Abundance Mentality

Abundance Mentality

ABUNDANCE MENTALITY

Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. – Psalm 35:27

God delights in your prosperity. He wants you to partake of His abundance. He is the one who instituted the law of giving. “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7). Just as it makes us happy to give, it gives God great pleasure to give to us.

In Matthew 7:9-11 Jesus asks: “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?” No parent wants his or her child to live an impoverished life. How much more does God want us to enjoy His riches!

God has promised to supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. But let me ask you, do you consider your employer your source? Do you expect money to come to you only from your job and social security? Have you limited God by thinking that your prosperity depends on the state of the national economy? God never changes and He never fails. He does not suffer from lack of anything. There is no shortage in heaven. Your source will never run out of supply if that source is God.

Realize that all abundance belongs to God and it is up to you to open a channel to that supply. If you are in covenant with God, you have access to all His abundance by faith. All that He has is available to you. Everything we need has been provided. So stop thinking scarcity and start thinking abundance, for in God’s economy there is nothing like limited resources.

Prayer: Lord, help me renew my mind from poverty mentality to abundance mentality.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 35:27

#YearOfPower

Abundance Mentality

The Living Word

The Living Word

THE WORD

Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given us only one lot and one share to inherit, since we are a great people, inasmuch as the LORD has blessed us until now?” Joshua 17:14

Christians are often defeated in day-to-day living because they don’t really realize how many resources God has placed in their spiritual account. They are like a fish which jumps out of the river and complains to the tortoise that he is thirsty. In the midst of God’s abundant supply, many Christians still go around  begging for ‘mercy drops’. A lot of times we pray, “God help me. God, I’m hungry. God, I need a blessing.” Meanwhile, the Lord is saying, “Will you please go check your account? I have deposited more than you could ever use. Go to my Word and find out what I have given you.”

Can you imagine a soldier fighting a battle with no ammunition while he was sitting on an armoury filled with thousands and thousands of rounds of ammunition, more than he could use in a thousand wars? He has more than he needs right under him but he is trying to fight the battle without the resources he has.

Defeat in our battle against satan, sin and scarcity is largely in our ignorance of our spiritual inheritance. In Jesus Christ there is power to live a new life and to overcome.

Perhaps, like many other people, you make bold resolutions whenever a new year rolls around. You make plans regarding what changes you want to make in the coming year. But it’s not long until you have gone back on those great resolutions.

This year, let it be different. Break the cycle of defeat and walk in victory. Don’t just admire His Word. Take it, believe, claim it and live by it!

Prayer: In the name of Jesus, I claim this year as the year of my breakthrough.

Scriptural Reading: Joshua 17:14-18

The Living Word

His Promises Are Yes & Amen

His Promises Are Yes & Amen

HIS PROMISES ARE AMEN

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. – Hebrews 8:6

Christians wage their warfare on the basis of God’s promises. We say what we say based on what God has promised and not how we feel. Yesterday may not have gone well for you, but God is still God. His promises are true and His Word is sure. Tomorrow may seem frightening but God is still God. The news may be depressing but God is still God. He has not left His throne and will not leave it today or tomorrow. He is who He is and will always be.

Through faith and patience, you will see God’s promises come to pass in your life. Understand that the enemy always fights the hardest when he knows you are closest to your breakthrough. He’d leave you alone if he thought you were going to live in mediocrity. If you keep pressing on toward your promise, through faith and patience, you will get there. Don’t be like the Israelites in the Old Testament who were right next to their promised land when they talked themselves out of it. They said, “There are giants in the land. It’s too difficult.” No, don’t look at the obstacles in your life today; lift up your eyes because you serve the Almighty God.

Follow the example of Abraham who believed God even when his circumstances looked impossible. Remember, God rewards the people who seek after Him. Stand in faith and keep believing and allow God to take you to your high places. As you press toward the promise, you will see God’s hand of blessing in your life and live in the victory He has prepared for you. It will be well.

Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with faith and patience to press through to victory.

Scriptural Reading: Hebrews 8:1-6

His Promises Are Yes & Amen

Partakers Of Christ

Partakers Of Christ

PARTAKERS OF CHRIST

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to end. Hebrews 3:14

Confidently trusting the Lord releases spiritual growth, personal achievement, peace and influence. When our reliance on God is steady, we will respond to difficulties by seeking Him for guidance and experience the Holy Spirit’s presence, provision and power. Confidence in God equips us for accomplishments far greater than what we are capable of doing by ourselves alone.

When our security rests in God and we trust in His promises, we exhibit a calm confidence that is not natural. While everyone else is in an uproar, we will demonstrate a depth of patience and endurance that easily makes others look up to us for leadership. Those who trust in the Lord have a peace around them that is very assuring and inspiring. In the midst of great trial and difficulty, the Lord Himself will give them peace and fills their hearts with the calm assurance of His presence.

As people around us watch us and observe how we respond to life, they will want to have the peace that we have. Then we can lead them to the Prince of Peace – The Lord Jesus Christ.

