“He said, ‘if you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes … I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26 (NIV)
God is not the Lord who kills us; he is the Lord who heals us. And he has promised in the above scripture that he will not permit any of the diseases of the Egyptians to come upon us.
The promises of the Lord are yea and amen (II Cor. 1:20). Sometimes believers pray to God about their healing and wonder if God may give them a YES, a NO or a WAIT response because they have been taught by some that these are the three kinds of answers God could give whenever we ask for something.
But have you ever stopped to ask if it is possible for God to say NO to his own promise? Indeed God may say NO or WAIT when you come up with your own plans but not when you come up with his own word. When you come up with his word, he has only one answer for you. YES! YES!! YES!!!
God has promised not to permit any sickness or disease to have its way in you. Receive the ‘YES’ of God today. Say AMEN and walk into the reality of your health in Christ.
– Dr deji oyebamiji
Figure out God’s will
Bible Reading: Acts 16:1-15
I once met a guy who had graduated from the university for over five years and I was surprised that he had no job. Also, I noticed that he wasn’t making any effort to get a job or venture into any business. So I asked him the reason for this. He said he was still waiting on God for direction; he wanted to get a clear-cut leading from God on the particular job to do.
This sounds out of place, but many Christians behave in a similar way. Some are waiting for the so-called clear-cut leading (usually an audible sound) for their future partner, others for their profession, etc. But we do not need to wait for a voice for everything we have to do. We are to act based on our knowledge of the general will of God while we are still sensitive to God’s nudging, if peradventure he wants us to do something else. Remember, there is no voice that you may hear that can be surer and stronger than what has been written.
The Bible says in Ephesians 5:10 (MSG) “Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it”. Wow! I love this. It tears down our “waiting attitude”. We are to decipher the right way to go and then act spontaneously just like we brush our teeth without hearing any voice. A good example can be seen in the life of Apostle Paul. Let’s read the verses of scripture below.
“They traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit did not let them preach the message in the province of Asia. When they reached the border of Mysia, they tried to go into the province of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So they traveled right on through Mysia and went toTroas. That night Paul had a vision in which he saw a Macedonian standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” Act 16:6-10
Paul was called by God to preach the gospel but he wasn’t waiting to hear a voice before deciding where to preach. He had his plans to preach in Asia and Bithynia but he was also sensitive to any tuning from the Spirit. This is a fundamental principle for walking in God’s leading. Have a good grasp of God’s mind as revealed in scriptures and then make your plans because God is leading you by default (An option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified). Also be sensitive to any signal from the Spirit as you execute your plans.
To be continued …
– tope aladenusi
When my husband and I were courting, one of our fathers in the Lord told us to write on the place of prayer in marriage. While thinking of what to write for this week I remembered the essay we wrote then and this is what inspired what I want to share with you this week.
Let me start with the lyrics of a song I am sure most believers sang in Sunday school or church at one time or the other.
Prayer is the key 2x
Prayer is the master key
Jesus started with prayer and ended with prayer
Prayer is the master key
The place of prayer in all we do in life cannot be overemphasized especially in marriage. We need to pray always and not faint. Bible says we should PRAY without ceasing, and also Watch and PRAY. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by PRAYER and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Phil 4:6).
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayer of the saints (Rev 5:8).
Prayer from the lips of a believer is like a sweet smelling savour, it goes before God as such and the result is a wonder on earth, No wonder the Word of the God tells us the prayer of the sinner is an abomination to God.
Like a master key that opens any door, Prayer opens several doors in marriage. In the place of prayer several battles are won, situations are resolved, hearts of stone become flesh, aching hearts are soothed, wounds are healed, storms are stilled. I could go on and on about what prayer can do in a marriage.
When I wrote my essay on prayer in marriage, I did so without a complete understanding or any experience of marriage. Today I still maintain that I know little but I have practically used the master key to open several doors in my marriage. So like Paul said I share with you that which I have handled.
We need to pray always – giving thanks and making supplications to God. When you are faced with something stormy, go to the one who slept in a storm. When your heart is aching, speak to the one who appreciates a broken heart, He’s the one who went through more betrayals than we could ever experience. When it seems like a wall is coming between you and your partner speak to the one who brought down the walls of Jericho. When your situation is like a maze and you feel lost, call out to the omnipresent one who sees everything and is everywhere, there’s no spot on earth He does not knows. We have a High Priest who can appreciate all we go through.
Stop fighting battles, you’re not meant to fight, give yourself the opportunity of experiencing the passage that says “Be Still and Know that I am God!” After you have prayed, do not worry, have faith that God is able to do all things. God said “Man shall leave mother and father and cleave to his wife” He knows all that is involved in your becoming one and He is not planning to start a thing and not complete it, it is not in His nature.
