Ministering To The Lord—The Essence Of Worship

Monday, December 31st

Pastor Chris

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; ... As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said… (Acts 13:1-2).

Ministering to the Lord is a very important aspect of our Christian service; it’s the essence of worship. You’ll never know the depth in the Spirit beyond the ordinary, until you start ministering to the Lord. Ministering to the Lord is something you do consciously, not passively. The first thing to do in ministering to the Lord is to focus your attention on Him in worship. Secondly, learn to speak words of praise to Him from your spirit; words that extol His majesty. Such praise should have content.

For example, simply saying, "Lord, I praise you!" isn’t enough. You’ve got to tell Him what you’re praising Him for. Tell Him how wonderful, loving and kind He is; you ought to give substance to your praises of Him. So in ministering to the Lord, you focus your attention on Him and praise Him from your spirit with words of worship and thanksgiving. The Lord responds to you when you minister to Him like this.

Hebrews 13:15 shows us that in ministering to the Lord, we’re to offer tribute or speech that acknowledges and celebrates His Name: "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." As you make confessions in His Name, Jesus, being your Great High Priest, presents them before the Father, who receives your words of praise and worship as a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour.

There’s so much to thank the Lord for, so lift your hands in worship and love to Him right now, and bless Him for who He is. Worship Him passionately from your spirit as you anticipate the greater glory and victories He has in store for you in the coming year.

Prayer

Dear Father I thank you for your grace, kindness, and love. I thank you for your mighty hand upon my life, and the ability of the Spirit to excel and prosper in all things. I receive in my spirit the wisdom, counsel and guidance I need to live triumphantly today, and dominate the circumstances of life, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 1 Peter 2:5; Ezekiel 45:4; Revelation 8:4
Daily Scripture Reading
1 Year Reading Plan : Malachi 3-4 Revelation 22
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 22:11-21 Malachi 3-4

---

Four Vital Activities Of The Human Spirit

Sunday, December 30th
Pastor Anita

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8).


There are four vital spiritual activities, which if practiced consistently, would cause your recreated human spirit to bring forth good things. In no particular order, first among these is meditation on the Word. Meditation helps drive the Word of God deep into your spirit; it causes the Word to be seasoned in your spirit, causing it to grow mightily in you and prevail.

Meditation on the Word is a sure recipe for a successful life: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8). As you meditate on the Word, your profiting—your success, prosperity and total wellbeing will become evident to all (1Timothy 4:15).

Another important spiritual activity you must constantly engage in is prayer. Prayer conditions your spirit and improves the quality of your personality. Through prayer, you’re able to effect changes in the realm of the spirit and cause circumstances to align with God’s perfect will for your life. No wonder Jesus said in Luke 18:1, "…that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Praying with Pastor Chris on Yookos every monday, wednesday, and friday has become valuable to Christians all over the world because it has birthed a new understanding and re-culturing on prayer; be sure to get involved.

Another vital activity of the human spirit is speaking in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:4 says, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…." The word "edifieth" also means to improve, build up, strengthen, and energize. This is what speaking in tongues does for your spirit: it improves, builds, strengthens, and energizes you.

Finally, speaking the Word at all times: this is another vital activity of the human spirit, and it’s of equal importance. The Lord emphasized this when He admonished Joshua to keep the Word in his mouth at all times (Joshua 1:8). You don’t have to wait for calamity to strike before you speak the Word. Take out time every day for "talking sessions"; speak God’s Word concerning your success, victory, prosperity, and health! The Bible says, "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things…" (Matthew 12:35). Bring forth the good things inside you through these activities of your human spirit!

Confession


My life is for the glory of God! I dwell in the secret place of the most high, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty, in health, safety, prosperity and joy, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 2 Peter 1:8
Daily Scripture Reading
1 Year Reading Plan : Malachi 1-2 Revelation 21
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 22:1-10 Malachi 1-2

---

The Life Of Christ In You

Saturday, December 29th

Pastor Chris

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

It’s not a promise, but a statement of fact—a present moment reality—that God has given us life, and that this life is in His Son. 1John 5:12 says, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." God is definite as to where this life is and how to get it: It’s in the Son. Anyone who has the Son of God has this life.

There’s something about this life of Christ in you; it makes you invincible and indomitable. In John 10:10, the Lord Jesus said the reason He came was to give us this supernatural life of God. 1John 3:8 further tells us why this life was manifested unto us: "…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." What this means is that the life of Christ in you will destroy, paralyze and render useless the works of the devil in your life, in your family, in your finances and in your job. You have no reason to be afraid of anything in life.

Romans 8:10 says, "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." In other words, if you have the life of Christ in you, it doesn’t matter what may have gone wrong in your physical body, it will come alive because of righteousness. Though your body may be dead, broken, or crushed because of sin, the Spirit gives it life because of righteousness. Even if your body were broken with HIV, it makes no difference; this verse alone should make you well and change your destiny.

A pensive study of Colossians 1:26-27 reveals that the life of Christ in you has been God’s dream through the ages. It says, "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ in you is your hope of victory over all of life’s challenges and the negative system of this world.

Confession

 I have the life and nature of God in me; therefore, I’m an overcomer and more than a conqueror. I live the triumphant and victorious life in Christ, far above principalities and powers of darkness and the negative systems of this world.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: John 3:16; 1 John 1:1-2
Daily Scripture Reading
1 Year Reading Plan : Zechariah 12-14 Revelation 20
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 21:13-27 Zechariah 13-14

---

Refuse To Be Limited!