We build our confidence in God by meditating on His Word, knowing who He is, and drawing near to Him through prayer. We can lose our confidence by focusing on circumstances rather than Jesus, by trusting only in our strength; and by placing all of our trust in another human being.

Through our life of confidence in Christ, we can show the world the true picture of the risen Christ who lives in us and guides us. What do your actions reveal about you: Christ-centred confidence or self-reliance?

Prayer: O Lord, You are my rock and in You is all my trust.

Scriptural Reading: Hebrews 3:7-14

Partakers Of Christ

Mental Barriers

Mental Barriers

MENTAL BARRIERS

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

Barriers of impossibility confront us daily. Some of those barriers are physical realities but a lot of them are mental barriers. After we have faced impossibilities for so long and seen others fail, we accept failure as a reality.

For so many years, the record for the mile hovered above four minutes. The last effort to break that limit was in 1945, when Gunder Haegg had approached the barrier with a time of 4:01.4.

But many people said the limits of physical capacity had been reached; it was impossible to break the four-minute barrier. But in 1954 Roger Bannister broke the tape at 3:59.4. And what was the result?

Well, as soon as the myth of the “impossible barrier” was dispelled, the four-minute mile was attacked and pierced by many with apparent ease. In almost no time the four-minute achievement was bettered 66 times by 26 different runners! Bannister broke the myth of the four-minute mile and created an atmosphere of possibility for succeeding runners.

Many barriers of impossibilities are myths we have come to accept as reality. When we come into relationship with Christ, He becomes our new reality.

His word becomes our mandate. His grace become our strength and His power our source of energy and action. What He says we can do, we can do! What He says is possible, is possible.

We cannot serve an all-powerful God and continue to make excuses for our non-performance.

In this breakthrough year, get ready to break some barriers. Don’t just sit around and settle for the easiest targets. Reach out for God’s best. Do what God has called you to do. You can do it!

Prayer: Father, I receive the fullness of Your ability in my life and boldly step out to break barriers.

Scriptural Reading: Philippians 4:10-19

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Mental Barriers

God Is In Control

God Is In Control

GOD IS IN CONTROL

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

There is only one kind of person who God cannot help and that is the person who trusts in his own horses and chariots. Many people are so full of their own sense of power and accomplishment that they fail to give God any place in their lives. They are so much aware of their own competence that they cannot release their burdens to the Lord. Faith in their education, networks and money become a substitute for faith in God.

For such people, even when they say that they trust in God, they are unable to let God take charge of their lives and situations. They know God can do it but they also believe they can do it. They know the power of God but they also know the power of their money and influence.

Some pray and commit issues to God but never trust Him enough to take care of the situation. They may even spend long hours in prayer and then right after prayer go into panic and anxiety over what they just talked to God about.

Right from the place of prayer, they take back the issue they spoke to the Lord about and set out to solve it by themselves. Although the love of God will continue to pull on us and draw us towards His plans and purposes for our lives, we have to learn to trust Him.

If we really want God’s help, then we should be able to come to Him and say, ‘Lord, I’ve got a problem; I need help, I admit my inadequacy.’

Prayer: Lord, take control; I yield my fears and worries to You.

Scriptural Reading: Psalms 20:1-9

God Is In Control

Victory Is Yours

Victory Is Yours

VICTORY

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Ephesians 3:12

Don’t let the difficulties of today get you down. Just feed your spirit on the word. Get strong on the inside – in your mind, thoughts and understanding. One of these days, when you are going through some really tough situations, someone is going to ask you, ”How are you handling pressure?” You will turn to the person and respond in surprise, “Pressure? What pressure?” That response would not be because you are in denial or avoiding reality. It will simply be because you have built the spiritual and mental capacity to handle your challenges with ease. You have grown to handle challenges which other dread to touch.

As you build yourself up in the Word and Power of the Lord, you will begin to see life in a totally different perspective. Once you see that the very Spirit and power of Christ resides in you, nothing – no challenge, disease, or demon – will be able to defeat you.

You will be so aware of who Christ has made you that the giants of this life will appear like dwarfs. You will see people running and panicking in all directions but you will find great stability and confidence in the Power of the Lord.

Those who build their confidence in the Lord, look within themselves and see Christ magnified. When they look on the inside, they do not see their own human limitations; they see the unlimited Christ.

That point of view will transform a weak, beggarly, defeated person into a champion for Christ. In Him we have the victory!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for living Your life in me and through me.

Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 3:8-13

Victory Is Yours

We Have The Victory

We Have The Victory

WE’VE HAD THE VICTORY

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20

Satan is not at equal power with God; he is a defeated foe. He knows it; God knows it; the angels know it; the demons know it. In the realm of the spirit, there is no dispute as to who is boss. The only ones who don’t know it are human beings. So his game plan is to keep us from knowing that he is a defeated foe. He does it by using the first trick he used in the Garden of Eden. To Eve, he asked, ‘Has God said?’ and then, ‘if you eat this, you will be like God.’ With the first question, he creates doubts in our minds concerning the authority of God’s Word and with the second statement he makes us doubt our standing in God’s eyes.