-lola ezeifeoma
Let’s talk a little today on condemnation. Do you feel condemned even as you read this? Is a walk into church a constant reminder that you’ve got issues with God?
On the contrary, are you on the high side praying, fasting and you are saying to me right now. Condemnation, far be the thought of it. I am doing just fine.
Well, let’s look at God’s thought towards us.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten so that whosoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his so into the world to condemn the world but that the world though Him might be saved” – John 3:16-17
A peep at verse 17 of that scripture lets us realize that God is not in the business of condemning us. Popular opinion suggests God is watching for your downfall to reduce the traffic of men making it to heaven but the Word says that God is not out to condemn you.
This glorious spot of walking without guilt has nothing to do with what you have done but has everything to do with who you now are.
Romans 8 verse 1 says that there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Now that is you and I. Romans 4 verse 2 says that if Abraham had a reason to boast he could but definitely not before God. He was declared righteous not because of his track record but because of his faith in God. This same state applies to us who put our faith in Christ Jesus.
It is not a transient feeling you enjoy while saying the prayer of salvation rather it is about who you now are in Christ Jesus. 1 John 3:20 says even if our heart condemns us God is greater than our heart. Romans 8 verse 33&34 says who is the person that would stand to condemn you, it is God that justifieth i.e. has declared you innocent. This is who you are.
This piece is not suggesting in any way that God suddenly considers all your wrong actions to be right. Rather that he is not condemning you on it. He is urging you instead to walk in the reality of who you have been made. To manifest the real seed within you.
Consider again this reasoning by brother Paul – If while we were yet sinners God died for us now that we are justified what does this mean but that we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5: 10
Understand dear brothers and sisters that Jesus met the penalty for our sins in Christ Jesus once and for all time. Through him you and I have obtained peace with God.
Never be tempted to throw in the towel. You may have missed the mark but God is not condemning you for it. Awake to righteousness and sin not, walking as a child of light for this is who you are.
God has made you qualified to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light – Col 1:12. Walk in the reality of this – now and always.
– bolaji akanni
If there is anything I desire believers to ever ponder over, it is what comes to our minds next when all things seems alright. Most times, we kneel at the place of prayer especially after we’ve considered the greatness and urgency of our needs.
Right from when the thoughts of our hearts are set in motion at the blast of a new day whistle, to the night prayers on our beds, we mutter with our lips “hope deferred maketh the heart sick…, God let there be speedy response and solution to all these needs”.
However how late the prayer seems to be answered, or these needs seems to be met, people immediately forget the long duration of time the waiting process lasted. As a matter of fact, the heart rejoices just like a woman that has just been delivered of a baby, and straight away forgets the labouring period. Almost immediately, the time we spend kneeling to pray reduces, we immediately devote the ‘excess’ time to caring for the things just provided us. For example, if it is a car, we spend time admiring, cleaning, and maintaining it. Automatically, the hours spent in the prayer room becomes converted and transferred to the caring heart.
Pause a while and take a stock of your life; haven’t you stopped those serious prayers? Have the quality time usually spent in prayers reduced since those needs were met? This suggests to me that we most a times pray when we have needs and stop praying when they are met. By this, we walk contrary to Jesus and Paul’s admonitions in bible. “…men ought always to pray and not to faint” Luke18:1, “pray without ceasing” I Thessalonians 5:17.
– adeyiga awomuti
It is He who loved me
It was I who wasn’t free
It was at the cross that He and I became one
And that is how it’s gonna be eternally
I was lost and gone astray
But he came and paved the way
When He shined His light upon my rough and crooked path
And that is how it’s gonna be
Come what may
Yes: He raised me by His hand
When I was weak and couldn’t stand
By His might He broke the chains of sin upon my life
And that is how it’s gonna be
His work is grand.
-funmi aina
Keep confidences. Strive to be a person other people can trust. When someone gives you some information on the condition that you don’t share it with anyone, make sure you don’t. Offer other people wise counsel. Live with integrity. Nurture a passionate devotional life, spending time daily reading and meditating on the Bible. Balance your life with fun. Let it be visible that you aren’t one of those stereotypical, overly serious and no-fun religious people. Give yourself permission to enjoy life and laugh at your at your own foibles.
Have courage. Refuse to back down when taking a stand is necessary. Refuse to keep quiet when speaking up is necessary. Refuse to look in the other direction whenpressing on is necessary. Never compromise your convictions. Be willing to confront people lovingly when necessary. When facing a problem or challenge, concentrate only on finding solutions. Forgive others and seek to be a peacemaker.
– gabriel ajibade
Sharpening your sensitivity to God’s leading – 3
Bible Reading: Philippians 4: 1-8
Let us highlight three more things that can boost your sensitivity to God’s leading:
- Worship
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, set Barnabas and Saul apart for me …” – Acts 13:2
Some early believers were in that act of worship. In the midst of it, they received instructions from the Spirit. Worship allows you to focus on God. It acknowledges God’s supremacy in everything and places your mind in a very receptive position. Good worshippers are predisposed to identifying God’s will.
