TAKE HOLD OF YOUR MIND!

 Take Hold of Your Mind! 

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

The mind is an important asset given to believers in Christ Jesus to prosper therewith. Godly prosperity does not come by accident; it comes by taking hold of your mind and using it efficiently and effectively. To be able to prosper with your mind you need to only think about things that are of good virtue and praiseworthy. Beloved, what are the things that are of good virtue and praiseworthy? They are things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good report. If we guide our minds with these godly virtues, we will always enjoy godly prosperity personally, which will extend to our family, church, community, society, and the nation as a whole. Praise the Lord! Dear beloved, it is time to take hold of your mind and give no room to unproductive thoughts, because you will be defined by your thoughts (Proverbs 23:7). Remember that the place for decision making is the mind, thus if your mind is filled with the Word of God it will generate true, honest, just, pure, lovely thoughts and thoughts that will produce a good report. When decisions are good, you will be able to make good choices, and your actions or conduct will also be right. The end product will be continual success, victory, and moving from glory to glory. Hallelujah! Glory to God!

Prayer Point: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for making Your Word available to me. I meditate on it day and night to generate virtuous and praiseworthy thoughts and actions that produce good results for many lives to be blessed in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Were you blessed by today's message? Kindly go to the comment section and share your comments, and testimonies. Let's also know your challenges so that we can pray for you. 

THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JANUARY 14, 2020.

SUBJECT:  THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND!

Memory verse:  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect Will of God." (Romans 12 vs 2.) 

READ:  Ephesians 4 vs 22 - 24:

4:22: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

4:23: and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

4:24: and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

INTIMATION:

The renewal of your mind mentioned in the Scripture is not that your mind itself, in its natural powers of memory, judgement and perception, is changed, but ‘the spirit of your mind,’ is subjected under the controlling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which directs your mind’s inclination and energies Godward in the enjoyment of “fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ, and the fulfillment of the Will of God. It is the adjustment of your moral and spiritual vision, and thinking of your mind to the mind of God, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon your life.

The committed mind is directed by purposes that are higher than the material world and the ambitions of the selfishly driven individual. The thinking of the Christian is to be on those things that will just beyond the existence of the world. Therefore, he is not to engage his thinking in those things that would divert his life from the eternal purposes of God. The Christians must not center his thoughts and actions around things that pertain to the desires of the world. This renewing of your mind by the Holy Spirit is not a fresh bestowment of the Spirit, but a revival of His power, developing the Christian life, and this requires, as it were, the willing response of the believer. 

The renewal of your mind is a process. Although, at recreation, we have a new nature, we don’t automatically think all good thoughts and express all right attitudes when we become new people in Christ. But if we keep listening to God, we will be changing all the time. Although, change may be slow, it comes as you trust God to change you—giving your willing response to the Spirit. As the Scripture states, “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. (Second Corinthians 3 vs 18.)

The renewal of our minds start with the new nature, and the impartation of a new kind of knowledge—the revelation knowledge from the Holy Spirit. The spiritual knowledge that comes through the recreated spirit, springs up in us, and empowers us to trust in God and His Word, acting on the Word and living in it. However, the mind can't be renewed by the study of the Word only. There must be a continual practice of the Word. For the recreation to be fully actualized, the Word must live in you so that it becomes part of you. Just as your blood is part of you, just as your muscles are a part of you, the Word must become a part of your very being. 

When one obeys the gospel, the old man of sin is put to death; “For you died... your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3 vs 3). The Christians must now live according to the commitment they made when they crucified the old man at the time of their conversion. Since a Christian had formerly made the mental decision to live according to righteousness, they must now continue to struggle to put to death the desires of the flesh. The Christian life is an endless struggle to be morally led by the will of God (Colossians 2 vs 11; James 1 vs 21). It is a continual struggle to renew one’s mind.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, my Senior Partner. I thirst for the continual renewal of my mind by Him to conform to the detects of Your Will, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

YOU DESERVE TO ENJOY!