Our response to the first question should be, ‘Yes, God has said.’ Our confidence is not in what we say but in what the Lord has said. If God says it, I believe it and that settles it. Our victory is in the Word! It is the Word that tells us about what Christ accomplished for us through His death and resurrection.

Our response to the second statement should be, ‘Christ in me, the hope of glory.’ We are already accepted in Christ. We are seated with Him in authority on high. The Lord has placed principalities and powers under our feet. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. That is who we are.

Don’t listen to any lie of the devil to the contrary. You have the victory; you have the authority; you have the power. Use it and see the enemy run with his tail between his legs.

Prayer: I declare that in Christ I have the victory in Heaven, on earth and under the earth.

Scriptural Reading: Romans 16:17-20

We Have The Victory

Don"t Frustrate God

Don’t Frustrate God

DON’T FRUSTRATE GOD

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Although God does not give up on us, we can frustrate His plans for us. He has a purpose for our lives and desires that we fulfill that purpose. However, we also have a will and power of choice. We can choose to yield our will to the Lord or we can choose to go our own ways. If we choose to go our own ways, He will continue pursuing us, but He will not overrule our will. God respects and values us so much and wants us to choose to serve Him willingly.

His patience for us is not a license for us to continue in disobedience. He can still bless us, despite our sins, but that should not be seen as an endorsement of our waywardness. The reason He puts up with our sins and continues to pursue us with love is that He wants us to repent; He wants us to change; He wants us to see how much He loves us to convince us that when we do His will, life will be better for us.

When we yield to the Lord, we save time and make the most of what He has for us. When we walk in disobedience, we waste time and prolong the process for our own breakthrough. Sometimes we frustrate the Lord for so long that by the time we finally yield to Him, we are too old or that many great opportunities in life would have been lost.

Don’t keep God waiting on you for too long. Don’t frustrate His good intentions for your life.

Prayer: Set my life in order, O Lord, and direct my paths.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Peter 3:1-9

Don"t Frustrate God

Stay Connected

Stay Connected

 

STAY CONNECTED

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

There is a story about a kite that was soaring high in the sky when it saw a field of beautiful flowers some distance away. The kite wanted to go and see those beautiful flowers but it couldn’t because there was a string holding it and the string wasn’t long enough to let if fly where it wanted. Upset with the string holding it, the kite pulled and grumbled and tugged until if finally broke free from the string. Happily, the kite soared for a few moments toward the field of flowers. But soon it came crashing down—falling far short of its goal. What had seemed to be holding the kite down was actually holding it up.

Christians behave like that kite. God raises them up in life and blesses their lives with so many good things. As they rise higher and higher, they see new ‘fields of flowers’ that attract them. However, anytime they try to reach those ‘fields of flowers,’ they feel a string holding them back. That string is the Holy Spirit. In frustration, they grumble and pull until eventually they separate themselves from the control of the Holy Spirit. For a moment, they are excited. They have no restrictions; they can go anywhere they want and do what they want. They forget that the string that took them up is the same string that restrains them.

Soon enough, they start floundering and falling. Their new ‘freedom’ cuts them off the source of their strength. Without ‘the string,’ they are like wandering leaves. Are you like that kite? The good news is that you can come back to the ‘the string’ and He will take you back.

Prayer: Lord, help me to live my life within the control of Your Spirit.

Scriptural Reading: John 15:9-17

 

Stay Connected

Confirmation

Confirmation

CONFIRMATION

Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. – Luke 1:36

God confirms the words He speaks to us through others. He understands our doubts regarding the leadings we have. Because of that, the Lord will most often tell other people the same things He is telling us.

An example of that is seen in the story of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus. Both women received astounding revelations about the children they were going to give birth to. But the Lord went ahead to make each of them aware of what was happening to the other woman. That is what is called ‘confirmation of the spirit’s leading.

Confirmation for what God is leading us into can come in many ways. Sometimes it comes through our devotional reading of the Bible; other times through a sermon that is preached or a book read. The Lord can even show someone else a vision or give him or her a word that agrees with what you have already received. The important thing to note is that usually the first leading will come to you before the confirmation comes from outside you. God does not want you to hear Him first through others. If you are His child, then He wants to speak to you first about what He wants you to do before He speaks to other people about you.

If you are struggling with a leading in your life and are not sure whether what you’re sensing is right or wrong, ask the Lord to confirm His Word to you. Ask Him to make His way clear for you so that you will not miss His leading. After you have prayed, just relax and trust Him to bring you a confirmation one way or another.

Prayer: Lord, make Your Word to me sure and give me a clear confirmation of Your leading.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Confirmation

Authority In The Believer

Authority In The Believer

AUTHORITY

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

Authority is the right to rule based on position. You have the authority to do the will of God because of your position in Christ. It’s an authority you could never have independent of God, so you need to remain dependent on Him to live victoriously.

In Christ, you have all the resources and protection you need to live a victorious life of righteousness every day. If you’re not living it, it’s your choice. When you leave a door open for the devil by not resisting temptation and deception, you make yourself weak and vulnerable to evil. And if you continue to allow him access to your life, he can gain a measure of control over you. But he cannot control you against your will.

