THE REALITY OF REDEMPTION!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE REALITY OF REDEMPTION! 

Memory verse: "Him who knew no sin, God made to become sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (Second Corinthians 5 vs 21.)

READ: Romans 3 vs 21 - 26:

3:21: But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

3:22: even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 

3:23: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

3:24: being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

3:25: whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that are previously committed,

3:26: to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

INTIMATION:

All humanity has fallen short of that which is required for one to dwell in the presence of God. The result of law is that all have been made sinners. The result of sin is separation from God (Isaiah 59 vs 1 - 2). And the result of separation from God is spiritual death which will eventually lead to a second death. Since all have sinned (Romans 6 vs 23), then apart from the grace of God, no one can stand before God in the basis of law alone. 

Before the cross, all were under the curse of sin in that they could not deliver themselves from spiritual death through meritorious law-keeping or good works. Therefore, as a result of God’s grace, the sinless Son of God was offered as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus thus bore the sins of all humanity on the cross to redeem us from the consequences of sin—eternal separation from God. In order for any person to take advantage of the God’s grace he or she must obediently respond to the gospel.

In His death, Jesus was God’s offering to appease His wrath that would eventually have to be poured out on sinners. In order for God to stand just in judgement of free-moral man, there had to be a choice for men to be saved from condemnation. Through the offering of the blood of Jesus, God gave the choice. Though the offering has to be made at a point in time in human history, the required response to God by faith on the part of man has always been in existence (Galatians 3 vs 11).

Those who confessed Christ are justified freely on the grounds of grace, through the redemption that God wrought in Christ. The redemption is based upon the fact that God laid our sins, griefs, sorrows, diseases etc., upon Jesus. Not only did He become the Sin-bearer, but God accepted His substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf. He was delivered up on account of our sins, for God made Him sin with our sins. He was raised from the dead because He had put sin away; He had, by His death on the cross, satisfied the claim of justice—"the soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18 vs 20).

Therefore, redemption means Christ setting sinners free from slavery to sin and Satan, and the revealing of the righteousness of God that comes to man through faith in Jesus Christ, and it belongs to all those who acknowledge Christ as Savior and confess Him as their Lord. Jesus died in order that we might become the justified children of God in Christ. It is because of His death that we able to be righteous before God. Since we cannot establish our own righteousness on the basis of perfect keeping of law or meritorious good works, then all must be drawn to the cross in order to be justified from sin. It is at the cross that we are justified by the grace of God.

The righteousness of God is the justification of those who obediently respond to the grace of God that was revealed on the cross. It is the righteousness (justification) that is accredited to those who seek God by faith. God is just because He has revealed the means by which we can be made righteous. It was through Jesus’ faithfulness to go to the cross that the righteousness of God was accomplished. Justification was also accomplished because of the faith of those who believed in the cross. Both the faithfulness of Jesus in going to the cross, and man’s faith response to the cross, were necessary in order to accomplish God’s eternal plan to reconcile us to Himself through Jesus. 

After His death on the cross, Jesus was resurrected, made alive in spirit, that is, recreated. He was the firstborn out of death. Thereafter, He was declared righteous and made a new creation by the life God imparted to Him. Then He met Satan in his own kingdom and stripped him of his authority and took from him the dominion that he had over the world. That new creation—the recreated life—is what Christ has wrought for us, and we are also made righteous in Him by redemption—His substitutionary work for us on the cross.

When Jesus arose from the dead, He arose, not only because He had put away sin, but also because He had, as a substitute, conquered Satan. It was as though we, individually, had been the conquerors, just as though we had been there in that dark region and had conquered Satan, stripped him of his authority and risen from the dead.  When Christ rose from the dead, redemption became a settled and closed issue.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for what You wrought for me in redemption in Christ Jesus. He took my place and died the death I ought to die as a sinner I am. He gave His sinless life of inestimable value for my life of sin that is completely worthless; paying the wage of my sin with His life. I confess Him as my Lord and personal Savior. My utmost heart desire is to live for Him all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE BANE OF IMPURE MOTIVES!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE BANE OF IMPURE MOTIVES!

Memory verse: "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.” (Matthew 23 vs 5.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 1 - 6, 17 - 18: 

6:1: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

6:2: Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 

6:3: But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 

6:4: that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. 

6:5: And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6:6: But you when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

6:17: But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

6:18: so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret  place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

INTIMATION:

Motive is something—incentive, purpose, intention—that causes a person to act. Therefore, a pure motive is devoid of any form of selfishness. When we pray, when we fast, and when we give, the Bible says that we must be pure in our motives. If you do any of these things being self-centered other than being God-centered, then your motive is impure. God abhors anything that we do that takes Him out of the first place in our lives. 

