The desire of the Almighty is that all will know Him personally. He desires to have a personal relationship with every human being. He created man in His own image and likeness with the intention that they would fellowship with Him. To achieve this, He set up different kinds of structures.
When you read some scriptures in the Old Testament, you may become confused. You need to consider human weakness and the situation at that time. However, to give you a perfect understanding of who God is, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to come physically to the earth. Through Jesus, we are able to understand who God is.
Furthermore, to help you in the knowledge of God, He revealed Himself through His diverse names in the Bible. His names show His nature and who He is. In Old Testament times, He would send His Spirit upon individuals when He had a message or an assignment, and afterward the Spirit would leave such individuals. However, when Jesus finished His assignment here on earth, and knowing that there was still much to be done, He said in John 14:26:
> “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
And further in John 15:26:
> “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”
However, this time the Holy Spirit will be resident in us, unlike in the Old Testament when He came and went. Henceforth, there are no more excuses.
He also released to the church (the gathering of His children) diverse gifts and offices for this purpose, as stated in Ephesians 4:11–15:
> “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
> For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
> Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
> That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
> But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”
It is therefore your duty to study in order to know God. In our pursuit of the knowledge of God, we must begin with the fear of Him. As stated in Psalm 111:10:
> “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
> (See also Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10.)
Fear here means to reverence God, to be in awe of Him, to venerate Him, and to treat Him with great respect and deference. God deserves your reverence, and when you give it, you will begin to know Him.
When you reverence an individual, his word carries weight with you. You always want to know his opinion about things, and even when that opinion differs from your own, you tend toward it because you believe it will be beneficial to you, especially when you know his ability and resources. You run everything through him because you believe it will profit you, perhaps because he has already passed through the path you desire to follow. You quickly make him your role model and obey his words and commands as though your life depended on it.
Do not misunderstand me, I am not saying it is wrong to have role models. What I am saying is that they are human and therefore frail, and their words can fail and do fail at times. But God’s Word never fails. He is not human; He is not a man. He made all things and knows all things. In fact, He causes all things to conform to Him.
The secret things belong to Him, and He can reveal all things to you (Deuteronomy 29:29). He knows your end from your beginning. He delights in knowing you and carrying you. He is ready to reveal all things to you.
Purpose today to draw near to Him by yourself, not through an agent or a third party. His Word is available to you, and His hands are stretched out toward you. Call upon Him, and He will answer you. He will show you great and mighty things which you do not know.
It is well with you.
CLARITY AND ALIGNMENT
As you work on your mindset, renewing it with the right word and resetting it with the Word of God, there is a need for clarity and alignment. You may have heard that confession brings possession. As true as that may be, mechanical confession can only bring frustration. The Word of God is powerful, but you are expected to be fully engaged, spirit, soul, and body. Your mind must be fully involved. You cannot be confessing while your mind is elsewhere. When you are praying, you cannot be thinking of something else. It is like standing before a great man who is able to help you, yet you are playing with a toy or a feather. Of course, you will receive nothing. That is why the Bible says in James 1:6–8:
> “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
> For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.
> A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Distraction is an attack from the enemy. It causes you to be concerned about even legitimate things, but at the wrong time and place. When you are with God, He wants your full attention. You came to Him because you believe He alone can help you, so work on your mind and remove all other things. That is why it is advisable to set a specific place and time. This does not mean you cannot pray anywhere or relate with your Father at any time, but ensure your full attention is on Him and Him alone. Do not pray because you are told to pray; pray because your life depends on it, and without God you cannot survive the attacks of this world.
The thief is walking to and fro, looking for whom to devour (1 Peter 5:8). His mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. He has no mercy and holds allegiance to no one, small or great, male or female. Even if your fathers served him faithfully, he would destroy them in the twinkling of an eye. He is not distracted like you. He is meticulous and works ceaselessly to identify your weak points. He rarely attacks where you are strong; instead, he targets your areas of vulnerability. He knows the areas that can open the door to every part of your life. Be careful in those areas.
What are your weak points? Be honest with yourself. This is not condemnation; it is a fact-finding mission. Is it your spouse, sex, money, food, children, or something else? Work on those areas, because that is where the enemy will attack. What do you have that you cannot release instantly at God’s demand? Those are the entrances through which the enemy comes. You know yourself more than anyone else.
When you came into this world, you were naked and brought nothing with you. Anything you now have that is so big you cannot do without it will become a problem, even if God gave it to you. He did not give it to replace Him. He gave it because He loves you and wants your joy to be full. You brought nothing into this world, and you will take nothing out of it. So what is that big thing that will not let you concentrate in the presence of your Maker? The people you worry so much about, spouse, children, family, those you find it hard to trust God with, will survive and even do well when you are no longer here. I am not saying you should neglect your responsibilities, but you must understand that God must be number one.