Many Christians today who cannot control their lives in some area wallow in self-blame instead of acting responsibly to solve the problem. They get frustrated with themselves and their lack of willpower to break a bad habit. Instead of getting frustrated, all they need to do is boldly resist the devil and command him to leave their lives.

In the face of every kind of attack that the enemy can marshal against you, there is victory for you through the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit. In Christ you have been raised from the dead and are now seated at the right hand of the Father with your enemies under your feet. Act as a person of authority because you really have the power. God wants to do great things with your life this year so allow Him room to operate.

Prayer: Thanks be to God who causes me to walk in victory this day and puts the enemy under my feet.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 10:17-20

Authority In The Believer

At Your Command

At Your Command

AT YOUR COMMAND

Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name. Luke 10:17

It was a grand experience for the disciples to discover that the demons were subject to them in Jesus’ name. The Greek word that is translated as ‘subject’ in this passage implies “to arrange under.” It paints a picture of a group of soldiers coming to attention on a parade ground and following the precise orders of their commanding officer.

In effect, what the disciples were telling Jesus was, ‘Lord, the demons came to attention, followed our precise orders.’ Isn’t that exciting to know that in the name of Jesus you have authority to bring demons to attention?

Sadly, that is not the way many believers see spiritual warfare. They see God and His Kingdom on one side and Satan and his kingdom on the other. Both kingdoms seem to be very powerful and these believers are stuck in the middle between the two, like the rope in a tug of war. On some days, God seems to be winning and on others the devil appears to have the upper hand. And they don’t seem to have anything to say about who wins the battle.

But the disciples came back from their mission with a new perspective, a true perspective. Spiritual authority is not a tug of war between God and Satan. Rather, it is the enforcement of God’s will by God’s children. Jesus Christ has all authority in Heaven and on earth; He’s at the top. He has given His authority and power to His servants to be exercised in His name; we’re seated with Him. And Satan and his demons are at the bottom; under us and subject to the authority Christ has invested in us.

Prayer: Thank You Lord, that evil spirits are subject to me in the name of Jesus.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 10:17-20

 

At Your Command

Re Arrangement

Re Arrangement

REARRANGEMENT

Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters. Isaiah 43:16

Our confidence in prayer is based on the fact that we are praying according to God’s will. That is where the child of God draws his or her confidence from. All other factors such as faith, agreement, the name of Jesus and anointing are subject to this fundamental fact. God answers us because we pray according to His will. The will of God can be grouped under two broad categories. The first is what God wants to happen and the second is what God does not want to happen. In the first instance, He is able to make things happen which are not currently happening or do not seem to have any chance of happening.

In the second instance, He changes things which are happening or could happen but are not according to His will. He can both make the things which be not to be, as well as make the things which be to be not. He can rearrange things in your favour.

When you pray according to God’s will, you allow Him to set things in their proper places and order. This year, make your prayers count. Get in touch with God’s will and allow His will to do wondrous things in your life. Let Him remove some things out of your life and bring some things into your life. If what you see is not His will, pray it out of your life. Don’t just settle for anything, ask God to rearrange things for you in this your year of breakthrough.

Prayer: In the name of Jesus, Father I ask You to step into my life and turn things according to Your will.

Scriptural Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

Re Arrangement

According To His Will

According To His Will

ACCORDING TO HIS WILL

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. – 1 John 5:14

Knowing God’s will does not always mean that things will fall into place without any effort. In addition to knowing God’s will, you must know how to pray the Divine will into reality. Our Lord Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s Heavenly will to us; prayer brings that will to us on earth.

Knowing the will of God helps us pray with precision. It does not detract from the power of prayer. Rather, it focuses our prayer. Remember that God delights in answering the prayer that is according to His will. God does not answer our prayers because of our need; He does it because of His will. He does not answer our prayers because of our faith; He does it because of His will. So it is possible to pray to God about your dire needs and not have your prayers answered. It is possible to pray with a lot of intensity and faith and not have your prayers answered. God answers prayers that fit into His will and purposes. That is why knowing His will is so important.

When God makes His will known to you, it is an indication that He intends to do something about what He has revealed. He does not reveal just to give us information or satisfy our curiosity; He reveals to redeem. He reveals so that He can step into our lives and cause a turnaround or bring into being things that are considered impossible. Don’t sit on the revelation. Pray about it.

Prayer: Lord, I ask that You fulfil Your perfect will in my life.

Scriptural Reading: 1 John 5:14-17, 21

According To His Will

Spiritual Sharpness

Spiritual Sharpness

SPIRITUAL SHARPNESS

But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14

When a knife is well sharpened, it cuts easier. When a blade is blunt, it’s harder to use. Not only does it take force to actually cut something but also it’s harder to control. Similarly, when a person has spiritual sharpness, he or she discerns the will of God easier than when he or she is dull spiritually.

