Our God is omnipresent. He is everywhere simultaneously. He is ever-present, and in addition, He is omnipotent — all-powerful — and omniscient — all-knowing. There is no situation or place hidden from Him. He sees all and knows all. That is why His judgments are true altogether (Psalm 19:9). Because He sees all things, even the secrets in your heart that no one else sees or knows, He will not, like man, be unjust in His judgment.
You cannot hide anything from Him.
Sometimes, when we see repercussions that come upon an individual, we tend to believe, though secretly in our hearts, that God has not judged well. We forget that human nature is so deceitful that it only presents what it wants you to see. Moreover, a person’s heart is not open to you, so you do not know the wickedness that may be operating there.
In 2 Chronicles 25:1–2, Amaziah, the son of Joash, became king after the death of his father at the age of twenty-five, and his reign lasted twenty-five years. In verse 2, the Bible says he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart. If human beings were to score Amaziah, he did well. He passed. His name might even have been written among the country’s most successful kings. You see, all we can see as humans is what is displayed before us. But God measures what is in the heart.
You can deceive man, but you cannot deceive God. He does not judge based on outward show or appearance. As long as you continue to present a deceptive front, you will find it difficult to see God move in your life. God is not deceived. You may gather all evidence, and anyone who hears you may believe you are right and that you have been treated unfairly. But the One who sees all things will always give you according to what you have sown, not according to what you want.
What is your motive?
This brings me to another attribute of God: He is a rewarder. He will reward you according to your deeds. What are you doing? What occupies your life? He rewards those who seek Him, who live for Him, and who obey His Word.
This is not merely about going to church, singing in the choir, or cleaning the house of God. All these activities are fruitless if your motive or the state of your heart is not right. It is possible to do good like Amaziah, but if your heart is not right, God will not reward you according to what you desire, but according to the hidden intentions of your heart.
1 Corinthians 13:1–3 makes this very clear. Yes, you can engage in spiritual gymnastics and speak in the tongues of men and angels, but without love, you are only making noise. You may prophesy mightily, understand mysteries, possess knowledge, and have faith that can move mountains, but without love, you have failed the test. Even if you give all you have to the poor and the less privileged, it does not move God if it is not done in love.
Examine yourself and the activities you are involved in. Are they done so that people may see how rich or powerful you are? Is it so that men will believe you are giving back to society, while love is absent from your heart? This does not move God. He sees your intentions and will reward you according to them.
Beloved, cleanse your heart. Prune your intentions. The human nature within you will always want to display pride and arrogance, deal with it. Evil thoughts and the gratification of the flesh will always try to rear their ugly heads in your heart, but bring them into subjection to the Word of God. Yes, you cannot stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can certainly prevent it from building a nest in your hair.
Bring every thought into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
You are a mere human formed from dust. If not for God’s breath of life, you would be no different from other created things. All that you have has been given to you. See it as a privilege, not as proof that you are greater or more knowledgeable than others. There are people better and more knowledgeable than you who do not have the opportunities you have. If not for God, your situation might have been worse.
Our God sees and rewards according to His perfect knowledge. You cannot hide from Him. You may deceive men with sweet words, vast knowledge, innocent looks, and a gentle outward disposition, but not God. He sees, and He rewards accordingly.
It is well.
GOD IS GRACIOUS
God Is Gracious
Our God is gracious, full of mercy, and delights in giving grace to His children. Grace is said to be a free and undeserved favor, a divine assistance given to humans by God. God is compassionate, magnanimous, and benevolent. He is favorable to His children. In Genesis 6:8, the Bible says that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Psalm 116 says, “Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.”
Moses also found grace with God in Exodus 33:17. God decided to have mercy and answer his request because He said, “I know you by name.” If you read down to verse 23, God went above and beyond to answer Moses’ request. If God knows you, if He is certain of you, acquainted with you, has encountered you, and has experience with you (as people say now, you have a history together), if He understands you and has a grasp of you through experience, so that He is able to distinguish and discern you, this is not a one-off thing but something consistent.
Remember what God said about Abraham (Genesis 18:17). When you are known by God and He can consistently trust you, then He will be merciful to you. Are you consistent in your relationship with God? Can you be trusted to praise and worship Him when you receive a breakthrough in the same way you do when your prayer is not answered as you expected? Do you trust God in times of delay, or only when your requests are granted?
