Rhapsody Of Realities http://ping.fm/nvIsE

You’re His Living temple

Jesus answered if a person [really] loves me, he will keep my word [obey my teaching]; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him (John 14:23 AMP).

Some people look for special places for prayer when they have serious things to pray about. At such times, they say they’re ‘’going to the mountain’’ to meet with God, much like how the children of Israel regularly went to meet with Him in places where they built Him an altar.

As new creation, we don’t need to go through such a routine to fellowship with the Lord because we’re His altar and He dwells in us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, ‘’…know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost…’’ The word ‘’temple’’ could also be rendered as ‘’home,’’ but Paul chose to use temple in order to communicate the religious nature of your body as regards its service to the Lord.

One some, a Samaritan woman asked Jesus what He thought of the different places where the Jews and Samaritans worshipped. She said, ‘’Our fathers worshipped God on this mountain, but you Jews say we ought to come to Jerusalem to do that.’’ Jesus said to her, ‘’woman, believe me, that hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father…But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him’’ (John 4:21, 23).

The hour Jesus was referring to has come; it’s the day of the new creation. You don’t have to go about looking for where to meet or worship the Father, for God lives in you now. Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost; you carry Him in you everywhere you go.

Understand however that as your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, you’re also member of the body of Christ, which is made up of other believers like you. So as you worship the Lord at your private moments, you must also participate in corporate worship with fellow believers by attending church services. That’s where you’ll hear the word, grow spiritually, and be effective in the work of the kingdom.

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank you for making me your abode and special dwelling place. My heart rejoices exceedingly because your presence remains with and in me always. Therefore, I will not fair or walk as though I’m alone, for greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!

Further Study:

Acts 7:48; 1 Corinthians 3:16

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 9:1-13

Numbers 6

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 16:1-20

Job 35-36

Be Inspired By The Word Tuesday, Feb 28th

Pastor Chris

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith to them that hear it (Hebrews 4:2).

The Old Testament chronicles for us several inspiring miracles that God demonstrated amongst the children of Israel in the wilderness, but, for forty years, they wondered in the wilderness until a whole generation perished. Hebrews 4:2 tells us what happened: ‘’…but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.’’ Though they heard the word of God and experienced astounding miracles, they refused to be influenced, moved or guided by it. They questioned the veracity of the word of God and it failed to produce results in their lives.

Luke 5 tells us the story of Peter, a professional fisherman, who after an unsuccessful fishing trip gave his boat to serve as a pulpit for Jesus to teach the thronging crowd. When Jesus finished preaching, He told Peter to throw his nets again for a haul. I want you to notice Peter’s response: ‘’…Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net’’ (Luke 5:5). Even though Jesus’ instruction was contrary to his years of experience as a fisherman, his language depicted that he recognized the potency and efficacy of the word. Notice his response again: ‘’…Nevertheless at thy word…’’

The result of Peter’s faith was a huge haul of fish, straining the net beyond it’s capacity, so much so he had to call out to his co-fishermen for help (Luke 5:6-7). Those fishes that came forth and navigated to Simon’s net were from the word of the Master. The word is trustworthy and dependable. In Luke 21:33, Jesus said ‘’Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.’’

God’s word is absolute reality, and you can stake your life on it. Let it motivate you to action today. Never question or negotiate God’s word, believe it simply and act on it.

Confession:

The blessing and miracles that I require in my life are all wrapped up in the word; therefore, I go for the word. My eyes and heart are always alert to recognize every opportunity to demonstrate my faith in God’s infallible word. I’m a doer of God’s word. Hallelujah.

Further Study:

Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:1-2

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 8:27-38

Numbers 5

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 15:31-41

Job 33-34

The Holy Spirit: The Key To Every Blessing Monday, Feb 27th

Pastor Anita

It is the Spirit who gives life [He is the life-giver]…(John 6:63 AMP).

If you’re born again, and have received the Holy Spirit, no sickness, disease or infirmity should have the power or ability to ravage your body. This is the reality and it’s important that you catch it. The Holy Spirit is the life-giver; He’s the key to every blessing, and all of life in the earth. The Bible says in Psalm 104:30 (CEV) that God created all things and gave new life to the earth through the Holy Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit-the life-giver-makes His abode in you, He gives life to your physical body. Even if your body had been paralyzed, His presence in you will restore you to perfect health! The Bible says if Christ be in you, though the body be dead because of sin; that is, though be broken because of sickness and disease, the Spirit gives it life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10). As one who’s born again and have received the Holy Spirit, you don’t need prayer to be healed of any infirmity. You can simply walk out of that sickness and predicament you may have found yourself.