To know the leading of the Lord, we must be sharpened spiritually. It does not happen in one moment; it happens over time. Sometimes you’ll get it right, other times you’ll get it wrong. It is a learning process of daily submission and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Just make a personal commitment to know the voice of God for yourself.

Remember that at the same time as the Lord is speaking to us, there are other competing voices trying to get our attention. These ‘strange voices’ are many and come to us in different ways—Satan’s voice, deceptive spirits, voice of our flesh, the voice of the world and so on. These are the voices that confuse us spiritually so that we cannot clearly hear from God. Spiritual sharpness is when we can tell the Holy Spirit’s leading from other ‘strange voices.’

These tools will help you to develop spiritual sharpness.

First is the renewal of mind through the study and application of God’s word. Second is intimate prayer and communion with God. Third is a personal time of worship and waiting in God’s presence. Fourth is walking in love and forgiveness. And, finally, sharing the Word of God with others.

All these tools working together will help you develop spiritual sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Prayer: Lord, help me to develop spiritual sharpness in my walk with You.

Scriptural Reading: Hebrews 5:12-14

Spiritual Sharpness

Teach Me Your Will Oh Lord

Teach Me Your Will Oh Lord

TEACH ME YOUR WILL

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. – Psalm 143:10

Here are some further questions to ask yourself regarding God’s will.

• Do you have a sanctified desire? Is this desire to satisfy a lust of the flesh or a Spirit-filled desire to see God’s Kingdom established. Check your true motives

• Is it reasonable? God expects us to think. His guidance may transcend human reasoning, but it never excludes it. God doesn’t bypass your mind; He operates through it. We are warned in the Scriptures not to put our minds in neutral. We are to think and practice what we know to be true.

• Does a realistic opportunity exist? Closed doors are not always meant to be knocked down. Sometimes they could be God’s way of telling you to either turn around or wait. If a realistic opportunity exists and all the other factors are in agreement, then trust God and take the confident step. Remember, opportunities could open within great opposition.

• Have you sought spiritual counsel? Be careful not to consult only those who will agree with you. Give your advisers permission to ask hard questions. Don’t be afraid of “no” answers. If it isn’t God’s will, don’t you want to know before you make the mistake of acting impulsively?

• Do you have peace about it? This is inner peace within your heart that gives you an assurance of the Lord’s presence in your undertakings. If you have been able to answer yes to all these deciding factors, what are you waiting for?

Prayer: Lord, give me the courage and boldness to step and do Your will without fear.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 143:1-11

Teach Me Your Will Oh Lord

Deciding Right From Wrong

Deciding Right From Wrong

DECIDING RIGHT

O, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Psalm 43:3

Today, we will consider some additional steps we can take to discern God’s will for our lives. As you seek to know God’s will in your heart, these questions can help clarify your decisions. They represent moral issues and Godly wisdom that are needed to make good decisions.

•  Is it consistent with the Word of God? The Bible is the rule for all our conduct. It gives us the moral foundation for our actions and opens up great treasures of wisdom to help us choose the right responses.

•  Can you do it and be a positive Christian witness? Our lives and testimonies as children of God are the mirrors that people look through to see the Lord. Any action that undermines our Christian witness must be reconsidered.

•  Will the Lord be glorified? Can you do this and give glory to God? In doing it, will you be glorifying God in your body? Are you seeking the glory of man or the glory of God? Are you doing this to be noticed by man or please the Lord?

•  Are you acting responsibly? When we are faithful in little things, the Lord will put us in charge of greater things. Don’t get ahead of God’s timing for your life by accepting responsibilities that you have no knowledge or experience in. Seek to develop your life and talents and God will open doors for you.

•  Have you prayerfully considered it? Prayerful consideration is when we ponder quietly in our hearts concerning a decision we’re about to make. It includes looking at the issue from a godly perspective, as well as the likely consequences.

Prayer: Lord, help me to avoid any decision that will take me outside of Your will.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 43:1-5

Deciding Right From Wrong

The Voice Of God Is Calling You

The Voice Of God Is Calling You

LET GOD LEAD FIRST

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. Psalm 5:8

When you make up your mind before you seek God’s guidance, it is easy for you to mistake your own voice with the voice of the Holy Spirit.

For example, a brother falls in love with a sister and then goes to the Lord for direction as to whether the sister is the right person to marry. At that time, because the brother has already committed his heart in love, it will be very difficult to tell his own strong inner feelings from the Holy Spirit’s leading. The best thing is to seek the Spirit’s leading before you commit your heart.

When you have already made up your mind as to what you want to do, it is difficult to have the openness of heart that allows the Holy Spirit to speak clearly to you. Many sincere seekers of the Spirit’s leading make this mistake. They already know where they stand on a matter or how they want the matter to turn out and then they go to the Lord, seeking for guidance. When that happens, the voice they hear speaking to them is nothing more than their own.

If you really want the Spirit’s leading, let God lead first before your heart follows.

Don’t commit your heart to a cause first before seeking the Lord. Don’t allow your emotions and feelings to take the lead before you seek for the Holy Spirit’s leading. Seek the Lord first and then commit your heart to what He tells you. The Scriptures warn us about deceptions and delusions of the mind. Remember, the voice of the Holy Spirit is not your voice; your will is not His will.

