Receive Forgiveness And Move On! Wednesday, 25th

Pastor Chris

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14).

Someone once asked, ‘’I’m born-again, but I’m always drawn to sin. Does that mean I’m really not born again?’’ That you did something wrong, having given your life to Christ doesn’t mean you’re no longer a Christian. 1 John 1:9 says, ‘’if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’’ Something very important you need to realize from this verse is that it’s not referring to non-Christians but Christians. Also read 1 John 2:1-2: ‘’my little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins…’’

This lets you know it’s possible to err or fall into sin, but the emphasis the Holy Spirit communicates is that, you can receive forgiveness and live in the consciousness that sin can’t rule over you. That you did something wrong doesn’t mean you’re lost your salvation; receive forgiveness and live for the Lord. Ephesians 2:8 says, ‘’for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’’ You were born again by faith when you believed in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and confess with your mouth that he is the Lord of your life. It had nothing to do with your feelings. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says ‘’For we walk by faith, not by sight.’’ This means you’re not to walk by your sensory perception but by the Word of God.

Hebrews 4:16 says, ‘’Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.’’ This is what you need to do as a Christian, if you do something wrong; don’t condemn yourself; boldly and humbly commune with the father, confess your wrong and ask His forgiveness. Once you’ve done that, receive forgiveness and move on in your walk of faith.

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for your grace. Love, kindness, and mercy towards me. I’m strengthened in my faith-walk today, knowing that nothing can separate me from your great love as I exercise myself in righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study

2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 5:13-14

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Luke 21:5-38

1 Samuel 23-25

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Romans 15:20-33

Psalm 125:129

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The Value Of Your Existence Thursday, April 26th

Pastor Chris

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).

The most important thing in life is to discover God’s purpose for your life and fulfill it. Life isn’t about material gains. If you were to be the sole owner of everything in the world, that’ll be nothing compared to the value of your soul. Jesus said, ‘’…A man’s life doesn’t consist in the abundance of his possessions’’ (Luke 12:15). Your primary reason for being isn’t to amass wealth or become famous. You might then want to ask, ‘’why am I living?’’

There’re two primary reasons you’re living today. The first is that God wants you to learn His Word and understand how His kingdom functions so you’d function affectively in the world to come. He wants you to be a master over circumstances in this life so you’d be a giant and a champion in the world to come, ruling over nations: ‘’And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations’’ (Revelations 2:26).

Scondly, He wants you to bear witness of the reality of the kingdom and be a testimony of His salvation. Jesus gave us a charge to go ‘’…into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature’’ (Mark 16:15). You’ve got to witness to the fact that Christ has brought salvation to the whole world. There’re people who may never hear the Gospel except through you; those in your sphere of contact, and the regions beyond.

2 Corinthians 3:6 says: ‘’who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament…’’ The Lord has called you, and made you an able minister; you’ve been chosen and sent to preach the Gospel. These are the primary reasons for your life; therefore, channel all your energies and zeal on a daily basis in these directions, and be sure to fulfil God’s purpose for your life.

Prayer

Dear Father, you’ve made my life beautiful, glorious and exciting; and for this I worship you! Thank you for making me an able minister of the Gospel, and the wisdom you’ve granted me to teach those around me the kingdom-life! I’m growing in grace and in the knowledge of your word, being thoroughly positioned to live the transcendent life here on earth, and to see that the Gospel goes to the regions beyond, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Further Study

Hebrews 6:5; 1 Peter 4:13

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Luke 22:1-38

1 Samuel 26-28

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Romans 16:1-11

Psalm 130:134

joy-of-lord-in-your-spirit

There’s Hope For You In Christ! Tuesday, April 24th

Pastor Anita

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

As Jesus told of the signs of the end times in Luke 21:26, He explained: ‘’people will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world…’’ (CEV). The events we see in the world today are indications of the gross darkness that has enveloped the world: Economic meltdown, health epidemic, wars, natural disasters and terrorism. These and more have taken their toll on many, with whole nations becoming bankrupt and completely at sea as to the way forward.

Though the scriptures declare that perilous times will come upon the earth, the believer in Christ is enjoined not to fret: ‘’These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’’ (John 16:33). Refuse to allow your heart to be troubled by the many ills plaguing today’s world, for you’re not of this world! God has separated you from the world and give you a live beyond this world.