Friday, December 28th Pastor Chris Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23). Many years ago, malaria and tuberculosis were said to be medically incurable, until medical research developed a cure for them. Presently, H.I.V/ AIDS is considered incurable because medical science is yet to come up with a proven cure. This goes to show that the tag of incurability is another term for the limitation of human knowledge and understanding. Never accept from anyone that your condition is hopeless or incurable. Refuse to have your life limited by the limited understanding of others. For the Christian, there’s no such thing as a hopeless situation, neither is there any problem that’s insurmountable. No sickness can be said to be incurable; not when you have your switch of faith turned on. Consider for example, the story of the woman with the issue of blood. She suffered haemorrhage for twelve years and was given up to die. Her condition was certified medically incurable. Being a wealthy woman, she spent all her livelihood on medical bills until she became impoverished, and instead of getting better, her condition grew worse. Such was the "hopelessness" of her situation until she heard about Jesus. Hope rose up in her and she said, "…if I may but touch his clothes, I shall be whole" (Mark 5:28). She proceeded, against the odds, to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and instantly, "…the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague" (Mark 5:29). The Master took note of this and commended her faith, saying, "…Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague" (Mark 5:34). This clearly demonstrates the overcoming power of faith. No wonder Jesus said, "all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23). If you’ve found yourself in a dire situation which man’s wisdom or scientific knowledge has termed hopeless or incurable, refuse to be daunted. Trouble may come, but you must refuse to faint in the day of adversity (Proverbs 24:10). Never accept any situation as impossible. You can change anything by putting your faith to work. Prayer Dear heavenly Father, what a blessed hope I have in you! I’m so grateful to be a partaker of the divine life! Now, every fear is gone and I’m full of faith, dominating my world and maintaining my victory in Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. f u r t h e r s t u d y: Mark 11:24; John 14:14 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : Zechariah 9-11 Revelation 19:11-21 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 21:1-12 Zechariah 11-12

Immersed Into Christ

Thursday, December 27th  

Pastor Anita

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).

The word "baptize" is from the Greek word "baptizo" which means to dip into or to immerse completely in. This means everyone who’s born again has been dipped into or completely immersed in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:13, the Apostle Paul reveals "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." Notice it says, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized…." This means the Holy Spirit is the One who baptized us into Christ.

This is different from water baptism, which was only symbolic of a reality that had taken place in a man’s spirit. The Christian’s baptism into Christ is not a theory or a figure of speech, but a tangible reality. Romans 6:3-4 says "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." The moment you openly declared that Jesus Christ is your Lord, that He died for you, and that God raised Him from the dead, the Holy Spirit did something in your life. He awakened you to the fatherhood of God, and made you one with Him. He baptized you into Christ, and the Christ-life was imparted to your spirit. This is eternal life. Your spirit was thus, recreated.

The union between you—the new creation—and Christ is more than a physical union. It’s the union of your spirit with the Lord. Your spirit has become one with Christ. This is Christianity! It’s the life of Christ in a man, and the life of the man in Christ.

Confession
Dear Father, I thank you because you live in me and I in you. In you I live, and move, and have my being. Therefore, my life is supernatural and of unending victory having been completely immersed in Christ. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Colossians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Zechariah 7-8 Revelation 19:1-10
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 20:1-15 Zechariah 9-10

---

Born To Love Like Him

Wednesday, December 26th  

Pastor Chris

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34).

Back in the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites several commandments or laws, which He instructed them to obey as a condition for enjoying the blessings of the covenant He had with Abraham. However, in the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ, before His crucifixion, said in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." He brought in a new commandment which effectively abolished the previous commandments of the Old Testament (Ephesians 2:15). This new commandment is that we should love one another as He has loved us.

After the Lord gave this commandment He proceeded to die on the cross for us, and God raised Him from the dead. He rose up from the dead with a new life, and God said to Him, "…Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" (Hebrews 5:5). He is thus the head of the new creation; we’re born of Him to love like Him. Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us to be imitators of God, and "…walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour."

We can emulate our heavenly Father to walk in love because His love is in us. Romans 5:5 says, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." God has put His love in your heart so you can love the same way He does, and so fulfil the new commandment to love one another.

The number one reason for sin, (which the Bible describes as the transgression of the Law in 1John 3:4), is selfishness; greed—the very opposite of love. When you love, you give "…for God so loved the world that He gave…" (John 3:16). Love gives, and is considerate of others; but selfishness is only self-centred. That’s why the Bible says, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (1 John 4:8). Being born again, you’re born of love; you have the nature of love, therefore it’s natural for you to love others the way God loves you.

Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for your blessed Word and its power in my life. I take your Word into my heart to do it, to become all that you want me to be and do all you want me to do, all to the glory and praise of your name, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: John 15:12; Romans 13:10

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 18, Zechariah 4-6
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 19:11-21 Zechariah 7-8

---

Christmas: A Celebration Of Christ In You!

Tuesday, December 25th  

Pastor Chris

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

Colossians 2:9 tells us that in Christ Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; that includes the Father, and the Holy Spirit. This is the reason when you call the Name Jesus, the Holy Spirit, who is the power of God and the doer of God’s works, goes into action. He answers to that Name. Colossians 1:19 (AMP) says, "For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him permanently."

Jesus never needed to get wisdom, knowledge or power from anywhere else but inside Him. In Him"… are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). He never needed more of God, because the totality of Deity was inside Him. This is the quality of the Person of Jesus; He is "loaded" with God! No wonder He declared of Himself: "For even as the Father has life in Himself and is self-existent, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself and be self-existent" (John 5:26 AMP). He is everything that God is.

In the same vein, if you’ve received Christ into your life, you have everything! Christ in you is all you need! You don’t need to source for wisdom, knowledge or power from outside anymore; look inwards! The Bible says you’re complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10); that means you’re perfected in Him, who is the full representation or icon of the Godhead. There’s nothing lacking or missing in your life today, because there’s nothing you didn’t get in Christ Jesus.

This is the real meaning of Christmas; it’s the celebration of the life of Christ in you. Christmas means much more than the birth of the infant Jesus in a manger; it’s the celebration of Christ and all that we are and have in Him. The Word declares that as He (Jesus) is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17). In Christ, we have EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Let this mind be in you as you celebrate today.

Confession
Christ, the embodiment of all knowledge, wisdom and power is alive and exalted in me, working and touching lives through me! I manifest His wisdom, ability and power; and I’m full of His might today! Blessed be God!

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Acts 10:38; Colossians 1:27

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 17, Zechariah 1-3
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 19:1-10, Zechariah 5-6

---

God Isn’t Difficult

 MONDAY, DECEMBER 24th  

Pastor Anita

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest (Hebrews 8:11).

One attribute of our heavenly Father that many tend to overlook is His simplicity. Yes, He’s all-powerful, He’s awesome; He’s wonderful, but yet very simple. Religious people try to make Him appear difficult and unreachable. In the Old Testament, they kept Him between burning candles, behind the veil. Religious Christianity portrays Him as a stern warrior, an unapproachable "consuming fire." But that’s not the kind of God He is. He’s loving, gracious and compassionate.

The Bible tells us how on a certain day, three angels, in the form of men, came walking by, trying to get Abraham’s attention. Abraham then called out to the three men, who turned out to be two angels and the Lord Himself. He said, "...My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant. Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said" (Genesis 18:3-5).

