
Actually God didn’t promise us that problems will go away here on earth, on the contrary we are to expect troubles from every side.
But the good news for which we must lift our banner of praise is that God is with us all the way helping and making a way of escape for us.
Child of God if you focus on the hardship and present challenges, it will be difficult to notice and appreciate the many deliverances, provisions, protections etc that God has wrought in your life, in the life of your spouse, children, friends and families.
Beloved, in the midst of your wants, needs and pressures, sit back and remember the many hurdles you’ve jumped over in the past, perhaps it will help build your confidence once more that the same God will do it again.
Today reflect on just your yesterday, was there no goodness received of the Lord that should put praise in your mouth? Did you not go out, ran all your errands and returned home in peace, while there were stories of some who went out and never returned.
Listen! With a joyful heart make it your will to praise the Lord always, recount and tell aloud His marvelous works and wonderful deeds and He will do even much more for the praise of His name.
Tuesday 17th of October 2023
Don’t Turn A Deaf Ear …
Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!
Hebrews 12:25 NLT
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
John 14:26 NLT
[20] Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word.
Psalm 130 :20 AMPC
Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” [16] And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt?
Hebrews 3:15-16 NLT
Beloved, God loves to relate with His children.
There’s no relationship that thrives without communication, so God listens to His children as well as talk to them. He instructs, corrects and exhorts in many ways as He deems fit.
In Moses’ time, God spoke to the Israelites through Him. Moses was an intermediary that related the mind of God to them, but unfortunately they saw Moses as mere Moses and were not mindful of the big God behind him, on whose authority he was relating to them. These men and women of old refused to listen to Moses thereby disobeyed God. In their rebellion and stubbornness, none of the whole generation of Israelites that left Egypt beside Caleb and Joshua made it to the Promised Land.
In these present times God doesn’t only speak to His children using human vessels, but He does communicate directly to every child of His.
He can choose to speak through the voice of His Holy Spirit within us, or He can choose to communicate through His Word, through dreams, visions etc.
Beloved, God is still speaking! The scriptures above reminds us that as the people of old didn’t escape God’s punishment for not listening to Moses, even now men would not escape God’s judgement if they don’t listen and hearken when He speaks by His Spirit, or through His word or through any means he chooses to communicate
When God enlightens our understanding of His will, He expects us to promptly obey.
Unfortunately, the flesh has a way of kicking in to sabotage God’s instructions which we have received.
It’s our responsibility not to let the enemy harden our heart and sway us away through offences, doubts, disappointments, weariness, procrastination, self deceit etc.
Beloved, the Word of God we read has a voice, the Spirit of God within us has a voice, and God is also using His servants through godly counsels to speak to us. Let’s not turn a deaf ear but determine to obey God’s voice even when it’s difficult.
Our reverence of God manifests in our Attention and Obedience!
Monday 16th of October 2023
Weighed On The Scale Of Righteousness
And you, his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart (mind), even though you knew all this.
[25] “This is the inscription that was written, ‘mene, mene, tekel, upharsin [numbered, numbered, weighed, and divided].’ [26] This is the interpretation of the message: ‘mene’—God has numbered the days of your kingdom and put an end to it; [27] ‘tekel’—you have been weighed on the scales [of righteousness] and found deficient;
Daniel 5 : 22, 5-27 AMP
So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.
James 1 : 21 AMP
For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning Against all who are proud and arrogant And against all who are lifted up, That they may be degraded.
Isaiah 2:12
“Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
Matthew 25:19 AMP
It’s said that wise ones observe and learn from other people’s mistakes, they don’t seek to learn from making the same mistakes.
It takes humility to receive corrections, instructions and obey them.
In all that we do we must stay cautious not to take the grace and mercy of God for granted, in as much as The Lord Almighty is our Father, it’s important to avoid being arrogant and too familiar with God not giving Him due reverence.
One would think King Belshazzar, the Son of King Nebuchadnezzar would have learnt from his Father’s experience how to honour and revere God, but inspite of all He knew he arrogantly decided not to give honour to God. He chose with His concubine to desecrate the vessels dedicated to God Almighty which his father had brought back from the temple in Jerusalem. Belshazzar left other gold cups He could have used to drink his wine, he chose to use the gold cups meant for God.
Although Jehovah God had mercifully not judged him earlier for all his wrong, it didn’t mean he accepted his arrogance. When the Lord is merciful, it’s only to give us time to repent and turn around from our disobedience and wicked ways.
Beloved, there’s always a day for reckoning, a day the Almighty decides to look down on our affairs and weigh our thoughts and actions on His scale of righteousness.
He weighed King Belshazzar on the scale of righteousness and was found deficient. He lost his kingdom because of his wickedness and defiance of God.
Beloved, there’s a day of reckoning for everyone of us. As we came into this world at different times, so would we check out at different times if Jesus tarries. What’s important is our readiness in our moments of reckoning. It’s not enough to claim ‘The Lord is our righteousness and yet walk comfortably in unrighteousness.
Child of God, are you humbly receiving God’s Words of instructions or corrections and applying them? Are you uprightly seeking to honour God in all you do without taking a chance on the glory that belongs God?
Remember! There’s a weighing scale! No matter how long the Master is delayed, He will CERTAINLY come back to settle accounts with us. So Ensure the Ledger of your servanthood is balanced and not in red or negatives, for It won’t delay any longer!
Wednesday 11th of October 2023
Be Unwrapped And Released!
When He had said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” [44] Out came the man who had been dead, his hands and feet tightly wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and release him.”
John 11:43-44 AMP
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us STRIP OFF EVERY WEIGHT that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Although Jesus was a family friend to Lazarus and his siblings, the cold hands of death still visited the family. Lazarus’ body was numbered among the dead, where he was separated from the Living.
As it pleased God to show His glory through Lazarus’ death, His mercy arose and broke the protocol. A man who had been dead and buried for days saw the light of God’s glory, he heard the voice of Jesus calling him to come forth from the grip of death. Death couldn’t hold him down but hearken to the power of resurrection in the words of Jesus.
The doors to the abode of death was opened and Lazarus walked out of the grave. Amazing!!
He was now alive and out of the tomb but still wrapped up head (face), hands and feet with burial clothes. With all the noise and joy of his resurrection, how far could he have walked or how much could he have accomplished if his hands, feet and face were not freed of the burial cloths?
The burial cloths were signs of limitations, signs of his old residence, his of old state, signs of marks and smell of death all over him. He needed to be set free to go live a new life without limitations and fragrance of his old state.
Jesus knew he couldn’t live an abundant life with those burial clothes on, so He asked his feet to be untied so he could step into his liberty in Christ, to recover and possess wherever the soles of his feet tread on.
His hands were set free to accomplish the plans and purposes of God for his life and the burial cloth on his head/face had to be loosened so his mind gets renewed, able to operate in the mind of Christ and not tied to the old dead mindset.
Beloved, God has redeemed us (believers in Christ) from our old dead state, from our past dark life without the light of God, from being separated from the Living God. He called us out of the tomb of Sin and ungodliness, but unfortunately many still have their grave clothes around their feet, hands and head. The signs of the old sinful life still linger on hindering some from doing and being the best for God.
Today, the Lord is asking us to submit to the Holy Spirit and His Word so the grave clothes can be taken off. Every trace of the old sinful nature must be stripped off that the glory of God may shine on us.
Beloved, every atom of the old sinful nature limits and slows us down from running passionately and consistently for Goď.
Are there appearances of grave clothes (sin) in your life today? May the holy Spirit through God’s mercy unwrap you and release you into your High Places in Christ.
Tuesday 10th of October 20223
The Lord is Here To Help!
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [11] “See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. [12] You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. [13] For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. (Isaiah 41:10-13 NLT)
Beloved, everyday, every hour, every minute and every second is a battle for the children of God.
Satan is not careful to show he and those under His rulership hate us.
He tries to mess up our daily living by throwing unwaranted obstacles our way to make sure we lose sight and focus on that which is important as assigned by God and to keep our heart chasing after things that may be good but don’t have eternal value.
Listen, we are not battling flesh and blood. It’s not the man on your street who treats you unfairly that is your problem, it’s the invisible spirits that monitor and tag along everywhere we turn. They monitor to influence our actions and the actions of those around us. These wicked spirits listen to our vain words or words of unbelief and doubt when we get angry and frustrated because of the turn out of events around us. These evil entities without our knowledge try to conquer and intimidate us into a state of fear, anxiety, panic, discouragement and timidity. But we must never forget who we are in Christ and the greatness of our God who dwells in us, who has also given us His Words of promise.
In the above Scriptures, He assures us He is here to help us, contrary to what Satan would have us believe. Satan says to our minds that God is not willing to help and would not help. He tries to make us believe God’s no longer with us but has abandoned us. He says we have lost favour with God because of so so and so so short coming.
Child of God, all those are lies and manipulations of the wicked one.
God has promised as written above He is with you, to strengthen and help you.
He urges you not to be discouraged or fearful, but be courageous so He can work out things for you.
He’s promised to hold you up with His victorious right hand that you may conquer those that seek to conquer you.
Do not be discouraged in whatever challenges you are facing today for our God says they will come to nothing. All those onlookers waiting to carry around bad news will remain confused and humiliated for the tables will turn against them.
Child of God, the Lord is here to help you, therefore ask of Him and He will help you to Victory!
Monday 9th of October 2023
Run To Finish, Having Kept The Faith!
Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!” [12] So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled.
2 Chronicles 14: 11 -12 NLT In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord’s help but turned only to his physicians. [13] So he died in the forty-first year of his reign. 2 Chronicles 16:12-13 NLT If you think you are standing strong, BE CAREFUL not to fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to WIN! 1 Corinthians 9:24 NCV I have fought the good fight, I have FINISHED the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 NCV The beautiful thing about the race of life is everyone on it has been drafted in via grace, that is, God's unmerited favour. The same grace to run and finish the race is made available to all athletes, but we individually decide how we would run based on how or what we perceive the race to mean to us. In the race of life, some run with caution and seriousness, while some are not bothered about it, they just wake up as usual not giving it a deep thought. Setting off and running on the race track of life as a believer in Christ is a wonderful privilege, one not to be taken lightly. Beloved, the reward comes not with setting off on the race track of life, but finishing off well having ran by the rules stipulated. It's at the end of the race the athlete is rewarded. In between the Start point and Finish line are the hindrances, the hurdles of discouragement, the potholes of despair, the burning heat that saps energy, the rains that wet the body and causes it to shiver. Around are fellow athletes that are also running, some rùnning past us, some resting by the corner, some being treated of wounds from falls and collisions, some standing by contemplating whether to continue to run, there are some who have missed the track and followed on to other tracks, while there are some who are behind and are running along with vigour and hope to catch up towards the finish line. All these athletes you see around you and the hurdles you encounter seek to affect your psyche either positively or dampen your Spirit from running. King Asa started well with God but didn't finish well. Apostle Paul started his race and finished. Jesus started His Assignment and finished well. So Beloved, you will stay on the assignment/race you are on and finish well to win. Be determined and stay focused, holding on and looking up to Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith. You will finish and finish well by the grace of God !!
Wednesday 4th of October 2023
Declared, ‘Not Guilty!’
Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord. [24] Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give justice. Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles. [25] Don’t let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted! Now we will eat him alive!” [26] May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor. [27] But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!”
Psalms 35 : 23 - 27 NLT
Beloved, what’s that issue that terrifies you?
What’s that problem that palpitates your heart?
What has the enemy concurred to do that’s taken sleep away from your eyes?
What can Satan do if the Lord does not permit him?
What can your enemies do if their gathering or coming together is not of God?
Who can stand against you if the Almighty God is standing with you?
Who can uncover you if the Lord Most High is your covering?
Who can penetrate to hurt you when you are hidden in Christ and Christ in God?
Who can disfavour or blot out your name when your name is engraved on the palm of God’s hand?
Who can poke you when you are the apple of God’s eyes?
Tell me who can? Who can touch a Lion’s cub when the Lion, the King of the Jungle is awake and alert?
Beloved, do not fear, stay confident and immovable in our God for those who are rejoicing or have rejoiced at your troubles will be humiliated and disgraced. Those who seem to have triumphed over you because they have not yet received their due justice will be covered with shame and dishonor for God’s mercy will find you. You will be declared ‘not guilty’ before Satan and anything or persons that trouble you.
A righteous man falls seven times, and yet rises again because the arm of the Lord sustains him.
Child of God, God’s arm will sustain you through your challenges, His hand will guide you out of the situation and will raise up people to help and speak for you.
Listen, your enemies will not have you where they have desired because our Heavenly Father will show Himself strong on your behalf.
Remember when God judges you no man can judge you. May Jehovah be your advocate, only go before Him and plead your case in humility. Do not cover your sins and mistakes for as you pour yourself out like David did before God, His Mercy will cover you, and you will find Help in Him for your need.
Cry no more! Fret no more! Sigh no more!, arise and praise God in Hope and expectation for your deliverance is at your door!
Tuesday 3rd of October 2023
What’s Your Goal, Pleasing God or men?
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Galatians 1:10 NLT
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2 Timothy 4:3, 5 NLT
Beloved, I have no doubt you’ve been reconciled with God through Christ’s saving grace and now you are living for God in the best way you know and can. It’s indeed a privileged place to be, but the question you must sincerely answer in your heart is, ‘How are you living for God? What’s your goal? Are you living for the approval of men or God? Are you living to please God or men?’
Child of God, the Kingdom we have become a part of is one only the Almighty reigns and rules.
It’s one in which our allegiance to God shouldn’t be compromised or contested with and our worship of Him is in truth.
Our Adversary seeks to steal the worship and reverence that’s due only to God. He hasn’t stopped desiring to be God or sit in His position, but because he knows it’s impossible, he then subtly seeks to sit on the throne of mens’ heart making himself a demigod.
We know Satan projects himself as the god of this world, even if he is, Beloved, he doesn’t have to be the God in your life, it’s in your power to choose who becomes your God and who you will live for.
Our call unto God is not a call to become men pleasers. It’s not a call wherein we seek men to be happy with us, approve of us, cheer us and give us accolades. Friendship with world is enemity with God just like Friendship with God is enemity with the world. It’s quite impossible to be loved by God and be loved by the World at the same time because both Kingdoms are in opposition to the other.
The World doesn’t love God nor seek to please or glorify Him, instead it seeks self glorification and gratification, it also turns against anyone that seeks God. These days many christians are becoming sidelined and denied access to many things because of their stances and beliefs.
The world tries to dictate to believers what they should say, do, accept, promote and even demand compliance from them.
Many preachers of the gospel have been denied Visa to some countries, denied access to some venues to hold their meetings, and some have lost their jobs in some organisations and have had to face legal actions or gone to jail as compliance is enforced.
All these harrassments and unfair treatments are to instill fear in the hearts of many believers.
Child of God, our Heavenly Father exhorts us not to be fainted hearted but to remember our goal is to please our Saviour and seek only His approval in all we do. So I pray your heart be strengthened to live to please God Alone today, tomorrow and Always till Christ returns!!
Monday 2nd of October 2023
Don’t Be Fool!
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7 NLT
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2 Timothy 4:3, 5 NLT
Beloved, Satan is on a rampage to take out anyone he can from this strait godly path.
He knows his time is shorter than ever so he has doubled up His Kingdom activities.
We know he’s not working alone, he’s sent off emissaries into different corners to deceive, derail and cause confusion in many quarters.
He has his agents watering down the gospel of salvation, twisting and misinterpreting God’s word.
He’s planted his agents that probe the mind of men questioning the love, the works and intentions of God using world events as a reference.
They say how come innocent children are being killed in wars and earthquakes, couldn’t a good God have prevented it or protected the children?
They make it out that if God is as loving as projected by Christians bad things shouldn’t be happening.
Unfortunately in our church communities like every other place, Satan’s also using hardship and challenges to dampen the fervent spirit of many. He’s deceived some young hearts to believe it’s okay to live a double life, that is, to follow God as well as follow the dictates of their flesh. Because of the lies of the enemy worldliness has flooded the churches, right and holy living has become a thing of personal interpretation.
Many go to church not to meet with God and be transformed but to ease their conscience, socialise and put on a form of piety.
Some Preachers mouths have been gagged, so they don’t preach consecration, sanctification, love without emulation, selflessness, idolatry, adultery etc in their churches because of losing membership. Church goers have also become hard of hearing, hearts are severed with hot iron, no longer sensitive or offended by sin instead are intolerant to wholesome teaching.
Any Wholesome teaching that calls out their sins or pricks their consciences irritates them.
Beloved, we must be alert and keep a clear mind not to be deceived or fooled by these angels of darkness. The Word of God must have the final say in our lives not withstanding from whose mouth it’s been adulterated.
Child of God, be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as He exposes the deceitful works of Satan.
Stay alert and don’t be Fooled!
Wednesday 27th of September 2023
My Identity Is In Christ!
It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.
Hebrews 11 : 24 - 26 NLT
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
1 Corinthians 13 : 11 AMP
It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich.
Psalms 37:16 NLT
Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
Proverbs 15:16 NLT
Beloved, there’re times in our lives when we are faced with very important choices to make that either make us or mar us. As believers some of these choices get to define where we are and want to be with God. They reflect in truth how we value God and the work of salvation He has freely wrought in our lives.
When Moses was young, He lived in Pharaoh’s house and enjoyed the privileges of being one of Pharaoh’s sons although biologically he was not.
His life was preserved under this privilege as God had allowed because he was born at a time male children of Hebrew descents were killed. Having lived in the Palace he saw firsthand how his Hebrew Kingsmen were used, mistreated, despised and killed. He saw how belittling, hard and dangerous it was to be called, associated with or be identified as a Hebrew. Identifying as a Hebrew in Egypt meant enslavement and hardship.
Moses was aware of what it spelt out for him, the privileges he was going to lose and how he would be hated, hunted down and punished by the palace, yet He chose to associate and share the oppression of God’s people. Moses didn’t forget His root because of pleasures and gains of Pharaoh’s house.
Beloved, times are becoming hard. It’s become dangerous and unpopular to identify as a Born again Christian. Being a christian has almost become a stigma, an embarrassment to many, an association many won’t publicly identify with.
There’s so much ease of life and gainful prospects in being an open person that’s termed ‘not religious’.
Child of God, inspite of all the brouhaha the World is waiting for the manifestations of the Sons of God. The manifestations of those who are not ashamed to belong to Christ and ready to give up the pleasures of life and sin and be named after Him. Daily we are subtly brought to our knees to make these choices at every turn in our walk.
Beloved, how have you chosen to be identified?
Remember, Christ would be ashamed before His Father of those who chose to be ashamed of him before mere men.
Let’s therefore stay strong in our love for Him like Moses and the Apostles of old, and be proud to acknowledge our identity in Christ and teach our children same.
Remember it’s in Christ we live, and move and have our being!
Tuesday 26th of September 2023
Keep Your Eyes On The Invisible God!
It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27 NLT
… Let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], …
Hebrews 12 : 1b - 2a AMP
Beloved, God has set our lives as races which everyone of us must run.
In running our race of life, there are some assignments he has called us to do at different times while on our race courses.
Psalm 139 v 16 tells us God saw us before we were born. Every day of our life was recorded in His book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed, this means God’s intended assignments or job descriptions for us were already documented in His book even before our conception and birth.
God had a purpose before we were individually released to come.
It was same for Moses. He was born to deliver His Hebrew people from Egypt.
God in His wisdom ensured Moses wasn’t killed at birth. He placed Him unknowingly to them in the house of Pharoah to be trained in the knowledge of what Egypt and her gods stood for which God had afore planned to destroy and make a public show of.
Moses was therefore trained as one of the Sons of Pharoah to understand the culture, the religion, the gods and the whole system of Egypt.
God supposedly used one of their own to disgrace, dismantle and destroy the power and whatever stronghold the gods claimed to have in the land, after all it was God who made Egypt to rise and become the land of sustenance it became through His own ambassador Joseph.
When Moses took centre stage to obey God’s instructions, to deliver the Israelites and war the gods of Egypt via plagues he knew it was going to anger Pharaoh.
He had to look away from every emotional attachments and distractions especially from his adopted mother and family to focus on his assignment. Moses kept on going (not minding all the threat from Pharoah, the pursuance of Pharoah and his armies, the Red Sea before them, the multitude of the people he had to lead both young and old, both the happy and bickering ones) by keeping his eyes on the Invisible One, The Holy One of Israel.
Child of God, to fulfill our God given assignments we must do like Moses did. Keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He called us to our assignments and in His strength would we finish it if we continue to look up to Him.
Perhaps you are about to give up on what God’s called you to do because you feel overwhelmed or you think it’s not doable. Listen, God will not ask you to do what His Spirit wouldn’t help you to do, note also if you are leaning on yourself instead of His Spirit for help then you can’t make it.
Today, be DETERMINED and RESOLUTE to keep your eyes on the INVISIBLE ONE no matter the noise of war Satan is drumming around you.
Beloved, because God is with you, you will cross every Red Sea, push away every hindrance and see your enemies sink into their own pits.
Don’t be discouraged! It’s time to march on fearlessly leaving all the past and fears behind into the very reason you were born.
Monday 25th of September 2023
Special With Unusual Blessings!
It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.
Hebrews 11:23 NLT
When courage and confidence step in, fear flees.
Not until we fully understand to stand boldly on whom we are in Christ and the awesome power that dwells within us, fear would still be running round our garden like a headless chicken.
How do you think the parents of Moses felt everytime they heard young babies were taken off parents and killed? They knew hiding their son was a risk that could get not just their son dead but even the whole family, especially mother and Father.
A knowing inside of them strengthened their hearts to say, “not my son, We will not hand this one over to be killed”.
We are told they noticed Moses was an unusual child. Meaning he was an uncommon, extraordinary, exceptional child. The scriptures didn’t tell us what made him unusual or how or why he was an unusual child, but the parents having perceived this exceptionality were also persuaded against all odds to hide baby Moses for safety. As they disobeyed the King’s order Moses was preserved by God.
Beloved, if you don’t value the gifts of God in your life as Unique or special, Satan will trample on them.
You maybe wondering what gifts in your life are special?
Let’s start with the life you have, Beloved it’s uncommon. Life is not what one can buy with money. It’s a special gift given by God. If it could be purchased believe me, only a certain category of people would be able to buy it. Unfortunately because it’s given freely by the mercies of God many have not valued it enough to live it in such a way that it pleases God. Satan has quietly crept in, stolen, destroyed, wrecked and made a mess of some lives.
What of the gift of children, families, talents, jobs etc. All these blessings did not come cheap, God specially gave them to us for His own glory.
When we see and value the blessings of God as special we will seek to preserve them. We will fight the enemy when he comes to mess up these blessings in our lives. We will refute the enemy when he seeks we use the gifts to dishonour God and His Kingdom. As we desire God to help us preserve His blessings in our lives, He will lead and give us wisdom on how to do so like Moses parents.
Beloved, you are a Special person endowed with Special blessings. Appreciate and treat all you have as such and the courage to use and preserve them to the glory God will rise to defy every ungodly decree.
Wednesday 20th of September 2023
Faith Doesn’t Disappoint!
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
Hebrews 11 : 8 - 10 NLT
But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.
Hebrews 11 : 6 AMP
Beloved, the word Faith is not an ambiguous word, it simply means believing. It’s a ‘believing’ that’s rooted in the heart and then influences all we do.
We are either in faith or out faith.
Daily we walk in faith without realising it. For instance, we sit on a chair without checking first if it’s strong enough to bear our weight. It never occurs to our mind, but subconsciously we have faith in the chair to bear us up when we sit on it.
In that same way God wants us to trust Him in everything we do without a second thought just like we are able to trust the chair when we sit.
Abraham was a man that trusted and followed God with all his heart even when he didn’t know where he was setting off to. Like we would say, he trusted and followed God blindly. Why? Because in his heart he was confident in the reality of who God is. He knew and understood God to be the Almighty One who’s Omnipotent, He never lies nor changes His mind.
Abraham believed in the goodness that comes from God, he trusted that whatever God’s plan and purposes were for leading him out of his land of birth were great and better for him compared to what he would have wished or planned out for himself. So Abraham left his comfortable home and family living in tents still not knowing his final destination. All he had in his heart was the promises of God, and he followed every step of the way.
The mistakes he made along the line didn’t deter him, he still followed God. At the end God showed Himself strong, He blessed and established Abraham as He had promised.
Beloved, without believing God, His promises would not manifest in your life. Our walk with God is one of believing and trusting Him every step of the way even when we don’t have the whole answers.
Beloved, when we have received the promise of God’s Word we must continue to maintain our walk of faith.
Faith is like the blood that flows in the Believer’s veins, without it we are no where in the radar of God’s favour.
Our Almighty Father is calling us to throw out fear and anxiety and begin to walk in faith with Him, for there’s no disappointment for the one who relies totally on God’s wisdom, plans and purposes.
Beloved, If you can’t trust the Rock of Ages that can’t be moved, be sure none other can bear you up, for all others are nothing but sinking sand.
Tuesday 19th of September 2023
Do Not Harden Your Heart!
When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser: “Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah. Inquire about the words written in this scroll that has been found. For the Lord’s great anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do.”
2 Kings 22:11-13 NLT For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 AMP Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” (Hebrews 3:15 NLT) In the time of old, God always spoke to His people like He does even now. He instructed Moses to document all His instructions, commands and dealings with them. God's instructions and commands were written in a scroll, unlike now we have His Words of instructions put together and bound in a book format known as the bible. In this generation God's Word is being stored digitally wherein anyone can access it. What's important is not the access we have to read or listen to the Word of God but How we relate with it. When we hear it how does it affects our lives? Does it convict and bring us to our knees or do we treat it as mere words and shut our eyes, ears and heart against it. Fortunately the Word of God is alive and active. It's able to accomplish and transcend all spheres of this material or immaterial world. God's Word is God Himself and holds all accountable at His right time. How we respond to the Word of God is actually a reflection of how much we value, revere and honour Him. It also reflects where we are with God presently and the direction we are headed. Whatever attitude we exhibit towards the voice of God's Word is strictly our personal choice. King Hezekiah did all He could to obey and walk according to God's instruction, but His Son Manasseh although young (12yrs old) when he ascended the throne abandoned the fear and Followership of God he had learnt from his father. This is contrary to Josiah who ascended the throne at the age of 8, grew up in a fetish environment. His father Amon and grandfather Manasseh had departed from the worship of God to different gods. But when King Josiah heard God's word read out from the scroll, His heart was contrite and broken. He decided to lead his nation aright to worship the Living God. He could have ignored the words read out from the scroll but he chose not to. Beloved our worship of the Most High God is our personal choice, we can't blame our families, friends etc because our loving God would always give us individual opportunities to either choose to serve Him or neglect Him for whatever reason we uphold. Listen, Eternity is a personal journey! We can't end up with Christ without embracing and obeying God's Word. Let's be like young Josiah who heard the voice of God's Word, repented and destroyed His ungodly foundation, choosing to walk with God and obey Him. Beloved, don't harden your heart !!
Monday 18th of September 2023
Never Quit Believing!
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.
All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.
Hebrews 11 : 11 - 13, 39 - 40 NLT
But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24 : 13 NLT
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
Hebrews 10 : 35 - 36 NLT
Beloved, it’s no doubt waiting on the promises of God can be daunting or wearisome especially when the waiting has been going on for long in our eyes.
At a point the heart may be begin to contemplate whether to give up or not, or even when it doesn’t totally give up the heart may subtly grow cold in waiting.
It wonders how long it should continue to hold up in hope?
Beloved, trusting God to make good His promises involves a personal walk with Him.
Firstly, anyone that comes to God must know He is more than able to do all things, and He’s a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.
Secondly, God calls the shots and not us. He owes us nothing! Whatever He does for us is out of His goodness (mercy and grace) for us who are undeserving.
Thirdly, God can’t be assumed to be a man. He doesn’t lie and His faithfulness is laced with integrity. Whatever He’s said He will do so He will.
Fourthly, God is not bound by our time, He works out His promises according to His time and purpose and to receive we must allow His timing to play out.
Beloved, we must learn from the people of old who gained their spot in God’s Hall of Faith.
Many of them died still hoping for the promise of God’s salvation (through the Messiah) which they had perceived from afar. Although God’s promise was fulfilled it wasn’t received by that generation but a later one. Yet they never gave up on the promises of God.
Child of God, in the same vein we must never give up on God and His promises. it doesn’t matter how long it takes, if it tarries we must wait for it.
Perhaps you are trusting God for the fulfillment of His word, do not give up on it. Don’t stop believing!
It will surely come in God’s good time. No quitting, No turning back, No checking out!
Beloved, may your patient endurance and hope in the God who doesn’t fail yield you your desired promise!
Wednesday 13th of September 2023
Discard Your Own Understanding !
Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.”
But Naaman was furious and went away and said, “Indeed! I thought ‘He would at least come out to [see] me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place [of leprosy] and heal the leper.’ Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus [in Aram], better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
2 Kings 5 : 10 - 12 AMP
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 AMP
Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7 AMP
A lot of times when we are in a fix we tend to forget the Almighty God is bigger than all we can ever think out or fathom.
In our small minds we narrow out whatever we think the solution to our problems would be or how we envisage it would play out, but only God knows the way He intends to go to give us our needed outcome.
He admonishes us in Proverbs 3 : 5 – 7 that our walk with Him must be one of total and confident trust in his thoughts and plans. Leaning on our own understanding of our situation, and being confident or wise in our own eyes can be a hindrance to us experiencing God’s chosen ways of blessing us or relieving us of our burdens.
Naaman was a courageous Soldier who had fought battles, he was well favoured by the King and known to be a high achiever amongst his peers. Unfortunately, His diseased condition was one only God could help.
Down at the mercies of God, about to receive help from Prophet Elisha Naaman in his ignorance had his own expectation of the way his healing should come.
Naaman having pictured and played out in His mind his first expectation from the man of God was disappointed as things didn’t go the way he had thought it would. He must have wondered the authenticity of this kind of God who would choose the unpopular ways to show forth His power.