The Holy Spirit is the spirit of life (Romans 8:2). Not only does He give life to your body, He gives life to every area of your life-your work, academics, family-etc. Also He makes you a life-giver. He takes away the dryness and brings fruitfulness and productivity into your life. He’s the one who impregnates your word with power so that when you speak, things happen. He puts you ahead of others by causing your eyes to see what they don’t see, and anoints your hands so that any thing you touch is blessed.

There’s hope for the world because the Holy Spirit lives in you; and through you He can give life to your world. Remember, you’re His outstretched hands; He can only fully express Himself and bless those in your world through you.

Prayer:

My strength is renewed today, and my whole being is invigorated because the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me, and I’m conscious of His presence in me, and mindful of His power that’s at work in me mightily, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Further Study:

Romans 8:10-11

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 8:14-26

Numbers 3-4

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 15:16-30

Job 31-32

Symptoms Are ‘’Lying Vanities!’’ Sunday, Feb 26th

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy (Jonah 2:8).

It will be unwise to think that because you put God’s word to work and experienced a miracle of healing in your body for instance, the symptoms may never return. However, whether or not they do makes no difference, because they are lying vanities; a mirage!

Of course, Satan won’t be happy at your miracle, and don’t expect him to congratulate you on the healing and say, ‘’I’ll never come back.’’ He’ll throw symptoms at you to make your faith waiver so you can question the veracity of God’s word. Don’t accede to his gimmicks. Stand your ground in faith. Remember Peter, sinking into the raging tempest when he shifted his gaze from the master to the boisterous waves, and became overwhelmed with fear.

Instead of musing over the symptoms of an ailment that no longer exists in your body, focus on the word; maintain your confession and keep declaring your health. It’s a fight of faith where you must ward-off Satan’s deceptive schemes and lies with your faith-filled proclamations.

Like Jesus, learn to use the word against Satan. Right after God announced concerning Jesus: ‘’…This is my beloved son in whom I’m well pleased’’ (Mathew 4:17), The Bible says, ‘’Then was Jesus led up by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil’’ (Mathew 4:1). Satan said to Jesus, ‘’If thou be the son of God, command these stones to be made bread’’ (Mathew 4:3). He tempted Jesus by questioning Him on what exactly God had said.

Load your spirit with the word, so that whether the symptoms return or not, you’re unshakeable; you’ll perpetually remain victorious. As long as you have in the word in your spirit, it doesn’t matter what comes out against you, you’ll live triumphantly always.

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank you for the glorious victory you wrought for me in Christ Jesus, placing me far above all the wiles and machinations of the enemy. I put my absolute trust in your word which is able to keep me in perpetual victory, and I refuse to observe lying vanities, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

2 Corinthians 4:18

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 7:24-8:1-13

Numbers 1-2

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 15:1-15

Job 29-30

A Vital Union!

Pastor Chris

Jesus saith unto her…go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God (John 20:17).

Living a victorious and successful life in Christ depends on your understanding of your vital union with the Lord. Many Christians are either misinformed or completely ignorant of the kind of relationship we have with the Lord today in the New Testament. It’s a vital union; an inseparable oneness. We’re much more than followers, servants, friends or ambassadors of Christ; we’re His body! We’re members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones (Ephesians 5:30).

In John 15:5, Jesus reiterated our oneness with Him when He said, ‘’I am the vine, ye are the branches…’’ This implies that you have the same life with Jesus, because life comes through the vine into the branches. It’s for this same reason that the word declares: ‘’Know ye not that your body are members of Christ?...’’ (1 Corinthians 12:27).

The death and resurrection of Jesus paved a way for a new relationship with the Father. When you received salvation you were automatically brought into this vital union, making you a partaker in the divine experience. Through this vital union, you’re awakened to the fatherhood of God, making you an associate of the God-kind.

If you’re born again, you’re the very offspring of Divinity. Stand tall today in Christ, for he loves to be identified with you and has brought you into oneness with Himself. He’s in you, and you’re in Him; what a glorious union!