- Prayer and Fasting
From the verse above, we can see that these believers secluded themselves from worldly distractions so they can commune with God. It was not just a time to set deadlines for God. Fasting goes beyond fast tracking answers to requests. As a matter of fact, the greatest gift God gave and can ever give is salvation; we did not get it by fasting, how much more the petty things of this life. Fasting should present you with an opportunity to relate with God with very minimal distractions. Imagine if five people are talking to you at the same time, it is likely you won’t hear all of them clearly. So fasting helps narrow down the number of interactions you are having at a time. It is also a time to obey God’s instructions in Jude 1:20 which reads “dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit”.
- Free yourself from Anxiety
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (ASV)
Some men are anxious about the prospect of being fired, and they are asking God to lead them into another job or business. Other folks are anxious because they are uncertain about who to marry and they run to God to express their anxiety. James 1:6-7 (MSG) says ‘People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way’. So like Philippians 4 prescribed, you have to first get rid of all anxiety and then go to God in prayers and thanksgiving. After that, a peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your mind. This peace is a super understanding that comes from God and gives you a direction that puts an end to your confusion. It tells you “this is the way you should go”.
– tope aladenusi
Being a person of influence to those around you require that you are a little kinder than is necessary in every situation. Treat people the way you want them to treat you (Luke 6:31). Ask God to give you genuine care and concern for people. Commit to being available to people in need and express God’s love to them. Never look down on anyone. Realize that by underestimating a person, you’re de-valuing his creator. Expect God to give you plenty of opportunities to touch people’s life. When God presents an opportunity, take it or it will be lost.
Learn to say ‘no’ with sensitivity to people’s feelings, so as not to offend them. Refuse to be negative; always strive to embrace the positive in your attitude and relationship with people. Ask God to help you discern the appropriate way to encourage people in every situation you come across. Everyone thirsts to have a taste of God’s love; this love is what you have and what you can give.
We live in an age where most believers are only committed to their education, ordination and profession, but God expects you to be committed to people.
– gabriel ajibade
Recently, a company in India participated in some Placement Sessions. They asked some interesting questions to students during recruitment. Here are some of them:-
- There is one word in the English language that is always pronounced incorrectly. What is it?
- A man gave one son 10 cents and another son was given 15 cents. What time is it?
- A boat has a ladder that has six rungs, each rung is one foot apart. The bottom rung is one foot from the water. The tide rises at 12 inches every 15 minutes. High tide peaks in one hour. When the tide is at it’s highest, how many rungs are under water?
- There is a house with four walls. Each wall faces south. There is a window in each wall. A bear walks by one of the windows. What color is the bear?
- Is half of two plus two equal to two or three?
- There is a room. The shutters are blowing in. There is broken glass on the floor. There is water on the floor. You find Sloppy dead on the floor. Who is Sloppy? How did Sloppy die?
- How much dirt would be in a hole 6 feet deep and 6 feet wide that has been dug with a square edged shovel?
- If I were in Hawaii and dropped a bowling ball in a bucket of water which is 45 degrees F, and dropped another ball of the same weight, mass, and size in a bucket at 30 degrees F, both of them at the same time, which ball would hit the bottom of the bucket first? Same question, but the location is in Canada?
- What is the significance of the following: The year is 1978, thirty-four minutes past noon on May 6th.
- If a farmer has 5 haystacks in one field and 4 haystacks in the other field, how many haystacks would he have if he combined them all in the center field?
- What is it that goes up and goes down but does not move?
Answers…
- The word “incorrectly.”
- 1:45. The man gave away a total of 25 cents. He divided it between two people. Therefore, he gave a quarter to two.
- None, the boat rises with the tide. Googly
- White. If all the walls face south, the house is at the North pole, and the bear, therefore, is a polar bear.
- Three. Well, it seems that it could almost be either, but if you follow the mathematical orders of operation, division is performed before addition. So… half of two is one. Then add two, and the answer is three.
- Sloppy is a (gold)fish. The wind blew the shutters in, which knocked his goldfish-bowl off the table, and it broke, killing him.
- None. No matter how big a hole is, it’s still a hole: the absence of dirt.
- Both questions, same answer: the ball in the bucket of 45 degree F water hits the bottom of the bucket last. Did you think that the water in the 30 degree F bucket is frozen? Think again. The question said nothing about that bucket having anything in it. Therefore, there is no water (or ice) to slow the ball down…
- The time and month/date/year American style calendar are 12:34, 5/6/78.
- One. If he combines all of his haystacks, they all become one big stack.
- The temperature.
– femi fadumila