Beloved, our God can’t be put in a strait jacket or dictated to. He knows the best way and time to meet our needs. All we need do is stay in line and trust His ways.
Perhaps you are expecting a miraculous intervention from God discard your own understanding. Trust God with all your heart without supposing or preempting anything, or even arguing, murmuring or complaining.
As your heart is bowed in total surrender and trust in Him then would the God who lifts up the humble and helps the helpless show you His faithfulness and mercy
Beloved, may you by your unshakable trust always experience the wonder working power of our God.
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
There’s One More Man..!
But Jehoshaphat [doubted and] said, “Is there not another prophet of the Lord here whom we may ask?” The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, because he never prophesies good news for me, but only evil.” But Jehoshaphat said, “May the king not say that [Micaiah only tells bad news].” Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.”
1 Kings 22:7-9 AMP
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.
John 15:18-19 NLT
“Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
Matthew 5:10 AMP
Beloved, be it known to you that Satan would not send you an acknowledgment letter or a congratulatory message for doing right or for walking in righteousness.
He would rather raise up dust against what you do, poison men’s hearts towards you, get a few weak people to be jealous of you and get their tongues wagging in falsehood and wicked accusations.
You will see your good works spoken of as having evil connotations and intentions.
Our Saviour and Lord walked through this path too.
Child of God we are called be be resilient and not afraid to fly our flags for the Lord even when it means standing alone, being fingered as the odd one out, or being antagonised as the enemy of unity.
We must not be deceived to join a fold in falsehood in the name of Oneness. We are not called to strike hands together in evil.
Prophet Micaiah was not in King Ahab’s good books. It was not because he had stolen, lied, coveted another man’s property or cheated. It was because He always spoke the Truth of God’s Word.
He was one Prophet that delivered the mind of God to anyone who sought for it. Ahab found him a detaste in his mouth because God’s Truth is bitter to an unreceptive heart but sweet to the receptive one.
Beloved, Prophet Micaiah was not afraid of being true to his calling and mandate from God. He was known in the community and among the prophets as so. His testimony was not shoddy! His words could be trusted as authentic even among the false prophets because He chose to stay true and different.
Likewise Child of God, Christ has redeemed us to stay true to Him and be different in this society without compromising the faith passed on to us.
Today, think! What’s your testimony among the believers in Christ?
What’s your testimony from the eyes of the unbelievers?
Can you be called on as the ‘One More Man ..’ like Prophet Micaiah?
Our Lord’s eyes are looking for men who will dare to be different, dare to be to a ‘Daniel’ in this last age, defying the world’s delicacies and their ungodly demands and expectations for the Glory of God.
Would you resolve to say “Yes Lord, count me in”?
Monday 11th of September 2023
Teach Me Good Judgement (Discernment)!
And Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the Lord.” Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or should I not?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord has handed it over to the king.” But Jehoshaphat [doubted and] said, “Is there not another prophet of the Lord here whom we may ask?”
Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans (Syrians) until they are destroyed.’ ” All the prophets were prophesying in the same way [to please Ahab], saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and be successful, for the Lord will hand it over to the king.”
1 Kings 22:4-7, 11-12 AMP
Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1 AMP)
Teach me good judgment (discernment) and knowledge, For I have believed and trusted and relied on Your commandments.
Psalms 119 : 66 AMP
Beloved, we need the Spirit of Discernment operating in our lives now more than ever. It’s no longer news that false teachings, false prophecies and mere motivational speeches have flooded the household of faith denying the truth of God’s Words that operate in power and holiness.
Because men have itching ears and expect pats on their backs, many prophets, teachers, preachers, pastors and leaders without the fear of God have stepped in to do the biddings of seducing spirits for their stomachs’ sake.
King Ahab of Israel had about 400 prophets that wear vomiting false prophecies. They were not 40 in number but 400 of them. Who can believe that those trusted to give the accurate Word of God out of fear of what the King would do resolved to inject their own sweet words while neglecting God’s mind.
King Jehoshaphat wasn’t moved by the consensus among the 400 prophets. His heart doubted their words. His Spirit discerned something was wrong. Instead of running along with the prophecies of the 400 prophets he sought further to confirm God’s will.
He didn’t just rest on what King Ahab and his prophets thought or said, He had to ascertain those Words for himself.
Similarly Child of God, we must learn to test every Spirit for there are so many lying wonders out there.
We must not be careless but sensitive to the things around us as we ask the Lord to teach us good judgement (discernment) in all areas.
Let’s not be afraid to check out things further when we are prompted in our spirits or feel uncomfortable about things around us.
Beloved, may the light of God’s Word in your heart expose every manipulative words of the enemy, as the Spirit of Truth guides you in all your ways.
Wednesday 6th of September 2023
Trust In The Name Of The Lord!
So when you pray, you should pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name always be kept holy. Matthew 6 : 9 NCV
“I have manifested Your name [and revealed Your very self, Your real self] to the people whom You have given Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept and obeyed Your word. John 17 : 6 AMP
and I have made Your name known to them, and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them [overwhelming their heart], and I [may be] in them.”
John 17 : 26 AMP
And those who know Your name [who have experienced Your precious mercy] will put their confident trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.
Psalms 9 : 10 AMP
“Because he set his love on Me, therefore I will save him; I will set him [securely] on high, because he knows My name [he confidently trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon him, no, never].
Psalms 91 : 14 AMP
I WILL praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds! I will rejoice in You and be in high spirits; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High!
Psalm 9 : 1 - 2 AMPC
Beloved, there are names but there’s the NAME!
It’s our Lord God Almighty that has the Name.
There’s no name compared to the NAME of The Lord Most High!
His NAME is holy and is symbolic to who He is!
His NAME depicts His authority, Sovereignty and Acts over ALL His creations.
Jesus, while on earth revealed who the Father is through different manifestations of His Name.
He did so for those drawn to Him, to Love and Trust Him totally.
Because in Loving and Trusting the Father, His mercy, favour and blessings are experienced.
Beloved, your Heavenly Father loves you so dearly.
If you understand and accept this overwhelming love deep within and respond to Him with confident trust and reliance on Him, be sure you will experience His saving Hand when you call on Him.
The Authority in His NAME makes the gates of Hell shiver and our enemies scatter.
You and I are called by that NAME, and we should live to Hallow it.
Do you have confident Trust in that Merciful Name?
If Yes, then rejoice in your seeking Him, for you will never be abandoned. Be in high Spirit and sing the praise of His Name. Soon, you will be recounting and telling aloud His marvellous works and wonderful deeds in your life.
Beloved, put Your Confident trust in the NAME of the LORD GOD, It’s the Name above all Names!
Tuesday 5th of September 2023
Release Your Burdens To The Lord!
Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Psalm 68 : 19 AMPC
Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).
Psalm 55 : 22 AMPC
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
1 Peter 5 : 7 AMPC
We know the promises of God concerning our challenges, yet we are not cautious to trust Him WHOLEHEARTEDLY, and do as He has instructed us to.
Our Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to carry the weight of our burdens, He wants every pound of the weight to be cast on Him.
Beloved, our Lord God is our burden carrier!
He knows were it pinches and hurts.
Even though He fully understands how heavily it weighs us down, yet He can’t carry our burdens except we invite Him to help.
Listen! Every step you take God’s eyes of compassion follow you, watching and hoping you will take the needed step of courage into the unknown, and let go of your concerns, worries, and fears, bowing before His throne of grace, finally saying, “Lord, I can’t do this anymore, please help and carry this burden for me!”
Our gracious God will never allow His children who come to Him to fail or be disappointed.
Like it’s popularly said, ‘Anything God can not do doesn’t exist!”
So be at peace! Jehovah can handle every challenge He’s allowed in your space.
As you cast your burden on Him, in His grace you will be sustained through the turbulence until He has worked it out and perfected it all.
Perhaps, you have not yet asked Him to help or you have cast only some of the bigger burdens and withheld other ones you think you can deal with.
Hmmm! That’s not God’s way!
Beloved, God wants you to throw both the big and small burdens on Him.
As you do so, He will lighten your heart, show you His salvation and your joy will be full.
Beloved, the Lord is more than able to sustain you, give Him a chance.
Monday 4th of September 2023
The Lifter Of My Head!
AFTER THESE things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great.
Genesis 15 : 1 AMPC
For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84 : 11 AMPC
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3 : 3 AMPC
Abraham, the man, the friend and the prophet of God went through many obstacles in his life.
That he was referred to as a friend of God didn’t spare him of life challenges.
If there was any person who should have had children early and easily, should it not have been the friend of God, Abraham?
But Abraham waited for 25yrs to bear Isaac after he received the promise of a son, and the same son was asked for as a sacrifice by God.
After all the trials of Abraham and his perseverance with God, The Almighty remembered to compensate him abundantly. God lifted up his head that was down with the shame of childlessness and glorified him as the Father of many nations through his chosen heir.
God promised to be a shield to Abraham, his firm protection against all that was to trouble him.
He had many oppositions and trials but overcame them.
Beloved, the same promises stand available to you.
God Almighty remains the Sun that arises in your life, changing the seasons, bringing the warmth, and causing you to flourish.
He is your shield, protecting your from every seen and unseens arrow thrown at you. He will cause you to arise in faith, hoping against hope to obtain every promise He’s made to you.
He is the lifter up of your head. Where you have experienced defeat and shame, His strength will be made perfect, empowering you to face and overcome your challenges. Your head will be lifted high to gloat over the failed machinations of your enemies.
In the midst of your troubles will you be crowned with glory, for God will favour and honour you.
Beloved, the blessings of Abraham are also yours as his spiritual descendant! So begin to REJECT the intimidating whispers of Satan today and declare, “The Lord is a Shield for me, my Glory and the Lifter of my head, He has this day become my exceedingly great reward! Amen!
Wednesday 30th of August 2023
Thankful For The “Not Enough” Situation!
And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 14 : 17 - 21 NKJV
Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
1 Thessalonians 5 : 18 AMPC
always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Ephesians 5 : 20 AMP
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalms 34 : 1 NKJV
Didn’t the same Jesus who had seen Nathaniel right under the fig tree even before Phillip called him to the Lord (John 1 : 48) know there were only five loaves and two fish for a crowd of about five thousand men?
Beloved, our God is Omniscient!
So He knew, but He had to train His disciples on how to handle the ‘not enough’ situations.
The bread and fish was so little compared to the need on the ground obviously, but Jesus didn’t become discouraged or upset to murmur or complain.
What did he do?
He took the ‘not enough’ fish and bread, looking up to heaven, gave thanks for it.
In His giving thanks, the ‘not enough provision’ became not just ‘enough’ but ‘more than enough!’
Beloved, there’s no situation we find ourselves in God’s not already aware and able to deal with it.
Many a times, we so panic and worry about our ‘not enough’ situation, instead of remembering how great our God is, and then in our hearts look up and lift up the situation to Him.
Naturally It’s easier to be thankful to God when there’s abundance, but the challenge comes when the situation is adverse.
Our ability to give thanks to God in our lack, shows a heart dependent on God, grateful for the little and hopeful that God who owns all is able to make all grace abound, meeting that very need.
Child of God, things may not be really the way you have you hoped it would be right now, but having a heart of gratitude for where you are right now, will set you up for that place or position you would love to be.
So today Child of God, Lift up your heart and hands in Thankfulness to God and watch those hands come down with more blessings and your heart filled with joy!
Tuesday 29th of August 2023
The Lord’s Right Hand Will Deliver!
But [God] led His own people forth like sheep and guided them [with a shepherd’s care] like a flock in the wilderness. And He led them on safely and in confident trust, so that they feared not; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Psalm 78 : 52 - 53 AMPC
Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’
Isaiah 41:10 AMP
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
Psalms 118 : 14 - 15 NLT
It was the strong right arm of the Lord who delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage, and led them onward towards Canaan land because on their own they couldn’t.
Although some Jews desired and cried out to God to leave Egypt but because of the fear of what the Task Masters could do if they were caught, they didn’t attempt to escape.
There were also some who knew they were in bondage and didn’t like it but because they couldn’t perceive any better life outside their bondage where they could still have been eating cucumbers and lettuce, they preferred to remain in that bondage for the little benefit received.
Beloved, it isn’t the will of God we remain in any kind of bondage no matter the gain. He wants us free of all shackles of humiliation and servitude, He wants us to worship Him not from a place of bondage and fear, but from one of freedom, love and joy.
Beloved, whatever you are in that’s held you down, not allowing you to serve God the way you ought to, is letting go of you today in the name of Jesus!
Beloved, proclaim your Freedom! It doesn’t matter if it’s a physical, spiritual, mental, financial, sickness, relationship, poverty, or family bondage, the Lord will rescue you by His strong right arm.
He will send help where you need one, He will cause your voice to be heard where it’s needed, He will release you from every satanic task Master.
Beloved, do not be surprised or afraid, that even when free or delivered, the enemy will still not give up but pursue to draw you back to bondage, which spells total disaster for him, just as the Red Sea drowned the Egyptians, so will every enemy of yours that has refused to let you go or give you peace will be drowned.
Child of God, Keep moving, trusting and holding unto God, soon you will see your pursuers no more.
Monday 28th of August 2023
Rejoice In Your Circumstances!
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
Isaiah 55 : 8 NLT
Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”
Hebrews 10 : 38 NKJV
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29 : 11 NLT
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5 : 16 - 18 NLT
Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
2 Corinthians 6 : 10 NLT
….. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Nehemiah 8 : 10b NLT
He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name.
Psalms 23 : 3 NCV
Beloved, do you know our Heavenly Father has beautiful plans for everyone of us?
Listen, although His plans for us are great, He never tells us fully how and when we will experience the fruition of these plans.
It’s like being told of one’s expected destination without revealing how one would get there, that is, the routes and turns to take, just a promise to be guided and led.
Because the Almighty is loving and his thoughts towards us are never for disaster or to hurt us, it will be wise to trust His leadership and judgement totally, since He alone knows the best way and right time for every event.
The journey of life is not consistently on a smooth, comfy road, sometimes the road is bumpy, sandy, rocky, muddy, lonely, and uncomfortably problematic. An uncomfortable journey can drain one’s energy, hope and desire to push on.
Remembering we are not on our own, but are led and accompanied by God’s presence helps keep afresh on our minds that God’s beautiful plan will eventually come to pass.
Therefore, we choose not to sorrow or be gloomy, instead we remain joyful.
Our choice to be JOYFUL not withstanding the pain or discomfort gives us the boost of strength needed to keep holding on and not draw back.
Being joyful empowers us to prayerfully thank God even in an adverse situation, knowing the Almighty is still watching His word to perform it in our lives.
Do not allow your challenges steal your joy!
Beloved, may your conscious decision to rejoice always expel every spirit of dejection and sadness around you ushering in God’s beautiful plan, the very one you have long prayed and waited for.
Wednesday 23rd of August 2023
The Lord Knows What Happens To Me!
People of Jacob, why do you complain? People of Israel, why do you say, “The Lord does not see what happens to me; he does not care if I am treated fairly”?
Surely you know. Surely you have heard. The Lord is the God who lives forever, who created all the world. He does not become tired or need to rest. No one can understand how great his wisdom is.
He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. Even children become tired and need to rest, and young people trip and fall.
But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.
Isaiah 40 : 27 - 31 NCV
Beloved, Jehovah sees and has seen what you are going through. He sees your pain, hurts and fears. He has seen every drop of tear in your closet.
Jehovah truly cares about you!
You may think, ‘If He does, how come He hasn’t answered your prayers, or changed your situation or even killed that enemy that has so cheated you?’
You may still think, ‘If He cared, why did He allow things to get so bad? He didn’t heal your child, spouse, parent or sibling? He let them die. He watched and let you lose your house or your job.
He didn’t rise up to your defence in the law court, so your false accuser and enemy got away with their evil action, while your were penalized.
Yes, all the above may have happened, but it still doesn’t mean God is neither watching nor caring for you. Jehovah does care and His Words surely Stands!
Remember, He sits in heaven, and has made the earth His footstool, so He sees every move and thought from afar. He knows how all will come together. When He rises to judge, to fix and defend His own, everyone praises Him because of His justice and long suffering.
Jesus delayed when Lazarus was sick, He allowed Him to die and be buried, so that He will show forth His glory through His resurrection.
The glorious Miracle in your life is not in you never dying, or never was cheated, or abused, or abandoned, or never lost a job or never failed once! The great testimony is the aftermath.
Your resurrection from your down and lowly state.
Your Great Arising and New turnaround!
Beloved, Jehovah will cause you to become strong again, rise and shine again. All you need do is Keep trusting His wisdom, and REMEMBER He loves and Cares, so in HIS best time you will testify again!
Tuesday 22nd of August 2023
Don’t Be Self Absorbed, Look Around you!
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Matthew 25:34-40 NLT
For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. (Hebrews 6:10 NLT)
Beloved, there’s enormous pressure for survival in the world we live in today wherein one now tends to look out for self alone without stretching the neck to look at the predicament of another or even stretch out the hand to care or give a helping hand.
Time seems to be slipping out of everyone’s hand, none has enough time to do his own thing not minding to do the business of another.
It’s come to require a lot of effort and selflessness to be one another’s keeper as one should.
Although it’s challenging to go the extra distance, beyond self to help another or do the works of Jesus we must not lose sight that it’s what God still requires of us.
Beloved, Satan will never make it easy for us to be Christ’s Ambassadors in our present realities, but knowing the grace we’ve been given and God’s expectations we therefore strive to be the hand, mouth and feet of Christ reaching the needy, the unbelievers, the sick, the hurting, the homeless and the unreached in our environment.
If we choose not to do it in Christ’s stead because it’s difficult and inconvenient who would then do it?
Those who are self absorbed never notice the tears dripping down another person’s face nor do they care to notice a hurting heart.
It takes selflessness to notice and ask another, ‘Are you ok? Why are you troubled?” It’s takes a heart of sensitivity and compassion to perceive that person who’s hungry without food but shy to ask, or that brother trekking all the way home not to keep fit but because he lacks money for fare..
We must be sensitive to one another’s situations or needs and also have the willing heart to help without a public show or display.
There’s a reward for the love and care we show on behalf of Christ. No act of compassion goes unnoticed. Every self sacrifice touches the heart of God.
Beloved, you will not find the physical person of Jesus Christ anywhere to feed, clothe, shelter or comfort, but through the soft needy eyes of that man or woman next to you, by the roadside, at the hospital or in that your space you may spot one of Jesus’ brothers or sisters that may need your help.
Remember when we care, help or give in times of need, we are caring for, helping and giving to Jesus!
Monday 21st of August 2023
Leave Behind Shiny Footprints!
At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
Acts 9 : 36 – 37, 39 - 40 NKJV
Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
Psalms 41 : 1 - 3 NKJV
Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord ; he will reward you for what you have done.
Proverbs 19 : 17 NCV
Tabitha’s legacy spoke for her when she died.
The lives she had touched wouldn’t let heaven rest until she was revived. The Lord could have stopped Tabitha from dying on her sick bed but He let her die, so His awesome might would be shown when she was raised from her dead bed through the prayers of Peter.
The Lord owed Tabitha all she had lent Him on behalf of the poor
Beloved, we are blessed to be a blessing, enriched to enrich others, strengthened to strengthen others, comforted to comfort others and alive to help others live.
Child of God, what legacy are you hoping to leave behind?
Remember your wealth is not in how many houses, cars, children, possessions you have, or in how much money you have in your bank account.
It’s in how many lives you’ve affected where-in you are positioned with the resources (physical and spiritual) the Lord has blessed you with.
Think! Perhaps you passed on to glory this day, do you think sincerely people would cry out to God for you, like was done for Tabitha, or will they be passive at your bedside, or even be grateful for your departure?
Beloved, Jesus lived and affected lives, and He’s still doing so!
We’re to follow His footsteps and walk as He walked!
Today, propose in your heart and be determined to leave your shiny footprints on the sands of time. Beloved, don’t just live to die, live fully and effectively in Grace!
Wednesday 16th of August 2023
You Are Free And Forgiven!
And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
Hebrews 8 : 12 NLT
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
Psalms 103 : 12 NLT
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
John 8 : 36 NLT
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5 : 1 NKJV
A fool who repeats his foolishness is like a dog that goes back to what it has thrown up.
Proverbs 26 : 11 NCV
Beloved, When God says He’s forgiven you and remembers your sin no more, do not think it’s a fairy tale.
Men may choose to forgive and never forget, but God doesn’t revisit forgiven sins no matter how grave they are.
Satan is the one so quick to remind us of our past sins. He doesn’t only just do the reminding, but flashes the images continually on our minds to torment us.
He may be lying to you that you are where you are because God is punishing you for your past sins.
Do not believe it! Satan is not the mouthpiece of God. He twists the scriptures to create fear and enslavement.
If you have sincerely repented and asked God for forgiveness, be assured you are forgiven.
You must therefore begin to walk in the newness of your relationship with God.
Persevere and turn away from the old sinful habits.
Do you know Satan will do everything he can to take you back to your old lifestyle?
What do you do when he ventures to lure you?
Resist him by all means! Walk away from the sources of your temptation. Don’t ever assume, you can handle it on your own. The old wise satan is cunny, manipulative and will take every chance.
So be determined and yield to the Holy Spirit for strength to never return to those old habits.
Returning to old sinful habits is likened to a dog returning to its vomit. Imagine the sight!
Spiritually, that’s exactly the way it is, so do not allow Satan to drag you backwards.
Even when you slip or trip (make a mistake), don’t remain there, repent, rise up, dust yourself and keep going.
Stand fast in the freedom you have received from Christ, no more sinning! No more compromises!.
Beloved, keep your eyes on the prize while you take it one step at a time, living one day at a time in the grace of God.
Always remember You are free and truly forgiven!
Tuesday 15th of August 2023
What If God Chooses Not To …?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18 NLT
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”
Esther 4:15-16 NLT
One of the things believers in Christ find difficult to handle is the Sovereignty of God especially when it rubs off on us in the ways we have not anticipated.
We know and agree that God’s decisions or counsels are final but we struggle to appreciate His counsel when it overrides our strong desires.
Some believers sometimes behave like over overpampered children who are used to Daddy always saying yes to their demands. The very time dad says no or suggests another alternative (because he knows it wouldn’t benefit them) they throw tantrums and say dad is unfair and do not care or love them.
Beloved, our Heavenly Father is always good to us and looks out for our best interest according to His plans and purposes. Some of those good plans may lead us through the meadow, or down the valley, or up the mountain, or right across the stretched road, or keep us standing still at a point for a period of time. He may choose to strip us off some items or block opportunities that do not enhance His plans, and He may even bring us to a point where we come face to face with our giants, or have our Red Sea before us or even allow us sit on our prepared table in the presence of our enemies, all for His good purposes and to the glory of His Name.
Listen! There are times He would stop us from passing through waters and walking through fires, but there are also times He would lets us pass through them making sure we are not overwhelmed or burnt. Only the Sovereign God permits these as of when and how. He is the one in total Control !
Do you also know He could choose to let us pass through the fire or water without throwing us life lines, without rescuing us, again all to his purpose and glory? When He does so it doesn’t mean He’s no longer a good God or in control. He is still good, watching that ALL things (even what we perceive as negative in our limited minds) work according to His purpose and for the good of all involved.
Think of Jesus who went all the way to the cross, our Heavenly didn’t rescue Him. What of John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin that was beheaded?
Have you thought of Stephen that was stoned to death? What of most of the Apostles of old that were martyred for Christ’s sake? God didn’t rescue them. As difficult as it may seem to understand but their lives and deaths brought glory to God. Theirs were purposes/ destinies in action. The very reasons they were born. Not their Will but God’s Will prevailed!
Beloved, do you know your destiny and all it entails?
As children of God we must come to terms with ‘Not my will but yours be done, Lord’ Not just to know this line and recite it, but to LIVE IT in truth and in the grace given to everyone of us to God’s glory
Monday 14th of Audust 2023
O Come And See!
So for the second time, they called the man who had been blind. They said, “You should give God the glory by telling the truth. We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see.”
John 9 : 24 - 25 NCV
The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
John 4 : 28 - 30 NLT
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).
John 1 : 40 - 42 NLT
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Psalms 34 : 8 NLT
I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.
Psalms 71 : 15 - 16 NLT
Beloved, what’s your story?
What have you seen, heard or how have you experienced the Lord?
Where has God brought you from?
The world is waiting for your story to be told by you to affect someone else’s life.
Like the Psalmist encourages in Psalm 71 above, you don’t need to be skilled with words or have a scientific evidence to explain it away, all you need is say it like it is, copying the blind man’s method and saying, ‘one thing I do know: once I was blind, now I see.”
Beloved, you can also invite men and women to come hear for themselves by leading them to the Master, like the Samarian woman at the well did.
As the people sincerely open up to the Messiah, He will touch their inner persons (their curious/response button) directly, like He did to Peter and Moses.
Child of God, have you tasted of the Messiah’s goodness?
Listen, people around you deserve to hear it then; your friends, family and acquaintances. You owe it them!
Do not be selfish! Let Christ who is your source of peace, joy, hope, healing and deliverance be known.
He did it for you and He is still willing to do it over and over again for as many as you lead to Him!
May the Lord through your own proclamations do great things for others!
Beloved, Remember when we lift Jesus up, He draws men unto Himself.
Today, lift Jesus up!
Wednesday 9th of August 2023
God Will Not Let You Drown!
God, save me, because the water has risen to my neck. I’m sinking down into the mud, and there is nothing to stand on. I am in deep water, and the flood covers me. I am tired from calling for help; my throat is sore. My eyes are tired from waiting for God to help me.
Psalms 69 : 1 - 3 NCV When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.... Isaiah 43 : 2a NLT Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, Psalms 33 : 18 NKJV I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of destruction, out of the sticky mud. He stood me on a rock and made my feet steady. Psalms 40 : 1 - 2 NCV He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalms 40 : 3 NLT Child of God, it will do you good if you clearly understand you are not exempt from difficulties. So when they come you don't give up on God or on yourself. They will come at various times, in many ways and intensities. So when difficulties come, find the strength to run to God for help. The scripture tells us the eye of the Lord is on you that fear Him, so He sees all struggles in the depth of the rivers of difficulty. God has promised you will not drown in your situation, meaning if it would take you to crawl, walk, run, swim or even get pulled out, whatever it would take by God's help, you will be out. It doesn't matter how deep you are into the troubled water, maybe almost to your neck. And it doesn't matter how muddy the water is or even how sticky the mud is on you, the Lord will surely deliver you! Is there anything too hard for the Almighty God to do? He has not left you in that muddy situation, He is actually in it with you, doing all to gear you to HIS right way of escape. You may believe the Lord hasn't listened to your cry and pleas for help, beloved He has. You are about to sing a new song, for He will lift you up from that sticky mess, clean you up and steady your feet before your enemies and friends. They will see and hear what the Lord has done in your life and be amazed. May many be drawn to your God because of the great testimony your life will become. No more crying, keep hoping and waiting on God's deliverance. Your Hope in a turnaround will not make you ashamed, but cause your head to be lifted up in joy. So Never stop believing!!
Tuesday 8th of August 2023
No more Sorrow or Pain!
“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.
John 14 : 1 - 3 AMP
He who overcomes [the world by adhering faithfully to Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior] will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
Revelation 21 : 7 AMP
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Revelation 21 : 1 - 4 NLT
Everything that is or that will ever be, no matter how beautiful is only but temporary. All will be rolled up like a mat and discarded. This very earth we struggle to survive in will one day in the near future be no more.
All time investments will be no where to be found. What then will become of all? Wasted and gone forever!
Child of God, but our lives in Christ isn’t wasted.
It is well preserved for a glorious eternity with Christ.
All our present pains and crying will become things of the past, unspeakable joy will fill our hearts and our mouths filled with laughter.
All the suffering, shame, lack, rejection, loneliness, sicknesses etc we may be experiencing now is nothing compared to the great glory ahead of us.
That’s why we must stay focused, remain heavenly minded without giving up.
The grace to overcome is available to everyone, our desire to persevere must not be dampened because of trials, sufferings and persecutions. At the very end we will be living with our Heavenly Father in the places already prepared and made ready for every overcomer.
Our Lord Jesus will wipe away our tears! Imagine living in a city radiating with God’s love and glory, without death, without pain, without sicknesses and oppressions.. That’s glorious… !!
It’s therefore needful we adhere FAITHFULLY to Christ, our Lord and Saviour, and overcome the lies and deceptions of this world.
Beloved, let’s not live COWARDLY, but BOLDLY and WISE as worthy disciples enduring and holding up for Christ, until He comes back to take us to be with Him. Amen!
Monday 7th of August 2023
Be Still Wandering Mind !
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46 : 10 AMP
God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.
Psalms 46 : 5 NLT
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
Psalms 46 : 1 - 3 NKJV
Give your worries to the Lord , and he will take care of you. He will never let good people down.
Psalms 55 : 22 NCV
Why does the Lord instruct us to be still?
Does it mean we are to sit in one spot not doing anything, just waiting for the Lord to help us?
Not at all!
We know man is a 3-dimensional being, (spirit, soul and body). So one can very much be seated in one place bodily, yet has navigated the whole continents and villages that please the mind.
Man only steps out to physically do therefore what he has already accessed or tried out in his thoughts.
Beloved, you are the dwelling place of God, the temple of the Most High, the city of the Living God which is not hidden and He protects by His might.
Troubles shall come, but do not be moved for the Almighty knows to exalt Himself as the God above all gods.
Today have you committed that which troubles your heart into God’s hands? If yes, then relax!
Let God be God, don’t go travelling in your thoughts seeking to do the unthinkable to help yourself.
Yes, you may reason that by now your storm should have calmed, instead it still seems to be raging.
And even the mountains that were quiet before are now beginning to shake, and the waters are roaring.
You wonder Is God not hearing? Is He not going to answer your prayers? Why the delay?
Please beloved, understand with God it’s never late. The quakings and shakings are setting the atmosphere for God’s might to be displayed.
He never let’s His own children down.