 You Deserve to Enjoy! 

“For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” Psalms 128:2 (KJV)

Life is full of many adventures, and the children of God are bound to suffer many trials, tests, and temptations. This is the more reason why, after going through all these trials, tests, and temptations, a time will come for you to be glorified. It is a time that God has assigned at the end of your toil to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the Lord. It is not a time for weeping anymore but a time of rejoicing and celebrating—celebrating Jesus Christ for seeing you through the hard times. It is a time that you don’t struggle for anything. You become glad and happy because it is well with you. Joseph went through lots of trials, tests, and temptations to prepare him for the future. When the time came for God to glorify him, He made him the prime minister of Egypt (Genesis 41:40–41). Hallelujah! Dear beloved, are you going through tough times in the Lord? If you are, go through with all patience. Continue to hope, apply your faith, and love Jesus Christ for the good work He is doing in your life, and very soon He will see you through the hard times. Then you will graduate to your time of fruitfulness and enjoyment. Beloved, the secret to going through the tough times is rejoicing and praising God (Philippians 4:4). Never complain or murmur because it will only make your situation worse, and you become ungrateful to God. However, if you rejoice and praise God in the difficult times, a miraculous atmosphere is created for you, to press on till you embrace your reward. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Prayer Point: My loving Father, Your Word is very reassuring. Thank You. Please fill my mouth and heart with Your praise to continually praise You and rejoice in You, especially in tough times till I embrace my reward in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Were you blessed by today's message? Kindly go to the comment section and share your comments, and testimonies. Let's also know your challenges so that we can pray for you. 

DON'T ALLOW FEAR IN YOUR LIFE!

 Don’t Allow Fear in Your Life! 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” Psalms 46:1-3 (KJV)

The born again Christian should not allow fear in his or her life. The only fear we are to entertain is the godly fear of God (Proverbs 1:7). Fear causes anxiety, timidity, weakness, disease, sickness, laziness, and reluctance, and it can even kill. The opening Scripture says we should not fear even if the earth is removed, the mountains are relocated into the sea, the waters become upset and troubled, and though the mountains shake and quake. Why must we not fear in the midst of these terrible natural disasters? The reason is that God is our refuge and strength; He is a very present help in trouble. Hallelujah! How wonderful to hear that God is the creator of these natural elements and therefore has solutions to their boisterousness (Genesis 1:1). He knows how to protect us from the opposing elements of life so that we can live a life of peace and prosperity. Praise the Lord! Dear beloved, are you still entertaining fear in your life? Remember that God has not given you the spirit of fear but has given you the spirit of power, love, and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). After knowing the negative impact of fear on life, it is time to take steps to subdue it. Anytime you feel fear, rebuke it and cast it out in the name of Jesus Christ, and it will vanish. Let fear know that you are in charge. Just as Jesus Christ spoke to the raging storm, command every storm in your life to be calm and it will obey you (Mark 4:39). Hallelujah Glory to God!

Prayer Point: My dear Father, thank You for educating me about fear. I rebuke every fear and storm in my life in the name of Jesus. I take charge and dominate every event in my life and bring it to subjection to the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Were you blessed by today's message? Kindly go to the comment section and share your comments, and testimonies. Let's also know your challenges so that we can pray for you. 

LIVING A HOLY LIFE BY GRACE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13, 2021.

SUBJECT: LIVING A HOLY LIFE BY GRACE! 

Memory verse: "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct," (First Peter I vs 15.) 