Be not deceived; God cannot be mocked. He sees your heart as well, even more clearly than what proceeds out of your mouth. When you have been tested and can be trusted, the Lord will become your Sun and Shield; He will give you His grace and glory. He will not withhold any good thing from you because you will walk uprightly in His sight (Psalm 84:11).
In Exodus 34:6–7, apart from being merciful and gracious, He is also longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth. He forgives your sins, iniquities, and transgressions. He is not holding a rod over your neck, waiting for you to sin; rather, He continues to hope that you will recognize your sins and turn from your wicked ways. That is why some think that God is slack in His dealings, whereas He is actually giving you time, hoping that you will repent.
You see, He cannot force you to do His will because He created you in His own image. This means you have a will, and He will stand by whatever you decide, even if it leads to your destruction, because you are a moral agent, that is, you have the capacity to choose between right and wrong.
So, to enjoy the mercy of God:
1. Develop a vibrant relationship with Him. Put Him first in your life at all times. Obey His Word and His directives.
2. Pursue righteousness. Protect and defend your right standing with God with integrity.
3. According to God’s command, love all and treat everyone with fairness and kindness, not just outwardly, but with a heart-level transformation through reliance on divine grace rather than mere self-effort.
4. Let your life reflect God and His Word so that people can “read” you at all times and thereby understand the nature of God.
5. Be consistent, in prayer, in studying the Word, in obedience, and in all things. Read Isaiah 30:18, Isaiah 55:7, and Romans 9:15.
It is God who determines whom to have mercy on and whom to have compassion on; therefore, it is Him who should be pleased, not man. Whatever man gives you will not last forever, and whatever the devil gives will always lead to destruction. He is evil and does not have the capacity to give good. It is only the gift of God that makes rich and adds no sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22).
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). This is an open invitation for you as well as for all who believe in Him. He has promised to pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on all who look to Him.
What are you waiting for?
Our God is gracious, full of mercy, and delights in giving grace to His children. Grace is said to be a free and undeserved favor, a divine assistance given to humans by God. God is compassionate, magnanimous, and benevolent. He is favorable to His children. In Genesis 6:8, the Bible says that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Psalm 116 says, “Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.”
Moses also found grace with God in Exodus 33:17. God decided to have mercy and answer his request because He said, “I know you by name.” If you read down to verse 23, God went above and beyond to answer Moses’ request. If God knows you, if He is certain of you, acquainted with you, has encountered you, and has experience with you (as people say now, you have a history together), if He understands you and has a grasp of you through experience, so that He is able to distinguish and discern you, this is not a one-off thing but something consistent.
Remember what God said about Abraham (Genesis 18:17). When you are known by God and He can consistently trust you, then He will be merciful to you. Are you consistent in your relationship with God? Can you be trusted to praise and worship Him when you receive a breakthrough in the same way you do when your prayer is not answered as you expected? Do you trust God in times of delay, or only when your requests are granted?
Be not deceived; God cannot be mocked. He sees your heart as well, even more clearly than what proceeds out of your mouth. When you have been tested and can be trusted, the Lord will become your Sun and Shield; He will give you His grace and glory. He will not withhold any good thing from you because you will walk uprightly in His sight (Psalm 84:11).
In Exodus 34:6–7, apart from being merciful and gracious, He is also longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth. He forgives your sins, iniquities, and transgressions. He is not holding a rod over your neck, waiting for you to sin; rather, He continues to hope that you will recognize your sins and turn from your wicked ways. That is why some think that God is slack in His dealings, whereas He is actually giving you time, hoping that you will repent.
You see, He cannot force you to do His will because He created you in His own image. This means you have a will, and He will stand by whatever you decide, even if it leads to your destruction, because you are a moral agent, that is, you have the capacity to choose between right and wrong.
So, to enjoy the mercy of God:
1. Develop a vibrant relationship with Him. Put Him first in your life at all times. Obey His Word and His directives.
2. Pursue righteousness. Protect and defend your right standing with God with integrity.
3. According to God’s command, love all and treat everyone with fairness and kindness, not just outwardly, but with a heart-level transformation through reliance on divine grace rather than mere self-effort.