The Lord insists you do not worry. If you understand and recognize God to be in charge, and there’s nothing absolutely difficult for Him then stand still and don’t allow your heart wondering and mind travelling ceaselessly!
Beloved, God will will make all things beautiful in His time and set His praise in the mouth of your onlookers
Wednesday 2nd of August 2023
The Almighty God Is Carrying You!
Then I said to you, ‘Do not be shocked, nor fear them. The Lord your God who goes before you will fight for you Himself, just as He did for you in Egypt before your [very] eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried and protected you, just as a man carries his son, all along the way which you traveled until you arrived at this place.’
Deuteronomy 1 : 29 - 31 AMP
“Listen to Me,” [says the Lord], “O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, You who have been carried by Me from your birth And have been carried [in My arms] from the womb, Even to your old age I am He, And even to your advanced old age I will carry you! I have made you, and I will carry you; Be assured I will carry you and I will save you.
Isaiah 46 : 3 - 4 AMP
He will protect His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom; He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.
Isaiah 40 : 11 AMP
Beloved, no one cares and loves you like the Almighty God!
The best Father to the fathered and to the fatherless!
He never leaves us to drown in our challenges, He answers our cry for help and helps us through.
When Israel was on their way to possess Canaan, the news of the giants in Canaan land so terrified them and made them unwilling to go on to possess it.
Moses had to remind them of God’s goodness, how He had carried them through the wilderness like a Father carries his child.
We know Dads usually carry their children in their arms when they are lovingly playful, when they are feeling sick, scared or tired and not strong enough to walk on their own.
Sometimes the challenges of life can get us to a point where we are really tired, weary and discouraged, not able to carry on.
Beloved, at this time your Father sees everything and unknowingly to you He is carrying you in His arms.
Do you feel all alone in the valley of hopelessness, with a wounded heart, depleted strength and not able to raise your head? Your heavenly Father hasn’t left you alone, He is willingly carrying you through it.
Right now, you may not be feeling His presence, but He’s never left you, His arms are around you and He will carry you through the situation.
Trust and call unto your Heavenly Father, for as He guided and carried Israel through all their wilderness experience, so will He guide and carry you out of your own situation.
Belived, You are not alone! You are not abandoned! There’s no one that trusts in Him that He puts to shame, so certainly He is carrying you in His bosom to a better place with a testimony
So be calm and Hold unto Him as He carries you through it all !
Tuesday 1st of August 2023
Emphatic No From The Faithful Core !
‘I know where you dwell, [a place] where Satan sits enthroned. Yet you are holding fast to My name, and you did not deny MY faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed (martyred) among you, where Satan dwells.
Revelation 2 : 13 AMP
Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured [to death], refusing to accept release [offered on the condition of denying their faith], so that they would be resurrected to a better life;
Hebrews 11:35 AMP
Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2 NCV
Beloved the faith we have is the FAITH of Jesus Christ, founded in Him as the Originator and finisher.
It’s the faith built on the shedding of His blood.
This faith has been handed over to us to keep, contend for and run with for there’s no name given under Heaven by which man can be saved.
Faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ releases the dynamic power embedded in His name, that’s why Satan fights to entice, distract and even force people to reject, denounce, deny, disown and disassociate themselves from Him.
Believers in the late First Century were very much persecuted to deny and forsake their faith in Christ.
Many out of fear of death, segregation etc denounced their faith, but there was a faithful core of Believers that stood their ground and said an emphatic No to the denial of their faith in Christ.
Those believers were only a remnant, and it was that remnant group that Jesus Christ took time to address in Revelation 2 : 13.
Jesus knew their predicament, the rotteness of the society they lived in, He acknowledged it as a place Satan sat enthroned, yet these faithful ones held unto the name of Jesus and didn’t deny their faith.
History is repeating itself again! The bold mention of the name of Jesus Christ or faith in Him has become an offence to those of the evil enclave who seek to eradicate Christ and His followers.
Listen! Not long now believers in Christ would be intentionally sought after and put on the cross road to either deny their faith and accept all ideologies that offend the faith or lose all benefits, lose all access to different ventures, be it educational, social, recreational, financial, health, family relationships, personal belongings, food etc.
Beloved, have you deeply thought of it? What would you do when it becomes your personal challenge?
Would it be to deny Christ to have access to your money, to your children, spouse, house, job, food or even to travel?
Undoubtedly it will be tough, but the grace to overcome is equally available!
Child of God, don’t forget many believers of old walked through similar challenges and defied all odds to keep their faith which is MOST treasured.
Now is the time to be totally determined, holding on and looking unto Jesus to keep us as we walk in the mind of Christ. There will always be a remnant that will stand up for Christ to the very end.
Beloved let’s do all we can to be numbered among the remnant that said an EMPHATIC NO to denying our Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday 31st July 2023
Beloved, Your Night Is Coming!
“Even a tree has more hope! If it is cut down, it will sprout again and grow new branches. Though its roots have grown old in the earth and its stump decays, at the scent of water it will bud and sprout again like a new seedling. “But when people die, their strength is gone. They breathe their last, and then where are they? As water evaporates from a lake and a river disappears in drought, people are laid to rest and do not rise again. Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up nor be roused from their sleep.
Job 14 : 7 -12 NLT
We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.
John 9 : 4 NLT
Beloved, I trust you know countries operate different time zones due to the rotation of the earth? As the planet rotates either towards the Sun or away from it, it receives sunlight or darkness thereby causing some countries within that time zone to enjoy either day time or their night time.
Similarly, we have different time zones in our lives, the daytime and night time of our lives are different. Our time of birth are different, our assignments different and our apportioned times of sojourning on earth are also different. So everyone enters this world ALONE at a different time and then exits ALONE at a different time too.
So even though we are all living together and walking closely together our daytimes are programmed to last differently, some are privileged with many years until a ripe old age while some have fewer years.
Beloved, do you know how long your day time will last? Do you know how many more years left on the time of your life?
Beloved, actually It’s irrelevant how many years your daytime lasts, what’s important is that you’ve used your daytime to carry out your God given assignment for it’s the essence of your existence.
Listen, Jesus lived for only 33years but He didn’t die a premature death. He completed His assignment within the 33 years then His night time came. Jesus was killed for our sins, but resurrected and went back to the Father.
Beloved, except Jesus returns soon our individual night time will inevitably come. Unfortunately no one knows when and how it would come except the Lord gives insight.
What should be every believer’s priority right now is knowing and carrying out one’s assignment in obedience as required by God.
Don’t forget we will all stand to give account of how we have managed our talents, blessings, families, ministries etc within the time given.
What will be your testimony before the Judge of All?
Will you show Him the gains you have made for Him or will you be full of excuses?
Beloved, we don’t have time in our hands, so pick up your implements and start ploughing.
Look up! The the daytime is going fast and Night time is drawing near, it’s wise to do what we can now before night time envelopes us.
Wednesday 26th of July 2023
Set Your Face Like A Stone!
Blessed and greatly favored is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; The early rain also covers it with blessings.
They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power];
Each of them appears before God in Zion.
Psalms 84 : 5 - 7 AMP
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
Isaiah 50 : 7 NLT
It takes the grace of God and determination for any man to succeed in whatever he sets his heart to do.
Beloved, it takes even a greater determination with the grace of God to continue to walk on the highway of godliness to the glorious city, the Heavenly Jerusalem.
If you have set your heart on walking through that Heavenly gate, be encouraged, for you are one of the fortunate and highly favoured ones, because according to the scriptures, only a few find this strait road and narrow gate to this heavenly city.
Always remember, the road being strait and the gate narrow means your path has its challenges.
At some point on this journey, you will come across discouraging situations, some that will make you even cry and ask, why me?
Beloved, it’s not about you in particular, challenges are faced by everyone on this godly route. Satan has positioned attacks, afflictions, betrayals, accusations, sicknesses, lack, hardships and all sorts to make you turn back.
Are you going to turn back? NO!
Listen! The Sovereign Lord helps His children on this journey. He empowers and causes us to grow from strength to strength.
This inner empowerment is what helps us to be thankful and turn bad situations into opportunities. Instead of weeping and beating up ourselves in hopelessness, we choose to rejoice.
Apostle Paul was prophesied to by the prophet Agabus, how he was going to be arrested in Jerusalem if he travelled on. Paul understood what that meant for him, yet he set his face like a stone determined to do the will of God even though it was going to cost him his freedom.
Child of God, you must be determined and set your face like a stone onward to the Heavenly city.
It will bring discomfort but it will not bring shame as you stand before your Heavenly Father.
May the Lord strengthen your heart to be faithful to your calling, and to continue to do His will until you walk through that gate and stand before Him in Joy.
Tuesday 25th of July 2023
Only By God’s Grace!
All the other apostles are greater than I am. I am not even good enough to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
But God’s grace has made me what I am, and his grace to me was not wasted. I worked harder than all the other apostles. (But it was not I really; it was God’s grace that was with me.)
1 Corinthians 15 : 9 - 10 NCV
… That is the way we should live, because God’s grace that can save everyone has come. It teaches us not to live against God nor to do the evil things the world wants to do. Instead, that grace teaches us to live in the present age in a wise and right way and in a way that shows we serve God. We should live like that while we wait for our great hope and the coming of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2 : 11 - 13 NCV
And now [brethren], I commit you to God [I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection and care]. And I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God’s set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul).
Acts 20 : 32 AMPC
Beloved, you are who you are only by God’s grace!
You are where you are today only by His grace!
You have what you have in life only by His grace!
It’s God’s grace that has found you, cleansed you and given you a future and a hope.
It’s this same grace that’s working out your life, moving you from one step to another.
Grace will eventually take you from where you are right now to where God desires you to be.
So don’t despise where you are now, it may not be where you have prayed to be or still believing God to be, but Grace is still at work and your life is one in progress.
To be where God desires you to be you must hold unto the Word of His grace. That’s the very Word you heard, received, believed in and has given you this new life in Christ. The same Word is available to build and enable you to receive God’s wonderful promises as you believe.
God’s grace is His UNMERITED favour that should humble us to live and serve Him in the right way He would have us do. This unmerited and undeserved favour should cause us to be WISE and never take what we have for granted nor abuse it in wilful sins.
Child of God, God’s grace has brought you this far, and is available to sustain you to the very end.
Only with gratitude acknowledge your need for His grace, then tap and walk in it every step of your way!
Monday 24th of July 2023
The Warrior’s In Midst !
The Lord your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. Heťve [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
Zephaniah 3 : 17 AMP
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”
Deuteronomy 31 : 6 AMP
When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
Psalms 27 : 2 AMP
You will not be afraid of the terror of night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Nor of the destruction (sudden death) that lays waste at noon.
Psalms 91 : 5 - 6 AMP
“Because he set his love on Me, therefore I will save him; I will set him [securely] on high, because he knows My name [he confidently trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon him, no, never].
Psalms 91 : 14 AMP
Child of God, You must not be fearful of anything!
Any and everything Satan cooks up for you will be a waste.
Do not panic over his sudden attack or his plan of sudden destruction, nothing comes to you without the awareness of your Father. As it came so will it flow downhill in its own path like a flood.
Beloved, Your God is in the midst of whatever that’s happening around you.
He is your Warrior that always wins the battle, and gives you the victory. Do you know why?
It’s Because He knows you trust only in Him, and confidently rely on Him to finish the job and give you the testimony for the praise of His holy name.
No matter how strong the wind of pain is blowing around you, rattling the trees and making all the swooshy noises, don’t faint in your heart! Hold on!
Listen, Your Heavenly Father didn’t say they wouldn’t try to devour your flesh, steal from you or accuse you, but the verdict is, when they do so, they will stumble and fall. There’s an invisible hindrance on their path unknowingly to trip them up at the time not expected, when they think they are winning.
So be strong, courageous and hopeful!
In the sight of God Almighty you are already healed of that sickness, you have received a better job, you are credited a double portion for your shame, and your enemies will come back and acknowledge how great your God is.
So Instead of worrying, lift up your banner of praise, let Jehovah inhabit it and rain down His blessings. Don’t let your mind or body hold you back, for when your praises rise in faith and joy, His blessings come down!
Wednesday 19th of July 2023
Prepare Yourself For Troubles And Pain!
And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
Romans 8:17-18 NLT
Christ had trouble and pain while he lived in his body. So, you should prepare yourselves to have trouble and pain too. Think about it in the same way that Christ did. Then you will be strong. If someone has trouble and pain in his body, he no longer wants to do wrong things.
1 Peter 4:1 EASY
Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.
John 15:20 NLT
Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3 AMP
Beloved are you a servant of God like Christ who came to serve His Father?
Have you made Christ your Lord and personal Saviour? Did He not purchase your life through His blood? Are you not now indebted to live for Him?
Doesn’t that make you a servant of Master Jesus? Where on earth have you seen a servant greater than his Master?
Beloved, Satan has made some believers in Christ lose their sense of belonging and duty as servants.
Please fellow Child of God, we must come to terms with the reality that we are also SERVANTS.
Many Troubles and pain are associated with our servanthood. Jesus Christ our perfect example was not free from troubles and pains. He suffered in the hands of mankind. He was accused, betrayed, beaten, abandoned and went through the most horrific and shameful death, death on the Christ.
He took it all in, without regrets, without cursing, blaming or flexing his muscles to retaliate, neither did He walk away from the cross when He felt overwhelmed.
He faced all the suffering and pain with joy because of my salvation and yours. Now the baton has been handed to you and I to walk the same walk and bring glory to Him.
He gave His all, we are to give our all to God’s glory.
We must wake up to God’s call and expectations without grumbling and murmuring because of the troubles and pains we are going through.
The strait and narrow path to the Heavenly glory is full of bumps, troubles and pains and we must endure, forge on to the very end without turning back. Remember we are not to be like those who put their hands to the plough and turn back. Christ was faithful to the very end and we have same grace to finish well.
Beloved, it’s now your call! His grace is sufficient for us all, let us take with us our own share of hardship, passing through the difficulties which we are called to endure like good soldiers of Christ Jesus.
Tuesday 18th of July 2023
God Is Faithful!
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
Beloved, God is faithful, don’t allow the enemy make you think otherwise. Whatever His word says depicts what the situation is and will always remain.
One area the enemy boxes us in and tries to mess us up is our mind. He wants to get us believe the opposite of, or the worst of our reality.
Let’s understand in our heart today that no matter the challenge or situation we find ourselves in it is not unique to us. Believe you me somebody else has gone through it and is still going through it, someone somewhere has survived it and is still surviving it, so your situation is not uniquely targeted at you without a solution. Yours is not a dead end because The Almighty God is watching to make sure it’s not above what you can handle, and even in that situation He has created an open door for you to walk out of it. There’s sufficient grace for you to overcome and be called an overcomer.
Therefore we must not allow Satan cheat us and keep us in a hole of gloom and doom instead of looking up to God our rising Sun in joy for His given solution.
We are able to rise up in hope quickly unto His way of escape if we can work on our thoughts, speech, attitude and actions.
We must think the mind of christ on the very matter, that is thinking and telling ourselves the situation is not strange or unique, but common. Many have experienced and survived it, therefore I’m getting out of it, like the many others God has helped.
Thinking and speaking in this way gives hope and helps one seek God for His way of escape.
God being faithful certainly will show the open door.
Beloved, perhaps you are in a fix and you are at the point of giving up, thinking God has no solution for your situation, know it that God doesn’t lie and He’s faithful. You must begin to realign your thoughts and words to God’s Word with an expectation.
Don’t allow Satan cheat you out of what God has promised to do for you, take His word into your heart, believe it and change your attitude of hopelessness to hope. Don’t give up when God hasn’t given up on you, instead hold tight to Him and His Word and you will see His open door ahead.
Monday 17th of July 2023
Right Attitude Even When Seasons Change!
Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant. But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.
Jonah 4:5-8 NLT
So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”
1 Kings 17:5-9 NLT
Beloved, we must really understand we can’t have anything except God gives us or permits it.
He allows good to come our ways and even Satan can’t do anything to us except God allows it, even at that God still restricts him for He will never allow us to be tempted above what we can bear. In the case of Job, God charged Satan not to touch Job’s life but every other thing that pertained to him Satan touched.
Everything with God comes in Seasons, and everything He allows comes with a reason. We must learn to trust God in every season He permits to come our way. Through it all He has our interests at heart, He knows the best time to open a door and the right time to shut it. God doesn’t owe us, but it’s out of His love and goodness He commands His blessings in our lives.
We must not begrudge God when our seasons go from abundance to less abundance, from Comfort to an uncomfortable position. We must learn to be thankful, trusting God who sees and knows all.
So when we are opportuned with abundance, let’s enjoy it and be thankful, and when things get tight and uncomfortable, let’s still be contented and thankful knowing God has another plan to unravel.
Jonah and Elijah had different attitudes towards their changed seasons. God provided a comfortable shade for Jonah for a while and later arranged a worm to destroy it, what did Jonah do? Grumble!
Elijah drank from the brook God sent him to for a while, but the brook dried up. What did Elijah do, Grumble? No. He looked up to God with trust and gratitude and God showed him His plan B, which was the Widow at Zarephath.
Beloved, perhaps you are at a cross road of season change, don’t grumble, murmur, or allow yourself be sad or depressed. Be grateful and thankful for the past, for where you are presently and for where God is taking you. With this right attitude and trust in God He will direct and lead you into His next plan
Beloved, seasons are in God’s hand, so enjoy your present one with God while awaiting the next to unfold.
Wednesday 12th of July 2023
Unwinding With God!
I will praise you as long as I live. I will lift up my hands in prayer to your name. I will be content as if I had eaten the best foods. My lips will sing, and my mouth will praise you. I remember you while I’m lying in bed; I think about you through the night. You are my help. Because of your protection, I sing. I stay close to you; you support me with your right hand.
Psalms 63 : 4 - 8 NCV
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.
Psalms 42 : 8 NLT
Let the faithful rejoice that He honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.
Psalms 149 : 5 NLT
Sweet sleep is a blessing!
Any heart devoid of peace thinks of sweet sleep as a fable.
Many children of God retire on their beds turning over and over the events of the day in fear and sadness, maybe because of unlifted burdens, or because things on the day have not worked out as expected, and it could be about tomorrow with all the challenges anticipated with it.
But Beloved, Jehovah would love us His children to bask in His peace, not withstanding the troubles parading around us like giants, for He has it all under His watch and control, SORTED IN HIS TIME!
David, a man after God’s own heart was not void of troubles. He confidently faced His challenges leaning solely on the Lord, trusting he would not be disappointed nor be put to shame.
Instead of David turning over and over in bed feeling bad, or reminiscing on what should have been but didn’t happen, he created a special atmosphere of Communion just between him and God Almighty!
He sang, praised and magnified Jehovah his unfailing helper. David’s night/bed time was PERSONAL, his time was for specially thinking and conversing with the Almighty!
He understood a problem shared with the King of Kings was a problem solved.
David loved and valued the Lord, and it showed in how He made special reservation of his time and gave attention to God. No wonder, He was highly favoured down to his generations.
Beloved, let’s learn and be even better than David, sharing and enjoying our bedtime with the Lord.
Listen, as we retire into His presence with an open heart, we will wake up fortified with His joy, peace and Wisdom. Is it not whom we LOVE and VALUE we undoubtedly seek to see and spend QUALITY time with daily?
Who could that special one be in your life?
Beloved, it’s not a quick answer of the mind, it’s a true answer that comes from the heart based on one’s actions and present reality.
Child of God, I pray your Special one would always be The PRINCE of Peace!
Tuesday 11th of July 2023
Great is God’s Goodness!
Let all that I am praise the Lord ; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalms 103 : 2 NLT
Lord, you are my God. I honor you and praise you, because you have done amazing things. You have always done what you said you would do; you have done what you planned long ago.
Isaiah 25 : 1 NCV
Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done miracles. By his right hand and holy arm he has won the victory.
Psalms 98 : 1 NCV
When we are desperate for something that seems so far fetched, it’s so easy to forget all the good things the Lord has done for us in the past.
Our desperation can becloud our mind, that we lose every sense of judgement, trust and gratitude.
But remembering the good things the Lord has done in the past in our lives, causes our hope to rise again in the midst of our challenges. It helps us see that God who had been gracious and walked us through those problems is still able and would do it again.
Remembering the good things the Lord has done, makes everything bare, pointing out things and events we should be thankful for, acknowledging how much worse life could have been, had it not been for God’s goodness.
Acknowledging and appreciating God’s goodness, especially before His throne shows we have not taken His love, kindness and provisions for granted.
When we admit we are where we are only because of God’s goodness, it keeps us humble and humane, not despising or looking down on others that aren’t in similar privileged positions as we are.
Appreciating and not forgetting the goodness of God doesn’t only help in silencing the grumbling spirit, but also loosens the selfish hand that tries to Withhold God’s blessings instead of being generous with it.
Today, is a gifted day and opportunity to yet again experience the goodness of God, so do not leave His presence without thanking and acknowledging Him as the architect of your blessings.
As you are thanking God today for all the good He’s already done in your life, also thank Him for the numerous promises He is yet to bring and will bring to fruition for He is not a God that lies.
Praise His Name for the victories He’s won and will still win for you, for this Great God, will not allow your enemies laugh or triumph over you.!
Monday 10th of June 2023
My End WIll Greatly Increase!
Though your beginning was insignificant, Yet your end will greatly increase.
Job 8 : 7 AMP
As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
Micah 7 : 7 - 8 NLT
God will do what is right. He will give trouble to those who trouble you.
2 Thessalonians 1 : 6 NCV
Beloved, Satan our enemy will do his best to keep us down and eventually want to kill us but He will FAIL!
He subtly uses issues, situations, families, colleagues, needs, etc to trouble us.
Does he not seek to steal and destroy us and all that belongs to us?
He chooses to destroy our minds by swarming it with lies, suggesting we are useless and hopeless. He reminds us of our past failures and then chips in we can’t even achieve the simple things our supposedly not so smart mates have achieved.
He whispers for example, because we are not good enough, no company will give us a job or no man or woman would want to marry or settle down with us. He projects we can only be second best which is all a lie, in order to cage us mentally and physically.
Beloved, with all those words Satan is trying to do nothing more than destroy our minds, steal our peace, weaken and tie us up in a corner.
All he has whispered are lies! Those are not God’s declarations over us!
Firstly! You are not a failure but a winner according to God’s good plan ordained even before your conception. All you need do is let God handle things his way, quit insisting on your ways and plans. PATIENTLY allow God, build up your life as you walk in obedience to his instructions.
Always remember every one is different, on different assignments, with different gifts and on different timings as planned out by God who has created you to be the best of who you are called to be, so don’t compare your journey with another’s.
Do you know the one who may seem to be doing great in your own eyes and judgement, may in reality not be so? That person could even be walking in disobedience with God?
So you must stay right in your own obedient path with God.
At the end, all those situations that were hostile and brought you down will be no more because you chose to stand with God, on His words and you did things His way.
The Lord God will surely trouble all those that have troubled your mind, your body and your peace.
He will lift you up and bring you to a place of victory.
Today, You may seem small and insignificant, but your end will greatly increase!
Stay in there and stand with God, your sun is rising!
Wednesday 5th of June 2023
God’s Standard Of Truth Stands Sure!
So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13-16 NLT
God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NLT
Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14 NLT
But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
2 Timothy 2:19 NLT
Beloved, God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to us as written in 1 Thessalonians 4 : 7 – 8
Beloved do you think God is joking about these instructions given in His Scriptures just like the ones above. Many believers do not take these to heart, that’s why in the present day assembly of believers, not much is mentioned about living a consecrated lifestyle of holiness, even when it’s preached on many are offended because it brings conviction to their beloved sweet taboo lifestyle which they never plan to quit. Instead of being humble and correct themselves, these unwilling souls raise up dust against the preacher branding him or her as judgemental.
Unfortunately for the unrepentant heart, the standard of God’s truth stands sure, what He has spoken He has spoken, His expectations will not be watered down, His standard of judgement shall be same all across the earth, it will be same from the northern hemisphere to the Southern hemisphere, across all the continents and countries of the world.
His word says, without holiness no man shall see God, it’s not holiness through the corrupt eyes of man but through the holy eyes of God.
God has graced us to live and walk in Holiness, that’s why the Spirit of Holiness lives in us to help us.
Beloved, flashing back when we were without Christ we would say we didn’t know any better then. But now we know the scriptures say we must be holy in everything we do, just as God who chose us is holy.
Walking in obedience means working at living a holy life too. May the Lord grant us the desire and willingness to be separated unto Him in all holiness, so that our eyes will see the Lord not just on that future day, but even in this present life to His glory.
Tuesday 4th of June 2023
Keep Your Vows Of Loyalty And Faithfulness to The Lord!
“Be very careful never to make a treaty with the people who live in the land where you are going. If you do, you will follow their evil ways and be trapped. Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles. You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.
Exodus 34:12-14 NLT
You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy?
James 4:4-5 AMP
Beloved, don’t join the world to say or think the Almighty God loves you anyways, and He doesn’t really care about the way you live your life. In the sense that you can do whatever you like or live however you like as long as you profess Him as your God.
That kind of mindset will jeopardise your relationship with God, it would mean you are making light of the mercy and goodness of God.
Show me which man or woman in love with their spouse would out of love enjoy seeing her or him flirting, frolicking with friends and neighbours, being there with any willing man or woman that he or she fancies without frowning, protesting, or condemning such a wayward lifestyle?
Beloved, every born again child of God has been saved, washed, cleansed, betrothed to Christ and adorned with the gentle Spirit of holiness.
Our Lord and Saviour just like any other lover expects loyalty and faithfulness from the very ones He stood in and died for, from the very ones He paid off the wages of death hanging over them.
Beloved, do you think it’s too much of an ask?
Do you think the Lord God doesn’t deserve our love and faithfulness?
Every child of God should without a second thought and joyfully too be eternally grateful to Jesus Christ, who’s given us a second chance to live and have abundant life again. He did something no man could have been found faithful to do. Not our friends, siblings or even our parents. He showered on us the greatest love ever, that’s why we should neither look to the left nor to the right to follow or serve another god.
Nothing must occupy that first place of passion in our heart. We must in every way love to please Him. Today, let’s search inward to make sure there’s no emotional flirtation with our jobs, careers, children, quests, marriage, hobbies, curricular activities, relationships, money, cars etc. That none has subtly become a god in our heart by stealing our love and passion for God.
Let’s strive to keep and maintain our vows of loyalty and faithfulness to Christ like we pledged when we first loved him, just as True brides would to their spouses.
Monday 3rd of June 2023
Be Fully Persuaded, God is Able!
For [the proclaiming of] this [Gospel] I was appointed a herald (preacher) and an apostle (special messenger) and a teacher of the Gentiles. And this is why I am suffering as I do. Still I am not ashamed, for I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom I have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him] until that day.
2 Timothy 1 : 11 - 12 AMPC
The above scriptures highlight Apostle Paul’s personal conviction in words inspite of all he was suffering, he declared he knew in whom he had believed, it wasn’t just a mere knowing, it was a deep confident knowing.
Beloved, I trust in my heart you believe in Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Saviour. But my question to you is Do you KNOW in Whom you have believed?
Do you really know Him beyond what you have read in the scriptures and what you have heard others say about him?
If you have not had a personal revelation of the person of Jesus Christ and who He is it will really be difficult to be steadfast, trusting Him at the time everything you seem to have heard about Him gets challenged in a way to doubt your faith.
Apostle Paul had an encounter with the very Jesus he was indirectly persecuting in his ignorance, and later he grew to know Him more on a personal level which gave him the confidence to declare his total trust in Him.
Beloved, do you really know in whom you have believed? Do you understand what it means to say He is your Lord?
Our Lord God is Holy, Faithful, All powerful, full of love and Mercy, He reigns in righteousness, forgives and remembers our sins no more. He is Able to do ALL things beyond what we can ever fathom. He is Head above all principalities and powers, nothing ever happens without His consent, He can’t be tricked or deceived neither does He lie or deceive any. He is called the Truth who rides on truth. He alone has the power of life and death, He can’t be contained, tamed or counselled. Wisdom is His name, everything seen and unseen are agents to accomplish His will, He guards and protects people and boundaries according to His plans. He fills ALL things and is above all, and all bow at the mention of His name. He is truly a good God. So Beloved, do you really know in Whom you have come to believe in? Do you know the awesomeness of His power?
If you do why do you fear like one without hope when shaking comes? Why do you fear as if your troubles are bigger than what God can handle?
Why do you fear as if your God has gone AWOL while Satan is dancing calypso in your back garden?
Why do you fear or worry then as if all Power doesn’t belong to Him anymore?
Think, the beloved. Do you really know in whom you have believed? Can you not trust Him with your children, marriage, job, finances etc?
Is there anyone that can do what Jehovah can’t do?
Beloved, be fully persuaded that God is able to guard and keep that which He has entrusted to you and which you have committed to Him until that day.
Wednesday 28th of June 2023
He Is The Holy God All By Himself!
Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good? But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition]. But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.
1 Peter 3 : 13 - 15 AMPC
The Lord of hosts–regard Him as holy and honor His holy name [by regarding Him as your only hope of safety], and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread [lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him].
Isaiah 8 : 13 AMPC
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12 : 34 NKJV
We are exhorted in the scriptures above to set Christ apart as holy in our hearts. Whatever is set apart in our heart becomes our treasure. And whatever a man treasures, he seeks to protect with all he’s got.
When Christ becomes truly our treasure, well set apart in our hearts, the effect will become obvious.
It will be so apparent that no one messes up with you in the area of your faith. None would ridicule, Christ, the love of your life without getting a passionate, heartfelt response.
Do you now know why many muslims react once anything disrespectful is said, written or drawn about their Prophet? It’s because he, even though human is treasured in their heart.
We are not to become violent in defence of our Christ, but we must not let anyone cause us to compromise our faith in Him, compromise on the love, worship, servitude and honour we have for Him.
When we treat our saviour as Holy, sacred and treasured by not just what we say, but by also how we live, others around us will begin to learn to appreciate Christ, wanting to know the reason for our hope in and what it means exactly.