READ: Leviticus 11 vs 44 - 45; First Peter 1 vs 13 - 16:

Leviticus 11:44: For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 

11::45: For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

First Peter 1:13: Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1:14: As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

1:15: But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

1:16: because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

INTIMATION:

What is holiness? Holiness means being devoted or dedicated to God, set aside for His special use, and set apart from sin and its influence. It is a separation that should result in "conduct befitting those so separated." One must bind up all unholy thought and behavior in order to run the Christian race. Christians must discipline their lives and lay aside sin. They must exercise self-restraint, giving great thought to what he will do carefully and sensibly. Holiness is the characteristics or nature of God especially the third person of the "Trinity."  God wants His people to be holy (set apart, different, unique), just as He is holy. God knows we have only two options: to be separate and holy, or to compromise with the world’s wickedness, even as we rub shoulders with unbelievers every day. 

Grace has been defined as undeserved (unmerited) favor. That is one aspect of grace, probably the one that we are most accustomed to hearing about, and it is wonderful. But we have also seen that grace is much more than that. Grace is power—the power of the Holy Spirit—in our lives that helps us overcome our own evil tendencies. It is the power of God available to meet our needs without cost to us. There is nothing more powerful than grace, and it is received by believing rather than through human effort.

It is no easy task to be holy in an unholy world, but God doesn’t ask us to accomplish this on our own. He has provided help. Through the death of His Son, He will “present us holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1 vs 22). With Christ we can live in the world without having to be of the world. In accordance with part of the Scripture we read today in First Peter, we are to be motivated by what Christ had wrought for us in redemption, and with His imminent return, we should be mentally alert, disciplined, and focused our hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

The apostle Paul counsels us in Romans 12 vs 2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but he transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect Will of God.” The good, acceptable and perfect Will of God is that we shall be holy. He wants us to be holy in everything we do. All parts of our lives and character should be in the process of becoming conformed, both inwardly and outwardly, to God’s standard. 

After people commit their lives to Christ, they sometimes still feel a pull back to their old ways. We’re to be set apart and different by the renewing of our mind, not blending in with the crowd, yet not being different just for the sake of being different. It is God’s qualities in our lives that make us different. Our focus and priorities must be His. This is in direct contrast to our old ways. We cannot become holy on our own, but God gives us His Holy Spirit (our Helper) to help us obey and to give us power to overcome sin. 

But while God wants us to be holy, He realizes our weakness and inability. He knows that without help we can never be what He desires for us to be or do what He wants us to do. That is why He has sent His Spirit (the Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby, Empowerer, and Encourager) to help us to fulfill His design and purpose for us. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and the Holy Spirit has been sent to prepare us for that place. That is not a Scripture, but it is scriptural; that is a truth based on the Word of God. Rely on God’s power to free you from sin’s grip. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You ever merciful and faithful God for the gift of Holy Spirit, my Helper. I hand over daily my thoughts, words, and actions to my Helper, that I may, by His leading, live according to Your precept, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DO YOU HAVE AN ANSWER FOR HIS QUESTION?

 Do You Have an Answer for His Question? 

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV)

The Most High God has a wonderful voice. This voice is so powerful that it can break the cedar of Lebanon and make the deer give birth (Psalm 29:4–9). He has been speaking to His children every day through the Holy Scriptures. Remember that any voice that is not in line with the Holy Scriptures is not the voice of God. His Spirit in us is the voice He uses to speak to us by a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12). His Word came to the prophet Jeremiah, and in the midst of His Word to Jeremiah, He asked a question. Dear beloved, if you were asked the question in the opening scripture, what would have been your answer? Perhaps you are going through many challenges or afflictions, and you keep asking God questions about them; sometimes thinking that God has abandoned you. Beloved, let not your answer to God’s question create the impression that God is not aware of your challenges or that He has abandoned you. Indeed, there is nothing too hard for God to do because with Him all things are possible. Let your answer be, “Oh my God, I trust You can do all things. If You created heaven and earth and everything therein, then my challenges or afflictions are too small for You to handle.” If this is your answer, then you have activated faith and God will come through for you. Never stop believing God for who He is and what He can do, and He will reward your faith (Hebrews 11:6). Hallelujah! Glory to the Highest!