Genesis 18:8 tells us that Abraham then "...took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat." Consider the implication of this encounter closely. The Almighty God sat down with two angels and Abraham, His creatures, under a tree and ate. The God of Heaven ate of man’s food. After eating, He said to Abraham, "…I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son…." (Genesis 18:10). This clearly shows the kind of God He is; He’s just so simple to relate to and fellowship with.

Let this consciousness of the Father’s simplicity guide your relationship with Him. He loves you and delights to fellowship with you. Take advantage of His simplicity in your prayer life to build a rich fellowship with Him.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, it’s so refreshing to learn from your Word this day. I thank you for removing the myth of complexity that religion has woven around your personality. You’re my God and Father; I worship you today for who you are, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:3 (GNB)

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 16, Daniel 11-12
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 18:13-24, Zechariah 3-4

---

No Greater Love

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23RD  

Pastor Chris

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

Of the many great works, which the Lord Jesus accomplished in the course of His earthly ministry, something extraordinary stood Him out and made Him different from every other prophet who came before or after Him. That’s the fact that He laid down His life for us; no other prophet or shepherd ever did that. Jesus wasn’t the first to be crucified, but He was the first to be crucified in the place of others. He purposely laid down His life, of His own free will. He could have delivered Himself from the hands of those who crucified Him, but He chose to go to the cross and die for sinners.

Everything Jesus did was for the love of man. The reason He was born, lived, died, and rose again to life was that we "…might have and enjoy life to the full" (John 10:10AMP). Testifying before Pilate in John 18:37, He said, "…To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." He came to bear witness unto the truth. What is this truth? It’s in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

As you celebrate Christmas, think on what He came to do in your behalf. Meditate on His great love, and the life of victory He has given you.

Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for loving me with an everlasting love, and for sending Jesus to pay the price for my salvation. I’m yielded completely to you and pray that your will and purpose be perfected in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 1 John 4:14-16; John 10:10-11

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 15, Daniel 9-10
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 18:1-12, Zechariah 1-2

---

A Gospel Of Love

Saturday, December 22nd

Pastor Chris

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which has been committed to our trust, is a Gospel of love. Your passion as a child of God is to see to it that you share this message of His great love with those who don’t know Him. What a glorious Christmas it would be for you, and for the one to whom you take the light of the Gospel, and lead to Christ this season!

If the Gospel means anything to you, you must boldly and consistently share it with others. The Apostle Paul’s undying passion for the Lord translated into his passion for the Gospel and for the souls of men. In spite of the great persecutions he suffered, he declared, "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel…" (Romans 1:14 -15).

Recognize that you’re also a debtor to your world; you owe the people in your sphere of contact this message of God’s great love for mankind. You could be the only one with the opportunity to touch their lives with the Gospel. If you’re a miner, take the Gospel to your world of miners. If you’re a pilot, take the Gospel to your world of pilots. Whatever you do, and wherever you are, preach the Gospel. Be instant in season and out of season.

God has said, "…all souls are mine..." (Ezekiel 18:4), but it’s your responsibility to bring them to Him. Tell them God loves them so much He sent Jesus to die for them (John 3:16). All they have to do now is to confess Jesus as their Lord (Romans 10:9), and they’ll be saved and automatically delivered from all the powers of darkness and be translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:12).

Make this Christmas count for someone else by helping them receive the life of Christ. Let there be joy in heaven today, as you bring someone out of darkness into God’s marvellous light.

Confession
I refuse to be quiet about the Gospel, for it’s the power of God unto salvation. That power is released to turn men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God as I proclaim the Gospel today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

F U R T H E R S T U D Y: Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Acts 26:16-18

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 13:11-14:1-20, Daniel 7-8
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 17:11-18, Haggai 2

---

The Heavenly Man

  Friday, December 21st  

Pastor Anita

The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:47-48).

In the above verses, the scripture refers to two kinds of men: the earthly man and the heavenly man. The earthly man was made in the image of the first Adam, who is the progenitor of the human race. On the other hand, the heavenly man, is made in the image of the Second Adam—the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:48 says "As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly."

Let’s review the words of Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3:3 AMP: "...I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God." Notice the underlined words. This shows that the one who is born again is born from above; he’s a heavenly man. This is the big thing about Christianity. Christianity is not a religion; it’s love’s manifestation of divinity in humanity by the law of faith.

Your understanding of this truth will put springs in your steps as you declare boldly that you’re like Jesus, because you’re born in His image. Jesus is the prototype of the new race of heavenly men. Hebrews 12:22-23 says "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven...." And in Philippians 3:20 ASV, the Apostle Paul reiterates this reality in saying, "…our citizenship is in heaven…."

You have the assurance today that heaven is your homeland; that’s the place of your nativity. Heaven is a real place with a real agenda. When you have this consciousness, you’ll understand that you’re not in this world to merely balance the ecosystem but to fulfil divine destiny. The Kingdom of heaven is running an agenda in this world, and you’re a necessary part of it.

Confession
I’m a legal representative of the heavenly Kingdom, called and separated from the world. I’m from above; therefore, I’m not subject to the distracting elements and corrupting influences of this world. I belong in God’s Kingdom, where I enjoy the full blessings and privileges of my kingdom inheritance.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 2 Corinthians 5:20; Psalms 87:5

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 13:1-10, Daniel 5-6
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 17:1-10, Haggai 1

---

Continue In Intercession

Thursday, December 20th  

Pastor Chris

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way (1 Samuel 12:23).

You can train yourself to become an effective intercessor, and to do that, you’re going to have to spend time to pray. The Lord Jesus said in Luke 18:1 that men ought always to pray and not to give up. One of the rules in intercession is that you must be persistent and continue in prayer for as long as it takes for you to see the desired result. In James 5:16, the Bible describes this kind of prayer as "earnest, heartfelt, continued…." Many miss out on their miracle because they give up too soon. They gave up when they ought to have continued in intercession about their desire.

For example, when you’re trying to prevail through intercessory prayers for someone else to align with God’s will, you don’t stop until there’s a change. What you’re actually doing is concentrating the influence of God’s power toward that one for his or her good, and that requires some persistence in prayer. Not only must you be persistent, you must also continue in prayer for as long as it takes to see the necessary changes.

You may have been praying concerning a loved one and it seemed as though the more you prayed the worse the situation became. In fact, that is a proof that you’re making impact and tremendous advancement in the realm of the spirit. So don’t stop there! Until you get that note of victory in your spirit and are certain that you have what you asked for, keep praying.