You’ll live victoriously and triumphantly above sickness, disease, inflation and all other negative influences if you’d simply live by God’s principles; His Word. That’s all He ask; that you only believe and live by His Word. His power is always available in His Word; and when you believe and act your faith, that power is activated to produce the results you desire. It therefore doesn’t matter the extent of the hardships in the world today; see them as opportunities for you to shine in a dark world.

Job 22:29 says, ‘’When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up…’’ There’s lifting up for you in Christ; so cheer up, for Christ in you is your hope of glory. When life looks dark and things seems impossible and difficult, hold your hand up high and declare, ‘’Christ in me, is my hope of victory in this situation!’’

Confession

Christ in me is my hope of a triumphant and glorious today, and an excellent and successful future because in Him I live, move, and have my being; my life is secure in Him who causes all things to work together for my good! Praise the Lord.

Further Study

Mark 5:36; Mark 11:23

true-success-foundation-thursday

We’ve Received Of His Fullness Monday, April 23rd

Pastor Chris

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him (John 3:34).

2 Kings 2 tells the story of the great prophet, Elijah, and how he was transported via a chariot of fire to heaven. But before that time, Elisha, one of the prophets that served him entreated ‘’…I pray thee, let the double portion of thy spirit be upon me’’ (2 kings 2:9). Today, there’re Christians who take a cue from Elisha and pray that the Lord would grant them ‘’a double portion’’ of the anointing. That’s a wrong prayer. The new creation doesn’t require any double portion of the anointing because He’s got all of it! When you were born again and the Holy Spirit came into your life, He didn’t come in bits and fragments; He came to dwell in you in His fullness.

What Elisha meant by ‘’double portion’’ is understood from Moses’ instruction to the Israelites about the rights of the firstborn in Deuteronomy 21:17: ‘’…he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.’’ What this means is that, if for example, a man had six sons, he’d have to divide his entire inheritance into seven places, such that the first born gets a double share, as the right of the firstborn, while the remaining five sons get one each.

This was what Elisha requested for, the right of the firstborn. He wanted to assume the position of leadership amongst the other prophets in Israel, who at that time were under the tutelage of the prophet Elijah. And because of his spiritual perception, he got it and became the leading prophet over them (Read 2 kings 2:1-25 for details). It’s a misapprehension to say that Elisha wanted twice what Elijah had; there’s no way that could have happened because it would mean Elisha asking Elijah for what he (Elijah) didn’t have.

You don’t have to ask God for a double portion of the Spirit, because the Bible says ‘’And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace’’ (John 1:16). Just as the Lord Jesus had the Spirit without measure, because he was sent of the Father, you also have the Spirit without measure (John 3:34) because Jesus said, ‘’…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you’’ (John 20:21). So, all you need do is to continually get yourself filled with the Spirit to overflowing as the Apostle Paul admonished in Ephesians 5:18-19.

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit whom I’ve received in His fullness. I declare today that He is fully operational in me; and as I stir up the anointing in me, I’m enabled to change circumstances and impact the lives of those around me with the power of the spirit, in Jesus’ Name: Amen.

Further Study

John 20:21; Ephesians 5:18-20

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Luke 20:1-19

1 Samuel 18-19

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Romans 15:1-9

Psalm 119:129-176

it-pays-to-act-your-faith

Today’s Truth-Christ In Your! Sunday, April 22nd

To whom God will make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Corinthians 1:27).

The revelation of God’s character you have will primarily determine how much of His truth and glory you’ll function in. In the Old Testament, God revealed His character progressively to the children of Israel. To Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He revealed Himself as ‘’El-Shaddai,’’ meaning, God almighty. They thus function within the ambit of that revelation. Later on, when He met Moses, He said, ‘’…I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God almighty (El-Shaddai), but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them’’ (Exodus 6:3).

Moses had a higher revelation of God, different from that of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. At different times, as he and the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness, God revealed Himself as ‘’Jehovah Rapha’’; the Lord your Healer (Exodus 15:26), ‘’Jehovah Nissi’’; the Lord our banner (Exodus 17:15) etc. The Lord took them through these progressions of revelations so they could be further enlightened and enabled to function in His greater glory.