Prayer

Dear father, I thank you for making me a partaker of the divine nature! I rejoice and praise you for this inseparable oneness I share with you, and for the eternal life that flow in me as a result of this vital union. I’m making great progress and excelling in life today as your glory is revealed in me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:30

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 7:1-23

Leviticus 26-27

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 14:11-28

Job 27-28

The Sure Guide! Friday, Feb 24th

Pastor Anita

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God (1 Corinthians 2:12).

The Holy Spirit is your guide to help you navigate the way through the crossroads of life. Isaiah 30:21 says, ‘’And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.’’ This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Many today are groping in the dark, completely at sea as to how, and what to do in order to enjoy their glorious inheritance in Christ. Their unfortunate predicament is premised on their ignorance of the scriptures, and failure to recognize and yield to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Holy Spirit is the key to a successful life. He’s the one called to go alongside with you, not only to lead you into, but also to help you walk in, your inheritance in Christ.

The greatest thing you could ever learn in this world is yielding yourself to the Holy Spirit; being led by Him. He alone can lead you into your inheritance-abiding health, victory, success and wealth! There’s a place for you in God; a place of bliss and glory; where you have dominion over sickness, disease, poverty, lack and want! That’s where I live! It’s a place where failure is unknown, defeat is abrogated and death is defeated. It’s our place of inheritance in Christ Jesus, where we prosper, and all our needs are in abundant supply.

Prayer:

Dear Holy Spirit, I thank you for your guidance and direction for life that I receive from you today! My heart and mind are attentive to you, to receive instruction and be led in the path of victory, success and triumph, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

1 John 2:27

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 6:30-56

Leviticus 25

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 14:1-10

Job 25-26

Effective Proclamations Thursday, Feb 23th

Pastor Chris

‘’…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available’’ [dynamic in its working] (James 5:16b).

1 Kings 17 tells us the story of how Elijah went out to Ahab the king one day and said, ‘’…As the lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word’’ (1 Kings 17:1). This verse of scripture reveals something striking about the man Elijah; his audacity of faith. But then, until you study this particular account in context you may not get the true picture or appreciate what Elijah actually did.

1 Kings 17:1 doesn’t tell us that Elijah prayed or consulted with God before he went ahead to give King Ahab the message about the drought. Rather, the impression we get is that he just proclaimed there would be no rain and stormed out of Ahab’s palace. Now, that would mean the man just went, spoke a word of faith and that was it. No! It’s true he spoke a word of faith, but James’ account shows us that there was something behind the faith Elijah spoke.

James 5:17 says ‘’Elias was a man subject to like passions like we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and 6 months.’’ Before Elijah came to Ahab to speak the word of faith, he had already spoken to the Lord in his closet. Besides, it was beyond Elijah’s legal jurisdiction to stop or cause it to rain; that’s solely God’s domain. Hence all Elijah could do was to pray an earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer, and make tremendous power available to effect the change he desired.

This is where some have missed it. They say, ‘’I confessed; I made a faith proclamation, yet nothing happened.’’ Be clear on this: faith always works! But before making a public proclamation of faith, there must first be a private dealing with the Lord. This is important especially when you are dealing with a case that’s outside your jurisdiction. Jesus prayed like this many times, and the power of God was always available to Him throughout His earthly ministry.

The key is being filled with the spirit at all times; this will make your faith proclamation effective: ‘’And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…’’ (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Confession:

The word of faith is in my heart and mouth today, and I speak it forth by the power of the Holy Ghost that’s at work in me. Definite changes are effected in my life today, and circumstances are altered for God as I release spirit-inspired words, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

1 Corinthians 14:4; Mark 11:23; Ephesians 5:18-20

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 6:1-29

Leviticus 24

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 13:46-52

Job 23-24

Choose To Pray Wednesday, Feb 22nd

Pastor Chris

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (1 Timothy 2:8).

Someone once said, ‘’I always feel reluctant to pray. How do I get free from this?’’ It’s just like someone who feels reluctant to eat. If you don’t eat, you will loose weight and become malnourished. But there’ll only be a change when you choose to act wisely by eating right. Same with prayer, when you feel reluctant to pray, that’s when you should pray. Remember, God has given you the power of choice, so you have the power to choose and exercise wisdom by acting on your knowledge of the importance of prayer.