Intercessory prayers could require for you to get importunate with the Lord, where you get overly persistent in your request and demand. Jesus cited an example of this in Luke 11:8. If there are issues for which you’re currently interceding or that you want to intercede about, pray, and don’t stop until your heart begins bubbling over with thoughts of the positive outcome of what you’ve prayed about. That’s when you know that your ministry as an intercessor has been effective.

Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, I pray for Christians all over the world today, who may be going through diverse tests and trials, that they see such as opportunities for glory! I ask that they experience the speedy intervention of your Spirit, and the ministry of angels, right now, and that the miracle they require be granted them, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Luke 18:1-5; Colossians 4:12; Galatians 4:19

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 12, Daniel 3-4
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 16:11-21, Zephaniah 3

---

Prosperity Means More…

 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH  

Pastor Chris

…As poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things (2 Corinthians 6:10).

Prosperity isn’t the multiplication of your finances or other material things; prosperity is an ability. The reason most people often equate prosperity with material things is that material possessions are often the most common indication of prosperity. You can be in prison and be a prosperous man. You can be working for someone and be the reason your employer is prospering or even be more prosperous than your employers.

Jacob made Laban to prosper while he worked for him. Laban, acknowledged this much when he said, "… for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake" (Genesis 30:27). Joseph also made Potiphar to prosper: "And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field" (Genesis 39:5). So, prosperity is not just the multiplicity of your material possessions, but the ability to glorify God in all and any situation and help others fulfil God’s purpose for their lives.

This ability, working in the lives of Jacob and Joseph, was what made all the difference such that, even though they operated from the humble position of servants, they made their masters rich. It follows, therefore, that if their masters became rich in terms of material possessions, because of them, then, certainly, they had something in them that could make anyone rich—the ability of God. This ability working in them is prosperity and it’s unquestionably greater than material things.

The Apostle Paul alludes to this supernatural ability to make others rich when he said, "...as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (2 Corinthians 6:10). This ability to make others rich is the Spirit of dominion at work in a man’s life. If you have this Spirit working in you, there’re no riches in this world that can compare to what you have, for the world and all of its riches are under your feet! No wonder, 1John 4:4 says "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." What this means is that you’re greater than the world, therefore live to please God, and fulfil His perfect will for your life; that indeed is the meaning of prosperity.

Confession

Dear Father, I thank you for the supernatural ability of your Spirit working in me. I declare that by the power of the Holy Spirit, I’m not only blessed, but a blessing to my world.

---

F U R T H E R S T U D Y: Deuteronomy 8:18; Ephesians 3:20

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 11, Daniel 1-2
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 16:1-10 Zephaniah 1-2

---

Tend Your Heart To Bring Forth And Bud

 Tuesday, December 18th ·                   

Pastor Anita

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).

It’s important to observe how the Word of God functions and its attendant results. In our text, God’s Word is likened to "rain" and "snow." Thus, the Word of God is what causes the earth to "bring forth and bud." The Word is what makes the earth productive.

In the parable of the sower, which the Lord Jesus explained to His disciples, He compared the ground or earth to the heart of man: "And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word...they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred" (Mark 4:18-20). In other words, it’s the spirit of man that’s referred to as the earth in our opening verses. Therefore, it’s the human spirit that brings forth and buds when it makes contact with the Word, such that it gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater.

As one who’s born again, your heart is a fertile ground for the Word. Therefore, every seed of God’s Word sown into your heart is expected to bring forth a harvest. Don’t expect seed and bread to come from anywhere else but your spirit! In you is the capacity to bring forth seed for sowing, and bread for food. In your spirit is victory over challenges, solution to problems, and health for all manner of sicknesses and diseases! Everything you need is inside you!

God didn’t create you to be dependent on anything or anyone; He made you to be self-sufficient, requiring no external aid or support to live successfully in the earth. All you need do to enjoy this life of supersufficiency that God has brought you into is to guard your heart and walk by faith in God’s Word.

Proverbs 4:23 says "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Everything you’ll ever—possess and enjoy in this life will come from your heart, your spirit. Everything you are right now is a result of what you’ve put in your heart. Tend your heart, because that’s where your life results are from; out of your heart are the issues of life.

Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for the entrance of your Word has given me light and understanding. I’m thus fully equipped for a life of unending success through the power of the Holy Ghost that’s at work in me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Proverbs 4:23; 2 Peter 1:3

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 10, Ezekiel 47-48
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 15:1-8, Habakkuk 3

---

"Be Not Conformed To This World" ·

  Monday, December 17th ·               

Pastor Chris

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).

As a child of God, you’re not of this world, though you’re in the world. You’ve been chosen out of the world (John 15:19). Therefore, refuse to be influenced by the system of this world, which is run by Satan.

When God made the world, it was perfect and beautiful (Genesis 1:31). After Adam’s transgression in the Garden, Satan became the prince of this world (John 12:31, 14:30, Ephesians 2:2). But the wealth and riches of the world are no longer his; he lost them when Jesus defeated and paralyzed him, and made an open spectacle of him and his demons in hell (Colossians 2:15). However, Satan set up a system, which the world runs on because of ignorance and unbelief (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). This is the reason the world is in such a mess.

You can’t win with the system of this world; you’d have to apply the principles of God’s Kingdom to win because the system of this world is designed to fail. The world’s principles of success are selfish and godless. Its god and architect, Satan, is defeated and so is the system.

God’s Word contains the most assured principles for lasting success. That’s why you must study the Word voraciously and consistently, and apply the principles therein to your personal life. God’s Word will illuminate your spirit to know how to function in this world and be a success in life.

Confession
My path in life is a shining light that shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day, because I live in the Word, by the Word and through the Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: John 15:19; 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 9, Ezekiel 45-46
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 14:11-20, Habakkuk 1-2

---

Praise Him!

Sunday, December 16th

Pastor Chris

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing (Psalm 107:21-22).

As you take stock of the year, it’s not a time to muse over the failures and disappointments of the days gone by, but a time to count your blessings and praise the Lord with joyfulness. Rejoice over what the Lord has done for you this year, and celebrate His goodness and wonderful works in your life. Give Him the sacrifice of true worship; make confessions to His Name. He has led and guided you through the year in health, safety, victory, success, and prosperity! Therefore, praise Him excitedly.