For instance, when you do something for the sake of being seen by others, your motive is impure, and Jesus said that being seen by others is our only reward. If, however, we do what we do in obedience to God—putting God and His desires first—then your motive is pure, devoid of any selfishness, and God will reward you. Obedience to God is key to receiving from Him: “If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures” (Job 36 vs 11).

It’s easier to do what’s right when we gain recognition and praise. To be sure our motives are not selfish, we should do our good deeds quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas: generosity, prayer, and fasting. These acts should not be self-centered but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. 

Impure motives Jesus calls ‘hypocrisy.’ The term hypocrisy, as used in the Scripture, describes the acts of people doing good for appearances only—not out of compassion or other good motives. Their actions may be good, but their motives are questionable—empty and self-serving. These empty and self-serving acts, wanting to boost their egos, are their rewards. But God will reward those who are sincere in their faith, obeying and serving Him sincerely.

Our relationship with God is personal, hence Jesus requiring us to be private in our dealings. When He says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, He is teaching us actions in pure motives. It is easy to give with mixed motives, like doing something for someone if it will benefit us in return, or doing things for selfish ambitions, like public recognition and applaud. Jesus teaches that believers should avoid all scheming, but rather our actions must be in response to God’s love, and obedience to Him.

Knowing the Scriptures, but not practicing them is a hypocritical attitude. For instance, some really don’t care about holiness, as demanded by God, but likes looking holy, or be seen as holy in order to receive people’s admiration and praise. Such people like public prayers where they speak on top of their voices and gyrate as if under the power of the Holy Spirit, just for public recognition. The essence of prayer is not public style, but private communication with God. There is a place for public prayer (corporate prayer), but to pray only where others will notice you indicates that your real audience is not God, but rather self-recognition, which is an impure motive.

Some may conclude that Jesus’ directions about private prayer call into question all public prayers. That is an obvious misunderstanding of His teaching. The Gospels record Jesus at prayer both privately (Matthew 14 vs 23) and publicly (Matthew 14 vs 18 - 19). Jesus was only drawing attention to the motives behind actions. The point really wasn’t a choice between public and private prayer, but between heartfelt and hypocritical prayer. When asked to pray in public, focus on addressing God, not on how you are coming across to others.

The Bible teaches us the principles of giving and receiving (Luke 6 vs 38). God relates with the us in the same manner we relates with Him and others. The thrust of what Jesus stated in those verses is that we will be dealt with by God in the same manner we treat our fellow humans. If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, these qualities will come back to us in full measure, and may sometimes surpass ours. Therefore, when we measure mercy to others, God will in turn measure mercy to us. If we are critical rather compassionate, we will also receive criticism. Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice. With your next good deed, ask, Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me to be pure in my motives in all I do, that I may please You, rather than by myself, to eschew compromises of any form in my life, that I may not to be a friend to the world, and an enemy to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BREAKFAST BY THE SEASIDE
Life's Punchlines... (Volume 3).
❤🇳🇬🇳🇬 Year 2020🇳🇬🇳🇬❤.

Preacher: Priest Godsknight O.J

Topic: A Champion's Exploits (2).

Text: 2 Cor 12v15" And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved."

The greatest catalyst for a Champion's Exploits is the love for Jesus & His handworks (Jn 15v12-14). It's okay to be hated for Jesus' sake, & not for your ignorance sake.

In our last class, we identified prayer & generosity as the starting point for champions' exploits ( 2 Cor 10v3-6, James 1v27). Today, we'll be more illustrious in delivery as we take the bull by the horn, like Champions do ( Jude 1v3).

Champions' Drips 💉:

1) A champion to be, must know that the God of Heaven and Earth called Jesus is not a Puppet, hence, does not send people on puppets journey (Mark 16v15-18).

2) Endeavor to understand Jesus holistically, before mouthing words for Him. Don't spit on Calvary's honour ignorantly (Ps 19v14).

3) Champions don't hoard blessings; they release them to profit the body of Christ at large (1 Tim 6v10).

We're in a kingdom where we don't drift from the main point just to prove our own points, else we'll become pointless upon the KING'S arrival (Rev 22v12-16).

If madness approach you in form of a person, sit that madness down on a wheel chair (Eccl 8v4). Fantasy is waiting for Jesus to throw those who stole your biscuits inside fire 🔥; Jesus expect you to act like a soldier too.

"Discipline is character in action", Vince Lombardi.

Today's terrorists were either our parents' set, our set, or children's set in schools. They couldn't grow wings around us wayback, but are monstrous in merchandise today because we replaced action time with stories ( 1 Tim 6v12,20).