Where is God on your list? The only place for Him is number one; others can follow. If this is not so, you are opening yourself up to destruction. Be not deceived, He knows where He is, and the devil knows too. Today, come to this realization and take the necessary steps to align.
Alignment means arrangement in line, the process of adjusting so that parts are properly positioned; the precise route or course taken; the right order.
So, dearly beloved, how is your life? Is it properly aligned? Is God number one, number three, or number ten? Where you place Him matters. He will respond to you based on your placement of Him. Do you call on Him only after you have tried everything else, and then complain that your prayers are unanswered? What would you do if you knew you were number five or ten on someone else’s list?
Today, reevaluate and realign, and you will be surprised at how He will fight your battles for you.
Be blessed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
> “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
> For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.
> A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Distraction is an attack from the enemy. It causes you to be concerned about even legitimate things, but at the wrong time and place. When you are with God, He wants your full attention. You came to Him because you believe He alone can help you, so work on your mind and remove all other things. That is why it is advisable to set a specific place and time. This does not mean you cannot pray anywhere or relate with your Father at any time, but ensure your full attention is on Him and Him alone. Do not pray because you are told to pray; pray because your life depends on it, and without God you cannot survive the attacks of this world.
The thief is walking to and fro, looking for whom to devour (1 Peter 5:8). His mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. He has no mercy and holds allegiance to no one, small or great, male or female. Even if your fathers served him faithfully, he would destroy them in the twinkling of an eye. He is not distracted like you. He is meticulous and works ceaselessly to identify your weak points. He rarely attacks where you are strong; instead, he targets your areas of vulnerability. He knows the areas that can open the door to every part of your life. Be careful in those areas.
What are your weak points? Be honest with yourself. This is not condemnation; it is a fact-finding mission. Is it your spouse, sex, money, food, children, or something else? Work on those areas, because that is where the enemy will attack. What do you have that you cannot release instantly at God’s demand? Those are the entrances through which the enemy comes. You know yourself more than anyone else.
When you came into this world, you were naked and brought nothing with you. Anything you now have that is so big you cannot do without it will become a problem, even if God gave it to you. He did not give it to replace Him. He gave it because He loves you and wants your joy to be full. You brought nothing into this world, and you will take nothing out of it. So what is that big thing that will not let you concentrate in the presence of your Maker? The people you worry so much about, spouse, children, family, those you find it hard to trust God with, will survive and even do well when you are no longer here. I am not saying you should neglect your responsibilities, but you must understand that God must be number one.
Where is God on your list? The only place for Him is number one; others can follow. If this is not so, you are opening yourself up to destruction. Be not deceived, He knows where He is, and the devil knows too. Today, come to this realization and take the necessary steps to align.
Alignment means arrangement in line, the process of adjusting so that parts are properly positioned; the precise route or course taken; the right order.
So, dearly beloved, how is your life? Is it properly aligned? Is God number one, number three, or number ten? Where you place Him matters. He will respond to you based on your placement of Him. Do you call on Him only after you have tried everything else, and then complain that your prayers are unanswered? What would you do if you knew you were number five or ten on someone else’s list?
Today, reevaluate and realign, and you will be surprised at how He will fight your battles for you.
Be blessed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
WAR WITH PROPHECY
I have noticed that in spite of all the prophecies men of God give at the beginning of the year, personal prophecies to individuals, and even the innumerable prophecies in the Word of God to His children, few Christians ever experience the fulfilment of such prophecies. This is a burden to me.
Is it that prophets are not prophesying by the Spirit of God (yet some testify to the fulfilment of these prophecies)? Or is it that the written prophecies in the Word of God lack the power for fulfilment, even though He said that the words that proceed from Him will not return to Him void, without accomplishing what they were sent to do? If neither is the case, then where is the problem? Some of us even receive prophecies for ourselves through dreams and open visions, yet the results are not evident.
You see, for every prophecy or word from God, you have a part to play, and God has His own part to play. In Job 36:11, for example, if you desire prosperity and a pleasurable life, you must fulfil your part, which is obedience and service to God. This obedience and service must be at all times, whether convenient or not. You cannot obey only when you feel like it and expect the prophecy to work for you. So for every prophetic word you receive, first search for your own responsibility in it. This is what leads to warring with that prophecy.
What does it mean to war with a thing or a prophetic pronouncement, whether individual or corporate, for a church, a country, or a nation? Do not deceive yourself that nobody is enjoying the fulfilment of prophecy. People are reaping the fulfilment of prophecies when they are properly engaged.