Perhaps, in the course of the year, you experienced certain difficulties and challenges that made you almost despair of life. Maybe you really don’t see the need to be exuberant with praise to the Lord due to the hardship you experienced in the outgoing year. My counsel to you is, praise Him anyhow! Habakkuk 3:17-19 says, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation...."

Observe the profundity of the prophet’s submission in the latter part of the preceding verses. Everything may have failed; everything may have been destroyed; yet, he says, "…I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." This is the kind of faithresponse you should have when things seem not to be going your way; don’t despair. Instead, reiterate your trust in the Lord by giving Him praise for doing all things well.

Recall the testimony of Paul and Silas. Rather than cringe in fear and hopelessness, lamenting their predicament, they decided to praise God joyfully (Read their inspiring story in Acts 16:23-36). It’s time for you to praise God like you’ve never done before. You may not feel like it, but praise Him anyway, because that’s where the victory lies!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I worship you in reverence, humility and joy today! Let my praise ascend to you as incense, as I declare your great and mighty works in my life. Your praise, O Lord, shall continually be in my mouth, for you’re the living God, and have blessed and decorated my life with your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 34:1-4

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 8, Ezekiel 43-44

2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 14:1-10, Nahum 1-3

---

Declare Your Victory

 Saturday, December 15th ·                   

Pastor Anita

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).

When all hope seems lost and it appears the walls are closing in on you, don’t despair; look to the Word. Looking to the Word doesn’t mean staring at the pages of your Bible; it means to study, meditate, act and depend on its message to you. Through meditation, you give opportunity for the Word to permeate your spirit, soul and body.

When you face challenges, boldly declare your victory over the situation. God’s Word spoken forth in faith will always prevail. So voice your faith and declare your victory in the face of adversity. This was what David did when he confronted Goliath. He made bold declarations of his victory over the giant, before he went against him: "This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel" (1 Samuel 17:46). How inspiring!

David’s confidence wasn’t in his physical skill, agility or strength, but in "...the Name of the LORD of host" (1 Samuel 17:45). Make your boast in the Lord by declaring your victory ahead of the battle. Remember, you’re more than a conqueror. Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. You can do all things through Christ, which strengthens you and causes you to always triumph gloriously.


Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for your power and ability at work in me. Thank you for making me a victor in Christ Jesus. Irrespective of the adversities that may come my way, my victory is assured, because you’re my sufficiency, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 2 Corinthians 3:4-5; 2 Corinthians 2:14

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 7, Ezekiel 41-42
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 13:11-18, Micah 7

---

He Came To Help You

Friday, December 14th

 Pastor Chris


And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever (John 14:16).


As a Christian, you need the Holy Spirit to fulfil God’s plan for your life and for your service to be acceptable to God. That’s why the Lord Jesus said "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter…" (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit came to help you live the Christian life because no ordinary person can live this extraordinary life.

There’s no reason for you to fail in anything in life after you’ve received the Holy Spirit; in fact, you’re answerable to God for any failure. You have no right to fail because the Holy Spirit is your helper! He’ll help and teach you to pray, and He’ll teach you the Word! If you were in debt, He’ll show you how to be free from debt and live in surplus. If you have no job, He can help you get one or show you how to make one. He’ll energize and give you the ability to succeed; His ability will become your ability, and His strength will become your strength.

Recognize Him as your helper and know that He came to make you a success in life. No evil can drown or suffocate you because He says He’ll be with you in trouble, to deliver you (Psalm 91:15). He’s your very present help in time of trouble (Psalms 46:1). It doesn’t matter the strength or number of your adversaries; if you have the Holy Spirit, you’ll be in charge.

Give the Holy Spirit the preeminence in your life and you’d be amazed at the magnitude of God’s glory that’ll be manifested in you. You’ll become a man or woman of excellence, dignity and honour; and His ability, strength and wisdom will be evident in your life.

Confession

Blessed Holy Spirit, you’re my helper, my strengthener and my guide! Your ability, might and wisdom are at work in me today, and I walk in your glory, manifesting excellence, victory, prosperity and success, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 2 Corinthians 3:5; Ephesians 3:20

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 6. Ezekiel 39-40
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 13:1- 10, Micah 5-6

---

Comrades Of The "God-kind!"

Thursday, December 13th

Pastor Chris

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4).

The expression "divine nature" derives from the Greek "theias phuseos," which literally means an association of the "God-kind," just as you’d say, mankind.
1 Corinthians 6:17 says, "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." We’re partners, comrades and associates of the God-kind. This is Christianity! That God would bring man into union with Himself, and bring us into His class of being! No wonder the Bible says, "...Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High" (Psalms 82:6).

Furthermore, the root word for "partakers" in our text is "koinonos." It means associates, comrades, partners or sharers. Our opening text therefore means you’re an associate of the God-kind; you’re in fraternity with divinity! It means you’ve been born into God’s class, with His nature and character in your spirit. You’ve been translated from the ordinary realm of mankind to the supernatural class of the "God-kind."

You’re in vital union with divinity; it’s an inseparable oneness. Now, you can better appreciate the Word that says, you’re superior to Satan and have dominion over the forces of darkness! It’s the result of your fraternity with Deity. The religious minds can’t accept this kind of thought, but this is God’s dream for you, not when you get to heaven, but in the now! It’s something He already made possible and available in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9 says, "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." What an honour! This is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ has made us. You’ve been brought into the unity of spirits with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; it’s an association of the God-kind.

Confession

I am an associate of the God-kind, having been made free of the corrupting influences, decadence and destruction in the world. The miracle-life of God is at work in me, therefore, today and always, I live the victorious life of glory and success that God has given me in Christ Jesus. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 1 John 4:17; John 1:12; Revelation 5:10
Daily Scripture Reading
1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 5, Ezekiel 37-38
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 12:11-17, Micah 3-4

---

Faith: A Positive Force

Wednesday, December 12th

Pastor Anita

…As it is written, the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17).

There are forces that operate in the world that cause people to do the things they do. Hate, fear, unbelief, doubt, discouragement, envy, and jealousy are all negative and destructive forces that influence people to act wrongly. Some of the most heinous atrocities carried out by men were motivated by envy, jealousy, fear, and lust.

Correspondingly, in the Kingdom of God, there’re forces too, such as faith, righteousness, love, and wisdom. Our study today, however, is on the force of faith. Until you understand faith as a force, you may never be able to grow prevailing faith. Just as negative forces make men do daring but negative things, the force of faith has caused men to achieve great exploits for the Kingdom.