The disciples of Jesus couldn’t live or behave like the religious pharisees of their time, because being with and loving Jesus, goes beyond mere religion.
It totally transforms one from an eye service follower to one truly dedicated and separated for His purpose and glory.
Christ died to regain and separate us unto Himself, Would we not set Him apart as Holy in our hearts?
It’s good not to forget we are the carriers of God’s presence, the temple or residence of His Holy Spirit,
Therefore we must set Him apart in our hearts and be separate, living consecrated lives, for He our God is Holy.
Beloved, let’s bask in this grace and live for His glory.
Tuesday 27th of June 2023
Lord, These We Pray …
And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].
Philippians 1: 9 - 11 AMP
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1 : 9 - 11 NLT
Beloved, the above scriptures spell out what the Apostle Paul prayed to be cultivated in the lives of the believers in the church at Philippi. These attributes are obviously much more needed in the lives of the believers in Christ now than ever especially in the present challenges and assaults against the faith.
It’s good we consider praying these into our lives today as I highlight on the points noted by Paul.
We”ve been instructed by Jesus to occupy and do His works until He returns, it’s then important to live and walk in the mind of Christ.
To do so, we PRAY to GROW in KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of what God expects of us in these challenging times, then we can understand what really matters for us to pursue and live for instead of running around and pursuing those things that do not count and have no eternal reward.
This knowledge and understanding will help us live pure and blameless lives, keeping us set and ready for the return of our Lord, which is our end goal.
We need to PRAY for OVERFLOWING LOVE for God and for the people around us. Yes, for the people around us, so we are able to love them beyond every offence that may come through them. For love covers a multitude of sins. We also need an overflowing love for God, in other not to grow weary and give up on Him when it becomes tough. This overflowing love boldens us to ALWAYS and joyfully choose to obey God rather than men or any system when put in tight corners regarding the faith.
Listen, In our day to day living, we must seek to bring praise and glory to God. So we therefore PRAY our character would be such filled with the fruit of righteousness, a pointer leading people away from sin because of the indwelling Christ.
Beloved, when these attributes are evident in our lives, then can we be joyfully say we are imitating Christ and following in His steps like Paul did.
Today, as we desire and pray these into our lives, may it become our living realities and testimonies in Jesus name. Amen!
Monday 26th of June 2023
God Will Surely Complete it!
The Lord will PERFECT that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.
Psalm 138:8 AMPC
I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely COMPLETES them]!
Psalm 57:2 AMPC
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and PERFECTING and bringing it to FULL COMPLETION in you.
Philippians 1:6 AMPC
Beloved, what’s your conviction about your situation?
Are you thinking there’s nothing more to happen or for you to experience in your life?
Have you given up on the good future God has promised regarding your children?
Because your life or the lives of your children don’t look as you expect it to be right now doesn’t mean it’s finished, and that the door of progress has been shut against them.
Listen, we are dealing with God Most High and not with mere men, who can forget or jilt their words of promises.
When Jehovah starts a thing, He surely completes it.
His progress and Completion certainly happen in His own time.
Beloved, God is interested and will faithfully perfect all that concerns you, not for your sake but for His Name’s sake. He has His faithful Name to uphold, and so He will do.That’s the reason the Psalmist says in Psalm 23 :3 says, He leads us in the path of righteousness for His Name’s sake.
The scriptures above tell of God’s purposes for each individual life which includes the lives of our children. He has His good purposes and plans for each of us, and His aim is to bring it to Completion.
Your life is in progression in God’s eyes, even though it may look stagnant in your eyes and in the physical.
God’s building blocks may not been seen through the physical eyes but can be perceived spiritually as He stacks them one upon the other. Remember even when we can’t see it, He never stops working, He pulls all the strings together, prompts hearts, draws His helpers from far and wide causing men to will and do of His good pleasure. At the end we observe events popping up at different locations engineered by God and coming together to fulfill purpose.
Beloved, you must learn to be patient with yourself and with God, trusting Him to step in and perfect what concerns you.
Don’t allow pressure from people’s words, attitudes or events get to you. You must stay focused on God who has called you and will remain faithful to His Words. As for the rest of the onlookers putting pressure on you, tell them to back off and be patient, for God hasn’t finished with you. You are God’s Masterpiece still in perfection/completion Mode, sitting right on His Work table.
God will perfect that which concerns you! Don’t fear!
Wednesday 21st of June 2023
Flee From The World’s seduction!
While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows. You’re the one I was looking for!
I came out to find you, and here you are!
Proverbs 7:6-15 NLT
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. (James 4:4 NLT)
Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NCV)
Beloved, friendship with the world is enemity with God. Do you know that Satan knows this, that’s why he’s doing all he can in many seductive ways to get in bed with believers in Christ by enticing them and numbing them towards sin and tricking them to pull down their guards against sin and worldliness.
Believers who should know that friendship with the world means enemity with God are living aloof this scripture and dining with the enemy.
Listen Child of God! Satan through his enticing worldly strategies is out to get you to compromise and sin against God and he’s not resting or joking about it. Flash back at the time when we first believed in Christ, all the excitement we had and the things we were convicted of as being not good for a child of God, we vomited these out and walked away from them. What of now? Do you know that the world has gradually crept into our space, got us not to frown anymore at the sin that used to disgust us.
The world has made us comfortable with foul talks, indecent movies and has even got some of us to desires indecent acts in the closets. How did Believers in Christ get here? The church has become more permissive in her thinking about sin now more than 15 years ago. The preaching of Holiness from our pulpits have become almost a taboo and repulsive.
The seductive world is out beckoning and preying on weak and naive believers.
Beloved, we need to examine our lives to fish out those sins we now tolerate that we didn’t used to. We must examine those areas of our lives we used to be on fire and less compromising than we are right now.
Satan is working overtime to water down the church of God and get her to look and feel not different from the world, but are we not called to be separate?
Child of God remember all things may be permissible but not beneficial or profitable to our faith. Satan is cashing in on the permissibles, but as wise ones let’s go for the beneficials or the profitables that worth eternity.
Let’s not make ourselves enemies of God by cozing up with the World, instead let’s wake up, reject and flee from the world’s seductions in the wisdom and grace God’s given us. Heaven should remain our goal!
Tuesday 20th of June 2023
Be United With Christ and Be Strong !
At the end of my letter, I want to say this to you: Be united with the Lord, so that you are strong. Then his great power will help you. Use all the help that God gives to us. Then you can be like a soldier who fights against the Devil.
You must put on the whole armour that God gives to us. The Devil attacks us in clever ways, and we need to be strong. We are not fighting against human enemies. Instead, we are fighting against the rulers and the powerful spirits that have authority over this dark world. We are fighting against the bad spirits who live in the heavens.
Ephesians 6 : 10 - 12 EASY
Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 AMPC
Child of God, what do you expect of Satan?
To appear to you physically or in person and fight you or inform you of his intentions to steal, kill, and destroy your faith?
Naaa! He would not do that! He attacks us in clever ways that would appear to us as if he’s not behind the act.
Firstly, he lies and deceives the world he doesn’t exist. Many in challenging situations will utter O! leave the devil out of this and that, he is not the culprit here, so so and so is. Yes, he may not be physically seen but he is the unseen One who masterminds and dictates the actions of the actors.
Beloved, please wake up to the fact we are in an intense battle. It’s a battle to outsmart and get us to be in agreement with the devil and do as he desires
Listen, we are fighting against the rulers and the powerful SPIRITS that have AUTHORITY over this dark world. We are fighting against the BAD SPIRITS who live in the heavens.
These bad Spirits we can’t see but they can see us.
They suggests to our minds and tries to manipulate us through what we see and hear, they can even set us up with events and wicked agents to sweet talk and deceive us.
But our Heavenly Father who understands the gimmicks and power of the evil one has put some safe guards in place and left the Holy Spirit in and with us to guide us into all truth, thereby exposing the evil traps of the devil. He has also provided spiritual armour we can put on as we battle in this unseen realm. One of the most important things we must do daily and at every point in time is to be united with the Lord. When in submissive agreement to His guidance we are positioned in strength as He battles for us.
Being united with the Lord means we believe and align our speeches to sync with His, and our actions to reflect His Words. This also means when the enemy comes for us, he’s forced to back off since he sees the same reflection of God’s light from us.
But when we’re out of sync with the Lord, Satan sees dimmed light around us, and penetrates to attack us. Therefore we must not cease to abide in God, pray, speak His word, proclaim the blood of Jesus as our covering, and the name of Jesus as our strong tower as we walk in godliness.
Beloved, let’s not slumber, but stand strong and united with the Lord, as we put on God’s full armour, we are sure to win the evil one defending the faith
Monday 19th of June 2023
The Lord Will Give You Victory!
He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20 : 15 NLT
Who can snatch the plunder of war from the hands of a warrior? Who can demand that a tyrant let his captives go? But the Lord says, “The captives of warriors will be released, and the plunder of tyrants will be retrieved. For I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children.
Isaiah 49 : 24 - 25 NLT
And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord ’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
1 Samuel 17 : 47 NLT
I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us. O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name.
Psalms 44 : 6 - 8 NLT
Are you at a point where all the odds are against you? Have you looked at your situation and whispered it is hopeless? Is the challenge much bigger than you can wriggle out in peace without loses and damages?
Have you not thought the best thing is to let things just be, not because you are expecting a quick turnaround or a positive outcome, but because you have given up?
Listen child of God, Your God is bigger than any mountain that scares you to climb, even in the darkest hopeless situation, His light permeates. When man’s impossibility card flashes, God’s possibility card checkmates.
Stop worrying, only your persistent belief will cause lhe King of Glory to arise, and every gate of opposition and hopelessness will be lifted.
Beloved, this is not your battle! You can’t fix it! God doesn’t need your human reasoning or help to do this. Stand back and you will see Jehovah beat the enemies hands down bringing the spoil to you.
All those that said No to you will begin to apologise. Those that refused to favour you will lose out. Those that sat on your promotions will be unseated. Those that wickedly said, ‘Over their dead body’ will receive a hearse farewell.
Do not allow your present hardship or troubles discourage you. Your Heavenly Father will battle on your behalf and give you the victory. He will disgrace whatever it is that troubles your peace.
The battle is the Lord’s! Stand strong in your hope and be expectant of the blowing wind of change!
Wednesday 14th of June 2023
There’s A Happy End For You, O Righteous One!
They brag to the sky. They say that they own the earth. So their people turn to them and give them whatever they want. They say, “How can God know? What does God Most High know?” These people are wicked, always at ease, and getting richer. So why have I kept my heart pure? Why have I kept my hands from doing wrong? …
I tried to understand all this, but it was too hard for me to see until I went to the Temple of God. Then I understood what will happen to them. You have put them in danger; you cause them to be destroyed. They are destroyed in a moment; they are swept away by terrors. It will be like waking from a dream. Lord, when you rise up, they will disappear.
Psalms 73 : 9-13, 16-20 NCV
I have seen a wicked man in great power and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil, Yet he passed away, and behold, he was not; yes, I sought and inquired for him, but he could not be found. Mark the blameless man and behold the upright, for there is a happy end for the man of peace. As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together; in the end the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the [consistently] righteous is of the Lord; He is their Refuge and secure Stronghold in the time of trouble.
Psalm 37 : 35 - 39 AMPC
One effect the prosperity of the wicked have on the mind of a child of God is the questioning of events.
Sometimes it’s difficult to understand how God can watch the excesses, the pride, wicked acts Oppressions, braggings, mockery etc from the ungodly and not allow them to fall and die instantly, especially when they hurt, or oppress and act as demigods to others. Instead of their instant judgement, they brag and prosper even the more.
For a believer who keeps the way of God, strives to live a holy life, abstains from all sorts that have the appearances of evil, who denys self and yet struggles financially or bodily etc, it’s difficult to comprehend.
In a situation like this, it’s so easy to begin to think like David did. You may begin to wonder the gain in trying to be good and serve God with your whole heart, when those who don’t even revere or acknowledge Him are doing great in your eyes.
There’s a tendency to develop cold feet, get discouraged, withdraw from being active in the things of God and then gradually return to the old lifestyle or habit one had left having come to a new life in Christ. These are ways Satan can use to convince you that your new lifestyle in Christ is of no benefit, and that God doesn’t mind a little indulgence here and there.
God made David understand there’s more to life than what we see in the present. At the end of all things, His judgement would come when the wicked is destroyed and the righteous would’ve a happy end.
So let’s not just live for now we must think of eternity. God’s mercy is keeping all of us and giving us time to straighten out and get it right with God.
Child of God don’t regret that you’ve kept your heart pure and your hands from doing wrong whilst others were glowing in sin.
Listen! The day of reckoning will soon come which will be your day of honour and beautification. I tell you, ‘Yours will be a happy end!’, so stay on course’.
Tuesday 13th of June 2023
Guard Your Faith, don’t lose It!
God is truly good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts. But I had almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith because I was jealous of proud people. I saw wicked people doing well. They are not suffering; they are healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like the rest of us; they don’t have problems like other people. They wear pride like a necklace and put on violence as their clothing. They are looking for profits and do not control their selfish desires. They make fun of others and speak evil; proudly they speak of hurting others.
Psalms 73:1-8 NCV
Don’t be upset because of evil people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong, because like the grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die away.
Psalms 37:1-2 NCV
Don’t envy evil people or try to be friends with them. Their minds are always planning violence, and they always talk about making trouble.
Proverbs 24:1-2 NCV
Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long. (Proverbs 23:17 AMPC)
Child of God, do not be envious of wicked men, godless men whether neighbours, family or friends that seem to prosper in their ways, getting richer and richer, living more comfortable lives as it may apparently appear inspite of their ungodly ways.
Their godless but prosperous ways are undeniable and right in our faces, so much we are tempted to wonder in our hearts, without so many spoken words why it’s so.
The reason Satan brings their lifestyles to our notice, with his quiet whisperings is not for our good.
He makes sure their riches, their comfortable lives and travels are in our eyes so we can begin to despise where we are in our walk with God, question the provisions of God, compare notes and lifestyles and then lack contentment with the blessings of God that once gave us peace, joy and fulfilment. This Spirit of jealousy with lack of contentment would then rule the heart and gradually turn it from one of gratitude to one that lusts after the goods and lifestyles of godless men and women.
David had same experience, had it not been for the mercies of God he would have lost his faith in God and stopped believing in the goodness of God.
The same thing applies to us, Satan wants us to lose our faith in God, lose our joyful and thankful hearts towards God, and then gradually drift away in the Spirit of lust and envy.
We’re exhorted to guard our hearts against that and not envy sinners.
If the truth be told, the grass is not actually greener on their side. They may have all the money and luxury but they don’t have peace and joy which can’t be bought but are divinely given.. Many of them actually wish for our peaceful, joyful, godly lifestyle that rejoices in the provisions of God, and end up committing suicide and living with so many addictions inspite of their wealth for lack of peace.
Beloved, don’t envy them, continue to live in the reverent fear of the Lord, for when the chips are down it will be obvious, your life is indeed a better one!
Moreover, be patient with God! He hasn’t finished with you. His beautiful plan for your life is still a good work in progress, therefore, Guard your faith in contentment, don’t lose it!
Monday 12th of June 2023
I Will Sing And Make Melody!
They set a net for my steps; my very life was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way; into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my glory (my inner self); awake, harp and lyre!
I will awake right early [I will awaken the dawn]!
I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
Psalm 57 : 6 - 9 AMPC
Beloved, troubles will never cease. The enemy of your soul will never stop pursuing you. The invisible entities that hate the light of God within you will never stop plotting your downfall, whether you are aware or not your life remains a battle field.
So how you live through life facing your daily battles would be your choice.
You can choose to go through it facing your challenges with your head bowed down or your head lifted up. You can choose to wear a gloomy face or a smiley one.
You can also choose never to sing your way through your problems or let the songs of praise bubble up with joy, strengthening you all the way.
The mood you find yourself in today is as a result of the choices you consciously or unconsciously made.
David chose to sing and make melody unto the Lord, not because he didn’t have problems that he could have allowed to get the best of him, but he resolved to deal with the state of his heart.
He chose to fix his heart on God!
He plugged His heart confidently and steadfast on God. He took His eyes off the schemers and pit diggers, and concentrated His heart on singing and thanking the Lord.
It was his choice to wake up in the morning with singing and thanksgiving unto God instead of worrying and grumbling.
He had to work against his inner self that was a drag, he woke himself up from self pity and whatever he could have chosen to wallow in.
This was what David willed and chose to do.
Under God’s watch, David’s enemies themselves fell into the pit they had dug for David.
While they were plotting against David, David chose to lift up his voice in praise to God, while God in turn was taking care of David’s challenges and challengers.
Beloved, let your heart be steadfast and confident in God alone. Choose to lift up your voice in praise of who God is and what He can do. Subdue your flesh and rise up in the Spirit of Thanksgiving and praise and you will see God fight your battles.
Praising God is the choice of those who are confident in Him! Are you confident in God?
Then let your Praises rise early and awaken your Dawn!
Wednesday 7th of June 2023
There Will be no ‘AHA’ Over Your Situation !!
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.
Psalms 27:12-13 NKJV
Lord, you have seen all this. Do not remain silent, Lord. Do not stay far away from me.
Wake up! Get ready to give me justice! Show that I am not guilty, my Lord and my God.
Lord, you are righteous. Give me justice, my God. Do not let them laugh at me.
Do not let them say, ‘Aha! This is what we wanted.’ Do not let them say, ‘We have eaten him alive!’
Psalms 35 : 22 - 25 EASY
I will be glad and rejoice in your love, because you saw my suffering; you knew my troubles.
You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place.
Psalms 31 : 7 - 8 NCV
Beloved, the Lord will remain gracious to you!!
Had it not been for the Lord’s love and mercy, only God knows what would have become of us.
The adversary of our soul has his wishes for us. He wishes we be disgraced and live in perpetual misery.
He raises up men to accuse us falsely, to humiliate us, steal from us and put us in harm’s way.
In our innocence, he gathers people at work, in our neighbourhood etc.to hate us for nothing, they hate our laughter, our smiles, our suggestions and the fact we are of Christ, alive doing our own things.
He wishes we failed in every area, that our voices are no more heard, that our smiles are wiped off our faces, that our laughter would turn to sorrow, our rejoicing would turn to crying, He and his agents await to see their wicked thoughts and wishes come to pass in our lives and in our families.
They also wish to see our homes in disarray, our marriages broken down, our children wayward and disobedient, that chaos would consume our homes, that grave sicknesses would attack us, our businesses would fail, and we would lose our jobs and homes, not because we have done anything in particular to them, but they just hate our peace / joy.
Beloved, let them wish till tomorrow, our Saviour Jesus, who is our advocate and intercessor, has overruled. He will not give us over to the wishes of our enemies! He will not give them the joy of saying, “Aha! This is what we wanted! Our Advocate will vindicate us, He will speak for us and turn around their wishes. The very pit they have dug for us would become their portion.
Beloved, we do not and would not lose hope, for we believe we would see the deliverance, and the goodness of the Lord in this land of the living.
In our very presence God would vindicate us as we raise a banner of praise and testify of His goodness.
Beloved, fear not! Their accusations and schemes have come to nothing, so states the Verdict of the Most High God!
Tuesday 6th of June 2023
The Shepherd Knows The Best Ways!
THE Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23 : 1 - 3 AMPC
The Psalmist declared Jehovah, the Lord God to be his Shepherd.
He understood the way of the Shepherd with the sheep because he, David was once a Shepherd tending his father’s flock.
He knew the welfare and safety of the sheep was the sole responsibility of the Shepherd, and it took a caring Shepherd to be out in the field with His sheep.
The Shepherd was the strong defender while the sheep was the vulnerable weak animal.
The Shepherd always had His rod and staff, His weapon of warfare as He stayed with the sheep.
He always looked out for the wild animals that would come to attack the sheep, He fought them himself. He would either kill the predators or ward them off, no Shepherd loves to see his flock attacked by wolves, he was ever protecting them.
Shepherds are always on the move looking for greener pastures and still waters for the comfort and refreshment of the sheep. Until He finds it, they would keep moving with little rests in-between. Imagine how the sheep may feel regarding the movements, sometimes they may resist to move on because of tiredness, or because they feel their present feeding pasture is good enough and is all they need, so they would refuse to move on, but the good Shepherd who knows the land would insist and move them on for he rightly knows there’s a better feeding field and stiller water ahead of them. The Shepherd takes care of his sheep holistically, and couldn’t do much for the sheep if the sheep isn’t able to trust the judgement of the Shepherd and obey Him. The Shepherd is indeed who the sheep needs to listen to, lean on and follow for a good life.
Similarly, Jesus Christ, is our Great Shepherd. He leads and guides us by His Spirit. If we are to have a good fulfilled life in Him, we must therefore listen to His voice and comply instead of struggling with Him or opposing His lead.
Perhaps He’s moving you on from your already comfortable position to your next grazing field which is greener, safer and surrounded by Stiller water, far from the wolves and you are fighting and resisting Him because you are fearful and can’t see His good directions, it’s time you stopped resisting.
The great Shepherd has your best interest at heart.
Trust Him with all your heart, and thank Him for where you are now and for where He’s leading you to, for it’s all for your good. He loves you!
Today, with a grateful heart, tell Him, Lord, wherever you lead me I’ll follow, for your thoughts are good.
Monday 5th of June 2023
Take No Part in Evil Deeds Of Darkness!
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do.
Ephesians 5 : 3 - 7 NLT
And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.
Ephesians 5 : 10-11 AMPC
People say this: ‘Only a small amount of yeast in the flour will cause a loaf of bread to grow big.’
Galatians 5 : 9 EASY
Beloved, Paul wrote the above admonitions to the believers in Christ and not to unbelievers.
An immoral lifestyle is synonymous with an ungodly society or groups, but it shouldn’t be mentioned in the church of the Living God which should be thriving in Holiness.
The church in this present age has not stood out from the World system because within its wall is immorality and all forms of sexual vices.
Obscene stories, greed, foolish talks and coarse jokes have found a place in the church of God both among the clergy and the congregation.
The very detestable acts that shouldn’t be mentioned among believers are done both in the secret and in the open. You find in the different arms of the church, both married and unmarried involved in fornication and adultery, stealing and secretly involved with man made gods. These men and women can just get up from their secret sinful acts and walk straight to lead or stand in the congregation of the righteous without the fear of God, without shame and an atom of guilt lifting up their hands, but not in repentance.
It shouldn’t be like this before God. Living this way is like mocking God and making light of His love and grace. The church of God is not to cover these sinful deeds of darkness but expose them, so that the young and old can take correction.
These sins are like yeast that affect the whole dough if allowed into the dough.
Every believer in Christ must take responsibility and ensure immorality and other vices don’t taint the church of God. We are called to be living examples of what the New Life in Christ should be and that God actually transforms lives. Again we are to expose these evil works of darkness and not condone them.
In the Spirit of love, be the light and drive out every deeds of wickedness in your home, in the church and wherever God places you. Don’t let evil thrive!!
Wednesday 31th of May 2023
Why Allow Yourself To Be Sad or Upset?
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.
Psalm 42 : 5 AMPC
Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God and keep praising him, my Savior and my God.
Psalms 42 : 5 NCV
And which of you by being overly anxious and troubled with cares can add a cubit to his stature or a moment [unit] of time to his age [the length of his life]? If then you are not able to do such a little thing as that, why are you anxious and troubled with cares about the rest?
Luke 12 : 25 - 26 AMPC
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
Luke 12 : 25 - 26 NLT
Beloved, don’t let the evil one, that is the enemy put you into the pit of sadness and depression because of the challenges you are facing.
May I gently remind you these challenges were here before you came and once you leave this present life they will still remain. What’s important is how you can walk through or out if them.
Remember, the good Lord promised there’s no temptation that will come to us that we wouldn’t be able to bear, and even in it He will make a way of escape. So what’s important would be adopting the willingness to walk out of the situation and discerning God’s provided way of escape and also walking through it.
Worrying and allowing the issues of life to dominate your heart would not add anything to you, instead it will steal your joy and peace.
Do you still remember the promises of God? One of them says He will never leave nor forsake you, meaning that He is there with you in whatever challenges you are facing, actually He is the reason you are not yet consumed in that challenge. He is holding you up and working out the situation for you.
So like our brother David asked Himself, you need to wake up and arise from that downcast emotions and ask yourself, why am I allowing this to eat me up or steal my joy if I really believe God is with me?
Is He not the same God that brought me out and help me through past challenges, and will He not do it again? Instead of being sad and grumpy, I will hope in Him like I did before, and I will experience His salvation again.
Beloved, this is what God expects we do in our challenges, we praise Him again and again in high Hopes, as we patiently and expectantly wait on Him.
Don’t wait for everything to be alright in your life before you praise. Begin to praise Him now and He will start to cause things to work together for your good according to His divine plan.
Tuesday 30th of May 2023
Obey God And Be At Peace!
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
John 14 : 27 AMPC
And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].
Colossians 3 : 15 AMPC
“Obey God and be at peace with him; this is the way to happiness. Accept teaching from his mouth, and keep his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be blessed again. So remove evil from your house.
Job 22 : 21 - 23 NCV
Beloved, God knew we will be facing seasons that will challenge and bring fear to our door steps, seasons of uncertainties and threat to our lives and faith. In these times our Heavenly Father has made provision to guide us and guard our hearts with His peace.
This peace is His own, and therefore operates differently from what you see in the World. It’s flows from a place of righteousness unto God’s own, therefore its presence wouldn’t be felt in ungodliness, instead the soul would experience a feeling of troubled waters.
We are encouraged to let the peace of God rule our hearts like a referee, that decodes, decides and settles the situation around us and the turmoil inside us.
Beloved, it’s only in our obedience and trust in God’s word we enjoy His peace. Although we may hear of bad news and sudden shocking events around us, we must remember not to be agitated and troubled by them, instead we bounce off on the Word of God.
When the written Word of God arises in our hearts and minds, it comes with the cool breeze of peace calming all the agitation and fear, settling our hearts on what God’s Word says.
The written and Spoken Word of God is His Word of peace, therefore Child of God we must meditate on it day and night to cushion our heart with His Word and be led into the right in the Spirit of courage.
We need to keep and maintain the peace of God in our hearts. Perhaps your heart is troubled right now, God calls you to come into His presence, as you pour out your heart and make things right with Him, He will flood you heart again with His peace.
Beloved, don’t step out without His peace, and don’t go to anywhere His Umpire of peace has not led you up.
May the peace of God rule your heart today and always in all you do
Monday 29th of May 2023
Our Present Troubles Are Small And Won’t Last Very Long!
Then I heard a voice that spoke loudly from the throne. It said, ‘God’s home is now among people! God will live together with them. They will be his people. God himself will be with them and he will be their God. God will take away all the tears from their eyes. Nobody will ever die again. Nobody will be sad again. Nobody will ever cry. Nobody will have pain again. Everything that made people sad has now gone. That old world has completely gone away.’
Revelation 21 : 3-4 EASY
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4 : 16 – 17
Right from the beginning, it has been God’s desire to dwell with His people and relate with them like every good Dad would.
God’s idea is not to be a virtual Dad.
We are told God made His presence known in the Garden of Eden, He always came in the cool of the evening to meet and fellowship with Adam. When the children of Israel left Egypt enroute to Canaan land, God still tabernacled with them. He dwelt in the midst of His people watched over them, led and protected them.
In this new dispensation or covenant, because of the price Jesus paid to restore the Sons of men back in fellowship with the Father, God’s Spirit now doesn’t just dwell amongst His people but He dwells right inside them, for the believers in Christ have become the body of Christ, wherein He resides.
He has promised to never leave nor forsake us in our troubles, but walk us through everyone of them as we commit to obey His voice.
We need to know, that all the troubles we are facing in this present times may be tough and ruffle us, but they are nothing compared to the good future these same trouble will earn us according to God’s plans if we endured and not cave in.
We are told that no eyes have seen, nor ears heard, neither has it entered the heart of man what He has reserved for those who will love Him faithfully till the vey end.
Although we don’t have the whole picture of what our beautiful abode would be but one thing is Sure, God will in His glory finally and permanently dwell amongst His people.
God in His love will wipe away our tears, no more death, no more sorrow, no more pains, we will be filled joy and laughter in the Presence of our King.
Imagine if all the beautiful things we see and enjoy here on earth which are but temporary have wowed men and stolen their hearts, what then do you think enjoyment and fun in heaven would be like? If earth is termed great with its landscape, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes etc, what do you imagine the New Heavenly City with its streets of gold would be?
This glorious future we have with Christ should motivate us not to look at the troubles we see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.
Beloved, let’s take our eyes off our present troubles and fix them on Christ, the finisher of our faith and He’ll keep and lead us into our glorious future Home.
Wednesday 24th of May 2023
You are Vey Special, Also Your Life is Not Yours!
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalms 139:13-16 NLT
But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles…
Galatians 1:15-16 NLT
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
Beloved, your existence is not an accident, inspite of all the tales surrounding your birth.
It may be your parents didn’t plan your birth at the time you came, or you were born out of wedlock or your conception may have been as a result of rape, whatever story surrounds your birth is one when looked into would give your an assurance that it was only God that gave you a right of passage at the time you came for it pleased Him you come.
He saw everyone of us in our unformed states, He saw the very moment that very egg from which you developed was fertilised in the womb. It was in His hands to permit or stop it from being fertilised, but He called us forth to come, watched over every stage of our development in the womb to make sure we weren’t terminated, until we were born.
God brought us forth because He had a plan and a purpose even before our conception. He ordained us to come and become all he had preplanned for us to become so to carry out His will on this other side of His creation, to ensure the will of Jehovah is done on this earth as It’s already done in Heaven.
So Child of God, you are not a mistake, but one called forth on an assignment. The life you have is not your own, the ability you have to thrive on planet earth is not yours. All that’s you and yours is Heavenly endowed, for the purpose of the Master.
This is the very reason you can’t claim the life you have is your own, it’s given to you for a specific time, for a given assignment after which you return back to base to give your report.