I prophesy, henceforth, your enemies shall call you cats 🐈 with nine lives because their traps are useless 😜 in Jesus name (Prov 1v17, Col 2v14-15).

God bless you🤝.
Instagram: @PriestGodsknight.

CONTEND FOR THE FAITH!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2020.

SUBJECT: CONTEND FOR THE FAITH!

Memory verse: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3.)

READ: Philippians 1 vs 27 - 29:

1:27: Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
1:28: and not in any way terrified by your adversaries: which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

1:29: For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

INTIMATION: 

It is required of true believers to agonize in defense of their faith; fighting with everything they have in them for the faith entrusted to them as a gift to guard and cherish, and protecting the faith against assault or subversion. They should contend earnestly for the faith that has once and for all be delivered to them with godly passion. Godly passion is having goals, and energy to accomplish those goals. Such is the thinking of and lifestyle of the disciples of Jesus. All believers are by extension evangelists. And the function of an evangelist among the lost is laborious. Anyone who is lazy and timid cannot carry out the struggles of warfare in which a disciple is constantly engaged. 

Some think that Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act. On the contrary, we must have an active faith, training, working hard, sacrificing, and doing what we know is right. Christian service, like athletics, requires training and sacrifice. Our discipline and obedience largely define whether or not we will be contributors or merely spectators. How would other believers rank your contributing role on Christ’s team? 

To “contend earnestly for the faith” today we should emphasize the following ideas:

(1) We can contend for the faith by knowing the truth. We do that by studying the Bible. Don’t ever imagine that pastors and teachers of the Word like seminary professors hold a monopoly of this task. Without study, you cannot know what to defend. You must understand the basic doctrines of the faith so that you can recognize false doctrines and prevent wrong teaching from undermining your faith and hurting others.

(2) We can contend for the faith as we grow personally with Christ. While knowledge is important, your personal relationship and fellowship with Christ is absolutely essential. Through that relationship and fellowship, God has given you the Holy Spirit as a teacher. Unattached to God, you may know everything but understand nothing. Attached to Christ, you are given spiritual understanding as well as experiences with Christ that underscore your faith. Remember the word of Christ, “...for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15 vs 5.)

(3) We can contend for the faith by remaining unified on the essentials. While Christians can certainly disagree on many non-essentials (music in worship, methods of worship, methods of outreach), we must always defend the truth of the basics of our faith as found in God’s Word which are the essentials. Any additions to or subtractions from the Word, expressly or impliedly must be resisted.  

Jesus warned, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book; And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the Book of life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22 vs 18 - 19.)

This warning is given to those who might purposefully distort the message in the Bible. Moses gave a similar warning in Deuteronomy 4 vs 1 - 4. We, too, must handle the Bible with care and great respect so that we do not distort its message, even unintentionally. We should be quick to put its principles into practice in our life. No human explanation or interpretation of God’s Word should be elevated to the same authority as the text itself. 

Contending for the faith might involve suffering. And suffering for Christ is a privilege, though we do not by nature consider suffering a privilege. Yet when we suffer, if we faithfully represent Christ, our message and example affect us and others for good. Suffering has these additional benefits: (1) It takes our eyes off earthly comforts; (2) it weeds out superficial believers; (3) it strengthens the faith of those who endure; (4) it serves as an example to others who may follow us. When we suffer for our faith, it doesn’t mean that we have done something wrong. In fact, the opposite is often true; it verifies that we have been faithful. Use suffering to build your character. Don’t resent it or let it tear you down. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of total commitment and absolute faith in You, and engrace me to earnestly contend for the faith, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WORRY NOT ABOUT THESE TWO DAYS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2020.

SUBJECT: WORRY NOT ABOUT THESE TWO DAYS!

Memory verse: “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.” (Isaiah 43:18)“

READ: Proverbs 27 vs 1; Matthew 6 vs 34; James 4 vs 13 - 15:

Proverbs 27:1: Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Matthew 6:34: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

James 4:13: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year, and buy and sell, and get a profit”;
4:14: whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
4:15: Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

INTIMATION:

There are two days in every week that we should not worry about, two days that should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One is yesterday with its mistakes and cares. Its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. Nor can we erase a single word we’ve said. Yesterday is gone.

The apostle Paul said, “Brethren I count not myself to have laid hold. But one thing I do, ‘forgetting those things that are behind and ”reaching forward to those things that are before.” (Philippians 3 vs 13.) The apostle Paul had reason to forget the past, which if had continued to reflect on the past, it will greatly hurt his future. He had been a persecutor of Christians. But when Jesus arrested him on his way to Damascus things changed; he turned out to be the foremost of Christ’s early apostles. He therefore, needed to put that past behind him. 