Hebrews 11 gives us an inspiring chronicle of men and women who obtained a good report through faith, such as Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, and David. Through faith, they subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, and more (Read Hebrews 11:33-38).

This ability is not exclusive to some "special people" in the Kingdom of God, but to all God’s children. God has dealt to every one of us the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Grow your faith. Increase the force field of your faith through the Word. Don’t talk fear, talk faith! Voice the Word, not your situation, and your faith will rise like a giant, dispelling fear and negativity from your life.

Speak the Word; concretize it with prayer, and you’ll experience a greater influence of the force of faith in your life.

Confession

My faith is active and prevails today. The favour of God overshadows me, and His protection mantles my heart against the wiles and darts of the devil, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y:

Hebrews 11:1-33
Daily Scripture Reading
1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 4, Ezekiel 35-36
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 12:1-10 Micah 1-2

---

His Eternal Love

Tuesday, December 11th

Pastor Chris

Who then can ever keep Christ’s love from us? When we have trouble or calamity, when we are hunted down or destroyed, is it because he doesn’t love us anymore? And if we are hungry or penniless or in danger or threatened with death, has God deserted us?…despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us. For I’m convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love (Romans 8:35, 37, 38 TLB).

Satan will always try one way or the other to make you think God doesn’t love you as much as you think He does. He tries to use one experience or another that you might have had to prove that God is mad at you. Refuse to buy into his lies. Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Never let the devil get you thinking that something has gone wrong with your relationship with God or that He doesn’t love you anymore. God’s love for you is eternal and unconditional. In Jeremiah 31:3, the Lord says, "…Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee."

God didn’t start loving you today. He loved you when you were most unlovable; when you were yet a sinner: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). If He loved you then, how much more now that you’re born of Him! People talk about God being a God of love, but He’s not just a God of love, He is Love! The Bible says: "God is love…" (1 John 4:8), and that He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). The Bible didn’t just say "God loved the world"; rather, it says, "He so loved the world"; the world of men.

God’s love for you is beyond what your natural mind can think or fathom. He loved you so much, He gave something so priceless—His precious Son—to have you. He would never have paid the price of His Son’s blood for your salvation if you weren’t worth that much to Him. Therefore, always remember that no matter who you are, where you are or what you’re going through, God loves you anyway. His arms of love are ever outstretched to embrace you; and His love for you is not only unconditional but eternal.

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for your matchless, unconditional and eternal love for me. I’m fully convinced that nothing, no one or circumstance can ever separate me from your love that’s in Christ Jesus. I rejoice greatly in your love today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

---

f u r t h e r s t u d y:

Romans 5:6-8;1 John 4:16
Daily Scripture Reading
1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 3:7-22, Ezekiel 33-34
2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation11:11-19, Jonah 3-4

The Glory Is In You

Monday, December 10th

Pastor Chris

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

Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." This was the condition of man before the coming of Christ. All men were under the curse of sin, and as a result were subject to Satan, sickness, disease, poverty, and depravity. But as our text reveals, the glory that was lost in Romans 3:23 is now restored. Romans 8:30 says, "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

You’ve been glorified; that means brought into a life of beauty, excellence, success and prosperity. Jesus said in John 17:22, "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them." This is better than what Adam had in the Garden of Eden. In the Garden of Eden, Adam lived in the presence of God. That presence was the glory of God. Adam was however cut-off from that glory when he sinned against God. As a new creation in Christ, the glory—the presence of God—is not just around you or with you, but in you: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

The presence of God is no longer just a voice walking in the cool of the day, as was the case with Adam in the Garden of Eden; that "Voice" is in you now. The glory is in you now! You’re the carrier of the glory of God, because Christ lives in you: in every fibre of your being, in every cell of your blood and in every bone of your body. Blessed thought!

Look inwards, to the glory within, and show forth the virtues, splendour and perfections of your heavenly Father. Recognize and walk in the glory.

Prayer

Blessed Father, I thank you for your glory in my life! Thank you for your power, beauty, excellence and perfection that are revealed through me to my world. As I contemplate your glory in the Word, I’m metamorphosed and walk in ever-increasing glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y:

Isaiah 60:1-3; 2 Corinthians 3:18 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 2:18-3:1-6, Ezekiel 31-32 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 11:1-10, Jonah 1-2

Just Do It!

Sunday, December 9th

Pastor Anita

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).

Some people find it difficult to believe the Gospel because it’s so simple. What they haven’t realized is that the power of the Word of God is in its simplicity. The Word of God, however simple it may sound, is full of dynamic power. It requires no additions, "ceremonies" or traditions on your part for it to prevail in your life. All you need is DO the Word. If you truly believe, then stop trying to get the Word to work for you; just do it!

You experience the power of God and bring it to bear on your situation when you act on God’s Word. The Word has the ability to produce faith in your heart and put you over in any situation. Doing the Word always results in miracles. We find an example of this in Acts 14:8-10: "And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked."

This man had never walked in his life, but as he listened to the Apostle Paul speak, his faith was stirred. Perceiving he had faith to be healed, Paul said to him "stand upright on thy feet." The man immediately leaped and walked for the first time in his life. He got his miracle by acting on the Word. Imagine if he had asked Paul, "If I could stand, will I be in this condition?" He didn’t try to reason out or negotiate God’s Word in his head. Rather, in faith, he acted on the Word and an awesome miracle ensued. The Bible says, "… he leaped and walked" (Acts 4:10).

It’s time for you to leap. Act on the Word and leap out of that predicament or precarious situation you might be in right now. The victory that overcomes the world is your faith, and faith is a leap on the Word. Act your faith and put the Word to work.

Confession

My faith is effectual and productive because I’m a doer of the Word and not a forgetful hearer! I’m blessed without measure today and produce fruits unto righteousness because the Word is working mightily in me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y:

James 1:23-25 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 2:1-17, Ezekiel 29-30 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 10: 1-11, Obadiah 1

Your Primary Assignment

Saturday, December 8th

Pastor Chris

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).>

Your primary assignment in life is the work of the ministry. This is your highest calling; everything else is secondary. You may be a politician, a medical doctor, or a lawyer, which is great, but your number one assignment in life is to do the work of the ministry. Notice the reason God gave the fivefold ministry gifts to the Church; it’s "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry…." (Ephesians 4:12).