Prayer: Lord, take the lead and I will follow.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 5:1-12

The Voice Of God Is Calling You

Let God Lead First

Let God Lead First

LET GOD LEAD FIRST

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. Psalm 5:8

When you make up your mind before you seek God’s guidance, it is easy for you to mistake your own voice with the voice of the Holy Spirit.

For example, a brother falls in love with a sister and then goes to the Lord for direction as to whether the sister is the right person to marry. At that time, because the brother has already committed his heart in love, it will be very difficult to tell his own strong inner feelings from the Holy Spirit’s leading. The best thing is to seek the Spirit’s leading before you commit your heart.

When you have already made up your mind as to what you want to do, it is difficult to have the openness of heart that allows the Holy Spirit to speak clearly to you. Many sincere seekers of the Spirit’s leading make this mistake. They already know where they stand on a matter or how they want the matter to turn out and then they go to the Lord, seeking for guidance. When that happens, the voice they hear speaking to them is nothing more than their own.

If you really want the Spirit’s leading, let God lead first before your heart follows.

Don’t commit your heart to a cause first before seeking the Lord. Don’t allow your emotions and feelings to take the lead before you seek for the Holy Spirit’s leading. Seek the Lord first and then commit your heart to what He tells you. The Scriptures warn us about deceptions and delusions of the mind. Remember, the voice of the Holy Spirit is not your voice; your will is not His will.

Prayer: Lord, take the lead and I will follow.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 5:1-12

Let God Lead First

The Wrong Way

The Wrong Way

WRONG LEADINGS

I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 2 Corinthians 2:13

The great Apostle Paul says he ignored an open opportunity because he had ‘no rest’ in his spirit. In verse 12, the immediate reason he assigns for his ‘no rest’ in his spirit is that he did not find Titus in Troas. He acknowledges that the open door that was opened for him was ‘by the Lord.’ That means that he bypassed a divine appointment because of what he felt on the inside.

What’s the lesson here? Not every ‘inner feeling’ or ‘no rest’ we have is from the Lord. Sometimes there are clear reasons why we feel deeply about something. In Paul’s case, he was able to tell the source of his ‘no rest.’ He had deep anxieties about the safety of Titus who was to have arrived earlier in Troas to meet him.

One of the dangers we face when we seek to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading is assigning every feeling we have to the Holy Spirit. Many a time, what we feel is not from the Holy Spirit at all. It may just be from our fears, worries and anxieties. Fear has a voice; worry has a voice; anxiety has a voice. Don’t mistake them for that of the Holy Spirit.

At other times it could just be our hopes speaking to us and not the Holy Spirit. Especially when you desperately want something to happen, it is very easy for you for you to ‘hear things’ that seem to agree with your expectation. If the great Apostle Paul could feel ‘no rest’ because of his anxieties, so can you.

Prayer: Lord, help me discern Your true voice from other voices.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

The Wrong Way

Knowing Within

Knowing Within

KNOWING WITHIN

And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” Mark 5:30

The voice of the Holy Spirit within is not a loud voice. Most of the time, it is a gentle impression we have concerning a thing, situation, place or people. Some people call it ‘intuition’ or ‘premonition.’ It is a ‘knowing’ you have within yourself that something is alright or not right. It is not a sentence but a ‘knowing.’ Many a time when you are asked to explain it you will not have any logical explanation except that you ‘know.’

A person, who is born again and has the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, should expect God to lead them on a daily basis. And the primary way is through the ‘knowing’ within. It is not exactly a voice so don’t expect to be hearing voices in your head (that will require some professional help). The Holy Spirit does not lead you by taking over your mind or your personality. No, He leads you by working with your faculties and gently impressing His direction in your heart.

He does it so gently that you could overlook Him and miss His leading. This year, one of the disciplines you should develop is sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Take time to note all those leadings and judge the results.

Not everything you feel within is from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes you will get it wrong; other times you will get it right. Don’t feel too bad when you miss His leading. Just keep learning and in time, you grow and identify His leading in your life.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to know Your leading when You speak to me.

Scriptural Reading: Mark 5:21-34

Knowing Within

The Holy Spirit Leading

The Holy Spirit Leading

THE SPIRIT’S LEADING

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

The primary way that God leads His children is through His revealed Word, the Bible, and the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. Through the Bible, we get general guidance; through the Holy Spirit, we receive specific guidance.

For example, the Bible tells us generally that God has good plans for us, but it does not tell each one of us what that plan is. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Because He lives in each believer personally, the Holy Spirit is able to give us personal guidance on a yearly, monthly, daily or moment-by-moment basis.

One of the ways in which the Holy Spirit leads us is through the ‘Inward Witness’. This is not a voice but an impression. It is a deep ‘knowing’ that you have within your heart. Some people call it intuition. The inward witness is not a message or a voice that you can hear or explain clearly. Sometimes it is like a deep discomfort that you feel within you that something is not right, even though it appears right and everybody says it is right.