Any child of God living carelessly, outside the code and ethics of Heaven as given in the Holy scriptures is one that’s sold out to the Kingdom of darkness.
So from today begin to take yourself seriously, appreciate yourself and your calling, for you are specially created in the eyes of God.
Now you must begin to live circumspectly, redeeming the time like an agent on assignment for your days on this assignment are also numbered.
Remember!! Your life is not your own, you can’t live it any how, but only for God’s glory and purpose.
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
I Want To Know Christ!
If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
John 14:6-11 NLT
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
Philippians 3:10 NLT
No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:11 NLT
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14 NLT)
Beloved, it’s possible for someone to go through school, yet the school hasn’t gone through Him.
No doubt this person (bodily) could regularly be within the four walls of an educational institution but mentally or otherwise wouldn’t engage to benefit from all the knowledge the school had to offer.
Similarly, there are those who have long been in the four walls of a church, (may be by birth or association), these know and attend the different programs of the church and socially interact with other church goers, but the reality of whom Christ is hasn’t been known by them. They do not have a personal intimate relationship with Jesus.
They know Jesus by name and by stories told by other people but have not experienced His awesome transforming power for themselves.
Beloved, the essence of a relationship is to grow fondness and love, to understand one another and be able to walk together in harmony.
We are called into a relationship with Christ through our fellowship with His Spirit and Word. It’s only in the place of fellowship, we get to know Him, grow in love and fondness for Him, experience His power, and live to operate in His mind and do His will.
Listen, knowing Christ is not day’s job, He reveals Himself progressively. The more one delights in His presence to abide and obey, the more one walks in a greater understanding of who He is.
Knowing Christ’s name or His acts, and going to church are good, but, the most important and beneficial thing is to know Him for yourself through a personal encounter.
That’s what Paul prayed for, that’s what we should pray for too. It builds faith and confidence in God.
What now?
From today let’s Pray and seek to know and experience Christ through the fellowship of His Spirit, especially in our Closets and to obey Him in all our ways.
Monday 22nd of May 2023
The Rich Food That Satisfies!
The Lord says, “All you who are thirsty, come and drink. Those of you who do not have money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend your money on something that is not real food? Why work for something that doesn’t really satisfy you? Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies.
Isaiah 55 : 1 - 2 NCV
Woe to those who are mighty heroes at drinking wine and men of strength in mixing alcoholic drinks!–
Isaiah 5:22 AMPC
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 5:18 NLT
.. You should want to learn about God more and more. New babies always want their mothers’ milk, which makes them grow strong. God’s true message is like good food that will make you strong in your spirits. Learn more about God every day, so that you continue to grow as believers. Then at the end, God will save you completely from the bad things of this world.
1 Peter 2 : 2 EASY
Beloved, no matter what the world has to offer in terms of comfort, satisfaction, good life, fun, you name it, it always come with a price to pay.
It gives false hope or euphoria with underlying chain of slavery. Everything it offers never last.
Are you looking for comfort, excitement, peace, joy, fulfillment, good health etc?
Our Lord Jesus offers these to those who come to Him, not as the world gives.
Instead of spending much money on food and wine for a little happiness, with the hope of numbing sorrows and forgetting challenges which only leads to more pain and disappointment, the Lord offers us the comfort that comes from His Word and Spirit with overflowing Joy from His presence.
As Children of God, we know that which men seek in the world for satisfaction can only be found in Christ and it’s free. All the world’s goodies advertisement flags are false flags and we must not waste our time and resources on them. The New life we have received in Christ Jesus is the best life and better deal and we must let others into it by spreading the Good News of Salvation in Christ.
Let’s stay focused, dwell in God’s presence and His Spirit and Word will strengthen and bring us to a place of wholeness, joy and satisfaction in Him.
The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Child of God, God’s Word and His Spirit is that RICH Food and wine that SATISFY yet FREE, nothing more than them!
Let’s therefore, Keep hold of them and NEVER trade places.
Thursday 18th of May 2023
Be Sensitive And Responsive!
And He rescued righteous Lot, greatly worn out and distressed by the wanton ways of the ungodly and lawless
For that just man, living [there] among them, tortured his righteous soul every day with what he saw and heard of [their] unlawful and wicked deeds–
2 Peter 2 : 7 - 8 AMPC
I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. (Psalms 101 : 3 NLT)
Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23 AMPC)
Beloved, the enemy seeks to spiritually desensitize the children of God and get them acclimated to the evil happenings in the society.
When one gets desensitize and acclimated, he begins to accept violence, murder and all sorts of social vices or sin as normal and okay.
Sodom and Gomorrah was filled with violence and wickedness, these acts of wickedness were carried out in the open as normal, people saw and observed them everywhere they went. Lot was a righteous man living in Sodom, hearing and seeing these wicked and sinful acts at every turn. Because He was righteous what he saw and heard tortured his soul daily. He was distressed and worn out, but God rescued him from the destruction of the city.
Beloved, violence and wickedness has filled not only our streets but Satan has also flooded our homes with these through television and radio, and gradually seeks to numb our children’s sensitivity to these evil acts through social media, via their laptops, tablets and games.
It’s true we gradually with time become what we feed on or allow into our hearts, and not just that we become comfortable and accepting of things we initially frowned at or resented as bad or sinful.
There’s nothing more important than the condition of our heart and soul, therefore we must guard the gates of our hearts from every infiltration and stay sensitive. We must cautiously decide not to set our eyes on wickedness or to seek to enjoy movies, talks or songs that promote violence, evil, bloodshed and perversions of every form.
Let’s protect our children from all these forms of entertainments for they are subtle pathways into their consciousness (beings).
We can stay sensitive and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings by fellowshipping daily with Jesus in Word and prayer.
We are in the World but not of the world, so let’s ensure we be SEPARATE and not blend in.
Darkness shouldn’t encroach into our spaces, we must dispel it with our light.
Beloved, be a WATCHMAN and REMAIN SENSITIVE to GOD’S SPIRIT. Be INNOCENT in evil.
Wednesday 17th May 2023
Must Work The Works Of Christ!
I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
John 9 : 4 NKJV
Jesus said to them, ‘My Father has sent me. I must do the things he wants me to do. I must finish the work that he has given to me to do. That is my food. You often say, “It is still four more months until the plants in the farmers’ fields will be ready for the harvest.” But I say that you should open your eyes. Look at the fields. The plants are ready for the harvest now.
John 4 : 34 - 35 EASY
Beloved, we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, imitating the way He lived.
He came to earth for the purpose of doing the Father’s will, and that He did.
Likewise, every person is born with a purpose, designed, written and planned out by our Heavenly Father, all that’s needed is to come to that realisation and seek to fulfill that purpose.
Beloved, Jesus said, I MUST DO THE WORKS OF HIM WHO SENT ME.
Therein He confirmed He was SENT not that He just chose to come do His own things, but to take care of the affairs of the Father.
Using the word ‘MUST’ tells us he felt obligated to carry out these compulsory works without deviation.
He also acknowledged His works had to be carried out within the space of time. He was aware NIGHT time was drawing near, so He needed to do all He could within the day when He could still see clearly using the light of day without hindrances.
Doing and completing His Father’s will was not only paramount but was also His food, His source of sustenance and strength.
Beloved, we should cultivate this same attitude that was in Christ Jesus our forerunner and Saviour.
Our existence here on earth is not a joke, is not for self praise and glory, but for the works of God to be done. We should feel obligated to carry out the plans of God for our lives.
Let’s also remember we do not control time, therefore, night time is inevitable. As we are spending the hours of our day time, the night hours are also drawing close, so we must begin to do the works committed into our hands now we can.
Night time surely hinders one from working.
Now we can still see clearly, and have the strength and grace to rise up, let’s begin to do so, for as Jesus presented Himself before His Heavenly Father after He’s done His will, so we shall also be presented before our Father in Heaven.
Beloved, what will that day spell out for you?
A day of joy or one of regret?
Now we still can, Let’s determine to make it a joyful day by decisively taking up this obligation NOW, TODAY and not tomorrow to do the Works expected of us by the father while it’s day, for night is fast approaching.
16th of May 2023
Be Diligent And Turn from Your Indifference!
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
Revelation 3:14-19 NLT
Throw your gold nuggets into the dust and your fine gold among the rocks in the ravines. Then the Almighty will be your gold and the best silver for you. You will find pleasure in the Almighty, and you will look up to him. You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will keep your promises to him.
Job 22 : 24 - 27 NCV
The church of God has become complacent, she seems numbed to the happenings around her.
The church of God is one body made up by those saved and called by his name all over. What we see of the church today is a collective effect of what goes on in our individual lives.
When believers in Christ in their closets have become indifferent and complacent in the things of God, it will certainly have an overall effect and even the fervency of a few may seem like nothing, it’s therefore the strength of our individual walks and commitments that reflects on the church of God.
Why have many become complacent or indifferent?
There could be many reasons, weariness discouragement due to challenges and trials etc.
But one grave factor, which Satan has subtly used to bring the children of God on complacent knees, is the blessings of God in their lives. It could be the blessings of children, jobs, houses, talents, promotions and other material wealth.
These things not mastered has a way of taking over seeking to be maintained or kept up with more than God. They have a way of giving false security, status, confidence and assurance unconsciously.
When one’s heart is then rooted and confidently relying these blessings of God instead of God then
Satan uses them to distract, pump up the mind in pride and redirect priorities which gradually sets them spiritually on the downward slope of arrogance, self sufficient and pleasure seeking.
Such a one would think he’s standing yet has fallen over without realising it.
God is asking his children to arise and ditch every entanglement that causes indiffference and complacency in the things of God.
We must come to understand that anything that gives us a sense of fulfillment, righteousness and wisdom not Christ centred is Satan’s distraction.
There’s no room for negligence and indifference in God’s Kingdom business, for the enemy’s the author and executor of ever indifference towards God.
May the Fire of the Holy Ghost burn off every thing that weighs us down and set our hearts again on fire for the Lord.
Beloved, DILIGENCE does it, INDIFFERENCE has no place in God
15th of May 2023
Remember This!
In the last days there will be many troubles, because people will love themselves, love money, brag, and be proud. They will say evil things against others and will not obey their parents or be thankful or be the kind of people God wants.
2 Timothy 3:1-2 NCV
If you lay gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brook [considering them of little worth], And make the Almighty your gold and [the Lord] your precious silver treasure, Then you will have delight in the Almighty, and you will lift up your face to God.
Job 22:24-26 AMPC
Beloved, the pressure from the things we face everyday is enough to desensitize us from the truth of what’s going on around us.
The Almighty God wants us to remember the season we are in, so to stay focused and able to handle the challenges as they come.
When we know the season and the expected events then we will not be thrown off guard, wondering what’s going on or what has the world become.
Listen, the Word of God has spelt it out there will be difficult times, distressing times in the last days, not such as ever been seen or experienced before.
The difficult times will have people become lovers of themselves and lovers of money, which is contrary to what it should be for the children of God.
Because a child of God understands that what is, is only temporal and passing away, but that which is to come is permanent and eternal, worth living and dying for, therefore caution will be exercised in one’s way of life, and the state of the heart would be constantly examined and rooted on the right things.
What does men being lovers of themselves mean?
In Greek, the word interpreted as lovers of themselves is Philautos. A combination of two words, philo (or phileo meaning love, fondness, romantic feelings, or attraction towards another. It can also mean kissing)
Auto on the other hand means oneself. So imagine having a fondness, attraction or romantic feelings towards one self instead of towards another person.
Unfortunately, that is what the society and people in it will/has become. The society will be consumed by self love, self focus, self centredness, self absorption, self interest and all that’s named selfishness.
Men will no longer live selfless lives in service of others but will put their wants and needs at the very centre of their world, making their own self interests and desires their first consideration in everything, contrary to what the love of Jesus stands for.
Beloved, we are in that rat race right now, but what you should ponder on is the state of your own heart.
Do not be caught up in covetousness and self love.
Stay focused on eternity and live a selfless, godly life to the glory of God.
Always remember this: you came with nothing and will leave with nothing, be wise and hide your treasures far away from thieves, moths and rots.
So be selfless, think Heavenly and invest more in God’s business !!
Prosperity In Obedience!
Friday 31st April 2021
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord .
Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!
Psalms 119 :1 - 8 NLT
Do you think it’s a waste of time faithfully following Jehovah with all your might, especially when sometimes it brings pain and discomfort?
That thought can get even more magnified, when one sees unbelieving friends who know, say or do NOTHING about God, yet are prospering beyond measure.
Sometimes, you may even hear preachers compare the rising prosperity of the unbelievers to the disappointing average or lowly life of the believers, as if the believers are missing out on their own prosperity because of something they are not doing smartly. Could that be true?
We must understand the believer’s and the unbeliever’s paths are parallel, guided by different rules, not gearing to the same destination.
Unbelievers GENERALLY are not afraid to do WHATEVER they have to do in order to prosper. They can do the UNTHINKABLE to accelerate, for in their hearts their prosperity is in their own hands. Unlike the believer who understands prosperity comes from God, and any man who desires to PROSPER GOD’S WAY, must be HARDWORKING and LIVING by the GODLY rules of the Lord.
We know our PRESENT life is short and it’s only a passage to a long life in ETERNITY.
Our Lord God desires we experience his goodness both in this land of the living and in the one beyond.
But we must prioritise living FIRSTLY in the present as we should to God’s glory, in preparation to living the BEST LIFE with Christ, when He returns.
So through thick or thin, in abundance or in lack, in sickness and in health, we must not compromise with evil in order to prosper or live large in the NOW.
Living a life of INTEGRITY, comparing our lives and actions, making sure they reflect God’s decree should be in our hearts. A man that follows God’s instruction is a JOYFUL, BLESSED and FAVOURED man. This in itself is prosperity!
Remember! The race does not usually go for the swift, neither the battle for the strong.
Your prosperity is in Christ who never fails, but meets your needs. Hold unto him dearly in all you do. Do not envy the unbelievers, for they also wish to have the peaceful life you have in Christ!
So be thankful and Leave as you should for God NOW!
You Are God’s Delight!
For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.
Psalms 149 : 4 NKJV
May my friends sing and shout for joy. May they always say, “Praise the greatness of the Lord , who loves to see his servants do well.” I will tell of your goodness and will praise you every day.
Psalms 35 : 27 - 28 NCV
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalms 37 : 23 NLT
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
Psalms 40 : 2 NLT
He protects our lives and does not let us be defeated.
Psalms 66 : 9 NCV
Jehovah is different!
Men may just look at you and not like you based on how you look, what you do and where you are coming from.
They may refuse to favour you because you are too tall, not slim enough, teeth not straight, your English not well polished, and your clothes too colourful.
But that’s man, and not GOD!
Listen, God delights in you! You are His pleasure, that’s why He let Jesus die for you. Yes, you are no way near how He intends you to be, and what He intends you to do, but He hasn’t given up on you. He with your agreement and humble collaboration is gradually, working out His good intentions for you.
But remember, He will not force His goodness, healing or other forms of blessings on you, but along as you are for and with Him, Satan can’t deny you of the blessings either, it’s all in your ‘YES, Lord!’
All the troubles quaking around your space may have led you to think, ‘God has no pleasure in me, or in my business, in my marriage or in my children.’
The truth is God loves to see His servants do well, He loves to see you do well too. He specializes in lifting up His willing children out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire of life, standing them on the solid rock to glow. He protects, guides and steadies our feet not to slip.
That you are Jehovah’s delight doesn’t shield you from the challenges of life. Actually God uses them to bring out the best in you to His glory. Be confident therefore, God’s eyes are on you His delight, and by His grace YOU WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!
Rewinding With God!
I will praise you as long as I live. I will lift up my hands in prayer to your name. I will be content as if I had eaten the best foods. My lips will sing, and my mouth will praise you. I remember you while I’m lying in bed; I think about you through the night. You are my help. Because of your protection, I sing. I stay close to you; you support me with your right hand.
Psalms 63 : 4 - 8 NCV
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.
Psalms 42 : 8 NLT
Let the faithful rejoice that He honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.
Psalms 149 : 5 NLT
Sweet sleep is a blessing!
Any heart devoid of peace thinks of sweet sleep as a fable.
Many children of God retire on their beds turning over and over the events of the day in fear and sadness, maybe because of unlifted burdens, or because things on the day have not worked out as expected, and could be about the morrow with the challenges anticipated to come with it.
But Jehovah would love His beloved children to bask in His peace, not withstanding the troubles parading around us like giants, for He has it all SORTED IN HIS TIME!
David, a man after God’s own heart was not void of troubles. He confidently faced His challenges leaning solely on the Lord, trusting he would not be disappointed nor be put to shame.
Instead of David turning over and over in bed feeling bad, or reminiscing on what should have been but didn’t happen, he created a special atmosphere of Communion just between him and Yahweh!
He sang, praised and magnified Jehovah his unfailing helper. David’s night/bed time was PERSONAL, his time for specially thinking and conversing with the Almighty!
He understood a problem shared with the King of Kings was a problem solved.
David loved and valued the Lord, and it showed in how He made special reservation of his time and attention given to God. No wonder, He was highly favoured down to his generations.
Let’s be like David, sharing and enjoying our bedtime with the Lord. As we retire into His presence with an open heart, we will surely wake up fortified with His joy, peace and Wisdom. It’s certainly whom we LOVE and VALUE, we undoubtedly seek to see and spend QUALITY time with daily.
Who could that be to you?
May it always be The PRINCE of Peace!
Genuine Affection!
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Romans 12 : 10 NLT
When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.
Philippians 2 : 3 NCV
We must not be proud or make trouble with each other or be jealous of each other.
Galatians 5 : 26 NCV
But if you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, do not brag. Your bragging is a lie that hides the truth.
James 3 : 14 NCV
This is the teaching you have heard from the beginning: We must love each other. Do not be like Cain who belonged to the Evil One and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because the things Cain did were evil, and the things his brother did were good.
1 John 3 : 11 - 12 NCV
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13 : 4 NCV
Every child of God must come to terms with the fact that we can’t receive anything except the Lord gives to us. This means every gift, skill, talent and blessing whether spiritual or physical, is determined and given to each one according to God’s purpose and plan for the individual.
God in His wisdom also endows each person with the needed strength and opportunity to fulfill destiny.
It is our responsibilities therefore, to agree with God in obedience and submission to His plans, to live and shine to His glory.
So then in the household of God, jealousy or envy should not be the case.
God alone knows who you are, why you exist, what you need. He has and will continue to meet your needs at the HIS right time, when you are ready and align yourself with Him in joy and obedience.
Do not therefore, allow envy of another get hold of your heart, for you will be indirectly working against yourself and at the same time behaving badly towards an innocent person who’s been simply positioned by God for His honour.
We are called to GENUINELY celebrate one another’s giftings and blessings, while we also selflessly help each other to be the best we can be. When you are appreciative of WHO you are, WHAT you have and WHERE you are, then envy will not creep into the heart to wreck havoc.
Jealousy is not of God for God is love, and Love is not jealous. Let’s begin to walk in genuine affection!
Forget Not God’s Goodness!
Let all that I am praise the Lord ; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalms 103 : 2 NLT
Lord, you are my God. I honor you and praise you, because you have done amazing things. You have always done what you said you would do; you have done what you planned long ago.
Isaiah 25 : 1 NCV
Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done miracles. By his right hand and holy arm he has won the victory.
Psalms 98 : 1 NCV
When we are desperate for something that seems so far fetched, it’s so easy to forget all the good things the Lord has done for us in the past.
Our desperation can becloud our mind, that we lose every sense of judgement, trust and gratitude.
But remembering the good things the Lord has done in the past in our lives, causes our hope to rise again in the midst of our challenges. It helps us see that God who had been gracious and walked us through those problems would do it again.
Remembering the good things the Lord has done, makes everything bare, pointing out things and events we should be thankful for, acknowledging how much worse life could have been, had it not been for God’s goodness.
Acknowledging and appreciating God’s goodness, especially before His throne shows we have not taken His love, kindness and provisions for granted.
When we admit we are where are only because of God’s goodness, it helps us to be humane, not despising or looking down on others because they are not positioned where we are, or they do not have what we have.
Appreciating and not forgetting the goodness of God doesn’t only help in silencing the grumbling spirit, but loosens the selfish hand that tries to Withhold instead of being generous in doing good.
Today, is a new day to yet experience the goodness of God, but do not leave His presence without thanking and acknowledging Him as the architect of your blessings.
As you are thanking God today for all the good He’s done in your life, also thank Him for the numerous promises He is about bringing to fruition in your life for He is not a God that lies.
Praise His Name for the victories He’s won and will still win for you, for this Great God, will not allow you to be a laughing stock before your enemies!
The Good Sherperd!
For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out. You ate no bread and drank no wine or other alcoholic drink, but he provided for you so you would know that he is the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 29 : 5 - 6 NLT
He took away your pride when he let you get hungry, and then he fed you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever seen. This was to teach you that a person does not live on bread alone, but by everything the Lord says. During these forty years, your clothes did not wear out, and your feet did not swell. The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with rivers and pools of water, with springs that flow in the valleys and hills,
Deuteronomy 8 : 3 - 4, 7 NCV
My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need.
Philippians 4 : 19 NCV
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
Psalms 23 : 1 NCVJehovah remains the same!
As He was with the people of old, so is He even now with this present generation, who love and trust Him.
His promises are yes and Amen, in Christ Jesus!
His compassion never ceases! And so would you continue to experience His awesome goodness in this land of the living, because you love Him!
As the Lord shepherded Israel, His flock for forty years in the wilderness, so He is shepherding His people called by His name. In the wilderness, He sustained His children from the tear and wear of their clothes and shoes for a huge 40 yrs.
He refused them having bread and wine, instead He fed them with manna, to purge their minds from the belief that man lives by bread alone.
Israel lived by leaning on the promises of God, and He was faithful to fulfill every of His word.
It’s the same promises from God’s word that would sustain us in this wilderness journey of life.
God will be faithful to provide all that we NEED!
In His faithfulness, He will not allow us to be tried much more than we can handle.
Our good shepherd never sleeps but watches over our lives, shielding us from ferocious wolves, leading us on every terrain, helping us up the mountain, walking and lighting our paths in the valley.
Certainly, Jehovah will bring us to a good land. But to follow Him to the end, the Word of God must become our delight and sustenance. So let’s begin this day to delight and take heed to His Word!
Blessings Of God!
Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord .
Psalms 128:1 - 4 NKJV
Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
Deuteronomy 11 : 19 - 21 NLT
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22 : 6 NKJV
Psalm 128 tells us the man who fears the Lord is blessed.
Yes, he is blessed by the Lord Himself!
The blessings do not stop only on this individual, it also affects his household.
This blessed man not only fears the Lord but also walks in His ways.
It’s one thing to claim to love and fear the Lord, but the proof is seen in one’s attitude and way of living.
God alone knows who fears Him and walks in His ways, that’s why His blessings come directly from Him and can never be forged.
As Parents, Carers, Aunties and Uncles who fear and walk with the Lord, we must think of our children, nephews, nieces and families under our watch too, to teach them to walk in the same fear of the Lord so His blessings may come upon them.
As we desire our children to do well in the secular society with good education and jobs, let’s also understand that nothing compares to the blessings that come from the Lord to that one person who chooses to fear and love Him. It comes with PEACE and JOY!
The child who learns from parents to walk in the fear of God will flourish and excel in whatever his hands find to do according to purpose, to the glory of God.
Let’s strive to teach our children and wards real values in Christ as God has stipulated, if not the world will derail and confuse them with empty and false gains. It’s of no value for them to gain the whole world and lose their souls. Let’s teach them!
Renew Your Thoughts!
Remember my words with your whole being. Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign; tie them on your FOREHEADS to remind you.
Deuteronomy 11 : 18 NCV
So prepare your MINDS for action and exercise self-control …
1 Peter 1 : 13a NLT
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates]. He says to you, “Eat and drink,” Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].
Proverbs 23 : 7 AMP
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Colossians 3 : 10 NLT
Instead, let the Spirit renew your THOUGHTS and attitudes.
Ephesians 4 : 23 NLT
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,
II Corinthians 10 : 4 - 5 NKJV
The good Lord who created us knows our battle starts in the mind. The thoughts of the mind can go haywire, wanting to walk through prohibited streets if not taken captive and redirected to approved routes.
A man can eventually become a manifestation of his thoughts, so imagine what or who one can be when the thoughts are off the ungodly road.
Jehovah asked the Israelites of old to write down and tie the word on their foreheads as a reminder, not to go the wrong path or do the wrong things.
Our old nature was used to wallowing in every thing dirty and sinful which is contrary to the new nature we have in Christ. We find out that although our Spirit is born anew, our flesh still seeks to be stuck in its old ways dragging the mind, Will and emotions along, instead of letting the whole being follow after the Holy Spirit’s desire.
But to prosper, live and walk after our creator in our new nature, we must therefore seek to renew our thoughts and attitudes.
The Word of God helps us renew our minds, as we LEARN, BELIEVE and OBEY the instructions written there in.
Show me a child of God who’s totally transformed, and I will show you one who walks and lives by the Word of God. May that one be You!
Be Equipped With The Word!
We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
Ephesians 4 : 14 NKJV
You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.
Matthew 10 : 18 NLT
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2 : 15 NLT
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
I Peter 3 : 15 NKJV
Your sturdy and defiant confidence in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will certainly draw attention to you.
It is well to be so for you are light and many in darkness will be drawn to the light, love and grace oozing out of you.
Be aware, questions will be thrown at you. Those confused, swayed by fear and every wind of doctrine will be enquiring answers from you, regarding your faith.
God hopes to use every one of His children, properly positioned in these last days to bring the Good News of the gospel to men, women and children.
Therefore, there’s the need to back up our confidence with the truth of God’s Word because it’s only God’s Word that brings conviction, deliverance, change and stability by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now is the time for us to spend more time, digging deep into the Word of God.
It’s time to equip yourself with truth that will not only affect you but also those around you.
You are God’s mouth piece! Listen you may never know the totality of God’s word, but the beauty is the little you read, you can know, and experience how active and alive it is for yourself, and then pass it on.
Your experiences would only come from your believing, and your believing comes from studying, imbibing and obeying the Word of God.
Child of God, begin to prepare now, don’t wait for the challenge to come FIRST. Be readily equipped for it!
In Your Heart, Set Christ Apart As Holy!
Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good? But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition]. But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.
1 Peter 3 : 13 - 15 AMPC
The Lord of hosts–regard Him as holy and honor His holy name [by regarding Him as your only hope of safety], and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread [lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him].
Isaiah 8 : 13 AMPC
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12 : 34 NKJV
We are exhorted above to set Christ apart as holy in our hearts. Whatever is set apart in our heart becomes our treasure. And whatever a man treasures, he seeks to protect with all he has got.
When Christ becomes truly our treasure, well set apart in our hearts, the effect will become obvious.
It will be so apparent that no one messes up with you in the area of your faith. None would ridicule, Christ, the love of your heart and without getting a passionate, heartfelt reply.
Do you now know why many muslims react once anything disrespectful is said, written or drawn about their Prophet? It’s because he, even though human is treasured in their heart.
We are not to become violent in defence of our Christ, but we must not let anyone cause us to compromise on the love, worship, servitude and honour we have for Him.
When we treat our saviour as Holy, sacred and treasured by not just what we say, but by also how we live, others around us will begin to learn to appreciate Christ, wanting to know what our hope is.
The disciples of Jesus couldn’t live or behave like the religious pharisees of their time, because being with and loving Jesus, goes beyond mere religion.
It totally transforms one from an eye service follower to one truly dedicated and separated for His purpose and glory.
Christ died to regain and separate you unto Himself, Would you now set Him apart as Holy in your heart?
Be Still Traveling Mind!
"Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46 : 10 AMP
God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.
Psalms 46 : 5 NLT
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
Psalms 46 : 1 - 3 NKJV
Give your worries to the Lord , and he will take care of you. He will never let good people down.
Psalms 55 : 22 NCV
Why does the Lord instruct us to be still?
Does it mean we are to sit in one spot not doing anything, just waiting for the Lord to help us?
Not at all!
You and I know man is a 3-dimensional being, (spirit, soul and body). So one can very much be seated in one place bodily, but has navigated the whole continents and villages that please the mind.
Man only steps out to do, because in His thoughts he has already accessed or tried it out.
You are the dwelling place of God, the temple of the Most High, the city of the Living God where by His might He protects.
Troubles shall come, but do not be moved, for Jehovah knows to exalt Himself as the God above all gods.
Have you committed that which troubles you today into God's hands? Then relax! Let Him be God, don't go travelling in your thoughts seeking to do the unthinkable to help yourself.
Yes, you may reason that by now, your storm should have calmed, but it still seems to be raging. And even the mountains that were quiet before are beginning to shake, and the waters are roaring.
Is God not hearing? Is He not going to answer?
Please understand, with Jehovah, who alone remains God, it's never late. The quakings and shakings are setting the atmosphere for God's might to be displayed. He never let's His own down.
The Lord insists you do not worry. If you understand and recognize God to be in charge, and there's nothing absolutely difficult for Him, then stand still!
He will set His praise in the mouth of your onlookers!
Never Withhold Mercy!
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5 : 7 NLT
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matthew 5 : 43 - 44 NKJV
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6 : 7 - 9 NKJV
Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a GOD OF JUSTICE; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
Isaiah 30 : 18 NKJV
Beloved, do not let the world change you into becoming who and what you are not. You are, and are called to be like your MERCIFUL Heavenly Father.
It is so so easy not to favour those who have cheated, used and hurt you, especially at the point you seem to be their only saving hand.
Satan in the mind, would remind you of all their betraying words, so not to help. But the word of God exhorts to show Mercy. Yes, they may deserve your tit for their tat, but mercy gives an underserving good.
When you show mercy, you are indirectly opening up your own doors of mercy for the very point of your need. The world may call you a fool for staying on mercy track, but Jehovah sees His DNA in you.
Jehovah is a God of justice! He ensures we sow corn and reaps corn and not thistles.
No mercy you show is a waste, especially when it comes as a sacrifice, from a heart that chooses to forgive instead of to revenge, a heart that chooses to put God first, instead of self.