The work of the ministry is the reconciliation of the world to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "…we are ambassadors for Christ…." As His ambassadors, our responsibility is to turn many to righteousness, and from the power of Satan unto God. We’re to call sinners to repentance and change lives everywhere. This sovereign responsibility to change lives is entrusted to you because you have the Gospel message that works. Since this message is in you and working in you, you can help others receive it and have it produce results in their lives too.

Christmas is meaningless to the one who doesn’t know Jesus. So make it a meaningful Christmas for someone this season; go out to where you work, where you live, and to all you’re in contact with and pour out of the blessings of heaven that are in you. Relate with those in your sphere of contact in the language of love and communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is able to change their lives once they receive it.

2 Corinthians 5:19 says God, through Christ, has made peace with all men and is not holding men’s sins against them. This is the message of the Gospel that He has committed to us; a message worth hearing, especially at Christmas time. Spread it in your world and to the regions beyond.

Prayer

 

Heavenly Father, I thank you for bringing me into union with your Son Jesus, and imparting to me the same passion for lost souls that was evident in the life of Christ. By the power of your Spirit, I saturate my world today with the knowledge of your Word and men shall be drawn to the light of your glorious Gospel, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 2 Timothy 4:5 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 1, Ezekiel 27-28 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 9:11-21 Amos 8-9

Let Him Increase In Your Life

Friday, December 7th

Pastor Chris

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:29-30).

John the Baptist made the remarkable statement in our opening verse with regards to the Lord Jesus. Certain of his disciples had brought a report to him that Jesus was baptizing and making more converts than he. They said to him, "…Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him" (John 3:26). Prior to this, these disciples had been involved in an argument with the Jews about the question of purification; they wanted to know from John whose baptism was right.

Responding to their question, John said, "…A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him" (John 3:27-28). He went further to say, "He must increase, but I must decrease." John the Baptist exemplified true humility in our walk with God.

When you receive Christ into your heart and you’re filled with the Holy Spirit, He must increase, and you must decrease. His will and purpose must increase in your life, and your will must be swallowed up in His will! Your desires must be swallowed up in His desires; otherwise, you’ll experience the same stress, failures and difficulties that the people of the world go through. This should be a major area of focus and meditation this Yuletide.

If for instance there’s been some sinful habits in your life that you’ve been struggling to put off, here’s what God is saying to you: "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways" (Proverbs 23:26). Give Him your heart, mind, body, and emotions; let Him increase and you decrease. The Bible says in Colossians 1:27 "…Christ in you, the hope of glory…." A lot of us have experienced the life of Christ in our spirits, but He also wants to have dominion in your soul and in your body.

How quickly you progress in your Christian walk will be dependent on how much of God’s Word you yield yourself to. The more the Word gains dominion over your life and reveals Christ in you, the more glorious your life will be. So, make the choice today to let Him increase, by letting His Word dwell richly in you.

Prayer

Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for your indwelling and abiding presence in my life; I yield my heart, soul and body completely to you and ask that your will be accomplished in me and through me today and always. Have the dominion and control over my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Romans 8:14; Galatians 2:20 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : Jude, Ezekiel 24-26 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 9:1-10, Amos 7

The Word In Your Mouth!

Thursday, December 6th

Pastor Anita

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21).

Your life today is the reflection of your words through the years. You set spiritual forces in motion by words. If you’re not satisfied with how your life has turned out, neither the devils nor your "enemies" are responsible; but you can change it. The power to have a fruitful, productive, vibrant, and exciting life rests on you.

This is a fundamental principle in the Kingdom of God. Even our salvation is based on words: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:8-10). To experience salvation, you must declare the Lordship of Jesus, believing and acknowledging His resurrection and the new life He’s given you.

Salvation is a word that completely expresses, in a singular term, all what the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ availed us. Salvation means you’ve been brought out of failure, debt, sickness, disease and infirmity into the liberty of the sons of God. Salvation means you’ve been delivered from sin into the life of righteousness. Your day-to-day confessions must align with these glorious realities, otherwise the blessings and benefits of salvation will not be evident in your life.

We rule by words in the Kingdom of God. By your words you’re justified, and by your words you’re condemned (Matthew 12:37). The words you speak will build your children, improve your finances, affect your body, and transform your business. Your words will determine the quality of your life. Therefore, always speak in consonance with the Word.

When you declared your salvation in Christ, enormous power was released to bring you out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God. All you had to do was declare the Lordship of Jesus with your mouth. In the same vein, you don’t need any extra advantage to be a success in life because the Word of God already guarantees your success. The Word in your mouth is what you need.

Confession

The Word of God has taken centrestage in my life; therefore no matter the circumstances, what I feel or what I see, I’m unperturbed, for my success is guaranteed in the Word in Jesus’ Name. Amen

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 2 Corinthians 4:13, Joshua 1:8 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : 3 John Ezekiel 22-23 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 8:1-13, Amos 5-6

Open Your Heart To The Word ·

Wednesday, December 5th

Pastor Chris

He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding (Proverbs 15:32).

The only material that God gave to build your spirit is His Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s no hope for the one who ignores God’s Word. The Bible says "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed..." (Proverbs 13:13). As a child of God you must always open your heart to the Word and receive it into your spirit with faith, gladness and meekness: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). This verse doesn’t refer to the salvation from sin nor bringing you afresh into salvation. Rather, it refers to the preservation of the salvation of the human soul—the outworking of salvation in the human soul.

When you have the opportunity to hear and receive God’s Word, go for it voraciously and apply it to your personal life. Acting on the Word is the only way to effect kingdom realities in your personal life and live from glory to glory. You have to make the effort to act on God’s Word. Don’t ignore the Word; use it for your benefit. The blessings in the Word of God are for the doers of the Word (James 1:25).

There are those who ignorantly act in worldly wisdom; and the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. Acting on the Word, on the other hand, is functioning in divine wisdom. The Word of God is the wisdom of God, and wisdom is what you need for success and excellence in life: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom…" (Proverbs 4:7). Open your spirit to the Word at all times and act on the information, guidance, and counsel you receive from the Lord today.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for your Word is my life! I’m blessed in all endeavours and prosper exceedingly today because I live by your Word. Your Word is growing mightily and prevailing in my life, against every adversity, as I yield to the Lordship of the Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: James 1:21; Hosea 4:6 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : 2 John Ezekiel 20-21 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 7:11-17 Amos 3-4

You’re The One To Effect A Change

Tuesday, December 4th
Pastor Chris

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12).