At other times it could be a deep peace you feel about something. As you pray about some specific area of your life, you may have an inner sense that everything will be alright. This kind of inner witness is like an ‘all-correct’ signal. You may feel it deeply even if your current circumstances appear very fearful and risky.

As you pray and seek God’s leading, take note of these inner signals you feel because they could be the Holy Spirit’s way of speaking to you.

🙏🏿 Prayer:

Holy Spirit, I open my spirit to You; show me the will of the Father.

📖 Scriptural Reading: Romans 8:12-17

The Holy Spirit Leading

God"s Plan

God’s Plan

GOD’S PLANS

The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Psalm 33:11

God has plans for you. But I am sure you also have plans for yourself. The reality of life is that sometimes God’s plans for us and the plans we have for ourselves may not be in agreement. From our youth, all of us develop plans in our minds for experiencing the best of life and reaching significant goals. Consciously or subconsciously, each one of us continues to formulate and adjust his or her plans for achieving these goals.

But sometimes our well-intended plans and noble-sounding goals are not completely in harmony with God’s plans and goals for us.

“How can I know if what I am doing is right?” You may be wondering. “Must I wait until I have failed in what I am doing to discover that what I believed was wrong?” Not really.

God has designed us in such a way that we can know, on a regular basis, if our choices are properly aligned with God’s truth. God has established a feedback system which is designed to grab our attention so that we can re-examine what we are doing.

That system is our spirit. When an experience or relationship leaves you feeling angry, anxious or depressed, those emotional signposts may be pointing to the responses of your spirit. Many a time the Holy Spirit speaks to our spirits in the language of our emotions.

Don’t make any assumptions about how you feel about a particular situation. Take time and pray about that negative feeling you have about what you are doing and allow the Holy Spirit to make the will of God clear to you.

Prayer: Lord, help me to align my desires and goals to Your will.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 33:10-22

God"s Plan

New Garments

New Garments

FRESH GARMENTS

But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 1 Samuel 2:18-19

When the Prophet Samuel was a young boy serving under Eli in the temple, his mother visited him once a year. Anytime she visited Samuel, she made it a point to give him new clothes. She was aware that the clothes Samuel wore the year before would have grown smaller on him or gotten worn out. Every New Year was a season of new clothes for Samuel.

Just as Samuel’s mother made new clothes for him each New Year, your Heavenly Father also has new clothes for you every New Year. Samuel’s mother changed her son’s natural clothes but your Heavenly Father wants to change your spiritual clothes. He wants to expand your vision, increase your faith and fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit.

This year, God wants you to wear clothes that are bigger, better and greater than the ones you wore last year. If last year was a good year for you, God wants this year to be better for you. If last year was a success for you, God wants you to have greater success this year. He wants you to do things you have never done before. He wants you to accomplish things beyond your wildest imagination.

The Lord wants to stretch your spiritual muscles so that you can reach out for higher and better things. You cannot do that while holding on to your past failures and successes. Put off your old garments and put on the new, for this is your year of power!

Prayer: I’m ready Lord. Put a new garment on me this year and show me more of Your glory.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Samuel 2:18-21

New Garments

Consult The Lord

Consult The Lord

CONSULT THE LORD

So David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 2 Samuel 5:19

One of the big lessons we learn from David in the battle against the Philistines in the Valley of Rephaim is his willingness to consult the Lord at every phase of the military campaign. Before he stepped into the first battle, David sought the Lord’s mind and guidance. He wanted three things from the Lord.

First was whether he should even go into the battle at all.

Second, he sought for clarification on the kind of battle strategy to employ and third, he wanted to know the final outcome of the battle. After he had won the first battle, he again sought for the Lord’s guidance for the second battle, even though both the enemy and the battleground were the same as before.

From David, we learn not to be presumptuous, nor take the Lord’s leading for granted. Many a time when one method has worked for us in the past, we make it a formula for life. Or when God helps us in a particular situation, we take His will for granted when we are faced with a similar situation. If you really want to experience victory in every battle, you must learn this attitude of David’s. Learn to go to God with a simple question, ‘Lord, should I do it?’

In life, no two things or situations are exactly the same. What appears to be like something you have already encountered before may actually have dimensions that are very different from what you see. The good news is that God sees what we don’t see and knows what we don’t know. Seek for His guidance in every situation. Let Him give you the strategy for every battle and you will always be on the winning side.

Prayer: Show me Your will, O Lord, and teach me what to do today.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Samuel 5:17-25

Consult The Lord

Power To See

Power To See

THE POWER TO SEE

Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. – 2 Kings 22:8

Legends has it that ancient Greek mathematician, Archimedes, screamed, ‘Eureka’ (I’ve found it) when he discovered the theory of buoyancy while having his bath.

In science, a breakthrough is ‘a sudden advance, especially in knowledge or technique. Spiritually, it is called ‘revelation. Revelation is when God opens your spirit mind and faculties to perceive new information that was hidden from you. God wants to open your mind to new ideas. He will release the spirit of revelation and creativity upon you and stir you up to do awesome things to His glory.