To war means to engage in an organised, large-scale deployment of all available resources. It is a protracted conflict against forces determined to prevent you from fulfilling the fullness of your grace and ability. Know fully well that there is, and always will be, a conflict between God and the devil, between good and evil, and between darkness and light. No matter how big or small the prophecy released upon you, the enemy will fight you because you are in God’s camp. This conflict will continue until the coming of the Lord or your death. It is a prolonged battle.
The enemy will deploy all his arsenal, and you cannot take it lightly or be complacent. You cannot fold your hands and expect the good things promised by God to happen without your full engagement. In this kind of war, you must be fully engaged and deploy all your available resources. If you do not, prophecies will come and go year after year without fulfilment, and you will begin to question the efficacy of God’s Word, the power of prophecy, and even the prophet.
Please know that the Word of God has the innate ability to produce the desired effect under the right conditions. You must therefore create the necessary conditions for it to produce. When a prophetic utterance is released, first find its basis in the Word of God. By doing this, you will know whether the prophecy is truly from God, because no prophecy from God will contradict His Word. There will always be confirmation in Scripture. Fully engage with those words and identify your role in their fulfilment. What is expected of you? Do it fully, not partially, not haphazardly, not randomly or inconsistently. Engage with prayer, fasting, and all other spiritual disciplines required.
Ensure that your mindset is fully engaged. Do not pray for breakthrough while your mind keeps telling you that no one in your lineage has achieved what you desire. Fill your mind with God’s Word. You must engage in all areas of your life and use every available situation and circumstance wisely. You cannot expect a positive mindset while maintaining close relationships with people of negative beliefs. You cannot expect the fulfilment of prophecy while remaining in relationships that do not glorify God.
Working in an environment where others disregard God and His Word does not mean you must join them in wrongdoing. Choose to stand for righteousness, and you will discover that where sin abounds, grace abounds much more. Walk in ways that please God. God has no business empowering someone who will not fulfil His counsel. He will not invest in an unprofitable servant. So get your acts right.
You desire generational blessings, then show God why. Is it merely to maintain a life of wealth and abundance? Is it to amass wealth for children and grandchildren who have not been taught the ways of the Lord? Do you want to enjoy the victory of Christ without partaking in His sufferings? There is a saying where I come from: what you do not suffer for will not last. Not suffering in a negative sense, but the truth that what you do not work for, you will not value, and therefore it will not endure.
Beloved, prophecies that are founded on God’s Word do come to pass. But you must be fully engaged. Do not assume they will be fulfilled simply because a seasoned man of God declared them. They will not be served to you on a platter of gold. Their fulfilment requires your full participation, so that you understand their value and war diligently with them.
Is it that prophets are not prophesying by the Spirit of God (yet some testify to the fulfilment of these prophecies)? Or is it that the written prophecies in the Word of God lack the power for fulfilment, even though He said that the words that proceed from Him will not return to Him void, without accomplishing what they were sent to do? If neither is the case, then where is the problem? Some of us even receive prophecies for ourselves through dreams and open visions, yet the results are not evident.
You see, for every prophecy or word from God, you have a part to play, and God has His own part to play. In Job 36:11, for example, if you desire prosperity and a pleasurable life, you must fulfil your part, which is obedience and service to God. This obedience and service must be at all times, whether convenient or not. You cannot obey only when you feel like it and expect the prophecy to work for you. So for every prophetic word you receive, first search for your own responsibility in it. This is what leads to warring with that prophecy.
What does it mean to war with a thing or a prophetic pronouncement, whether individual or corporate, for a church, a country, or a nation? Do not deceive yourself that nobody is enjoying the fulfilment of prophecy. People are reaping the fulfilment of prophecies when they are properly engaged.
To war means to engage in an organised, large-scale deployment of all available resources. It is a protracted conflict against forces determined to prevent you from fulfilling the fullness of your grace and ability. Know fully well that there is, and always will be, a conflict between God and the devil, between good and evil, and between darkness and light. No matter how big or small the prophecy released upon you, the enemy will fight you because you are in God’s camp. This conflict will continue until the coming of the Lord or your death. It is a prolonged battle.
The enemy will deploy all his arsenal, and you cannot take it lightly or be complacent. You cannot fold your hands and expect the good things promised by God to happen without your full engagement. In this kind of war, you must be fully engaged and deploy all your available resources. If you do not, prophecies will come and go year after year without fulfilment, and you will begin to question the efficacy of God’s Word, the power of prophecy, and even the prophet.