Prayer Point: My gracious Father, You are a great and awesome God. I believe Your Word, and trust that You can do all things. I will never question Your ability to help me but keep praising You for Your goodness in my life, even in times of difficulty, and I believe You will see me through to embrace my miracle in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Were you blessed by today's message? Kindly go to the comment section and share your comments, and testimonies. Let's also know your challenges so that we can pray for you. 

THE GIVING HABIT!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JANUARY 12, 2021.

SUBJECT: THE GIVING HABIT!

Memory verse: "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself." (Proverbs 11 vs 25.)

READ: Second Corinthians 9 vs 6 - 11:

9:6: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

9:7: So let each one give as He purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

9:9: As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

9:10: Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruit of your righteousness.

9:11: while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

INTIMATION:

The giving habit is a grace in response to God’s saving grace in our lives. Giving is, therefore, after the manner by which God extended grace toward us. It is the testing of our love, not only for God, but also for others. The giving habit remains a great grace anyone an receive from God. It produces inward joy and spiritual growth. God Himself practices this great habit;: “For God so loved the world He gave....” (John 3 vs 16). He gave the greatest gift that can ever be given, out of His love for you and I. You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ, rich as He is, He gave it all away for us; in one stroke He became poor and we became rich. (Second Corinthians 8 vs 9.)

Believers know the import of that great gift to us all, and the glory the devotion brought to Christ: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him given Him a name which above every name” (Philippians 2 vs 9). In the same vein, your giving habit is counted for you as righteousness that endures forever (Second Corinthians 9 vs 9). Consequently, God is more than extravagant with you, and can pour on you His grace in astonishing ways that you have all sufficiency in everything, and is ready for anything and everything. This increases the fruit of your righteousness, and God ensures that you are enriched in everything for all generosity, and your beneficiaries will be praying, and giving thanks to God for you. 

The amount we give is not as important as why and how we give. God does not want us to give grudgingly. Instead, He wants us to give out of dedication to Christ, love for fellow believers, the joy of helping those in need, as well as the fact that it was simply the good and right thing to do. A giving habit is more important than the amount given. The person who can give only a small gift, according to his or her ability, shouldn’t be embarrassed. God is concerned about how a person gives from his or her resources (See Mark 12 vs 41 - 44). Your having difficulty in letting go of your possessions reflects ungratefulness to God.

What then do we gain by giving?: Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, increase in your fruit of righteousness, sufficiency in all things, enduring God’s supply of your needs, prayers and thanksgiving to God for you, and God’s approval. Also, giving helps us gain a right perspective on our possessions. We realize they were never really ours to begin with, but were given to us by God for His use and to help others. People may hesitate to give generously because they worry about having enough money left over to meet their own needs. Contrary to the world’s expectation, we become richer by being generous. God blesses those who give freely of their possessions, time, and energy. 

 

When we invest what God has given to us in His work, He will provide us with even more to give in His service. A stingy Christian should be an extinct specie. Generosity proves that a person’s heart has been cleansed of self-interest and filled with the servant-spirit of Jesus Himself. That is why acts of generosity result in God being praised. It’s God who provides the seed of righteousness in our hearts from which our giving abound to others. We thus give because He first gave to us. The result of the righteousness of God in our hearts is that it produces the fruit of righteousness in the lives of others. In other words, the result of the justification of the Christian by the grace of God is that Christians freely give to help others (Hebrews 10 vs 12). 

Most believers would not want growth in faith, knowledge, or love to stop at a certain level. Yet many decide a fixed percentage of their money to give and stay there for life. True discipleship includes growing in the mature use of all resources, so giving should expand as well. God can give you the desire and enable you to increase your capacity to give. Don’t miss this opportunity for growth. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You remain the greatest Giver ever. You have given me the same spirit that was in Christ, that I may give my service to You and others in love. Engrace me to fully manifest the giving habit, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!