Like Archimedes, your ‘Eureka’ moment may come at a time you do not expect it. Just out of the blue, God can drop revelatory insights into your spirit. For some people, their moment will come after years of struggling to find answers and then, just like that, they will find the answers that have eluded them all these years. Whatever form it takes, you will have your own breakthrough in revelation.

When everyone is stuck in a dry hole and complaining about how tough things are, God will open your eyes to fresh water. He will give you Divine wisdom to solve perplexing problems. When you have come to the end of your own abilities, the Lord will open up new things for you. When all seems lost, God will open your spirit up to new ideas. Revelation, Creative ideas, Divine insight, Mental illumination, Clarity of mind and Inventions.

These are things that God wants to upload into your life in this New Year. Stay in touch with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to drop Heaven’s ideas into your spirit.

Prayer: Lord, I open my spirit up to new revelations from Your Holy Spirit.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Kings 22:3-10

#YearOfPower

Power To See

The Power Of Breakthrough

The Power Of Breakthrough

THE POWER TO BREAKTHROUGH

So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. – 2 Samuel 5:20

This year is a year of power. It is a year when the Lord will empower you to break through walls of opposition that stand between you and His plans for you. He will fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit and give you victory in all your battles.

King David experienced a breakthrough when the Philistine armies came against him in the Valley of Rephaim. The Valley of Rephaim spanned a length of three miles and a width of two miles — a large place. The Philistine forces were spread all over that space in a massive and intimidating military deployment. Every space in the valley was taken, leaving David and his army little space to manoeuvre.

Then David sought the Lord and received His power and winning strategy. Against all odds, David was able to break through a three mile deep military formation to scatter the Philistines. He called the battle grounds the Place of God’s Breakthrough. In a place totally occupied by the enemy, God paved a way for him.

This year, as you face your own ‘Valley of Rephaim’, remember David. In the face of formidable odds, seek for God’s divine enablement, guidance and strategic direction; seek for divine counsel and walk in God’s wisdom. As you do, you will also experience your own unusual breakthroughs this year. You will break through in your health; breakthrough in your career; breakthrough in your finances.

Yes, the enemy forces will set themselves against you but you will break through them. Don’t fear the things you see and the things you hear. The Lord is with you. His power within you will make you more than a conqueror.

Prayer: Lord, cause me to run through the enemy’s troops and leap over walls of opposition.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Samuel 5:17-25

#YearOfPower

The Power Of Breakthrough

New Beginnings

New Beginnings

A NEW BEGINNING

O, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. Psalm 98:1

You have just stepped into a new year, a year of POWER and supernatural accomplishments. You have crossed over from the old to the new; from an end to a new beginning. Today, God has opened a new page and a new chapter for your life. He has given you another 365 days to live out His plans and purpose for your life. As you stand at the threshold of this New Year, I encourage you to lift up your eyes to the Lord and see with the eyes of faith His incomparably great power in you and the awesome things that Has prepared for you.

Although this is a new year for you, it is not so for the Lord. He is the Alpha and Omega. He knows the end from the beginning. You cannot tell every detail of how the year will turn out but the Lord you serve knows all the details. He knows every mountain on the way has surveyed the valleys ahead of you. He knows where the green pastures are and where to find the still waters. Hold His hand and allow Him to guide you along the way.

Trust in the Lord; commit the days ahead into His hands; yield your heart to Him and make Him your priority. Yes, there will be anxiety along the way; yes, storms will rage; yes, there will be threats. But the Lord has promised to be your shield and your defence. He will not leave you nor forsake you. He will walk every step with you and empower you to triumph every single day of this year of Power.

Prayer: My heart I give You, my ways I yield to You, O Lord. Grant me the grace to exhibit your power in all areas of my life. Amen.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 98:1-9

Year Of Power

New Beginnings

There Is Hope For Your Future

There Is Hope For Your Future

THERE IS HOPE FOR YOUR FUTURE

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

It is said that the future is an opportunity yet unmet, a path yet untravelled, a life yet unlived. How our future will be lived depends on the priorities and purposes of our lives today. The direction we take right now determines where we will end up in the future.

We might be frightened by an uncertain future, but as Christians, we don’t have to be afraid. We can welcome the New Year with an anticipation of what God will do in us and through us. Our future as Christians is as bright as the promises of God.

When the children of Israel were being held as captives in Babylon, God sent them a message of hope. Many of them felt that God had forgotten about them or that His intentions toward them were bad. They were frightened about their future, and they cried out to God for deliverance. So God raised up the prophet Jeremiah to speak to them.

If you have ever felt as though you were forgotten by God, if you have ever felt that God was against you, or if you have ever been frightened about your future, then God’s words to the Israelites apply to you as well: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Enter the New Year with hope and positive expectations because God wants to do great things with your life and for your life.

Prayer: Father, I enter the New Year with hope and expectations because I know You have prepared in advance great and mighty things for me to accomplish.

Scriptural Reading: Jeremiah 29:10-14

There Is Hope For Your Future