This kind of wisdom is a force; it’s more than ability. You can have the ability to do something and not do it. But true wisdom is that you know what you should do, and you do it! So let that wisdom function in you at all times and cause you to do what’s right, like choosing to pray. Prayer is your life’s work, and the best way to learn to pray is to pray. Culture yourself to do this, Whether or not you feel like. Jesus said in Luke 18:1, ‘’…men ought always to pray, and not to faint,’’ He didn’t say, ‘’men ought always to pray when they feel like!’’

You have the power to decide what you what to do, so choose to pray. Take for example, Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2: ‘’Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.’’ Here, the Spirit of God teaches us something important, letting us know that whether or not we feel like it, in every season, we ought to preach the Gospel. The same thing with prayer; you pray in season and out of season!

Prayer doesn’t require a convenient place per se; you can pray any where, in any position. You don’t necessary have to find a place where you can kneel, or a place where you can shout. You can pray as quietly as possible, or as loudly as you want; you can pray sitting, lying, kneeling-whatever position. What’s important is that you pray. So you have no excuse not to pray. Make a decision to pray always-anywhere-and God will hear and answer you.

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the benefit, privilege and opportunity of prayer! I’m excited that you hear and answer me always when I pray. I declare that the grace of the lord Jesus Christ, The love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, is with me today, and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

Ephesians 6:18; Acts 3:1

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 5:21-43

Leviticus 22-23

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 13:31-45

Job 21-22

Refuse The Wrong Picture! Tuesday, Feb 21st

Pastor Anita

Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeveth (Mark 9:23).

The Bible tells us of a certain man named Jairus, whose daughter was sick to the point of death. In his worried and troubled state, someone told him to get the master’s attention, and he did: ‘’And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he feel at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, my little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him’’ (Mark 5:22-24).

As they journeyed, word came that the young girl was already dead, therefore no need for Jairus to trouble the master. But the Bible says ‘’As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said unto the ruler of the synagogue, be not afraid, only believe’’ (Mark 5:36). How comforting! The Master wanted Jairus to stop the fear and refuse the wrong picture. He’s saying the same thing to you today.

Perhaps you’ve been wondering what to do about a certain situation that seems to have defied every solution; refuse to fear; only believe! Refuse to be overwhelmed by the extend or enormity of the challenge. Rather, believe in the ability and power of the spirit to see you through victoriously. Where you envision in your spirit a positive outcome in every situation! When you receive unfavourable or discouraging news, don’t despair; don’t give up; only believe! That means stop the fear and refuse to doubt; envision only a positive outcome.

When life looks dark, and things seem impossible and difficult, and everything seems to be going down, hold your head up high and declare ‘’I’m a victor in Christ Jesus!’’ Refuse to let your heart be troubled by the unbelief, fear and doubt, and keep proclaiming in faith that you’re more than a conqueror.

Prayer:

Dear Father, I thank you for the hope you have given me in your word. I thank you for giving me freely all joy and peace in believing, that I may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

Hebrews 11:6

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 5:1-20

Leviticus 19-21

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 13:16-30

Job 19-20

Living Joyfully Is A Choice Monday, Feb 20th

Pastor Chris

You will show me the path of live. In your presence if fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasure forevermore (Psalm 16:11).

God doesn’t have the responsibility of making you Joyful. What He did was to put His joy in your spirit. Having been born again, you’ve been brought into the life of unending joy. Joy is inherent in your spirit; all you have to do is let it out. The Bible says in Romans 14:17 ‘’For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.’’ There’re certain features in your recreated human spirit, and one of them is joy; but it’s up to you to live joyfully all the time.

God isn’t going to make you any more joyful today than he already did when you were born again. Also, no one in the world has the responsibility of making you joyful; that job rests with you alone. So whether you live joyfully or not is actually your personal choice. Choose to be joyful; it pays. The Bible talks about the curative and therapeutic effect of a joyful heart: ‘’A merry heart doeth good like medicine’’ (Proverbs 17:22). Joyful, happy people are hardly ever sick.

You may say, ‘’I’m joyful, it’s just that I don’t show it’’ No. Joy has expressions. You can’t claim to be joyful and not express it. James 5:13 confirms it; it says, ‘’Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.’’ Joy has nothing to do with what is happening to you or around you; it’s got nothing to do with what others have said or done against you. It also has nothing to do with your experiences. You can be joyful in the midst of trouble, just like Paul and Silas when they were slammed in prison (Acts 16:25).