4. Let your life reflect God and His Word so that people can “read” you at all times and thereby understand the nature of God.
5. Be consistent, in prayer, in studying the Word, in obedience, and in all things. Read Isaiah 30:18, Isaiah 55:7, and Romans 9:15.
It is God who determines whom to have mercy on and whom to have compassion on; therefore, it is Him who should be pleased, not man. Whatever man gives you will not last forever, and whatever the devil gives will always lead to destruction. He is evil and does not have the capacity to give good. It is only the gift of God that makes rich and adds no sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22).
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). This is an open invitation for you as well as for all who believe in Him. He has promised to pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on all who look to Him.
What are you waiting for?
GOD WALK WITH MAN
Though God is the Creator who created all things and upholds them with His power, He still delights in walking with the highest of His creation,man. He is open and ready for a robust relationship with man.
In Genesis 5:22, the Bible says Enoch walked with God in spite of the fact that he was human and engaged in all that humans engage in. Enoch was a father (he had sons and daughters) and definitely must have been a husband. He had a home and, like all of us, provided for his household. Of course, at that time his parents, grandparents, and probably all his extended family were still around. Still, he must have pleased the Creator for God to walk with him.
He had such a deep relationship with God that it got to the point where God took him. It was as if, instead of God coming daily to relate with him, He decided that Enoch should just come over and stay permanently with Him in heaven, without going through the transportation vehicle all humans are to use, which is death. God took him.
Some of us have friends and even BFFs (best friends for life). We want to see them daily, be with them, and discuss everything with them. This brings to mind what God said in Genesis 18:17: “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” It is like God saying, My relationship with Abraham is so important that I would not like him to hear that I did something without telling him, asking his opinion, or getting his input. What a relationship.
Some of us who are even married will not bother to request our spouse’s opinion on some issues because, to us, their opinions do not matter. Do not forget the fact that God is omnipotent, who created all things and sustains all things. So whatever Abraham’s opinion was, it had no power to add to God; however, his opinion was still important, and God valued His relationship with Abraham. So we see God agreeing to Abraham’s plea concerning Sodom and Gomorrah because of Lot and his family.
Another man like me and you, Noah, found favor with God (Genesis 6:8). God had a plan to destroy man whom He had made, and all other creatures, beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air. Yet His relationship with Noah was so important that He decided to exempt Noah and all who willingly joined him in the ark. He made the necessary provisions to sustain them during the flood and for procreation after the flood.
All through the Bible, we see God calling on men, wanting to walk with them and to show them His ways and His delights. God has not hidden His likes and dislikes from His children. When you have a friend or spouse and you want the relationship to continue and grow in intensity, you take time to study and abide by what your spouse or friend wants or delights in. You go to the extent of altering your own life and sometimes even your outlook. You let go of things you know your friend does not like and, if need be, take on some things in an effort to appeal more to your friend.
You want at all times to conform to your BFF’s desires, even though you may have to alter your beliefs and nature. You will do all these to please a human being like yourself because you want to belong. A lot of youths are facing terrible peer pressure because they want to please an individual or group, even though there is really no advantage in it.
The Bible says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. All you need is God. You are your best self, and if another human will not accept you as you are with God, then you do not belong in that circle.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28–30 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. A relationship with God is not burdensome. What He requires from you is not beyond your ability, and moreover, it is for your good. Psalm 1:1–2 outlines what is expected of you:
1. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Do not take advice from those who have no relationship with God. Their advice is very likely to be contrary to God’s Word.
2. Do not stand in the way of sinners. Do not associate with sinners, those who do not value God and His commands, and who are not controlled by His Word.
3. Do not sit with the scornful, those who show disrespect, contempt, and disdain for godly things and for God; those who believe that being a child of God is beneath them; those who think Christianity is old-fashioned and only for the lowest or worst in life.
What is expected of you is this:
1. Delight in the law of God.
2. Meditate on it day and night.
3. Observe and do it wholeheartedly.
In Micah 6:8, you are shown what is good and what the LORD requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Do not be puffed up because you are rich, beautiful, educated, or have worldly benefits. They can be destroyed in the twinkling of an eye, ask Job. It is only your relationship with God that has the ability to last forever.