Listen! When mercy comes back visiting at your doorstep because of the mercy you once showed others in the past, you will be amazed the same Mercy would also choose to stop over at your children's and your children's children doorsteps.
So never withhold Mercy, let it flow for your good!
Affecting Lives!
At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
Acts 9 : 36 - 37 NKJV
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
Acts 9 : 39 - 40 NKJV
Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
Psalms 41 : 1 - 3 NKJV
Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord ; he will reward you for what you have done.
Proverbs 19 : 17 NCV
Tabitha’s legacy spoke for her when she died. The lives she had touched wouldn’t let heaven rest until she was revived. The Lord did not sustain Tabitha on her sick bed but rose her from her dead bed, for the Lord owed her all she had lent Him on behalf of the poor.
We are blessed to be a blessing, enriched to enrich others, strengthened to strengthen others and alive to help others live.
What legacy are you hoping to live behind?
Remember your wealth is not in how many houses, cars, children, possessions you have, or in how much money you have in your bank account.
It is in how many lives you have affected with the resources, (physical and spiritual) the Lord has blessed you with, where-in you are positioned.
Perhaps you passed on today, would people sincerely cry out to God for you, like was done for Tabitha, or will they be passive at your bedside, or even be grateful for your departure?
Jesus affected lives! We’re to follow His footsteps! Leave shiny footprints on the sands of time, don’t just live and die, live fully and effectively in Grace!
Love Does No Harm!
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
1 John 4 : 16 NLT
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13 : 8 - 10 NKJV
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3 : 17 NLT
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Galatians 5 : 13 NLT
Many interpret love to be different things. Carnal minds interpret love to be only sensual, but we know love is divine. Love started in and with God and is therefore, not embedded in sin.
Beware! The Show of love is not a display of sin.
We are to owe nothing but love. Whether deserved or not, we are to choose the way of love, which is the way of God. A heart of love doesn’t seek to hurt another, not even in the name of revenge.
When we do good to those that have hurt us, we represent Christ well, and also give God the opportunity to vindicate and avenge for us.
Love doesn’t work ill. The act of wickedness, starts in the heart. Every act of fornication, adultery, gossip, lie, envy, malice etc starts from the heart that’s not yielded to the love of God.
Love covers a multitude of sins. Like Christ forgave and covered our multitude of sin, so we ought to let go of offences and walk in the love of God.
It could be your spouse, your sibling, your child, neighbour, your boss or even your wicked relative somewhere. The best way to overcome their wicked arrows of hurt is to love and pray for them.
The heart of love, is one that is not bound, but free to experience God’s goodness, because it’s not blocked by offences. So Set your heart free to walk in love and experience the joy of God’s prosperity.
Blessing In Disguise!
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord , thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29 : 11 NKJV
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
Numbers 23 : 19 NLT
“Praise the Lord ! He promised he would give rest to his people Israel, and he has given us rest. The Lord has kept all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.
1 Kings 8 : 56 NCV
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8 : 28 NKJV
Jehovah has no reason to lie to man, the work of His hands. Who and what is man that He should lie to Him? Does God now fear man that He has created, that He would resort to saying what He does not mean?
No! God remains truthful, even when in our slow minds we have not yet seen or comprehended His wisdom, in all the ups and downs He has let our ways.
Because you love Him and has been called according to His purpose, be assured that even those your challenges and disappointments are leading towards your next appointment.
Remember, it’s not you that works it out but the Sovereign Lord, who has the wonderful thoughts of peace, and knows what your good future should look like.
If Esther did not become an orphan and a slave living with her Uncle Mordecai, would she have become the Queen in place of Vashti?
If Joseph’s brothers did not hate him enough to sell him into slavery and if he had not been accused by Portiphers wife to end up in prison, would he have ended up interpreting Pharaoh’s dream that put him on the throne of Egypt?
Learn to trust God, for in His hands your pains, failures, disappointments, betrayals, losses are all together blessings in disguise, coming together for your good. Do not try to change the course of your life, let God lead and guide your steps. As you lean on Him in absolute trust, you will begin to see that even your enemies unknowingly been a blessing.
No Second Chance In The Grave!
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
Colossians 3 : 23 - 24 NLT
Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 9 : 10 NLT
Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
Ephesians 6 : 8 NLT
Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
Colossians 3 : 17 NCV
Be warned! There’s no second chance to achieve any aim or get it right in the grave. All the time we have at our disposal is this, which we are privileged to have right now.
Every second and minute should be valued and used for the Lord in the best of our ability.
There’s no need of procastinating to tomorrow, ideas and jobs one can and needs to do today.
You know, tomorrow may just not be available!
So whatever that has been committed into your hands, or your hands have found to do, or your heart has been inspired to do, step out and begin to do it, now.
In your doing, remember you do it as one serving the Lord. We are to give our best to do well, for whatever we do comes with a reward from our Master, Jesus.
Perhaps, you are not sure your skill, position and day job is one that could meaningfully be associated with God. Firstly reason, does that which you do lead you to obey God? If yes, then place God at the centre of it and use it to His glory. If it’s not one that leads you to obey the Lord, it should mean you turn away from it, for the Lord will never lead you to any thing or job that wouldn’t glorify Him, no matter how much gain it brings into your life.
Seek therefore, to give and do your best for the Lord now that you have life and opportunity.
Remember, your today is only a gift, tomorrow is not assured and may never come!
Make haste will the sun shines, night (grave) is nigh when one can no longer work. Do your best today!
Be True To Your Identity!
So Jacob took the food to his father. “My father?” he said. “Yes, my son,” Isaac answered. “Who are you—Esau or Jacob?” Jacob replied, “It’s Esau, your firstborn son. I’ve done as you told me. Here is the wild game. Now sit up and eat it so you can give me your blessing.”
Genesis 27 : 18 - 19 NLT
Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”
Genesis 32 : 26 - 28 NLT
Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Psalms 32 : 2 NLT
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4 : 16 NLT
Jehovah, our creator and Lord, already knows who we are and what we are like. We may hide our shortcomings and struggles from men, but it will not do us good trying to hide or pretend before God, for He is the only one who can help or change our story.
Jacob’s name means Supplanter or schemer.
In order to receive the father’s blessings, he covered his true identity. Because he was in denial of his name Jacob (schemer) before his father, He was able to scheme and obtained the father’s blessing through deception. But to obtain God’s blessings, he knew he had to come clean and face his true deceptive identity before God. He accepted he was Jacob and grace found him. His name was changed from Jacob to Israel (Triumphant with God).
Things can only change in our lives when we become true and sincere with God. He forgives and helps us when we do not cover our sins.
He desires to give a new beginning, but firstly, we must boldly acknowledge our faults and seek for change.
God cannot be mocked or deceived!
Let’s be open to God with who we are and what we desire. As we earnestly seek Him in TRUTH, He will transform, strengthen and lift us from our state of weakness and helplessness to a glorious state!
In The Face Of Hostility!
Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Hebrews 12 : 3 - 4 NLT
“A student is not better than his teacher, and a servant is not better than his master. A student should be satisfied to become like his teacher; a servant should be satisfied to become like his master. If the head of the family is called Beelzebul, then the other members of the family will be called worse names!
Matthew 10 : 24 - 25 NCV
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10 : 13 NLT
Jesus Christ faced so much hostility from the sinners and religious leaders. He was the light that exposed their hypocrisy and wickedness.
Evil hearts do not love to be exposed. In these recent times, christianity is receiving so much bashing.
Christians are intimidated and are targeted in every walk of life, when they speak of what the Word of God stipulates in the affairs of men.
Hostility is the force against every light that shines in darkness. Jesus experienced it, so every disciple of Jesus would experience it at one time or the other, except if the disciple chooses to zip the mouth, and turn the eyes in the opposite direction.
Any child of God that chooses to be mute, and pretend not to see or hear evil, will live with a troubled heart, devoid of peace.
We are exhorted not to be afraid of these challenges when they come in our work places, neighbourhood or wherever we find ourselves, but we must stand our ground for truth and the love for God.
Do expect accusations and derogatory names to fly around because of the raw nerves of sin you touch.
Never stop doing right, loving and shinning your light. Trust the faithful Lord, who has assured of a way of escape as it pleases Him.
It is better to stand with God than to seek accolades and acceptance from haters of truth and righteousness.
Let’s be like our master, Jesus! Enduring with joy in the face of hostility and rejection for Heaven’s sake!
His Love, Better Than Wine!
Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth – For your love is better than wine.
Songs of Solomon 1 : 2 NKJV
And may you have the power to understand as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully …
Ephesians 3 : 18 – 19 NLT
Yes, I am sure, that neither death, nor life … nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans : 38 – 39 NCV
The Songs of Solomon speak of God and us (His bride).
The love of God is said to be better than wine.
Wine is a symbol of an earthly pleasure that can intoxicate if allowed. It gives a false peaceful assurance and joy.
Its sense of satisfaction only endures for a moment, as it wears off, reality sets in.
But the love of God in Christ Jesus endures forever.
Nothing can ever separate us from it, for it was purchased with the precious blood of Jesus.
God’s love is a sure foundation to build on and cling to.
Beloved, everything in your life can sink, flee or be taken away in trying times, but the love of Jehovah stays with you.
And because He loves you, He will help work out all the wrongs and downs in your life, if only you let Him.
He will mend your brokenness, realign your disappointments and restore your losses, that is, only if you anchor your heart on Him.
Confidence in His unfailing love makes all impossiblities possible.
Earthly pleasures are only momentary, but God’s love is eternal.
Be assured of this great love of God, for Jesus went all the way for you!
You are loved beyond measure!
Why don’t you reciprocate by loving, obeying and living for Jesus WHOLLY NOW!
God’s love never fails!
Endurance Strengthens Character!
We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials. For we know that they help us develop endurance.
And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens confident hope of salvation.
And this hope will not lead to disappoint. For we know how God dearly loves us, because He has given us His Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.
Roman’s 5 : 3 – 5 NLT
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was a divine assignment.
One purposed to give us a new heart, a new Spirit, a new lease of life, a new objective, a new pursuit and a new fulfilment.
All about us is to come together conforming us to the image of God’s Son.
Blessing us with earthly goodness is not a chore for the Lord, but above that He desires our characters be formed, aligning to that of Jesus, so that His blessings will then do us good instead of derailing us from the heavenly race.
God’s interested in strengthening your character!
He will use everything that will challenge and build you to be drawn and become like Him.
That’s why the many problems and trials come to help us develop endurance (patience).
Endurance is what our character needs in order to be strengthened.
The world doesn’t cook up patience, every thing out there is on the fast track, from the food we eat to the items we use.
Many are no longer patient to get rich from hard work. They ask, why wait when you can become a millionaire overnight, after one occultic sacrifice?
The way of God is that of Patience, for patience is a virtue.
When our character is strengthened through endurance, it also raises our hope of salvation.
Our hope that God will come through in our situation, this confident hope never ends in disappointment.
Today, the Lord is asking that we let our godly character be strengthened through patience, so that our desired blessings will come in their right time as we work.
From this day, do not run out of PATIENCE, but deliberately run out of IMPATIENCE, and receive the goodies at the end.
Crushing At Gethsemane!
Then accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There He told them pray that you will not give in to temptation. He walked away about a stone’s throw and prayed…
Even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet Him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the son of man with a kiss? …
Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guards, and the leaders who had come for Him, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with clubs and swords to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I there everyday. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.
Luke 22 : 39 – 53 NLT
The Messiah (the one anointed with oil) finished the passover meal and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, on the Mount of Olives to pray with His disciples. Gethsemane was an oil press, where olives were crushed under a big stone to bring out oil. It was the very place where Messiah’s suffering started.
His will was crushed and taken. From there He was led gradually to the cross.
Oil represents joy, healing and the Holy Spirit.
It was in the crushing, the chastising, the bruising of the anointed one, (the Messiah), we have received our healing, our joy, our peace and forgiveness.
In His death, we have received of His Spirit.
This day may Christ receive the glory as we surrender to the crushing of our own will and desires to conform to God’s will.
May the sweet fragrance of our inner beauty ooze out in our selfless submission to His way and will.
Today, may you receive His crown of beauty for ashes, His oil of gladness for mourning and His garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
And may you always be seen and called a Tree of righteousness!
Thanking God Ahead For All Challenges!
When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, ” With fervent desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer, for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
Then He took cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.”
And He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them saying, “This is My body, which is given for you, do this in remembrance of Me.
Luke 22 : 14 – 19 NKJV
This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as He did.
He had never sinned, and He had never lied.
People insulted Christ but He did not insult them in return. Chrust suffered, but He did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him. Christ carried our sin in His body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And you are healed because of His wounds.
1 Peter 2 : 21 – 24 NCV
O How much Jesus was wounded for our sins!
He understood the agony and pain He was about to face, yet at the passover table, He took the bread, gave Thanks and broke it.
The broken bread signified His suffering body, His wounds and His death. He was thankful for the suffering and death, even before He went through it.
He left us this example to follow. Being thankful for the challenges that may come with obeying God.
His suffered death on the cross that we may stop living for sin, but to start living for righteousness.
Have you stopped living for sin?
May this year’s remembrance of Christ’s death, establish your heart on Him in gratitude, causing you to live for Him evermore, following His footsteps all the way till He returns in His glory.
Be sure, if you suffer here on earth for His name sake, you will also share in His glory at His return.
Overcome In Joy!
Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ who through our faith has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out His love to fill our hearts …
Roman’s 5:1-5 NCV
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NCV
A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength.
Proverbs 17:22 NCV
… Do not be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong.
Nehemiah 8:10 NCV
You have shown me with the way of life and You will fill me with the joy of your presence.
Acts 2:28 NLT
I will shout for joy when I sing praises to you. You have saved me.
Psalm 71:23 NCV
We all face troubles day to day.
The food for thought is, do you have JOY WITH your troubles?
Be it known to you that Satan wants you broken in your trouble, but God desires you have joy with it.
Unfortunately, troubles are part of the walk of this life, but how you deal with it becomes your choice. You can decide to have joy with it or allow Satan to break and rejoice over you.
Being joyful is the right choice!
It doesn’t excel in tha absence of pain, it thrives in it.
Divine Joy is already deposited in your heart by the Holy Ghiost, awaiting troubling times.
In the presence of God, joy is in fullness.
In your singing to the Lord, it overflows and mends the heart.
Walking in joy is walking in grace and strength, which confuses your adversary.
Do not let your situation break you!
Overcome it in Joy!
Choose joy over complaint, depression and self isolation.
Boldly enter into God’s presence, pour out your heart and be renewed with His joy.
Choose to overcome in JOY!
TRUE TO THE END!
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen. They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous things against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, elders, and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized, and brought him to the council.
Acts 6 : 8 – 12 NKJV
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God… then they cried out with aloud voice, stopped their ears and ran at him with one accord. And they cast him out of the city and stormed him…
Acts 7 : 54 – 58 NKJV
But watch for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten up in synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them … do not worry …
Mark 13 : 9 – 11 NKJV
What was Stephen’s offence?
It was that men of his time could not stand the wisdom and Spirit of God in Him. They couldn’t stand truth.
It’s going to be same in these last days for true believers in Christ.
But do not worry, Strive to stay faithful to God.
He will sustain and give you grace like He gave the disciples of old.
May Jesus rise and stand in acknowledgment, on your behalf before the Father.
May the Heavens celebrate your faithfulness and home coming.
Do not compromise truth so to be spared or accepted!
One with God is majority!
Stay TRUE to Jehovah until your last breath.
You are already VICTORIOUS in Christ, so keep WINNING in that same grace of God!
Preach The Word, Now!
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and whomesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears would want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry the Lord has given you.
2 Timothy 4 : 2 – 5 NLT
Beloved, what ministry has the Lord given you?
The Lord has given everyone a ministry, which is also termed an assignment or a calling based on one’s gifting.
All assignments come together for the advancement of God’s Kingdom, relieving and bringing men to the saving knowledge of Christ, through the Good News of the gospel. And we must work at FULLY carrying out our assignments from the Lord.
Because these assignments may involve siffering for Christ’s sake, we must stay determined to endure.
Now, more than ever, we must USE EVERY opportunity to share the word of God, for there may never be a favourable time.
Deception has crept in, truth is eroded in the world and church.
But You have the truth in you!
Preach the truth of God’s word, do not compromise it!
Patiently correct, rebuke and encourage in truth and love, do not keep a blind eye. Let your light shine in dark places.
Use your songs, stories, writings, drama, giving of care, servitude, your shop, job or business to share the Good News.
Earlier, the Word of Salvation in Christ was brought to you through a means, now be God’s means of taking same words of salvation to another.
Please do not relent or shy away!
Time is running out and Heaven is watching our ways !
Let’s begin to preach the word of God, NOW and not TOMORROW!
God Remembers To Keep His Promises!
There was in the days of Herod, King of Judea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in age….
But the angel of the Lord said to him, ” Do not be afraid Zacharias, for your prayer is heard and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John …
Now His father Zecharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel. For He has visited and redeemed His people, … To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. The oath which He swore to our father Abraham….
Luke 1 : 5 – 80 NKJV
Out of the broken, barren and the seemed forgotten, the amazing grace of God is revealed, making the impossible things possible.
God in His time makes all things beautiful. He uses the written off’s to bring forth his master plan to the sons of men.
The name Zechariah means, God remembers. Elizabeth means, My God is an Oath or the Oath of God,
While John means, the grace of God.
According to Zechariah, God chose to REMEMBER and fulfill His OATH to Abraham, through them; the coming together of ZECHARIAH and ELIZABETH.
Little did they know in their old age God had not finished with them regarding a child, until the appointed time.
As they continued to serve God faithfully, inspite of their reproach, God’s GRACE was manifested in their lives through the birth of John.
It doesn’t matter what your story is today, no one but God can turn over a new page and write the next chapter of your life. Only Him can finish your story.
Be hopeful, yours is not finished yet because He hasn’t written your climax.
In your faithfulness to Him, inspite of your struggles, setbacks, loss and pain, He will do a great thing!
We Are Only By His Grace!
Remember dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.
Instead, God chose the things the world considers to be foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted to be nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers as important. As a result, no one can boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NLT
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace towards me was not in vain; but laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Corinthians 15:10 NKJV
We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenan…
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NLT
Beloved, when God calls anyone for an assignment, usually the assignment would be bigger than the person. The one called to serve feels inadequate. It’s indeed the doing of God, so that the servant learns to lean and depend on God.
Without His involvement we can do nothing.
We are not called to be His or serve Him because we are qualified!
No! No one is qualified!
It’s an honour and privilege to humbly serve and do what He has called us to do.
In our willingness to obey Him, the grace to accomplish manifests.
Do not be afraid to step into those shoes to serve, yes they are big but God’s grace fills them up.
Never let His grace upon you be in vain.
Serve with joy and humility!
Stay connected in His presence.
Shut your ears to hindering criticism.
Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith!
Walk worthy of God’s calling upon your life.
Never forget, all glory belongs to Him!
Then through You, He will confound the wisdom of the wise.
So Keep serving as GRACE speaks over you!
God’s Understanding is Infinite!
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension (infinite).
Psalms 147 : 5 NLT
Oh how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge. It is impossible for us to understand his decisions and ways.
Romans 11 : 33 NLT
Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
The creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary, no one can measure the depths of his understanding.
Isaiah 40 : 28 NLT
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind, or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in his mother’s womb so you cannot understand the activity of God who does all things.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 NLT
There are some things the Lord our God has kept secret, but there are some things He has let us know.
These things belong to us and our children forever so that we will do everything in these teachings.
Deuteronomy 29:29 NCV
Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know we will be like Him, and we will see Him as He really is. All who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as He is pure.
1 John 3:2- 3 NLT
Child of God, our God is an infinite God and cannot be fitted into our finite minds.
There are many things we do not know and understand about Him and His ways, but be assured, He has revealed to us enough as needed to walk in obedience, and fulfill our assignment in Faith.
We must walk along in Faith and not doubt, for He is awesome and His words are true.
Looking forward to meeting with Him, requires purifying yourself and getting ready to present your works before Him.
Then will you understand all, for you will be like Jesus.
Till then, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, not failing off the grace of God.
Walk in love and ensure holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Rejoice! For you are called and chosen to show forth His light and glory.
Do so without apologies !
The Lord’s Your Defence
Indeed they shall surely assemble but not of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake…
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord.
Isaiah 54 :15,17 NKJV
Curses will not harm anyone who is innocent; they are like sparrows or swallows that fly around and never land.
Proverbs 26 :2 NCV
Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbours. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they’ll see your honourable behaviour and they will give honour to God when He judges the world.
1 Peter 2 :12 NLT
So be careful how you live, don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Ephesians 5 :15 NLT
A wise man sees a ditch and avoids it, but fools walk straight into it.
Your integrity as a child of God is always at stake, you live well not to open an easy door for Satan to use.
Satan prowls around seeking the weak to take out, and the strong also to weaken and take out.
He will come with battles, accusations, lies and intense heat.
Do not fear! The Lord watches and protects you under His shadow where you abide.
You must remain under His covering and not stroll around in the wild, where the wolves and hyenas await.
Every accusation and curse against you will fail and dismember for they are lies.
Jehovah vindicates in His wisdom, at the right time.
Trust God and continually walk in His precepts, for you will laugh last and loud with a resounding victory.
The heat on you right now will die down, be patient, because their gathering is not of God.
You are a child of God and your defence is of Him, only stay on the righteous side with Him.
Even in your mistake, as you repent and confess it before God, He will have mercy and deliver you!
Never fear nor give in, those unseen weapons, accusations and curses fashioned, will never prosper against you.
Jehovah is your EBENEZER. Amen!
Joy For His House!
I want more than anything to be in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple. My whole being wants to be with the living God.
Psalms. 84 : 2 NCV
A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good lives in the homes of the wicked.
Psalms 84 :10 NLT
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Psalms 122 : 1 NLT
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psalms 92 :13 NKJV
Happy are the people who live at your temple, they are always praising you.
Psalm 84 :4 NCV
David was one man who delighted in going to the house of the Lord, and was glad every time he had an invitation to go there.
The temple of God was in Jerusalem, yet He was happy to make the journey, because it was the house of God.
Jehovah is omnipresence, could be met every where, but there’s nothing as beautiful as paying Him a house visit.
No matter, how lovely it is when you chat with your parents on the phone from a distant, you know it feels different when you physically visit in their dwelling.
Where two or three designate and gather in his name, is his church. He dwells in their midst, and we should not neglect that gathering together.
Satan knows the power of physically coming together as God’s church in his temple, so hinders it.
Many are discouraged, fearful and least desire to be together physically as his church, even when they have the opportunity.
Satan lies and says it’s ok to be everywhere else in the presence of people, but not in the house of God.
Let’s learn from King David, He would rather spend just one day in the court of God than a thousand, having the good life in the house of the wicked.
What do you say?
Are you glad to step out and go to the house of God when opportuned, casting out fear and excuses?
Those planted in God’s house, flourish in His courts.
Seek to go and be planted, serving with joy and flourishing before Him!
God Conquers Evil!
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Roman’s 12 : 21 NLT
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way everyone can see you are honourable.
Roman’s 12 : 17 NLT
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk children of light.
Ephesians 5 : 8 NKJV
But I say to you who hear; love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who spitefully use you.
Luke 6 : 27 – 28 NKJV
The world is becoming darker and darker.
Evil seeks to conquer all hearts and actions, but the Lord has left us in this dark world as children of light.
We are called to shine out our lights to cover every nook and corner darkness exists.
Roman’s 12 : 21 exhorts us not to let evil conquer us, it tells us we can overcome evil by doing good.
We defeat evil not by continuing in the evil too, but by doing good, the opposite of the evil.
It’s our duty to change every atmosphere we find ourselves in to the glory of God.
We do so not by continually speaking of the problem but by introducing the opposite of the problem as its solution.
So to drive away darkness, you don’t concentrate on the darkness, but introduce light.
Concentrate and Introduce your love instead of hate, you bless instead of curse, you do the needed good instead of dwelling on the present bad.
You are God’s game changer!
Be the solution, don’t magnify the problem!
Make a difference!
Shine your light, for only your light will drive out the darkness.
Let God who has called and equipped you, be glorified as you change the atmosphere for God’s goodness to be seen!
Today, choose to be different and make a difference !
Your Buildng Revealed!
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever that is building on this foundation must be careful. For no one can lay any foundation other the one we already have – Jesus Christ.
Any one who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials – gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw. But on the judgement day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if the person’s work has any value. If the work survives that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer a great loss. The builder will be saved, but like a person barely escaping through a wall of fire.
1 Corinthians 3 :10 -15 NLT
.. so be truly glad. There’s wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on tbe day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT
Think of how scary and painful it could be for any one escaping through a wall of fire!
Imagine how painful it could be for anyone who has spent his whole life building a house, all for it to burn down at the point of inspection, and the builder would barely escape with his life, but no house to show.
That will be the fate of a lot of believers who are carelessly building their lives or other peoples lives with the wrong values and attitudes.
We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, with Jesus Christ as its laid foundation.
This temple is built on daily, consciously or unconsciously.
Everything we do matter!
Our edifices on that day will reveal how we have lived, served and built up our lives, other lives and the Kingdom businesses.
Will your building survive?
Build in the love and fear of God!
Uproot Every Root Of Sin!
And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drags away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
James 1:13-15 NLT
Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.
Hebrew 12:15 NKJV
Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see you are full of evil jealousy and are held captive by sin.
Acts 8:22-23 NLT
Every sin enslaves!
Every sin starts with a seed of thought, which comes from our own desires and lusts.
When we are consumed by these desires and lusts, we spend time thinking and dreaming of them.
These seeds in the heart begin to grow, the more we think about them and feed off informations about them, the seeds grow, take root and begin to become young plants, further indulgences turn the plants into a trees.
We know it is more difficult to bring down a tree that’s fully grown and strongly rooted in the soil, than to root out a seed that’s just sprouting.
It takes a lot of energy, time and effort to dig out a tree of sin.
When sin is allowed to grow in the heart, it becomes a tree. As it bears fruits, it leads to other sins.
We are to root out sin in our lives, before it takes root and we become enslaved.
No sin is small.
Every sinful seed, spread out in the atmosphere of the mind must not be allowed to be watered to germinate.
Root it out before it takes root in the heart and mind!
Root out every bitterness, unforgiveness and other forms of contaminations, for they are like poison and channel blockers.
Let your mind and heart be free of every sin, so that the blessings of God will flow freely in and through your life.
The Lord is able to deliver from any stronghold.
Call on the Lord Jesus!
In God’s Time!
He said to Abram, “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them for 400 years. And the nation whom they serve , I will judge, afterward, they shall come out with great possession…
But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.
Genesis 15 :13 -14,16 NKJV
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time has come.
Psalms 102 :13 NKJV
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven..
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,11 NLT
Can you see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end?
Do you know the reasons He does what He does, and allows what He allows?
Do you know why He passes through unfamiliar routes that beat human conception?
Do you know His timing of visitation, when you will look around and realise your prayer has finally been answered?
Jehovah has His timing for all things!
He is not a disorganized God, He has all under His control, and knows the right time for any and every thing to be.
He watches even the flowers to make sure they blossom in their seasons.
The sun never fails to rise and set in its given time any where on earth.
You may not know the seasons of God, but He never misses it.
When we understand that everything about us is known to the Lord, it calms us not to worry.
Abraham was told how his descendants would go into slavery for 400yrs, after which there would be a return for his descendants of the 4th generation.
God watched over this to perform them in their set out times.
God has His set out time for every activity in your life.
He has assured us that His plans and thoughts towards us are good.
So all we need do is to trust Him to perfect all in His time!
So worry Not!
Jehovah Watches!
The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne He observes all who live on the earth.
He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do.
Psalms 33 : 13 – 15 NLT
But just before dawn, the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their forces into total confusion.
Exodus 14 : 24 NLT
The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there’s anyone who understands, who seeks God.
Psalms 14 : 2 NKJV
Indeed, He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleep.
The Lord Himself watches over you!
The Lord stands besides you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Psalms 121 : 4 – 8 NLT
Jehovah is mindful of all His creations.
His eyes are particularly on you!
As He was protective over the Israelites especially on their wilderness journey, so He is over you.
Nothing about you is a surprise, for He knows you inwardly and
outwardly.
He seeks to guide the willing heart into a good place in Him!
Who is it, that is wise to seek and follow God?
He is that one whose heart is peaceful, and the Lord causes him to dwell in safety!
He is the one who looks up to the Hills where cometh our help!
He is the one whose Shepherd is the Lord, and he fears no evil!
He is the one who understands heaven is home, earth is only a passage!
He understands he’s a sojourner and one day he will see the Lord!
His heart beats for Jehovah alone and he delights in Him!
Are you the one?
The Lord will perfect all that concerns you, Fear not!
Keep trusting!
Keep following Him!
One day at a time!
He is keeping watch over you!
Pruned To fithfulness!
I am the true Vine, My Father is the gardner. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. And He trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit…
You did not choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you are ask for using my name.
John15 : 1 – 2, 16 NLT
Those who are planted in the houseof the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.
Psalm 92 : 13 – 14 NKJV
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
Psalm 52 : 8 NKJV
Beloved, you have been chosen and appointed to be fruitful.
You are a branch on the Vine.
Every one of us is a branch, airing hope and expectation for the gardener.
The gardener regularly linspects the branches. When He sees any DEAD branch, He doesn’t ignore it, He cuts it off.
If He notices any branch that’s alive but not fruitful as it ought to be, He TRIMS and CLEANS up the branch, so it can bear fruit again.
Our Lord, in His love, trims and cleans our lives up regularly so that we can become what He intends us to be.
Trimming and cleaning of our lives, can be painful to us, for many things we love to hold unto God takes out of our lives. He knows those attitudes, relationships, jobs, items are no blessings to us, so in His love, He yanks them off, especially when we have refused to do his gentle warnings and corrections.