The Bible says the joy of the lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). When you’re joyful, you’re strengthened. If you think you’re weak, your recipe for strength is the joy of the lord. The joy of the Lord doesn’t come because someone said something funny to you; it’s spiritual. The apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 1:8 ‘’…ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.’’ Perhaps you were feeling downcast, abandoned or neglected, right away, you can stir up joy from within. When that joy wells up in you, you’ll be strengthened by the lord from inside through the Holy Spirit who lives and function in you.

Prayer:

Dear Father, my heart is filled with joy and laughter of the spirit today. I rejoice exceeding in the Holy Ghost with joy unspeakable and full of glory, irrespective of the circumstances and situations that I may face, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Further study:

Isaiah 12:3; Philippines 4:4

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 4:21-41

Leviticus 16-18

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 13:1-15

Job 17-18

Protect The Anointing! Sunday, Feb 19th

Pastor Chris

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you. And ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him (1 John 2:27).

Ignoring the Lord’s instructions could hinder the flow of the anointing in a man’s life. For a example, on a certain occasion, a prophet from Judah prophesied to king Jeroboam, but the prophesy got the king offended, and, pointing at the prophet, he demanded that he be killed. But immediately, the king’s hand dried up and became stiff. Terrified, he said to the prophet of God, ‘’…entreat now the favour of the lord your God and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me. And the man of God retreated the Lord, and the kings hands was restored and became as it was before’’ (1 kings 13:6 AMP).

Something instructive is recorded for us when you study the entire account in 1 kings 13. This same prophet had been commanded by God not to eat bread, drink water or return through the same way by which he came to the city. The prophet affirmed this himself when Jeroboam invited him to his palace to reward him for restoring his hand; he declined (1 kings 13:9). However, upon the invitation of another ‘’senior prophet,’’ who deceived him, this man of God went in to eat bread, and drink water, thus disobeying the instruction he had hitherto received from the Lord (1 kings 13:19).

The Bible records that when he was through, ‘’a lion met him by the road and slew him, and his corpse were cast in the way, and the donkey stood by it; the lion also stood by the corpse’’ (1 kings 13:24 AMP). The same anointing that protected the prophet from the anger of king Jeroboam could have protected him from the beast but it didn’t because the prophet didn’t protect the anointing. Was it God’s fault? No! God already laid the principle; He said in Ecclesiastes 10:8, ‘’…whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.’’ The prophet breached the hedge by not following God’s instruction.

God wants the best for you at all times; He’ll never give you a task without ensuring that every thing you require to accomplish it is available to you. He is good; He’s a perfect planner that you can trust, but He requires you to protect the anointing so you can be fully established in your life and ministry.

Prayer:

Dear heavenly father, I thank you for being a perfect planner I can trust and for calling and anointing me unto good works. Blessed Holy Spirit, I thank you for empowering me and for also giving me the grace to accomplish things beyond human ability, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study

1 kings 13:1-34

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 4:1-20

Leviticus 15

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 12:15-25

Job 15-16

The Way To Consistent Progress Saturday, Feb 18th

Pastor Anita

And now, brethren, I command you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified (Acts 20:32).

As Christians, we live by the word because we’re born of the word. The whole creation came into being through the word of God. The Bible says ‘’In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God’’ (john 1:1). He tells us all things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. He upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). In other words, the word of God sustains all things.

Your origin is the word of God, and the only material that God gave you to build your spirit is His word. There’s no hope for any one that ignores the word. Walking in the word-living it out-is the way to consistent progress. The Bible says in Proverbs 13:13AMP: ‘’Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] is rewarded.’’

To live contrary to the word is to programme yourself for failure. You must open your heart to the word, receive it voraciously and live by it: ‘’So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the word which implanted and rooted [in your heart] contains the power to save your souls’’ (James 1:21 AMP).

When ever you have the opportunity to hear God’s word, go for it with rapt attention and a wide appetite, and apply it to your personal life. Prove His word in your life. He isn’t afraid or intimidated to be put on the spot; He asked us to prove His word (Malachi 3:10). Put the word to work and it will affect relevant changes in your personal life. The word of God is God’s material to build your life and having you established on the path of consistent growth, progress and success in life.