That relationship puts all the resources of heaven and earth at your disposal. These treasures cannot be corrupted or stolen, and they bring no sorrow.
Friend, choose wisely. When you walk with God, there is no peer pressure or inferiority complex. In fact, God will come down to your level and lift you up to His own level. All you have to do is agree with Him (Amos 3:3).
In Genesis 5:22, the Bible says Enoch walked with God in spite of the fact that he was human and engaged in all that humans engage in. Enoch was a father (he had sons and daughters) and definitely must have been a husband. He had a home and, like all of us, provided for his household. Of course, at that time his parents, grandparents, and probably all his extended family were still around. Still, he must have pleased the Creator for God to walk with him.
He had such a deep relationship with God that it got to the point where God took him. It was as if, instead of God coming daily to relate with him, He decided that Enoch should just come over and stay permanently with Him in heaven, without going through the transportation vehicle all humans are to use, which is death. God took him.
Some of us have friends and even BFFs (best friends for life). We want to see them daily, be with them, and discuss everything with them. This brings to mind what God said in Genesis 18:17: “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” It is like God saying, My relationship with Abraham is so important that I would not like him to hear that I did something without telling him, asking his opinion, or getting his input. What a relationship.
Some of us who are even married will not bother to request our spouse’s opinion on some issues because, to us, their opinions do not matter. Do not forget the fact that God is omnipotent, who created all things and sustains all things. So whatever Abraham’s opinion was, it had no power to add to God; however, his opinion was still important, and God valued His relationship with Abraham. So we see God agreeing to Abraham’s plea concerning Sodom and Gomorrah because of Lot and his family.
Another man like me and you, Noah, found favor with God (Genesis 6:8). God had a plan to destroy man whom He had made, and all other creatures, beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air. Yet His relationship with Noah was so important that He decided to exempt Noah and all who willingly joined him in the ark. He made the necessary provisions to sustain them during the flood and for procreation after the flood.
All through the Bible, we see God calling on men, wanting to walk with them and to show them His ways and His delights. God has not hidden His likes and dislikes from His children. When you have a friend or spouse and you want the relationship to continue and grow in intensity, you take time to study and abide by what your spouse or friend wants or delights in. You go to the extent of altering your own life and sometimes even your outlook. You let go of things you know your friend does not like and, if need be, take on some things in an effort to appeal more to your friend.
You want at all times to conform to your BFF’s desires, even though you may have to alter your beliefs and nature. You will do all these to please a human being like yourself because you want to belong. A lot of youths are facing terrible peer pressure because they want to please an individual or group, even though there is really no advantage in it.
The Bible says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. All you need is God. You are your best self, and if another human will not accept you as you are with God, then you do not belong in that circle.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28–30 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. A relationship with God is not burdensome. What He requires from you is not beyond your ability, and moreover, it is for your good. Psalm 1:1–2 outlines what is expected of you:
1. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Do not take advice from those who have no relationship with God. Their advice is very likely to be contrary to God’s Word.
2. Do not stand in the way of sinners. Do not associate with sinners, those who do not value God and His commands, and who are not controlled by His Word.
3. Do not sit with the scornful, those who show disrespect, contempt, and disdain for godly things and for God; those who believe that being a child of God is beneath them; those who think Christianity is old-fashioned and only for the lowest or worst in life.
What is expected of you is this:
1. Delight in the law of God.
2. Meditate on it day and night.
3. Observe and do it wholeheartedly.
In Micah 6:8, you are shown what is good and what the LORD requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Do not be puffed up because you are rich, beautiful, educated, or have worldly benefits. They can be destroyed in the twinkling of an eye, ask Job. It is only your relationship with God that has the ability to last forever.
That relationship puts all the resources of heaven and earth at your disposal. These treasures cannot be corrupted or stolen, and they bring no sorrow.
Friend, choose wisely. When you walk with God, there is no peer pressure or inferiority complex. In fact, God will come down to your level and lift you up to His own level. All you have to do is agree with Him (Amos 3:3).
ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
One way of knowing a person or an individual is through his or her attributes. An attribute is the character or quality of a subject, an option or setting belonging to that person which is considered typical of them; what a person is known for and identified with.
So today, let us start by looking at the attributes of God, so that through them we can draw closer to Him. If you go through the Bible, you will find numerous attributes of God, and these will give you more understanding about Him.