Do you hurt because God has cut off something you thought was precious? Do not worry for something better and more precious He will bring your way.
Gentle obedience to God’s instructions will cause you to be fruitful.
Yield to the trimming and cleaning of God, it’s for your good!
And as you stay planted in the house of God, so will you flourish in His courts.
The Lord is mindful of you!
Jesus, The Manna From Heaven!
The children of Israel ate manna forty years until they came to an inhabited land; they are manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
Exodus 16:35 NKJV
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven; it is my Father who is giving you the true bread from heaven.
God’s bread is the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world..
Then Jesus said, “I am the bread that gives life,whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:32-33,35 NCV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1,14 NKJV
My child, pay attention to my words, listen closely to what I say. Don’t ever forget my words, keep them always in mind.
They are the keys to life to those who find them; they bring health to the whole body.
Proverbs 4:20-22 NCV
God knew Israel needed sustenance in their forty years wilderness journey to Canaan land.
Their earthly kitchens couldn’t suffice, the heavenly kitchen had to cook up manna.
The strength from the manna God provided saw them through all the obstacles and challenges faced in the wilderness.
They must have come across few vegetation and few burrowing animals to roast, but those were not it, Manna was IT.
Likewise we need God’s sustaining Manna as we journey to our own spiritual Canaan land.
Nothing on earth can strengthen but the bread of life, Jesus, the manna from heaven.
Jesus, the incarnate Word of God, renews and empowers us day by day, to overcome all obstacles.
Like they lived on Manna, we ought to daily live on the Word of God.
Every need, direction and answer is found in the Word.
Make God’s Word an essential for your life’s journey, it will lighten the burden and carry you through every day.
Feed on the Word and you’ll find reassuring Grace daily!
Jehovah, Our Lord God!
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals, and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them, and provoked the Lord to anger.
Judges 2 : 11 – 13 NKJV
So it was, as soon as Gideon was dead, the children of Israel again played the harlots with the Baals, and made Baal Beruth their god.
Judges 8 : 33 NKJV
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the works of men’s hands.
Those who make th are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.
Psalm 135 : 15, 18 NKJV
They worshipped other nations idols and were trapped by them.
Psalms 106 : 36 NCV
Don’t you realise you beome the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.
Roman’s 6 : 16 NLT
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your heart.
1 John 5 : 21 NKJV
When men turn away from the Lord God, the creator of the heavens and earth, they turn to other gods.
They turn to gods of success, of money, pleasure, lust, power, self and other needs.
Israel turned away from the God of their fathers, who had wrought miracles and deliverances in their lives, they turned to Baal, the gods of the other nations.
They served and were ensnared by Him.
Baal means, Lord, Master and Owner.
Who and whatever one submits to takes control and masters him.
Whatever we enthrone in our hearts, gets our first attention and becomes our Master.
Jesus died and became our Saviour and Lord. He doesn’t just own us, but He’s becomes our priced POSSESSION.
Anyone that has Him has abundant life with the things that pertain to life.
Seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness gives us the extra blessings with good health to enjoy them.
The other gods helplessly fail when needed!
So stay strong, serving only Jehovah!
Bride Of Christ!
For husbands, this means love your wives, as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her, to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did that to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead she will be holy and without a fault.
Ephesians 5:25-27 NLT
At one time you were separated from God. You were His enemies in your minds and the evil things you did were against God. But now God has made you His friends again. He did this through Christ’s death in the body that He might bring you into God’s presence as people who are holy, with no wrong, and with nothing of which God can judge you guilty. This will happen if you continue sure and strong in your faith. You must not be moved away from the hope brought to you by the Good News that you heard. That same Good News has been told to everyone in the world, and I, Paul, help in preaching that Good News.
Colossians 1:21-23 NCV
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans, and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
James 1:27 NKJV
You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you.
Songs of Solo 4:7 NKJV
The bride of Christ is His church. All the believers in Him are members of His church and make up His bride.
Do you know what the Lord’s intention is for you before His Father?
It’s to present you before Him as His fair and beautiful bride, the one He died for, cleansed and justified.
A day of presentation lies ahead when He wishes to present you, His glorious, redeemed church as a people who are holy, with no wrong, and with nothing of which God can judge you guilty.
This is a day to look forward to and prepare for.
As Colossians 1 says above, this will happen if we continue sure and strong in our faith, and not move away from the hope we received in Christ.
Let’s lean on God’s grace to keep us till that glorious day of presentation!
You are the Bride of Christ!
Faith With Actions!
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them, but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
Hebrew 4 : 2 NKJV
But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one is blessed.
James 1 : 25 NKJV
You see, faith by itself isn’t enough, unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
James 2 : 17 NLT
The word of God is given for our profit, for therein we find the wonderful promises of God, and instructions to guide us on how to live and benefit from these promises.
The first step in drawing these promises into our lives is believing in the faithfulness of God who has promised them.
As we believe that Jehovah is able to do all things, we should also believe He is interested in doing it for US and not just for others.
The promises are also meant to become a reality in Your Own life, not just in Brother B or Sister A’s life.
Tapping into these promises also mean you are ready to follow the instructions and obey them.
Being a couch potato faith believer does not bring the promises to the table, it’s expected that one steps out to do as required in obedience, thereby opening the door for the promises to be received.
The word of God would not benefit us except it’s acted upon. That’s the reason not everyone who hears the word of God receives of it.
How much have you benefitted from the Word of God?
Has it’s efficacy become a reality in your life?
Can you look back and say indeed you are being transformed in character to be more like Jesus?
You are BLESSED when you are a DOER of the word and not a PASSIVE HEARER.
From today, may you ENJOY the promises of your Heavenly Father.
as you begin to LIVE DAILY by FAITH, WALKING in the Word of God!
Following Jesus Without Hypocrisy!
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples, ” The teachers of the religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreter of the law of Moses. So practice and obey what they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.
Matthew 23 : 1 – 3 NLT
You are hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he said about you: These people show honour to me with words, but their hearts are far from me.
Matthew 15 :7 – 8 NCV
Such people claim to know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
Titus 1 :16 NLT
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things I say?
Luke 6 :46 NKJV
It is the same with you. People look at you and think you are good, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and evil.
Matthew 23 :28 NCV
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourself.
James 1: 22 NLT
The Lord God is calling His church to move away from hypocrisy.
He is asking His children, the believers in Christ to humbly search ourselves and be sure we are not living hypocritical lives.
A hypocrite is one who says all the right things about God’s word but doesn’t live by it, and also resentfully refuses to remove the log from his own eyes but seeks to take out the speck from another.
Calling out sin as sin doesn’t make one a hypocrite.
We have a mandate to call sin by its name, and not call bad good, but we are also to live by the truth of God’s word.
The Pharisees were bad examples in their own time, they said the right things but never lived by them.
We as children of God are called to share His Word, to live and be accountable to the same word.
One time slipping off is not the issue, it’s living and dining in the dirt while professing righteousness is a hindrance to the seekers of the Kingdom of God..
The World needs to hear Jesus in our words and see Him in our actions.
Let’s begin to live and live right today!
Tell The Good News!
If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.
Mark 8:38 NLT
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.
So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.
2 Timothy 1:7-8 NLT
I am not ashamed of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes- to save the Jews first, and then to save non-Jews.
Romans 1:16 NCV
But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have not heard about them? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?
Romans 10:14 NLT
Jesus said to His followers, “Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.
Mark 16:15 NCV
The world has become very bold in idolatry and other sins, while the children of light seem to have been muted, cowardly relaxing in a corner.
Many are afraid to speak out because of the fear of attack or being singled out as preaching hate.
As sin infests every corner in nations, the Lord God expects His children to rise and begin to speak out fearlessly.
We are to call good, good and bad, bad.
We are to say every sin is sin according to God (the moral giver) who has decared it so in His moral law (His Word).
We are to share God’s proven and accepted plan of salvation through Christ Jesus.
The world needs to know a way has been made.
They need to hear the loving kindness of God that offers eternal life over eternal damnation.
The world needs to know Salvation is free for any one who believes and calls unto Jesus.
How will the world hear if we refuse to speak out?
We are saved to be vessels of salvation.
Today, Let’s tell the Good News Unashamedly!
Reflecting God’s Glory!
Who is that young woman that shines out like the dawn? She is as PRETTY as the MOON, as bright as the sun, as wonderful as the army flying flags.
Song of songs 6:10 NCV
Then Moses came down from Mount Sinai, carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become RADIANT because he had spoken to the Lord.
Exodus 34:29 NLT
So all of us who have had the veil removed can see and REFLECT the GLORY of the Lord. And the Lord- who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like Him as we are changed onto His GLORIOUS image.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realised they had BEEN WITH JESUS.
Acts 14:13 NKJV
The surface of the moon is an imperfect body, filled with craters and irregular dark patches.
So in reality its far from being pretty on its own.
What makes the moon look beautiful from a distance is the radiance of the sun.
Without the reflection of sunlight that falls on it, the moon ceases to glow.
The beauty of the moon is dependent on the Sun similarly for a child of God.
A believers beauty is not based on physical endowments, but on the reflection of the indwelling Spirit of Christ.
If one was to look at only physical endowments, surely a lot of imperfections and flaws will be noticed.
The beauty of God’s glory rubs off on the believer who’s learnt to dwell in the presence of God, in the same way Moses’ face became radiant unaware to him.
As we behold the word of God with an open heart, believing and obeying it, we are continuously changed to reflect the glory of God.
Being at the feet of God fellowshipping with Him brings a beautiful transformation that works from inward to outward.
It can school the unlearned to become bold to walk on extraordinary terrains like the early disciples.
The glory of God on the believer separates Him from the world.
Let’s seek God’s glorious presence!
Faithfulness For Promotion!
Whoever can be trusted (faithful) with a little, can also be trusted (faithful) with a lot, and whoever is dishonest (unfaithful) with a little is dishonest with a lot.
If you can not be trusted with worldly riches, then who will trust you with true riches? And if you cannot be trusted with things that belong to someone else, who will give you things of your own?
Luke 16:10 -12 NCV
People should think of us as servants of Christ, the ones God has trusted with His secrets. Now in this way those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust.
1 Corinth 2:1-2 NCV
Employers seek to hire people who have not only been referenced as hard working but also faithful.
Faithfulness is a virtue every child of God should cultivate.
It opens doors to higher levels of responsibilities and promotions.
So faithfulness in stewardship should be an unhidden character of the believer in Christ.
It doesn’t matter where one is planted for an assignment, but should be spoken of as dependable and faithful.
We are to be faithful both in our circular day to day jobs and also in the things of God’s Kingdom committed into our hands.
God watches from above how we manage these things.
If we serve well out of reverence for God, then He engineers our earthly bosses to reward us with the needed promotions in time.
When God decides to reward our faithfulness through promotions, no boss is able to withhold it.
As believers we must therefore understand our rewards/promotions come from God who sees our commitment and faithfulness in secret.
He’s also given us gifts, skills and abilities for the propagation of His Kingdom, and are expected to be faithful in the use of these gifts, and not hide them away.
Every gift is important and will be accounted for.
When we are busy and faithful in God’s business, He will also be busy and faithful in our business.
Do you desire a promotion from God?
Then Be faithful to Him!
And be found trustworthy in His business!
Yielding In All Areas!
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear; sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension and division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
There is no law against these things!
Those of belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.
Since we are leaving by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:19-25 NLT
Apostle Paul addressed the Galatian believers in the above texts.
He had to address the need for believers in Christ to live and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in EVERY area of their lives.
For it’s not good for one to profess to be a child of God, born again, Spirit filled, yet is living and exhibiting the character of people who have not come in contact with the saving grace of God, that changes lives.
When a believer is living a DOUBLE LIFE, holding unto Christ with his hands and then using his feet to gather the sweet but sour candies of the world, then his lifestyle will exhibit the works of the sinful nature.
So it’s a lack of total yieldness to the Spirit of God that produces sexual immorality, lustful pleasures, sorcery, drunkenness, wild parties, envy etc. in our lives.
Satan would always try to draw our hearts through the lusts of our flesh, but we must remember we’ve CRUCIFIED them on the cross and SWORN new allegiance to His Spirit.
We must strive to bear and exhibit the FRUIT of Christ’s Spirit in us.
Let’s yield to Him in ALL AREAS of our lives and show our NEW IDENTITY is in Christ alone!
Hunger for Righteousness!
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (those who actively seek right standing with God), for they will be (completely) satisfied.
Matthew 5 :6 AMP
He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.
Luke 1 :53 NKJV
Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink – even if you have no money! Come take your choice of wine or milk –
It’s all free.
Isaiah 55 :1 NLT
We all hunger and thirst after different things at different times.
The level of hunger or thirst each time determines what we do next.
One who is slightly thirsty or hungry may decide to hold on until He gets home to eat, or gets to a nearby shop to buy a drink, or may even decide to ignore it for a stipulated time if fasting is involved.
But one who is earnestly hungry or thirsty, would certainly step out to get food or even beg from another.
For instance, when a pregnant woman is thirsty for cold drink or craves for a particular food, nothing would satisfy her except that she craves for.
The serious thing about being hungry for food or thirsty for a drink is that it doesn’t allow us to just sit, but pushes us to seek for its satisfaction.
Similarly, a hunger and thirst for righteousness is not satisfied by a wishful thinking. It requires an active conscientious walk with the Lord.
A man that desires to live and walk in godliness would not live anyhow.
He would carefully choose the path to walk on, the company he keeps, what he does in his closet, what he listens to and watches in his private space, what his priorities are, his fellowship time with God and what his true aims and focuses are.
When a man desires righteous living and makes changes to walk in it, God also empowers him with the grace to live such a life and be satisfied in it.
Many hunger and thirst SOLELY for things money can buy which do not have eternal value, but not so many hunger and thirst to actually live the life of righteousness in God, which is eternal and FREE.
What do you hunger for?
Shining Love
You have heard it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be Sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matth 5:43-45 NKJV
Arise, shine; for your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and the deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arose over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light and Kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-4 NKJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Jehovah created the sun for His own purpose.
He endowed it with the power to SHINE.
He instructed it to shine on everything; good, bad, ugly, beautiful, white, black, short, tall, weak, strong and just anything set on its path.
The sun was borne only to shine, and within it isn’t the power to discriminate.
Only those on its path do either agree to receive its light or hide from it.
The Sun doesn’t allow men, objects, mountains or valleys to define it.
Men and objects may try to block its rays from reaching certain places but it still shines anyway.
We are to be like our Father in Heaven, who loves all inspite of who they are.
Same grace to love has been put in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, and He expects us to shine out His love any way.
We’re to live following God’s footsteps.
Not letting men’s attitude and circumstances define who we are, or stop us from loving.
Satan will try to use people, hurts, issues and problems to block the light of God’s love in us, but we are to resist, radiating the rays of His love.
You are different in Christ!
So Arise and shine!
Don’t be limited to love or be defined by hurt!
Be God Focused!
All those who compete in the game use self control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. So I do not run without a GOAL.
I fight like a boxer who is hitting something not just the air.
1 Corinth 9:25-26 NCV
No soldier in active service gets entangled in the (ordinary business) affairs of civilian lives; he AVOIDS them so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve.
2 Timothy 2:4 AMP
I came down from heaven to do what God wants me to do, not what I want to do.
John 6:38 NCV
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom (to sharpen the axe) helps him succeed (with less effort).
Ecclesiastes 10 :10 AMP
We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.
John 9:4 NLT
Do you know God’s purpose for your life, the very reason you are on planet earth?
A man who doesn’t know God’s will for him is like a boxer beating the air without a target.
He is also likened to the dull axe used on a tree, but it doesn’t impact the tree.
Because the axe is dull, the job takes more time, and every energy exerted on it dissipates missing the focus.
This is unlike a sharp axe which requires less time with same energy.
As it strikes the tree, it hits the focus and cuts through the tree.
Jesus knew the Father’s will and assignment, He stayed focused on it and finished it.
He didn’t deviate from it, nor did he allow the happenings or pursuit of His time distract Him.
We are called to be soldiers of Christ, we have no business with the the world and its glamour.
All the Glamour is its vanity fair, meant to change the heavenly focus of the children of God.
But be WISE!
Make God your very focus and the reason for everything you do.
We are to make His WILL the AIM of our lives, and His PURPOSE our FOCUS.
Night is fast creeping in, no more time for distractions!
LIVE WELL!
Rest For Your Soul!
You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them.
You know where I go and when I lie down. You know everything I do.
Lord, even before I say a word, you already know it.
Psalms 139 : 2 – 4 NCV
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
Proverbs 28 :13 -14 NLT
Happy is the person whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. Happy is the person whom the Lord does not consider guilty and in whom there is nothing false. When I kept things to myself, I felt weak deep inside me. I moaned all day long.
Psalms 32 :1- 3 NCV
Then Jesus said, ” Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am gentle and humble at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
Matthew 11: 28 – 30 NLT
David the Psalmists discovered as He stated above, when he kept things to himself, He felt weak deep inside him and moaned all day long.
A heart heavily burdened causes the body to be weak and can make one withdrawn and irritable.
Our Father doesn’t want us be in this kind of state, for Satan can easily take advantage of our weakness.
So many things may burden our hearts; needs, projects, sickness, relationship, marriage, children, finance, school, work, family, sin, passion for the things of God, or even someone else’s situation.
Our Father asks us to come to Him with whatever that burdens our heart.
We must remember He already sees all and knows all.
Nothing is hidden before Him, so we can’t actually hide anything.
He has promised to give us rest. In His rest is the solution and direction we need for our soul.
Even if we have sinned, He will forgive.
He will teach us and make the journey light.
So today, let God have your burden!
Praise Adonia!
From sunrise until sunset Adonai's name is to be praised. Adonai is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like Adonai our God seated in the heights. Psalms 113:3-5 CJB I will exalt You, my God and King, And praise Your name forever and ever. I will praise You everyday, Yes, I will praise You forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure His greatness! Psalms 145:1-3 NLT Parents are very good in praising their children. They praise them when they have done good or well, and also praise them when they dress and look beautiful, handsome and smart. Parents do this to build up their children's confidence and make them know they are loved. Even when their child's art work is far from expectation, they still say something nice about the artwork. What of Adonai, our God? His glory isn't hidden, the beauty of His creation is everywhere! His mercy and love reflect on you and I. His faithfulness can't be denied. His Words remain final. His wisdom is infinite and knowledge inexhaustible. His Power and dominion is unchallenged! He begins when men have signed off. He resurrects that which men have buried. He remembers whom men have forgotten. From the rising of the sun until its going down, His throne stands immovable! The Lord Our God is Most Worthy of our praise, yet men do not praise Him, or extol the works of His hands. Our feelings of love, disappointment or dislike towards His acts and decisions doesn't affect Him from being who He is. He is who He is! We are, because His mercies speaks. We are vessels in His hands, because His mercies speak. Because of His mercies, we have not been replaced by stones, donkeys, birds and even trees. These know and appreciate God their sustenance, through the noises they make. What of us? Our eyes are open to what we don't have and blind to what we have. Due to this we complain and murmur, instead of praise. Be grateful! We owe God every praise! So let's praise Him today onwards!
Wait For God!
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.
Yes wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NLT
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his ways, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Psalm 37:7 NKJV
I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of destruction, out of the sticky mud.
He stood me on a rock and made my feet steady.
Psalm 40:1-2 NCV
I know that whatever God does will last forever; there is nothing to add or subtract from it.
And God has done it so that people will fear Him.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 CJB
God’s timing is always the best, and His doing unique and outstanding!
Although God’s timing and works are great, the act of waiting for it can be burdensome to the carnal man.
That’s why, patience is a virtue we must all cultivate as children of God.
The world knows no patience, but in contrast everything thrives on patience in the Kingdom of God, for our ways are not God’s ways neither our plans God’s plans, there-in God overrules.
In His Kingdom everything submits to His Timing!
As children of the Most High who desire to enjoy the benefits of His Kingdom, we operate under His rulership, this requires patience and perserverance, for God doesn’t offer half baked blessings.
Therefore, when we go to God whether with our needs or just to fellowship with Him, we give it time and wait on Him to answer!
We must remember He sits in Heaven, and the Earth is His footstool, so He sees everything at a go.
He alone knows the best time to shift, overturn and bring into existence what is needed.
His blessings and answers given in His time never bring sorrow!
You must not run ahead with friends who seem to have been sorted in their own ways!
Don’t envy them for you may not know their TRUE stories!
Wait for God!
When He answers, you will be taken out from the sticky shame and stood out as His EXHIBIT!
Wait for God’s TIME!
And recieve God’s BEST!
Correction!
Search me, O God, and know my heart.
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the paths of everlasting life.
Psalm 139 :23 -24 NLT
The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise.
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but He who heeds rebukes gets understanding.
Prov.. 15 :31- 32 NKJV
Discipline is severe for one who leaves the way, and whoever can’t stand correction will die.
Proverbs 15 : 10 CJB
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline and don’t be upset when He corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights.
Proverbs 3 :11- 12 NLT
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2 Timothy 3 : 16 NLT
As children of God, on the heavenly path, racing, towards the finish line where stands our desire (the Crown of Victory), daily we must take heed, to make sure we are still standing in the grace of our Lord Jesus.
The Psalmist prayed to the Lord to SEARCH and TEST him, to POINT OUT any thing that offends the Lord, and then to LEAD him on the path of everlasting life.
This should be the cry of every child of God, for the heart of man is subtle, only God can truly see and dissect what is there-in.
Because our Father loves us, any obstacle He sees on our path of righteousness, He brings to our attention.
He does so through His Word and Vessels He sends our way.
When we listen and change, we getter better and push further on the race track.
Pride, greed, shame and selfishness sometimes hinder one from accepting correction. Gentle correction neglected could lead to severe discipline from the Lord.
If we desire Heaven, we must humbly accept the corrections and the discipline of God, borne out of His love.
May our ears ALWAYS hear, and heed to His corrections and Leadings!
The Lord Our Sufficiency
Then he told me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: you will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by My Spirit,” says The Lord All Powerful.
Zechariah 4:6 NCV
I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NKJV
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.
2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace towards me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Corinth 15:10 NKJV
I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves. It was a gift from God. It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NCV
Our old life without Christ was full of self and all Self could accomplish in its glory, but our new life, is that which is a gift.
A gift bought and paid for by the blood of Christ, and all that can be accomplished in and through this new life, can only be by the empowerment of His Spirit.
Our new life in Christ is a total new terrain, not like the old one, but actually opposite to the old one.
It’s a life that projects love in the face of hatred, peace in chaos, joy in suffering, hope in hopelessness..
Abiding in Christ, letting His presence fill our beings, empowering, leading and directing our desires or plans helps us accomplish His will.
The Truth is without Christ’s Spirit, Power and interventions we can do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Any and everything we try to do or achieve on our own is meaningless and unrewarded because MISSES THE MARK of Christ.
Never ever think you are sufficient of your own!
We all need the help of the Spirit of God!
Daily, as we receive His GRACE in HUMILITY, our labour will never be in vain!
God’s Promises, Legally Yours!
The Lord is my strength and my (impenetrable) shield; My heart trusts (with unwavering confidence) in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him.
Psalms 28:7 AMP
I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust You.” God will save you from hidden traps and deadly diseases.
Psalms 91:2-3 NCV
A teacher who was posted newly to a class, on her first day began to ask each pupil his name, in a way of acquainting herself with them.
In excitement, they all said their names exhibiting their personalities and confidence through their gestures.
But she noticed one student who only whispered his name.
He had to whisper “David” many times before the teacher could grasp his name.
This new teacher asked him, “Are you sure that’s your name?” David nodded. The teacher then replied, “Now tell me your name confidently like you who own it,” on hearing that to the surprise of the class, David boldly shouted out his name for the first time like he owned it.
It was David understanding his name was legitimately his, that stopped his whispering.
Similarly, ALL the promises of God written in His Word are LEGALLY ours.
Like Prov 18: 10 says,
The name of the Lord is a tower, the righteous runs into it and he is saved.
Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and the one who saves me, so why should I fear anyone? The Lord protects my life. So why should I be afraid?
As believers in Christ, we have heard these scriptures over and over, and we do know these promises, yet we curl up in our corners in timidity like David, who was not sure his name was legitimately his.
These promises are not just written words, they are WORDS EMPOWERED to prove themselves strong and come to manifestation when believed and declared boldly in faith.
The Word of God never lies.
It’s Tried and proven to be True!
It’s your LEGAL POSSESSION!
So today, Believe it!
Declare it!
Secured In God!
Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Psalm 25 :1 NLT
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for He’s right beside me.
Psalm 16:8 NLT
What do you know of God, especially pertaining to His relationship with you?
Do you know, as in knowing, that you know the Lord is always with you?
If we know then, why do we panic, worry and become fearful over any wind that blows on our side?
Why do believers fear so much of Covid 19, of cancer, of whatever Satan tries to harass us with, when we know the Lord is always with us?
The Truth is, yes many know and recite the above scriptures but the very words and meaning of the scriptures are not rooted in our hearts, to transform our thinking.
The scriptures sit in our heads and not in our hearts.
We know God, but do not TRUST Him or His Word ENOUGH.
We have not learnt to HOLD unto His Word, for His Word is Him.
We have not learnt to approach His Word the way little children believe, instead we over think His Word through limited science.
We see God as we see other humans, who are unfaithful and undependable but not as Almighty God, who is not a mere man.
We must wake up to the realisation that the God we serve is indeed the God above all that is, was and will ever be.
There’s no shadow of doubt in Him.
He is who He is and changes not.
There’s Security of the mind, soul and body for anyone who understands and runs wholeheartedly to Him.
Trusting Jehovah must start in the heart, overturning every other man made anchor in the heart and mind.
One must come to the point, the heart will undoubtedly whisper, I know that I know, and Know, my trust is absolutely in God and I’m not afraid of what Satan, man or any situation may confront me with.
When the heart of a man comes to this resolution without wavering, then indeed it has become like Mount Zion, immovable.
Child of God, the Lord is always with you.
Be strong!
Never shake or accept defeat!
Time For The Word!
Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your Truth!
Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honour you.
Psalm 86:11 NLT
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 NLT
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of God, meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
Psalm 1:1-3 NLT
What’s your innermost desire?
What is it your heart yearns for that pops up inbetween your thoughts, which makes you either to smile, sigh, shake your head or even bow your heart to quietly wish it out?
What a man’s heart desperately desires pushes him to give his time and effort at least in making sure it becomes a reality.
Think of how people tend to further their education, improve their skills, work so hard for a better career, better job, more money, more investments, better comfort in life and better…
A man would not invest quality time and resources in what does not click in his heart and mind as TREASURE, he gets by it just whenever..
The Psalmist sought with his heart to know the Word of God, because he knew it to be a lifeline for all and everything.
The Word of God preserves a man in righteousness, heals his whole being, causes him to prosper in all his ways, protects him from the evil one and shows him the right path to walk on, escaping all the potholes in the journey of life and also it helps him stay connected to his Maker.
David understood these, so did not joke with the Word of God.
He made out time, to study and meditate on it, not only in the day but also at night.
He ensured his life was governed by God’s instructions.
He revered God and made God’s word His REALITY and TRUTH!
David didn’t just wish for the word, he MADE TIME for it!
WE NEED THE WORD!
Let’s give it our TIME!
Fruitfullnes!
Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruits.
Proverbs 12:12 NLT
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2 :6-7 NLT
God has called us unto fruitfulness.
Inside everyone is the grace to be fruitful in the things the Lord has called one to do.
We are exhorted not to be coveteous, instead stand in our positions and dig deep in Christ who causes us to prosper in the works of our hands.
The Lord has called us to prosper physically and spiritually.
Many are able to do well in the circular world; in business, education and other ventures but are SPIRITUALLY unfruitful. In the areas of their faith, or in things pertaining to the kingdom of God and His righteousness, with godly character, they do not blossom.
A tree may be seen full of greeny, broad leaves, yet unfruitful.
The difference between a fruitful and unfruitful tree is in that part of the tree which is hidden and invisible to the eyes; it is in their roots.
From the roots of a tree come its nourishment, water and minerals.
A tree’s FRUITFULNESS never exceeds its ROOTFULNESS.
If the roots of a tree are weak and shallow, the tree will not only be unfruitful but may wither with time.
But roots that are strong and deeply sunk into the soil, nourish the tree to much fruitfulness.
Our inner or hidden life with God is likened to our spiritual roots.
It’s more of what we do in the closet with God that causes us to be fruitful.
No one may see our time with God in prayer, our faith, devotion, communion, obedience and love for Him, but these personal and consistent commitment to Him show forth on the outward as fruitfulness.
If you desire to be fruitful and great in God, then you must become DEEP in Him.
GROW DEEPER, STAND FRUITFUL!
Return To The Lord!
Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!
Take words with you and return to the Lord.
Say to Him, “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria cannot save us, we will not mount warhorses, we will never say again, ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.”
I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.
Hoses 14:1- 4 NIV
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
1 Corinth..15:56 NKJV
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.
If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.
I, the Lord, has spoken.
Isaiah 1 :18 -20 NLT
The Lord God delights in the peace, joy and prosperity of His people.
When He delivered Israel from the house of bondage, it was with a good intention.
To give them freedom to worship Him and also an inheritance of their own.
As He delivered, settled and prospered them, it wasn’t long their hearts strayed from God.
Their hearts got entrapped into the works of their hands as gods.
They gave their attentions to idols made by their own hands.
Sin found its way into their hearts and midst, opening up doors to pains, death and other downfalls.
The heart of man is deep and subtle, only God can tell when it’s shifted from the love of God Almighty, to the love of the world and something there-in.
Jehovah alone can tell what’s enthroned in the heart.
Any thing enthroned that’s not GOD, is a footstool for Satanic attacks.
We must return and confess our backslidden hearts, that our merciful God may forgive, restore and heal us.
Check your heart!
No sin is small!
Turn from your little god to GOD and His favour will return!
Generous Planting!
Remember this, a farmer who plants only a few seed will reap a small crop but the one who plants generously will get a generous crop
2 Corinthians 9 : 6
Most farmers are passionate about their profession and find fulfilment in meeting the needs of many through what they do.