Prayer:

I’m walking in the reality of my divine inheritance in Christ, because the word is at work in me! I’m not just a hearer but a doer of the word, therefore my faith is producing results and the wisdom, knowledge and the ability of the spirit are showing forth through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

Isaiah 55:10

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 3:13-35

Leviticus 13-14

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 12:1-14

Job 13-14

Be Courageous For The Gospel Friday, Feb 17th

Pastor Chris

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8).

The verse above lets us know our calling, as ministers of eternal verities. We’ve been ordained of God to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ; we’re to tell the untold about Jesus and reach the unreached. It’s the task of every one who is in Christ; you have a minister to your world. You’ve been charged with the responsibility to minister life, and the power of God, to the lost and hurting in the world. The Lord knows you’d require courage to achieve this, hence He gave you His precious Holy Spirit, to strengthen and empower you for the task.

To be an effective witness for Christ, you need courage-the boldness of the spirit in increasing measure. It brings to mind the charge the Lord gave Joshua as he was about to launch out into the ministry; He said to him, ‘’Only be thou strong and very courageous…’’ (Joshua 1:7). Courage is the ability to face danger and opposition fearlessly. It’s also the will and ability to stand for what’s right in spite of opposition. So being courageous for the Gospel means being willing and ready to do what’s right and necessary for the propagation of the Gospel, in spite of opposition.

What is needed in the ministry of the Gospel today are men and women of courage; courage to affirm your faith in Christ, no matter the adversity. The Lord Jesus, the apostles, and the early church stood their grounds for the Gospel in spite of oppositions. They didn’t chicken out. They withstood kings and despots of their time; they weren’t scared to die for the Gospel. This positive courage and passion to minister life, to strengthen others-bring them into God’s light-and lift them out of the thralldom of spiritual darkness should spur you on for the Gospel.

Have that inner motivation to make the Gospel known at all cost. That’s the spirit that makes you do every thing for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your highest pursuit in life should be making the Gospel known; it’s the greatest cause to live for.

Prayer:

Heavenly father, I thank you for the privilege given to me to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and minister life to those in my world, through the Gospel. Thank you for empowering me for this glorious task which I’m glad to carry out today, by the power of your spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

Mathew 28:19

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 2:22-31

Leviticus 11-12

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 11:16-30

Job 11-12

See with Your Heart! Thursday, Feb 16th

Pastor Chris

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

The underlined portion of our opening verse refers to the limitless nature of the human spirit. God has set eternity in the hearts of men so they may have extraordinary capacity to contemplate, envision or see. The word translated ‘’world’’ above is the Hebrew ‘’olam’’ which means from vanishing point or eternity. The reason God can relate with man and instruct him to dominate his world is because He has set eternity in mans spirit. There’s no limit to the extent, reach and capacity to which the human spirit can function.

For example, in Genesis 13:14-15, the Lord said to Abraham: ‘’…lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.’’ Romans 4:13 reveals that by faith, Abraham encompassed the whole world with his spirit from where he stood; and on that premise, God willed the whole world to him. This shows that you can envision and encompass territories cities, nations and even the whole world in your heart through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit can open your understanding for you to become aware and able to comprehend the wonderful blessings God has prepared for you to enjoy (1 Corinthians 2:12). The principle is: See it inside first-with your heart-the eyes of your spirit. This is beyond seeing with your physical eyes or the imaginative power of your mind. It has to do with the power of the Holy Spirit catapulting you into God’s realm, where your spirit can see as God wants you to see, and interpret what He shows you.

Consciously practice seeing with your heart by meditating on the word, and contemplating the realities of the heavenly kingdom, to which you belong. This will make you a creator; a maker and a wonder to your world because of the ability of the spirit granted you to see things that are hidden to the natural man.

Prayer:

Dear father, I thank you for enlightening the eyes of my understanding to comprehend the immeasurable, unlimited and surpassing greatness of your power at work in me! Thank you for granting me insight into mysteries and secrets, in the deep and intimate knowledge of you, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study

Joel 2:28

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 2:1-22

Leviticus 9-10

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 11:1-15

Job 9-10

Made For His Glory Wednesday, Feb 15th

Pastor Anita

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Chris Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned before hand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them {living the good life which He rearranged and made ready for us to live] Ephesians 2:10 AMP).