The Gospel of Jesus Christ which has been committed to us is still largely unknown and misunderstood by many, even Christians. This accounts for the failure, lack, poverty, frustrations, sicknesses, and other challenges that many face: where they have a conflict between what the Word says, and their own personal experiences. This causes questions to arise in their hearts. It’s like someone who finds some terrible symptoms of sickness welling up in his body and wonders why there’s no change, in spite of what he knows and believes in the Word. He may have shouted the Word, spoken kindly, fasted about the situation, sowed seeds, and even prayed all manner of prayers, yet nothing changed. Now, he’s wondering, "What am I doing wrong; what am I supposed to do that I’m not doing?"

The first thing you need to realize is that the Bible does tell us that there’s a fight of faith: "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:12). The fight of faith is the unleashing of your faith on the rebellious circumstances of time to compel changes to correspond with your stubborn faith proclamations. The Word of God is real and true, but that doesn’t mean the experiences of your life will automatically line up with the Word! You’re the one to make them so; as Jesus often said, "thy faith hath made thee whole."

You’re the one to subdue and exercise dominion over the circumstances and forces that come against you. The Word never fails; so stick with the Word, and your testimonies and praise reports will be inevitable, for the Lord will see to it that your faith in His Word prevails.

Confession

 As I unleash my faith today, it produces tremendous results against contrary circumstances. The Word of faith is in my heart and in my mouth. Therefore, by my proclamations of faith, I prevail over and subdue every challenging situation, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 1 John 5:4; 2 Corinthians 4:13 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : 1 John 5 Ezekiel 17-19 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 7:1-10 Amos 1-2

Call It Forth!

Monday, December 3rd ·

Pastor Anita

(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were (Romans 4:17).

Consider Abraham; he had no child, and was almost one hundred years old, yet God said to him, "I have made thee a father of many nations" (Romans 4:17). This wasn’t a promise; it was a statement of fact. Abraham could have said, "Lord, you know I’m an old man now, it’s no longer possible for me to have children"; he didn’t say that! Rather, he believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. It pays to believe.

This experience of Abraham reveals an important principle of faith; the principle of calling the things that be not as though they were. Though Abraham was already very old, God didn’t give up on him. It makes no difference how long you’ve waited for that miracle; don’t give up; call it forth. Faith calls things that be not as though they were.

Regardless of the situation you may be in right now, there’s absolutely nothing impossible with God, who gives life to the dead. The Bible says for us to be followers or imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1). That means, you’re to operate the God-kind of faith.

What you feel and see in the natural are subject to change; only the Word endures forever: "…for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

The question is, what do you really believe? If you believe the Word, then boldly speak it forth. We don’t believe to be quiet: "…according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Confession

 I lack nothing! Love, joy, health, peace, progress, and prosperity are my present-hour possessions in Christ Jesus. I excel and prosper in all things today. I’m fashioned for excellence, and the glory of God is manifested through me to my world, in Jesus’ Name.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Mark 11:22-23; Romans 10:8-10 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : 1 John 4 ,Ezekiel 16 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 6:11-17 Joel 3

Don’t Give In To Sickness

Sunday, December 2nd ·

 Pastor Chris

 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them (Luke 5:17).

 Our text shows that on a certain day, as the Lord Jesus taught the Word, the power of the Lord was present to heal. There was healing virtue in the room. The Holy Spirit was present with healing power. Remember, until Jesus received the Holy Spirit, He didn’t perform any healing miracle. This is because divine healing is the work of the Holy Spirit, and until He came upon Jesus, the healing ministry would not begin.

According to the Scriptures, many people saw Jesus, heard Him teach, felt His touch, and compassion, and received healings and other miracles. Today, the very power that made Jesus Christ the Healer; the same Spirit that anointed and brought the healing virtue to Jesus, has come to live in us. Now, your body has become the house of the Holy Spirit. Your body is His living tabernacle. Therefore, no sickness or infirmity should be housed in your body; refuse to accommodate disease.
It doesn’t matter by what name that sickness goes; it could be a growth that seems to be getting larger, don’t bow to it; don’t cave in to it! Put your hand over it and keep saying, "I refuse to accommodate sickness in my body. I command this growth to die and pass out of my body." Refuse to fear. Christ paid the price for your health. In Revelation 5:10, the Bible says "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." So, don’t bow to sickness or disease; exercise dominion. Speak the Word and effect a change.

Prayer

Dear Father, I disallow sickness, poverty, and defeat in my life and in the lives of my loved ones, and I unleash the forces of health, prosperity, and victory in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Luke 10:19; Romans 8:11 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : 1 John 3:11-24, Ezekiel 13-15 2 Year Reading Plan : Revelation 6:1-10, Joel 2

Don’t Offend In Words!

Saturday, December 1st ·

Pastor Chris

 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body (James 3:2).

One of the many things the Holy Spirit helps you do is to make your communication gracious. The Christian whose communication isn’t tamed and who offends in words is a spiritual babe. It doesn’t matter for how long you may have been talking in tongues or the position you occupy in church, if your tongue hasn’t been tamed, your fellowship with the Holy Spirit is still at a childhood stage.

Some Christians often wonder why they’re not effective in their spiritual life. Often, it’s because of the character of their words. They speak idle, inoperative words; their tongues haven’t been yielded to the Holy Spirit. Your spiritual maturity as a Christian is measured by the character of your words. This is one reason you must tame your tongue. The Word of God enjoins us to watch our words and exercise control over our tongue. It’s your responsibility. It’s not enough to just say, "O, God, please tame my tongue." No, you’re to yield your tongue to Him by following His instruction for the use of words.

James 3:11 says, "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" You can’t use your tongue for blessing and use the same tongue to curse. Refuse to engage in unwholesome or unedifying communication. Never speak words that defame or revile another brother or sister. One of the proofs that you have the Holy Spirit and that His character is expressed through you is edifying communication.

There’s a lifting nature of Christ in you, and it’s expressed in your speech. Therefore, choose your words. Choose words that lift and bless: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:6).

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for filling my heart with your love, kindness and compassion. I refuse to allow malice and bitterness any place in me. I choose to speak words of love, compassion and kindness to bless and uplift all I come in contact with today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

further study:Proverbs 18:21 Daily Scripture Reading 1 Year Reading Plan : 1John 2:15-3:1-10 Ezekiel 11-12 2 Year Reading Plan : revelation 5:1-14 Joel 1