Please know that the Word of God has the innate ability to produce the desired effect under the right conditions. You must therefore create the necessary conditions for it to produce. When a prophetic utterance is released, first find its basis in the Word of God. By doing this, you will know whether the prophecy is truly from God, because no prophecy from God will contradict His Word. There will always be confirmation in Scripture. Fully engage with those words and identify your role in their fulfilment. What is expected of you? Do it fully, not partially, not haphazardly, not randomly or inconsistently. Engage with prayer, fasting, and all other spiritual disciplines required.
Ensure that your mindset is fully engaged. Do not pray for breakthrough while your mind keeps telling you that no one in your lineage has achieved what you desire. Fill your mind with God’s Word. You must engage in all areas of your life and use every available situation and circumstance wisely. You cannot expect a positive mindset while maintaining close relationships with people of negative beliefs. You cannot expect the fulfilment of prophecy while remaining in relationships that do not glorify God.
Working in an environment where others disregard God and His Word does not mean you must join them in wrongdoing. Choose to stand for righteousness, and you will discover that where sin abounds, grace abounds much more. Walk in ways that please God. God has no business empowering someone who will not fulfil His counsel. He will not invest in an unprofitable servant. So get your acts right.
You desire generational blessings, then show God why. Is it merely to maintain a life of wealth and abundance? Is it to amass wealth for children and grandchildren who have not been taught the ways of the Lord? Do you want to enjoy the victory of Christ without partaking in His sufferings? There is a saying where I come from: what you do not suffer for will not last. Not suffering in a negative sense, but the truth that what you do not work for, you will not value, and therefore it will not endure.
Beloved, prophecies that are founded on God’s Word do come to pass. But you must be fully engaged. Do not assume they will be fulfilled simply because a seasoned man of God declared them. They will not be served to you on a platter of gold. Their fulfilment requires your full participation, so that you understand their value and war diligently with them.
MINDSET
As we begin this new year, we will be looking at some things that may hinder our prayers and expectations. We have already agreed that God our Father is not a wicked Father. He is loving and desires only good things for us. Not only that, He has prepared things, situations, and circumstances for us to fulfill our expected end. On our part, we have decided to align with His plans and purposes for our lives.
This week, we will be examining one major factor that can affect the good and perfect plan of God for us: mindset.
What is mindset? Mindset is a way of thinking, an attitude or opinion, especially a habitual one. It can also be called a mentality or a set of beliefs. It is the characteristic of your mind, and it affects your structure and processes. It is an established set of attitudes held by an individual.
Your culture, values, philosophy, frame of reference, outlook, and disposition all contribute to your mindset. Your mindset qualities are the beliefs, attitudes, thought patterns, and perspectives that shape how you perceive and approach different aspects of your life and the lives of others, including your career.
Your mindset is so important that it directly affects your results. The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”This means that if we could look into a person and see their thoughts, we would see who they truly are. Outward posture or spoken words alone cannot fully describe a person; it is what is within, thoughts and mindset, that controls behavior, reactions to situations, and interactions with others.
What kind of mindset do you have? What beliefs, values, and philosophies shape your thinking? Your mind is powerful, and what resides in it will eventually manifest in your life. You may tell yourself or others that you have a growth mindset, a positive mindset, or any other kind, but your results will clearly reveal the mindset you truly have. It is the signs that follow you that reveal what is inside you.
As we enter this new year, it is very important to deal with mindset issues so they do not hinder your success. The Bible says in Mark 16:17 that “these signs shall follow them that believe.” Not those who merely hear, or those who observe, but those who believe. The issue of mindset cannot be overemphasized.
So how do we deal with it?
1. Understand how mindsets are formed.
Mindsets are formed through a combination of early upbringing, cultural messages, personal experiences, influential role models, and repeated self-talk. These shape your core beliefs about your abilities, the world, and other people. This process often begins in childhood and continues throughout life.
2. Examine your background and influences.
What was your childhood like? What kind of parents did you have, and what words or messages were spoken over you while growing up? What kind of environment did you live in? What societal values, family beliefs, or community attitudes were you exposed to? Were you repeatedly criticized or encouraged? Who were your role models, parents, teachers, leaders, even spiritual leaders, and what influence did they have on your understanding of what is possible or impossible? Your internal dialogue, those constant thoughts, whether positive or negative, also plays a major role in shaping your mindset.
3. Know that your mindset can be changed.
Although it may have taken years to form, your mindset can be transformed. The process may be gradual, and it requires daily effort, but now that you are a child of God, you have the capacity and grace to effect the necessary changes.