One of the biggest and most inspiring truths of the Gospel ever to be communicated to us is that as a Christian, we’re actually God’s reproduction; His handiwork! You’re His excellently created masterpiece. This ought to stir faith in your heart and make you value yourself more. To think that God created you, and ordained you to a life of eternal fruitfulness and productivity, even though humbling, is absolutely worth shouting about!

God has never made a failure; that he gave birth to you means you’re a success already. Sickness, poverty, disease, death and defeat are not consistent with your life; they’re not part of your ‘’spiritual DNA.’’ God made you for His glory; therefore your life is to the praise and glory of His Name; never look down on yourself.

You’re the Glory of God. It doesn’t matter what your experiences may have been; Believe and receive the word of God to you today. Refuse and refuse any description that tends to portray you otherwise. Call yourself what God has called you. He has made you healthy, victorious, supper-intelligent, prosperous, strong, influential and rich! Therefore say ‘’yes, Lord, I’m what you say I am. I’m healthy, victorious, super-intelligent, prosperous, strong, influential and rich!’’

Believe and keep talking like this every day! Some people may say you’re boasting, but as Pastor Chris always say, ‘’keep saying it; don’t stop talking it!’’ Keep declaring who you are; you’re God’s best. He gave birth to you to show you off as first-class and the crown of all his creation (James 1:18). You’re called to display the virtues and perfections of divinity! You were made for His glory and perfected for the good life!

Confession:

My life is for the glory of God! I’m created for success and the good life; I have in me the indestructible life, therefore I can never be defeated! I walk in health, victory, prosperity and strength today, because the Greater one lives in me!

Further Study:

1 Peter 2:9; Philippians 4:13; James 1:18

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 1:21-45

Leviticus 8

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 10:32-48

Job 7-8

Believe And Do The Word Tuesday, Feb 14th

Pastor Chris

But be he doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1-22).

Some people are puzzled as to what to do to make the word of God effective in their lives. Their concern is similar to the question the Jews put to Jesus in John 6:28-29: ‘’Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.’’

To believe the word is to believe in Jesus, for He is the living word. Doing the word of God is proof that you believe it. Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandment; that means to do my word. The word of God has the ability, potential and capacity to produce what it says. James, in his epistles describes the blessedness of the one who hears and does the word: ‘’But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed’’ (James 1:25)

The blessing is in doing and not just hearing the word. Be sure to provide a good ground in your heart for the word of God because the word will naturally produce results once it’s sown in good ground. What guarantees it’s effectiveness in your life is your faith response. Faith is action added to the word that you heard; it’s the response of your human spirit to the word of God.

For the word to be effective in your life you must mix it with faith; you must believe and act on it. The Bible describes some in whose lives the word wasn’t affective, not because the word was void of power, for no word of God is void of power, but they didn’t mix the word with faith: ‘’For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it’’ (Hebrews 4:2).

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank you for sowing your word into my spirit; your word is working mightily in me today, producing in me what it talks about because I’m a doer of the word. With faith, meekness and gladness I receive and act on your word to me today, to build me up and catapult me to my next level of success, victory and prosperity in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study

Joshua 1:8; James 1:22-25

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 1:1-20

Leviticus 6-7

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 10:16-31

Job 5-6

Strengthen The Inner Man Monday Feb 13th

Pastor Chris

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthen with might by his spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:14-16). 

 

Man is a spirit and he dwells in a body. That spirit or inner man is the real you. As the body or outward man can be weak, so can the inner man be weak if not properly nurtured spiritually. Your inner man must be strengthened with might-miracle working ability-at all times for you to be able to deal with the crises of life.

Food is to the physical body what the word, prayer, and meditation are to your inner man. Your inner man is strengthened as you spend time studying and meditating on the word, and praying in the spirit, in other tongues. You also develop the right character and are able to do the things of God more effectively.

Christians who vacillate, not being able to do the things they should do, or strong enough to refuse those things they shouldn’t do, demonstrate an inner weakness. When the inward man is energized, he’ll make the body do what it’s supposed to do, and refrain the body from doing what it shouldn’t do. You need that inner fortitude and strengthening in your spirit to forge ahead in life.

You may say ‘’I like to pray, but sometimes I just can’t get myself together to do it’’; or ‘’I want to win souls, but somehow I feel too shy and intimidated to speak.’’ Such things happen when your spirit is not energized. When your inner man is strengthened, you become fervent in the things of God all the time. You’ll love to pray and praise God; studying the word will become an exhilarating experience for you! It won’t be hard for you to talk to somebody about Jesus; because you’re energized for the Gospel from within; you’re on top every day, bubbling for the Lord.