A good farmer firstly, thinks of the kind of harvest he hopes for, and then plants the amount of seeds needed for it.
He understands he can only reap as much as he has sown under the right conditions.
A farmer that’s not excited about his profession would struggle to sow during the planting season.
We all are likened to farmers, for in whatever we do, we are sowing.
If a man cheerfully gives of himself to another as unto the Lord, the Lord receives and blesses him.
When we give to the poor, we lend to God. Proverbs 19:17
Whatever we give as unto God, He gives back in good measures, pressed down and running over, causing men to give unto our bossoms.
Ecclesiastes 11: 1 says we should send our grains across the sea, and in time profits will flow back to us.
Across the sea represents the many opportunities GOD BRINGS our ways for us to be a blessing.
A farmer that waits for PERFECT weather never plants, Eccl 11: 4.
If an individual waits to have enough resources or time, then he would never sacrifice anything. We are urged to give CHEERFULLY even out of the little we have, because God doesn’t bless anything grudgingly done.
When next you have an opportunity to give whether your RESOURCES, TIME or WORDS, do it happily. Give whatever your hand can give, while your heart’s focused on God and NOT ON any negativity.
Strive to serve joyfully and wholeheartedly, and give unto God your good measure.
May Heaven acknowledge the godly sacrifice of your time, words and resources, and cause you to reap a generous harvest of God’s goodness!
Gifts and Talents from God!
“Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft.
Exodus 31:2 -5 NLT
For the Kingdom of heaven is like a man travelling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one, He gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to His own ability, and immediately he went on a journey.
Matth 25:14-15 NKJV
But one and the same spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1 Corinth 12:11 NKJV
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: …
Romans 12:6 NKJV
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
1 Corinth 12:7 NKJV
What God did in the life of Bezalel, the grandson of Hur, is what He has equally done in our lives by His Holy Spirit.
We have all received talents, skills, gifts according to our abilities, as the Holy Spirit has willed for His purpose and calling.
Who can tell what and how much is deposited in you except the Spirit that has furnished it?
How can men see these gracious gifts and talents in action except the receiver agree with God to put them in use?
The Lord God described Bezalel as a master craft man, an expert in all kinds of craft, but Bezalel may not have felt like it or seen it that way, but God who sees all knows what He has deposited in every child of His.
No child of God is left without a skill, talent or gift.
What we may view as small is so great before God.
He has given it to be put it in use for His Kingdom services and the profit of all.
How much in use is your your talent or gift for God?
You owe it to God!
Use your gift!
No To Golden Calf!
When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered round Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters and bring them to me.”
All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. And Aaron took the gold, and melted it down, and moulded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!”
Exodus 32 : 1 – 4 NLT
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
1 John 5 : 21 NLT
Two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai.
In Sinai, God showed them His glory, they were in awe of Him. They promised to serve and worship Him alone as God.
It wasn’t long, God asked Moses up the mountain for more instructions.
Aaron, Moses’ brother and helper (whom God used to speak to Pharoah since Moses was a stammerer) was left to be with the children of Israel at the FOOT of the mountain.
God kept Moses on the MOUNTAIN TOP until He had finished with Him.
But the Israelites became impatient, for they perceived it as abandonment. In their uneasiness and lack of endurance, they forgot it was the same God, who had earlier delivered them that delayed Moses (the mouth piece of God).
Just a little shaking and discomfort, they began to seek an alternative god. What could Aaron offer than a dead god?
When men turn away from Jehovah, they embrace the nations gods. They embrace the god of gold, of money, of comfort …
Impatience and fear caused these men to change the spiritual course God had mapped out for them.
They sort self gratification, abandoning the God of Moses.
No matter how Satan shakes you with fear or discomfort, you must stay waiting on God!
Faith’s Not Complicated!
I am not ashamed of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes- to save the Jews first, and then the non-Jews. The Good News shows how God makes people right with Himself- that it begins and ends with faith. As the Scripture says, “But those who are right with God will live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17 NCV
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:31 NKJV
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him, will not be put to shame.” For there’s no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all…For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:11-13 NKJV
Let me ask you only this, “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law of by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit are you now perfected in the flesh?
Galatians 1:2-3 ESV
It was Faith that brought us to Salvation Road, and it’s Faith that will see us to the very end into Eternity with Christ.
We heard the Good News of Christ’s love, death and redemption from sin. We were convicted, believed, accepted and called on the Saviour for Salvation.
Now are we saved!
The walk of Faith is walking in the Spirit!
We started with Christ by Faith, through ‘simply’ believing the Word of God. As we are progressing in Him, our faith should grow stronger and immovable.
What does Satan do?
He ensures, instead of us growing strong in ‘simply’ believing God just like children do, in TOTAL trust for their parents, he uses earthly wisdom to cause us stray from the path of Faith.
We begin to have double mind in God’s protection and providence, leaning on human knowledge and works, which exposes us the more to satan’s attacks.
We are told that those who are right with God will live by Faith.
Faith is not complicated!
It’s ‘simply’ believing God in EVERYTHING.
Remember!
No one can do for you what God doesn’t do for you!
So let’s live by believing God!
The Lamb of God!
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29 NLT
He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but sins of all the world.
1 John 2 :2 NLT
The priests who offers the sin offering must eat his portion in a sacred place within the courtyard of the tabernacle.
Leviticus 6: 26 NLT
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation …
1 Peter 2 :9 NKJV
The Word became a human and lived among us. We saw His glory-the glory that belongs to the only Son of the Father-and He was full of grace and truth.
John 1 :14 NCV
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me live.
John 6:56 -57 NKJV
We must be careful with what we eat, for we are what we eat and do what we eat.
God Almighty asked the priests in the old testament to eat of the sin offering from the people, for the sacrifice was HOLY unto Him.
The offering was for the atonement of sin.
Jesus, the lamb of God, sacrificed over two thousand years ago became the final atonement. A sacrifice fit and accepted by the Father.
Today, we are His priests, called to partake of same sacrifice.
Physical food sustains the physical body, but spiritual food sustains the spiritual being.
Doctors advise us to avoid junk food, for it is unhealthy.
So God through His Word, points us to the food we must continually eat.
This is the WORD that became FLESH, when our heart partakes of, our spirit lives on.
Whatever we partake of in the spiritual realm, we also become in that realm. If we eat food of bitterness, lust, gossip and other impurities, we become spiritually unclean. But when we eat of that which is PURE and HOLY, we become pure and holy, spiritually energised and empowered.
As we daily feed and live on Jesus; on His love, on His mercy .., we become just like Him!
Let’s feed and be like Jesus!
Divine Exchange!
Who would have believed what we heard? Who saw the Lord’s power in this?
He grew up like a small plant before the Lord, like a root growing up in a dry land.
He had no special beauty or form to make us notice Him; there was nothing in our appearance to make us desire Him.
He was hated and rejected by people. He had much pain and suffering. People would not even look at Him.
He was hated, and we didn’t even notice Him.
But He took our suffering on Him, and felt our pain for us.
We saw His suffering and thought God was punishing Him. But He was wounded for the wrong we did, He was crushed for the evil we did.
The punishment which made us well, was given to Him, and we are healed because of His wounds.
We have all wandered away like sheep, each of us had gone his own way. But the Lord has put on Him the punishment for all the evil we have done.
He was beaten down and punished, but He didn’t say a word.
He was like a lamb being led to be killed. He was quiet, as a sheep is quiet while its wool is being cut off; He never opened His mouth.
Men took Him away roughly and unfairly. He died without children to continue His family.
He was put to death, He was punished for the sins of my people.
He was buried with wicked men, and He died with the rich. He had done nothing wrong and never lied.
But it was the Lord who decided to crush Him and make Him suffer, The Lord made His life to be a penalty offering …
Isaiah 53 :1-10 NCV
We owe our Lord Jesus everything that spell life to us.
He gave His all to bring us to a place of reconciliation with His Father.
Think of how much He went through!
He received all the abuse, rejection and beatings on our behalf, He never uttered a word.
He was hated, wounded and crushed for our sins, led away to be killed like a lamb, yet never opened His mouth.
So much He endured for us!
He paid the price in full and NOW sits in glory!
TODAY, how FAR are you willing to go FOR and WITH Him, ENDURING all discomfort WITHOUT uttering a word?
Worthy Walking!
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to WALK worthy of the calling with which you are called.
Ephesians 4:1 NKJV
LOOK straight ahead, and fix your EYES on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your FEET; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked, keep your FEET from following evil.
Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I FOCUS on this one thing: Forgetting the past and LOOKING forward to what lies ahead.
Philippians 3 :13 NLT
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. FIX your THOUGHTS on what is true, honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4: 8 NLT
We’ve been called into the family of God with a Holy calling.
It’s our responsibility, by the help of the Holy Spirit to live and walk in a manner worthy of this Unmerited grace.
Through discipline, we beat our body into shape to conform to the dictates of the Spirit of God.
There’s a strong alliance between our EYES, THOUGHTS and FEET.
Once we are able to keep them in check, in the right direction, then we are braced.
It’s good we understand our feet always move in the direction our eyes are focused, that’s why walking backwards with eyes focused in the opposite direction leads to falls and delays.
It’s unnatural to walk backwards, people only do it promptly.
So to walk worthy of our Calling, we must ensure our eyes are focused on the Calling, then will our feet walk in same direction.
Again it’s counter productive to let our thoughts wander in opposite direction to our focus.
It’s nonsensical desiring a life of holiness while our eyes or thoughts are fixed on obscene materials. Eventually, the feet would lead the whole body to unholy places if focus is not changed.
If we therefore, desire Heaven, our eyes must stay FOCUSED on Heaven, our thoughts on WORTHY things and our feet on the GODLY path.
These THREE must be singing same song!
Shun Wordly Desire
Dear Friends, i warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners,” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.1 Peter 2 :11 NLT
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?
James 4 :1 NLT
The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is the opposite of what the spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Galatians 5 :17 NLT
… Dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful natures urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
Romans 8 :12-13 NLT
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Galatians 5 :16 NLT
Do you know there’s constant war going on in your members?
That’s why many blow hot and cold and don’t fathom why?
The sinful nature is the enemy of our soul (mind, emotions and will) and our spirit.
It fights to dominate them.
We must understand nothing good, as in good comes from the flesh. The flesh is very carnal and underneath whatever it presents as good, is a lace of evil.
We are not under any obligation to fulfill it’s desires!
When we do, it’s because of our lust and choices made.
As scary as it sounds, living by the dictates of the sinful nature is DEATH!
1 Peter 2:11 WARNS us as temporary residents on earth, who know we will eventually vacate this earth, to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against our minds, our emotions and desires.
We individually know what it is we lust after, that kicks in the war in our souls to AVOID them.
Since we know the Spirit gives us desires that our flesh hates, then let’s be ALERT to identify and follow the Spirit.
Be Spirit LED and LIVE!
The Shepherd’s Voice!
Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof us the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice. I know my them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for My Father has given them to me and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.
John 10: 25 – 30 NLT
The Jews in the time of Jesus found it difficult to believe and accept he was the prophesied Messiah to come.
He lived and died without many believing in Him.
In the midst of all that confusion, there were still some who believed and were able to identify Him as the Messiah.
The ones that believed His voice became His sheep.
Even today, many are believing and joining His sheepfold, both Jews and Gentiles.
We are glad, we believe and have also become the sheep of His pasture.
The outstanding thing about the shepherd and sheep relationship is the ability of the sheep to listen and identify the shepherd’s voice.
In the out field, there are many flocks grazing as their shepherd’s watch over them, meaning there are many voices that are heard giving commands to the sheep.
If a sheep doesn’t sharpen his ear to note and recognise the voice of its shepherd, it would have a problem navigating in the field.
This could mean for the sheep not following after her Shepherd with His flock.
This sheep could also stray and follow a strange flock and Shepherd.
And also she could be left behind at the mercies of wild animals, without the protection of the Shepherd.
It may turn out after a long search the sheep is reunited with the flock, lost to the wrong flock or to death by wild animals.
It is therefore important for us to KNOW, LISTEN and FOLLOW the voice of the words of our true Shepherd, Jesus.
By His grace, we will not be left behind or snatched away as we obediently abide in Him.
More Than Sparrows!
What is the price of five sparrows – two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Luke 12 : 6 – 7 NLT
I lie awake. And am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.
Psalm 102 :7 NKJV
Even the sparrows find a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
Psalm 84 : 3 NLT
How impartial is our God!
He looks down and upholds the lowly, for He is no respecter of persons.
Sparrows in biblical days were very common birds, small in size and of little value.
Although they made sweet chirping sounds but were considered to be noisy and of no significant importance. Sitting on housetops depicted loneliness and rejection.
Yes, they were worthless birds in the eyes of the society, but it was God who created them.
God’s not careless about them, just like every other creation of His.
His eyes are on the Sparrows, watching, feeding and making sure they bring forth their own kind, fulfilling destiny.
God says, “You are Worth more than the Sparrows!”
Your worth is not defined by what you have or do not have.
It’s not defined by your marital status, by your ownership of a house, by your big or small car, by your numerous children, by your fat salary, by the food you eat or apparel you wear, by the reserved area you live in or by the top association you keep and it’s not by the colour of your skin or your accent or intonation.
None of the above matter and should define you!
You are only defined in God who created you!
The society may not be able to handle the grace you carry on the inside, but you are who you are for the purposes of God, and as you stick with Him, nothing will deter you.
Even the Sparrow nests and raises her young near God’s altar, so you will shine and fulfill destiny near God’s altar.
For your worth, Jesus went to the cross
Be Ready!
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. When we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God Himself has prepared us for this, as a guarantee He has given us His Holy Spirit. …So whether we are away here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please Him. For we MUST all stand before Christ to be JUDGED. We will each RECEIVE whatever we DESERVE for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
2 Corinthians 5 :1-10 NLT
Paul took his time to exhort believers of Corinth of what living and dying entails for the believer in Christ Jesus.
The fall of man in the Garden of Eden ensured man would not live eternally on earth, for that sin of disobedience spiralled a decay in the creation of God.
The tree of Life which was then in Eden was protected from man.
So every creation on earth has it’s end of life and gradually wastes away.
Our beautiful bodies, even under cosmetic surgeries will waste away.
Life in our earthly bodies must come to an end at a point in time.
If it doesn’t go naturally by old age, then sickness, accident, murder and other causes would end it.
No matter how ours end, our heavenly Father has another eternal body-like clothing in waiting.
So we not must fear death, it will come at its own time.
Most Importantly is preparing for what’s ahead, which is standing before Christ to be judged.
Every good or evil done in this earthly body and space will be accounted for.
Let’s be ready for our deserved REWARDS!
Have Your Way, Lord!
Then Solomon said, ” My father, David, wanted to build this Temple to honour the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord told him, ‘You wanted to build the Temple to honour my name. Your intention is good, but you are not the one to do it. One of your own sons will build the Temple to honour me.
2 Chronicles 6:7-9 NLT
Many plans are in a man’s mind. But it’s the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).
Proverbs 19:21 AMP
The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like My ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NCV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Yahweh is God above all.
His plans and thoughts are ways beyond our conception, for He alone knows and sees the bigger picture, from the very end.
The bit we get to know or perceive is only a sneak preview revealed by Him to keep us from stagnancy and get us moving in the direction revealed.
The Lord understands our thoughts and feelings of love and gratitude towards Him. No one knows us like He does, neither do we know ourselves like He does.
We do a lot of things for the service of God and are a blessing to our neighbours as an expression of our love for God. Humanly speaking, it’s our ways of walking in the Lord’s footsteps.
From the story of David’s desire to build a Temple for the Lord, we learn that all our intentions or desires in life, towards God or man, no matter how great or spiritual they are, must be firstly tabled before the Lord. Our desires or plans must be in line with God’s own plans for us.
God frustrates and rejects plans not in line with His will, but prospers and graces what He wills.
We should therefore desire His will be enthroned in ours, as we humbly let go off ours.
Have your way, Lord!
Treasure Sotrage!
We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born.
We can’t take our riches with us.
Ecclesiastes 5: 15 NLT
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eats them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rusts can not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:19-20 NLT
We are encouraged not to store our treasures here on earth but in heaven, although we live on earth.
It’s because whatever it is we treasure and store on earth is open to theft and destruction.
In heaven where God resides, there are no thieves, whether physical or spiritual ones.
The most important reason though is the fact none will live eternally on earth.
A day unknown is coming -as Jesus tarries- when one would have to move from this earthly abode to a heavenly one without taking along any earthly riches.
In view of this, if one lived in South Africa for instance and knew one day he would return permanently to his home in England, would he not prepare for his final return?
In the near months of departure from South Africa, what would he wisely do with his properties or treasures?
Would he not possibly find a way to ship off the things treasured to England, sell off some items for cash and give away some as gifts.
Bearing in mind, the English currency is Pound, would he not convert his South African currency (Rand) to pound to enable him make purchases at home?
One is only able to do all this when his departure time is known.
But generally we do not know when we would depart from our earthly abode to the heavenly one.
So NOW, one thing we ought to be doing is preparing for our retirement from planet earth.
In wisdom, we should be loving God, USING our TIME, ENERGY and RESOURCES for the PURPOSES of heaven, thereby converting our earthly treasures which we can’t keep, to heavenly treasures we can’t lose.
Today, let’s start to live wisely and not lose out!
Never Alone!
Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son, and they will call her Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’
Matthew 1 :23 NLT
…teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28: 20 NLT
If you (really) love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.
And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby) to be with you forever.
John 14 :15 – 16 AMP
In your strength I can crush an army;
With my God I can scale any wall.
Psalm 18 :29 NLT
The baby boy born of the virgin was called Immanuel (In hebrew, Imm= with, anu= us, El= God).
Immanuel wasn’t just a name but a declaration of God’s intent towards His people.
WITH US IS GOD, in every situation we find ourselves.
Jesus loves us with an everlasting love.
While He was leaving our brethren, the earlier disciples, He promised not to leave them on their own.
The Father sent the Holy Spirit to stand in and give all the help Jesus would have given assuming He was still with them bodily.
Those early disciples are long gone, but the same Spirit of Jesus remains. He’s remained to continue to be with us and with every would be disciple of Jesus.
If we would understand deep in our hearts, how faithful and dependable the words of Jesus are, perhaps it will settle our hearts with great confidence in whatever challenge we are facing.
In the form of His Spirit, He’s never left nor abandoned us.
We may struggle to always remember of His ever dwelling presence, with Him being physically unseen.
But in truth, with us is His Spirit as a faithful standby, ever ready to advocate, comfort, interceed, strengthen and counsel us.
With His strength we can crush any opposing army and leap over any wall of restriction.
With us is God!
Therefore, we do not fear or doubt, for He will be with us ALWAYS to the end of the age!
NEVER ALONE!
God’s Poem!
For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus, for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2 :10 NKJV
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him. They are the people He called, because that was His plan.
Romans 8 :28 NCV
We are indeed God’s workmanship and not of our own.
When man excludes God and tries to manage life on his our own, he makes a total wreck of it in an endless insatiable spiral.
In the original Greek, it says we are God’s poiema, meaning we are fashioned, made, crafted together as a masterpiece.
From poiema comes the word Poem.
We are God’s poem!
Being God’s poem, means we WERE written by God, as was concieved in His heart even before we were born and we shouldn’t try to rewrite ourselves NOW.
Psalm 139 :16 NCV says, ” You saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.
So it is therefore a futile effort when we try to push on our lives in directions which were not mapped out for us.
We must allow God who has penned down our lives to lead us in the directions preplanned, and graced for us to be the best we were written to be.
It doesn’t matter how shiny your neighbour’s life seems to be, you must not covet after them.
Firstly, you are on different plans so you ought to stay on God’s plan for you.
Secondly, how sure are you he hasn’t deviated from God’s plan trying to rewrite his own path?
You are uniquely you and should strive to stay on God’s plans for your good future and hope.
Don’t forget you are God’s original masterpiece on your own level, do not try to twist and end up as someone else’s carbon copy, no matter how glamorous or celebrated they are.
Only God can tell and put you on His good path.
Stay with His plan and you will also Shine!
UNIQUELY YOU!
Grow Your Endurance
Dear brethren, when trouble of any kind comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete needing nothing.
James 1:2- 4 NLT
You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fulness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures ever more.
Psalm 16:11 NKJV
Let us look only to Jesus, the one who began our faith and makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But He accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the Joy God had put before Him.
And now He is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.
Hebrew 12:2 NCV
What is your endurance threshold like, and how do you rate it?
On our path of life, we will go through trials, temptations and all sorts.
The Lord will allow us be pushed by different kinds of troubles. These troubles are not to kill us but help fashion us become more like Christ.
Daily our endurance threshold grows aiming for full development, when we will become perfect and complete, fully built into the image of Christ.
When our faith is tested, the level of our faith reflects on the Faith scale, showing how much we believe and hold unto God, or how much we have allowed fear, doubt and anxiety to scrape on our strong belief in God.
It’s very easy to rejoice and be giddy when all seem to be going well.
But what of when our comfort feathers are ruffled?
At this time, the flesh would want us to murmur, complain, get offended, allow dissension, enter a hole of self pity and depression.
But the Lord would have us know, every step of the way, He is with us and that’s what matters. He would also love we walk in His exact footsteps as one who overcame.
How did He see the shame of the cross?
He accepted it as if it were nothing, instead focused on the joy ahead.
We are to look unto Jesus, tap into the joy of His presence and let our endurance grow in every trial!
Rises Again!
Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly,
And don’t raid the house where the godly live.
The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Proverbs 24:15 -16 NLT
O! If only Satan had known or knows, He wouldn’t venture with his antics of attack on the children of God.
His ambush against you or your home will remain futile.
His raid in every way against your house, your business and the church of God will amount to a wasted effort.
Satan is deaf to warnings, he tries and tries again, cashing in on whatever he sees as an opportunity.
He is limited in His conceptions so he gets flawed all the time with the godly.
If Satan had known he wouldn’t have ensured Jesus got killed. (Yes Jesus was killed, God didn’t let Him escape the cross).
In satan’s thought that was to be the end of anything and everything associated with Jesus.
Little did he know out of Jesus’ death would come eternal life for many.
Out of one open tomb, came along the opening of many other tombs that brought many to life.
Now, Satan is at it again round every corner, but do not despair!
The above scriptures tell us a GODLY man MAY trip seven times.
The word ‘may’ tells us tripping could happen but not necessarily it ‘must’ happen.
And be it known, it could happen up to 7 times, under the perfect watch of God.
And if it happens to the GODLY, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road.
It can only mean, the getting up mode is switched on.
God watches to ensure this GODLY man rises up again, unlike the wicked who can be overthrown only by one disaster.
This should give us hope and cause us to be courageous, knowing as children of God, it’s a win win outcome for us.
When next in a challenging situation, do not let yourself be overwhelmed.
Do not let your heart be troubled.
Remember, it’s not a coincidence, God saw it all coming and before it hits, He provides grace to carry through.
You have the overcoming grace.
So Look up in Faith!
City On A Hill!
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.
John 8 : 12 NLT
You are the light of the world– like a city on a hill top that cannot be hidden. No one lights a light and puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14-15 NLT
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NCV
The ‘night’ is almost finished, and the ‘day’ is almost here. So we should stop doing things that belong to darkness and take up the weapons used for fighting in the light. Let us live in a right way, like people who belong to the day. We should not have wild parties or get drunk. There should be no sexual sins of any kind, no fighting or jealousy. But clothe yourself woth the Lord Jesus and forget about satisfying your sinful self.
Romans 13:12-14 NCV
We are living in the “night” season because Jesus the Light that lightens the world has gone to be with the father. But He didn’t leave the world without light. He lit His candles/lamps and positioned them every where as cities on hill tops.
He put His light in us to shine forth and dispel the darkness, enabling men to see clearly the ground they are walking on.
We in turn will never walk in darkness IF we follow Jesus.
The problem is the inconsistency in our following Jesus. Sometimes, we allow the flesh to kick in, fear, anxiety, lust and cares of the world to derail us from following the path of light.
At these times, we see the works of darkness manifest in our doings.
Today, we must remember that Jesus has invested His light in us and He expects us to shine forth His light of life.
As we shine, faith, hope, truth, joy, peace, salvation, deliverance etc will be wrought.
So, boldly shine and be a light to someone!
Live And Not Die!
God’s way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.
Psalm 18 : 30 NLT
Show Your marvellous lovingkindness by Your right hand.
O You save those who trust in You.
From those who rise up against them.
Psalm 17 : 7 NKJV
The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
I will not die, instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done.
Psalm 18 : 16 – 18 NLT
The Lord’s strong right arm is lifted in triumph on your behalf!
He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection and who know His promises are true.
No one can deliver except the Lord God.
No one can protect except the Lord God.
No one can provide except the Lord God.
No one can open a door except the Lord God.
And no one can shut a door except the Lord God.
Many may rise against you, physical, spiritual, financial, health-wise and even in unkind words of accusations.
But the Lord God, Mighty in battle, by His strong right arm will do glorious things for you.
Only Believe and do not Fear!
Fear robs us and opens up doors for Satan to execute our fears like He did to Job.
What do you believe?
Right down in your heart, what do you believe?
Do you believe the report of the Lord?
Do you believe nothing can separate from the love of God, not even hunger, sickness or death?
Do you believe in His love He may allow you to be in certain situations, to show forth His glory in your life?
What matters is what you do in those situations.
You may not be able to stop those challenges from coming but your response to them is entirely your responsibility.
Your response reveals what is stored in your heart, and where you stand with the Lord.
You may stand in fearfulness or boldness.
If subtly in your heart you exalt the situation bigger than God, then fear will arise if not boldness will set in.
Today, believe as in the above scriptures that you will LIVE to TELL of what the Lord has done!
Thy Will Be Done!
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.
Daniel 3:16-18 NLT
He walked away, about a stone throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine.
Luke 22:41-42 NLT
The three Hebrew boys understood the sovereignty of God.
They were bold enough to declare they serve The Almighty God who saves.
In the face of death many would want to find a way of escape by compromising, but it was different for these boys who were in it to the end.
In the above scriptures, we read their faith-filled confession that God’s able to and would rescue them from Nebuchadnezzar’s power.
But they also knew although God is able to rescue them, He could choose not to do so.
This understanding pose to be a problem to many believers.
Why would God choose not to prevent bad from happening to His child who believes and strongly confesses his faith in Him to deliver?
In truth, only God in His sovereignty and purpose can answer why He chooses not to do so in that moment!
But, He never leaves us alone, He walks us through every door of challenge He lets us in.
God did not stop the Hebrew children from being thrown into the fire but He was in the fire to preserve them.
It’s more glorious that God preserved them in the fire than prevented them from the fire.
Jesus seeing the agony of the Cross asked if He could opt out, but then settled for the sovereign will of God.
We must come to terms that sometimes in our quests, God’s will overrules our desires inspite of our faith and confessions for change.
Let’s always pray “Not my will, but yours be done, Lord!
Trust In The Lord!
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
Isaiah 55:8 NLT
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5 NLT
Man’s thoughts take its root from what he sees, hears or feels.
It can also be about what could, should and will happen, which may start as an idea and expands in thoughts.
No matter how a man is able to gather his thoughts, it’s always limited by his carnal nature, and only blossoms to an extent when there’s a divine influence.
Whatever is heavenly is greater than the earthly.
The earth is sustained by the powers of the heavens and whatever the earth has to offer is because it has firstly received it from heaven.
Isaiah 45:8 AMP says,
Rain down, O heavens, from above, let the clouds pour down righteousness (all the blessings of God);
Let the earth open up, let salvation bear fruit, and righteousness spring up with it;
I, the Lord, has created it.
We must understand if the heavens do not pour out, the earth can not receive.
And the heaven pours out under the dictate of God who knows, sees and watches over HIS plans to perform it.
Except therefore the arm of the Lord is divinely revealed to a person, one would not be in the know.
Our gracious God delights in letting us into what His plans and thoughts are to the extent it pleases Him.
Because we do not at all times submit ourselves 100% into walking in the mind of Christ, certainly it will be a struggle to receive and see things in the way God would love see them, and then align our thoughts in sync with His.
His thoughts and plans are way higher than ours!
Therefore, to live and enjoy the best of God’s thoughts and plans, we must learn to let go of self, and what we think we know and understand of the issues around us.
We must give in and Trust the Lord with all our hearts, even when we don’t understand and things don’t make sense.
His good comes beyond our imaginations!
Trust God!
Back to His Word!
When Moses had finished reciting all these words to the people of Israel, he added: Take to heart all the words of warnings I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions. These instructions are not empty words – they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.
Deuter 32 : 45 – 47 NLT
What’s important to you?
Is it just crossing over into 2021?
Or is it crossing over and having a joyful victorious life in it?
Even though Jehovah was allowing the Israelites enter Canaan to possess it as He had promised, He had to instruct them about the state of their hearts.
He had perceived still their rebellion and waywardness, the tendency of abandoning Jehovah to lust after other gods in their comfort was not hidden.
Their peace and long life in the Promised land would therefore depend on their obedience to God who had brought them forth.
These instructions were for them and for their children.
Like Moses said, the instructions were not EMPTY WORDS!
Every word of God obeyed comes with its blessings.
Disobedience brings disfavour and curses.
As we have stepped into 2021 by God’s mercy, we must ensure to live everyday for Him!
His Words of instructions must be our watchword.
As we seek to obey God and live for Him daily, He will protect and lead us in the way we should go.
God who preserves lives will preserve ours, because our mind is set on Him.
Do not relax and fall back into your old lifestyle now that you have rejoiced into 2021.
If you desire to enjoy and have long life in it, then go back to the Word of God and seek to live by it.
Only those that seek to know their God, shall find Him and will do exploits in the coming seasons.
When the World will be shouting chaos and casting down, to the believer in Christ, it will be lifting up with inner peace in Christ Jesus.
Therefore!
Take to heart the Word of God and obey it!