4. Renew your mind with God’s Word.
Identify the negative mindsets you can recognize, and prayerfully search the Scriptures for God’s Word that addresses them. The Bible says in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
Ephesians 4:23 also says, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
Consciously fill your mind with God’s Word day and night to erase the negative influences of past words. Meditate on the Word and confess it continually. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for edification, that it may minister grace to the hearers.”
The battleground is your mind and thought life. If you overcome there, you have defeated the enemy. Determine from this moment to consciously watch the words that proceed out of your mouth. You cannot stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can prevent it from building a nest in your hair. Negative thoughts will come, but do not allow them to settle. Cancel them immediately with the Word of God and declare what you expect in line with His promises.
Avoid negative pronouncements over yourself, your family, your home, your community, and your environment. Whatever you agree with will continually manifest in and around you. Do not allow fear of any kind. One common meaning of fear is false evidence appearing real. The enemy creates situations that seem real, and once you accept them, you become trapped. Counter every thought with the Word of God.
There is a Word for every situation in the Bible. Do not be lazy, study the Word and apply it. Paul said in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.”
What you believe is what you become. This year, only good will come your way, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This week, we will be examining one major factor that can affect the good and perfect plan of God for us: mindset.
What is mindset? Mindset is a way of thinking, an attitude or opinion, especially a habitual one. It can also be called a mentality or a set of beliefs. It is the characteristic of your mind, and it affects your structure and processes. It is an established set of attitudes held by an individual.
Your culture, values, philosophy, frame of reference, outlook, and disposition all contribute to your mindset. Your mindset qualities are the beliefs, attitudes, thought patterns, and perspectives that shape how you perceive and approach different aspects of your life and the lives of others, including your career.
Your mindset is so important that it directly affects your results. The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”This means that if we could look into a person and see their thoughts, we would see who they truly are. Outward posture or spoken words alone cannot fully describe a person; it is what is within, thoughts and mindset, that controls behavior, reactions to situations, and interactions with others.
What kind of mindset do you have? What beliefs, values, and philosophies shape your thinking? Your mind is powerful, and what resides in it will eventually manifest in your life. You may tell yourself or others that you have a growth mindset, a positive mindset, or any other kind, but your results will clearly reveal the mindset you truly have. It is the signs that follow you that reveal what is inside you.
As we enter this new year, it is very important to deal with mindset issues so they do not hinder your success. The Bible says in Mark 16:17 that “these signs shall follow them that believe.” Not those who merely hear, or those who observe, but those who believe. The issue of mindset cannot be overemphasized.
So how do we deal with it?
1. Understand how mindsets are formed.
Mindsets are formed through a combination of early upbringing, cultural messages, personal experiences, influential role models, and repeated self-talk. These shape your core beliefs about your abilities, the world, and other people. This process often begins in childhood and continues throughout life.
2. Examine your background and influences.
What was your childhood like? What kind of parents did you have, and what words or messages were spoken over you while growing up? What kind of environment did you live in? What societal values, family beliefs, or community attitudes were you exposed to? Were you repeatedly criticized or encouraged? Who were your role models, parents, teachers, leaders, even spiritual leaders, and what influence did they have on your understanding of what is possible or impossible? Your internal dialogue, those constant thoughts, whether positive or negative, also plays a major role in shaping your mindset.
3. Know that your mindset can be changed.
Although it may have taken years to form, your mindset can be transformed. The process may be gradual, and it requires daily effort, but now that you are a child of God, you have the capacity and grace to effect the necessary changes.
4. Renew your mind with God’s Word.
Identify the negative mindsets you can recognize, and prayerfully search the Scriptures for God’s Word that addresses them. The Bible says in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
Ephesians 4:23 also says, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
Consciously fill your mind with God’s Word day and night to erase the negative influences of past words. Meditate on the Word and confess it continually. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for edification, that it may minister grace to the hearers.”
The battleground is your mind and thought life. If you overcome there, you have defeated the enemy. Determine from this moment to consciously watch the words that proceed out of your mouth. You cannot stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can prevent it from building a nest in your hair. Negative thoughts will come, but do not allow them to settle. Cancel them immediately with the Word of God and declare what you expect in line with His promises.
Avoid negative pronouncements over yourself, your family, your home, your community, and your environment. Whatever you agree with will continually manifest in and around you. Do not allow fear of any kind. One common meaning of fear is false evidence appearing real. The enemy creates situations that seem real, and once you accept them, you become trapped. Counter every thought with the Word of God.
There is a Word for every situation in the Bible. Do not be lazy, study the Word and apply it. Paul said in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.”
What you believe is what you become. This year, only good will come your way, in Jesus’ name. Amen.