Prayer:

In the name of Jesus I’m strengthened with divine enablement in my inner man by the Holly Ghost. I function today with the spirit of might, dominion and excellence, as the word of God gains the mastery in my spirit, soul and body; dominating my thoughts and actions, in Jesus’ Name,

Further Study:

Colossians 1:11; Psalm 84:7 (NIV); Colossians 1:29

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mathew 28

Leviticus 4-5

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 10:1-15

Job 3-4

Enjoy All Things Sunday, Feb 12th

Pastor Anita

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours (1 Corinthians 3:21-22).

Everything you need for life and godliness has already been granted you in Christ Jesus. Our heavenly Father, through Christ has given you the best life-a life of victory, success, authority, joy and laughter; a life void of sickness, disease, poverty, defeat and death. Some people believe they have to suffer and settle for lesser things in life. For them, it’s wrong to look good, wear nice things and live in a good home. They’re of the notion that if you live in poverty, you’ll go to heaven; but if you have all the nice things of life, you’ll probably go to hell.

That you have good things and enjoy a prosperous life on earth doesn’t mean you won’t make heaven. Some of the greatest men in heaven as revealed to us in the word were men of means and of great substance while they were on earth. Talk about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David; these were no paupers! They enjoyed their lives and subdued the world of their time. Living in poverty, sickness and defeat is not at all the yardstick for those who’ll go to heaven.

Understand the will of God for your life; He made you after His own image and likeness, to life in dominion and exercise divine authority in the earth. The Bible talks about the suffering of Christ and the glory that should follow (1 Peter 1:11)! That means now that you’re born again your life is for glory. There’s absolutely no need to live a defeated or miserable life. The Lord has perfected every thing that concerns you; so go ahead, relish the moment and enjoy your life in Christ.

Prayer:

Dear Father, I thank you for giving me every thing to enjoy, having supplied all my needs according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Thank you for giving me such a glorious life of joy. Peace and laughter! I’m reigning in life by the power of the Holy Spirit, conscious that your Divine power has given me all things that pertain to life and godliness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study: 

 

2 Peter 1:3

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mathew 27:45-66

Leviticus 1-3

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 9:31-43

Job 1-2

Ever-Increasing Grace Saturday, Feb 11th

Pastor Chris

But grow in grace, and in knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

Grace is the outward reflection of the inner working of the power of God in your life. It’s the reflection of the beauty and influence of the Holy Spirit, and the word of God in you, producing acceptability, advantage, favour, joy, liberality, gift and pleasure. Every Christian has received grace in abundance (Romans 5:17); but the measure or degree to which it’s seen reflected through you is dependent on you.

You have the responsibility to see that the grace of God upon your life increases in a greater measure. 2 Peter 1:2 shows you how the grace of God can be multiplied in your life; it’s through the knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus: ‘’Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.’’ As the knowledge of God and his word increase in your life, you’ll walk in increased grace. Your testimony then becomes like that of the Apostles in the early church: ‘’And with greater power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all’’ (Act 4:33)

The Greek word translated ‘’grow’’ in our opening verse is ‘’auxano’’ and it means to give increase to, or enlarge. Notice that the Bible didn’t say for you to pray to God for increased grace, rather it shows your how to ‘’enlarge’’ or ‘’give increase’’ to the grace that’s already been made available to you in Christ. You do this through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Greek word for knowledge in 2 Peter 1:2 is ‘’epignosis.’’ It means full knowledge that transcends mere awareness; an esoteric knowledge-a discernment of full understanding of God and of the Lord our saviour, Jesus Christ. Recognize, perceive, and become fully acquainted with God and His living word-Jesus Christ-and you will walk in ever increasing-grace. That way, the grace of God that brings acceptability, advantage, beauty and excellence will function in you in ever-increasing measure.

Confession:

I’m growing in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The grace of God that brings acceptability, advantage, joy, favour, liberality, gift, pleasure and beauty is working in me in an ever-increasing measure. Amen!

Further Study:

Act 20:32; Romans 5:17

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mathew 27:27-44

Exodus 40

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 9:16-30

Esther 9-10