We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. Don’t dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with Him now. Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ. We do not allow the things of this world to detract us from our goal of eternal dwelling. 

The other day we shouldn’t worry about is tomorrow. Tomorrow is beyond our control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise either in splendor, or behind a mask of clouds but it will rise. And until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.  In one of the passages we read today, Jesus is encouraging us not be overly concerned about the future. In other words, we must not add worries about the future to the responsibilities of today. Worry works against faith (see James 1 vs 6). We must assume through faith that all things work together for good (Romans 8 vs 28). And thus we must work by faith (Second Corinthians 5 vs 7). The more one walks by faith, the less worry there is in his or her life. 

This leaves only one day, Today. It is easier to carry the burdens of one day than adding that of yesterday and tomorrow. It is only when we add the burdens of yesterday and tomorrow that we break down. There is no guarantee of how tomorrow may come, therefore, one should fully appreciate each day of his life. It is not the experience of today that drives people mad, it is the remorse of bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring. 

The psalmist said, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118 vs 24) Everyday is a privilege in the life of frail men, hence we should be happy with each day as it comes. Moreover, God’s provision is daily, not all at once. We cannot store it up and then cut off communication with God. And we dare not be self-satisfied.

There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. But no matter how we felt, we should always be honest with God, telling Him how we truly feel. And as we talk to God, we should praise Him for who He is, and what He has done and can do. You will discover that God will give you a reason to rejoice. Even that day is a gift from God, for you to live and serve Him, therefore, be glad and rejoice!

It is good to have goals, but goals can disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist because the future is in His hands. We can plan ahead, but we must hold on to our plans loosely. If we put God’s desires at the center of our planning, He will never disappoint us. Planning for tomorrow is a time well spent, worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. 

The beginning of good planning is to ask, “What would I like to be doing ten years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will I react if God steps in and rearranges my plan? Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today. Worriers are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You care for us day by day, and every new day is an opportunity to get closer and draw strength from You. Daily will I empty myself before You that You fill me in with Your grace to function in accordance with Your precepts, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BREAKFAST BY THE SEASIDE
Life's Punchlines... (Volume 3).
❤🇳🇬🇳🇬 Year 2020🇳🇬🇳🇬❤.

Preacher: Priest Godsknight O.J

Topic: A Champion's Exploits (1).

Text: 1 Cor 9v19" For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more."

I owe Jesus all the gratitude available in Heaven and on Earth, for giving me a chance to swing the Sword for a family so vast like the Sand of the Sea, in His unshakable kingdom ( Heb 12v28).

The devil 😈 has stopped being fantastic in many lives ever since I assume this God-ordained Noble Office, expect more exploits in Jesus Name ( Is 61v1-7).

A Champion's exploit is easy, but, you must have fought a major war & emerged victorious to offer it (Rev 12v11). It's exploits from a champion, against other champions ( 1 Sam 17v 45-51).

Focus on victory for everyone whether they're on battle ground with you or not, champions are sacrificial lambs. Jesus is a good defence attorney (Exo 14v14), but you also must be a reliable battle Axe (Amos 3v3).

We're in a time to build the mindset of divine soldiers, regarding God's package for them on Earth. It's no time to scamper like brood of chicken under threat from hungry dogs 🐕.

Firstly, uniformity among brethren is sacrosanct. The devil's religion called "Rebellion" couldn't stand in heaven (Rev 12v7-8), because the body of Christ in heaven wasn't divided ( Eph 2v14).

Let's not rest on our oars, we've been challenged & must give good account of heaven's battle standard here. It starts from the place of prayers (Eph 6v18), & voluntary services to humanity (1 Cor 9v20-23 ).

Victory doesn't come by accident, necessary dues must be paid to ensure it. The devil 😈 is afraid of our armies 🎼🥁🎹🎷👨🏾‍✈👩🏻‍✈👮‍♀👮‍♂👨🏼‍⚖👩🏼‍⚖(2 Chro 20v20-30), we mustn't return the favour (Rom 8v15).

They're bent on waisting lives, we're bent on saving them (Jn 10v10). Jesus' Will shall stand, come what may (Ps 46v10).

God bless you🤝.
Instagram: @PriestGodsknight.

THE SPIRIT OF FAITH!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE SPIRIT OF FAITH!

Memory verse: “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;” (Second Corinthians 4 vs 13.)

READ: Romans 4 vs 17 - 24:

4:17: (As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead, and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
4:18: who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, “So shall your descendants seed be.”