God is a Creator. In Genesis 1:1, we understand that God created the heavens and the earth. A creator is someone who creates. So if you, as a person, produce, invent, or bring something new into existence, you have the complete understanding and working knowledge of the things you created. You have the manual for the machine, software, or tools you made. Because you are the one who brought something new or original into being, you have full control over it.
If the user completely follows the instructions in the manual, the machine or tool will work perfectly. But if even one directive is overlooked, the whole system may not work properly or may function at a reduced capacity. In fact, in some machines or tools, if you refuse to follow the creator’s manual step by step, the machine may spoil completely and cannot be salvaged.
So when God created the heavens and the earth, we must know and fully agree that He alone has the control and the manual for their smooth operation. When you buy a machine or tool and it does not work as it should, you are advised to take it back to the manufacturer. In the same way, whatever challenges you are having, you need to go to Him who created the heavens, the earth, and all that is in them.
Not only that, some machines also contain a system called troubleshooting. The producer will tell you, for example, that if the red light comes on or it keeps beeping nonstop, certain reasons may be responsible, and certain processes will restore it.
Troubleshooting is a systematic and logical process of identifying, diagnosing, and solving problems in a machine or software to restore functionality. It involves identifying the situation, like a doctor identifying your symptoms, analyzing potential causes, and then applying the right fixes.
Our God is a perfect God and cannot, and does not, create defective things. So if you are going through challenges that are contrary to the Creator’s perfect work, you need to troubleshoot your life. The manual, which is the Bible, contains how you can identify problems. Instructions for diagnosing and solving them are also available so that your life can be fully restored to functionality.
Do not just assume that the problem is caused by this person or that person. You need to gather information. In the Bible, you will see people who faced similar problems before and the symptoms they experienced. This will help you identify your own situation. You need to know at what point the problem started.
For example, when a machine is not working, you first check the obvious: power supply, cables, and basic settings. Through this, you can identify the cause. You narrow down the problem, and then it becomes easier to determine and fix it.
Your life was created to function without hitch if you follow the directives of the Creator. You have the manual available to live a functional life, and if there is any problem, the manual also contains troubleshooting instructions. So you have no excuse.
Darkness on its own has no meaning. It is simply the absence of light. It will continue to prosper in your home, city, or country as long as light is not present. The Bible calls you the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Light cannot be hidden. As long as there is light, darkness cannot prosper.
The devil knows this and will constantly work to keep you from knowing the truth. So many times, we run after shadows. We believe that people are attacking us. My dear beloved, you need to grow in the Word of God. The Word of God has the power to flood your life with light, and every darkness will flee (John 8:32). The truth you know shall make you free.
God said His people perish for lack of knowledge, not lack of power or anointing. Seek light, higher light. Invest in the Word of God. Listen to true men of God, not those who only pamper your ego. Pray without ceasing, and do not join the group that says failure is normal and should be accepted.
You hear people say the economy is bad, yet people are still succeeding. So why should you fold your arms and agree to be a casualty of a bad economy? During the COVID-19 lockdown, while many were losing millions, some were making more money than ever before in their lives.
The Creator’s manual contains diverse instructions in righteousness, wisdom that is not of this world, and secrets that can make you successful. Avail yourself of it as a child of God. It is there for your good, so go for it. It is not always about the devil; sometimes it is simply about the absence of light and a refusal to invest in growth.
It is well.
So today, let us start by looking at the attributes of God, so that through them we can draw closer to Him. If you go through the Bible, you will find numerous attributes of God, and these will give you more understanding about Him.
God is a Creator. In Genesis 1:1, we understand that God created the heavens and the earth. A creator is someone who creates. So if you, as a person, produce, invent, or bring something new into existence, you have the complete understanding and working knowledge of the things you created. You have the manual for the machine, software, or tools you made. Because you are the one who brought something new or original into being, you have full control over it.
If the user completely follows the instructions in the manual, the machine or tool will work perfectly. But if even one directive is overlooked, the whole system may not work properly or may function at a reduced capacity. In fact, in some machines or tools, if you refuse to follow the creator’s manual step by step, the machine may spoil completely and cannot be salvaged.