Then came Jesus. In Mathew 1:23, when Jesus was born, God revealed Himself to Israel as ‘’Emmanuel’’; meaning ‘’God with us!’’ In Christ, God came as a man and dwelt among them, and they saw His glory (John 1:14). However, as beautiful as these revelations are of the character of God, they only project a limited view of who He is to the Church-the body of Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, God now dwells in you. He’s no longer ‘’Emmanuel’’ (God with us); but ‘’God in us’’

That’s what we read in our opening verse: ‘’Christ in you, the hope of glory.’’ This is today’s truth. If you’ve received the Holy Spirit, God now dwells in you; you’re His operational headquarters! Through you, He now administers life, grace and salvation to a dying and hurting world!

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for your presence in my life, making me your living temple! I carry your ever abiding presence within me everywhere to affect my world; and through me, you make evident the fragrance of your knowledge in every place, in Jesus’ Name: Amen

Further Study

Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Luke 19:28-48

1 Samuel 16-17

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Romans 14:12-23

Psalm 119:65-128

create-your-victorious-life

The Joy Of The Lord In Your Spirit Saturday, April 21th

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11).

In life, people naturally seek to be joyfully fulfilled. Some try to find it in their job, family, possessions or friends. Some others live in servitude to the judgments or opinion of others about them. When others say or do nice things to them or for them, they’re happy; but at the slightest feeling of rejection they become bitter, resentful and frustrated. Never live your life that way. Your joy should be independent of circumstances and the opinions of others about you.

James 1:2 says, ‘’…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.’’ The Apostles, and even the Lord Jesus endured serious persecution and rejection, yet they remained undaunted in their resolve to fulfill God’s dream. Even after the Apostles were openly ridiculed and beaten for preaching the Gospel, the Bible says they were filled with joy to be counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name (Acts 5:40-41). That wasn’t ordinary joy; it was the joy of the Lord in their spirits. If you ever feel discouraged, downcast, or rejected, all you have to do is to consciously activate the joy of the Lord from within and you’ll be strengthened. You don’t have to wait for anything or anyone to make you joyful; evoke joy from within.

Never be dissatisfied or unhappy because of the challenging circumstances you might be facing or the ill treatment you get from others! You’re more than a conqueror; therefore no adversity can overwhelm you. When trouble comes, laugh; and then say like Paul, ‘’None of these things move me…’’ (Acts 20:24), because you know you’re a victor. God has given you joy that isn’t dependent on the situations around you; joy that flows from your spirit as gushers of living water. So live joyfully every day and be exuberant about life.

Prayer

The joy of the Lord is my strength, and I rejoice in Him today, for He has filled my life with His goodness. I refuse to be perturbed about anything because I’ve cast all my cares upon the Lord, who is my caretaker and provider! Amen.

Further Study

Psalm 16:11; John 14:27

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Luke 19:1-27

1 Samuel 14-15

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Romans 14:1-11

Psalm 119-1-64

his-infinite-grace-saturday

See And Receive Friday, April 20th

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:11-12).

Ephesians 1:3 tells us that God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul refers to them as the things that are freely given to us of God (1 Corinthians 2:12). These include spiritual, physical, and material blessings. Being born again, you’ve become Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise’’ (Galatians 3:29).

You’ve been blessed with faithful Abraham (Galatians 3:9); there’s not a blessing from God that’s not already yours in Christ Jesus. However, you have to first see and lay hold of God’s blessings with your spirit, through the eyes of faith, to enjoy them. God’s Word is spiritual, and it’s made for the human spirit; it imparts faith to your spirit. No one can fully describe from a human point of view how the Word of God imparts faith! There’s a spiritual chemistry to it; a reaction of the spirit to the Word of God that produces undeniable results.

Faith comes through the Word (Romans 10:17), and as you keep hearing the Word, it brings you a picture of your desires; a picture of possibilities. At such times, it’s important you apprehend what you see. Faith is the substance of things hoped for; that hope is the picture of your desire, and it will come to you through the Word. When it comes, and you accept, confess and endorse the reality of what you’ve seen, it becomes established. If it’s healing you need for your body, or increase in your finances; whatever it may be, see and receive it from the Word. This is how you receive all of the spiritual blessings contained in God’s Word for you.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for all the blessings that are mine in Christ Jesus; thank you for opening my eyes to recognize and take a hold of them by faith! I walk in divine health, promotion and prosperity today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study

Genesis 13:15; 2 Corinthians 3:18 (WEB)

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Luke 18:15-43
1 Samuel 11-13

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Romans 13:1-14

Psalm 115-118

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