4:19: And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead, (since he was about an hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
4:20: He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
4:21: and being fully convinced that, what he had promised, He was also able to perform.
4:22: And therefore, “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
4:23: Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him,

4:24: but also for us, it shall be imputed to us who believe on Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,

INTIMATION:

The Bible based faith is reliance, loyalty, or complete trust in God, and His Word. The Word of God is spirit and life (John 6 vs 63); It is God in the Spirit available to the believer that gives life in the affairs of the believer. The Bible based faith is the spirit of faith (Special faith), and It is the principal weapon of war for a child of God; the victory that overcomes the world: "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (First John 5 vs 14). The spirit of faith sees the invisible God in any challenges in life. 

Every believer already has general faith or saving faith, which is also a gift. Ephesians 2 vs 8 says, “For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” The faith that you are saved by is a gift of God, but it is not one of the nine gifts of the Spirit; “to another faith by the same Spirit” (First Corinthians 12 vs 9). The Amplified Bible reads, “To another [wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit.” Saving faith is given to you through hearing the Word, because the Bible says, “So then faith [saving faith] comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10 vs 17).

But special faith is something other than general faith or saving faith. It is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit whereby a believer is empowered with faith beyond simple saving faith. This is the kind of faith you need to be able to move the obstructions or obstacles in your way. Sickness, financial strife, abuse, pride, unemployment, bondages, and strongholds of all kinds will not be able to stay in your life when you pray with this kind of (wonder-working) faith. They must go! All you have to do is believe, and nothing will be impossible for you (Mark 9 vs 23). 

The spirit of faith (Special faith—the gift of the Holy Spirit) is the predominant faith for exploits. This spirit is encountered through the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. It is a spiritual force; a living force, drawn from the living Word of God, to produce living proves. It is the miracle-working faith that Jesus has during His ministry on the earth, and He said that we would walk in even greater power and perform greater things than He did. Prayer with such faith is real, and dismantles pride and vengeance, filling the holes with love. 

Therefore, if you want to receive the promises of God in His Word you must have faith in God Himself, and the Spirit of God—the spirit of faith—must be operational in you. The Scripture says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11 vs 6.) God promises that all who honestly seek Him—who act in faith on the knowledge of God that they possess, will be rewarded. Faith makes us share responsibility of our lives with God through His Spirit indwelling us, and in the light of His Word. With our faith in God, His Word, and our obedience, we commit God's integrity to perform His Word—His promises (Jeremiah 1 vs 12).

Faith is one of the mysteries of the kingdom of God. It is a potent force, with power to quench the fiery darts of the devil; "Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." (Ephesians 6 vs 16.) Those fiery darts include; fear, doubt, unbelief, anger etc. When he throws such darts on you, and you are weak in faith to resist it, you succumb to his lies, and miss the provision in your promise. Therefore, be fully persuaded of the truth in the Word of God, give yourself to raw and strict obedience to it, and you will behold the manifestation of the fulfillment of the promises of God in your life.

The main elements of faith in its relation to the invisible God, are: (1) A firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of God’s revelation or truth. (2)  A personal surrender to Him. (3) A conduct inspired by such surrender. For instance, the Scripture, in Isaiah 53 vs 5, says, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” How do you obtain by faith the healing virtue enshrined in verse above by faith? Now, the three elements of faith must be at work; (1) a firm conviction, of truth that by Christ’s stripes we are healed of any illness or disease, (2) a personal surrender to Christ, accepting His works for you in redemption, and (3) to conduct yourself in a manner inspired by such surrender—the Scripture says you are healed, and you exercise you faith in the healing so obtained. 

In the passage we read today, the object of Abraham’s faith was not God’s promise of a child to an aged and weak man—a hundred years old, with a wife with dead womb—90years of age, which is remotely impossible in reality. Instead, his faith rested on God Himself, knowing that He who promised is faithful, and will do it. Many of us would have acted otherwise if we were in Abraham’s position, thinking it is impossible for a man of 100years and a wife of 90years to give birth. But Abraham held tightly to his faith in God—the spirit of faith was alive in Him—he never wavered on the promise, and fully persuaded that He had promised, He was also able to perform.

Many will pray for healing, using relevant Scriptures of God’s promise of healing, but will still not be persuaded they have received their healing according to the Word of God. The devil will throw the dart of doubt their way, they are hit, and their spirit of faith is dampened. With such wavering in faith, it is obvious they will not receive anything (James 1 vs 6 - 7).

Prayer: Abba Father, my trust is in You, Endue me with the spirit of faith in You, that I may have strong conviction of the truth in Your Word, surrendering completely to Christ, and conducting myself in accordance to my convictions and surrender, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!