So when God created the heavens and the earth, we must know and fully agree that He alone has the control and the manual for their smooth operation. When you buy a machine or tool and it does not work as it should, you are advised to take it back to the manufacturer. In the same way, whatever challenges you are having, you need to go to Him who created the heavens, the earth, and all that is in them.
Not only that, some machines also contain a system called troubleshooting. The producer will tell you, for example, that if the red light comes on or it keeps beeping nonstop, certain reasons may be responsible, and certain processes will restore it.
Troubleshooting is a systematic and logical process of identifying, diagnosing, and solving problems in a machine or software to restore functionality. It involves identifying the situation, like a doctor identifying your symptoms, analyzing potential causes, and then applying the right fixes.
Our God is a perfect God and cannot, and does not, create defective things. So if you are going through challenges that are contrary to the Creator’s perfect work, you need to troubleshoot your life. The manual, which is the Bible, contains how you can identify problems. Instructions for diagnosing and solving them are also available so that your life can be fully restored to functionality.
Do not just assume that the problem is caused by this person or that person. You need to gather information. In the Bible, you will see people who faced similar problems before and the symptoms they experienced. This will help you identify your own situation. You need to know at what point the problem started.
For example, when a machine is not working, you first check the obvious: power supply, cables, and basic settings. Through this, you can identify the cause. You narrow down the problem, and then it becomes easier to determine and fix it.
Your life was created to function without hitch if you follow the directives of the Creator. You have the manual available to live a functional life, and if there is any problem, the manual also contains troubleshooting instructions. So you have no excuse.
Darkness on its own has no meaning. It is simply the absence of light. It will continue to prosper in your home, city, or country as long as light is not present. The Bible calls you the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Light cannot be hidden. As long as there is light, darkness cannot prosper.
The devil knows this and will constantly work to keep you from knowing the truth. So many times, we run after shadows. We believe that people are attacking us. My dear beloved, you need to grow in the Word of God. The Word of God has the power to flood your life with light, and every darkness will flee (John 8:32). The truth you know shall make you free.
God said His people perish for lack of knowledge, not lack of power or anointing. Seek light, higher light. Invest in the Word of God. Listen to true men of God, not those who only pamper your ego. Pray without ceasing, and do not join the group that says failure is normal and should be accepted.
You hear people say the economy is bad, yet people are still succeeding. So why should you fold your arms and agree to be a casualty of a bad economy? During the COVID-19 lockdown, while many were losing millions, some were making more money than ever before in their lives.
The Creator’s manual contains diverse instructions in righteousness, wisdom that is not of this world, and secrets that can make you successful. Avail yourself of it as a child of God. It is there for your good, so go for it. It is not always about the devil; sometimes it is simply about the absence of light and a refusal to invest in growth.
It is well.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
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.
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.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION
Dear brethren, I hope you had a wonderful time during the Christmas celebration. I also hope you found it easy to share the love of Christ with the people around you. For those of us who had to spend the season alone for one reason or another, I pray that you were able to use that time to fellowship with your Maker. Everything has a purpose. Sometimes you can be in the midst of many people and yet feel alone, so having people around you does not automatically translate into meaningful fellowship.
Now that we have only a few days remaining in this year, we must make maximum use of them.
It is important that we first take stock of the year that is coming to an end. I believe that this time last year, we all had expectations concerning 2025. Some of us listened to our pastors’ declarations for the year and were very hopeful. There is therefore a need to look back from January until now. Have we achieved our goals or not? This is not a time for condemnation or self-castigation, but a time for reflection. Take time out to review the goals you were able to achieve. How did you achieve them? What are the things you need to let go of, and what should you invest in for the achievement of your goals?
You need to understand that no matter what you may have done or failed to do, victory is of God. You are not the only one with goals. Some people have even better goals and greater resources, yet they did not succeed. So give quality praise to God, who has given you victory, for it is not of him that wills nor of him that runs, but of God who shows mercy (Romans 9:16).
Now look at the goals you were unable to achieve. Why do you think you fell short in those areas? Did you put in the necessary effort and strength required? Was the goal too big for your current capacity, or were external inputs unavailable? Did you, perhaps, rely too much on yourself or on human help? The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5; see also Jeremiah 17:5 and Romans 8:8).
These scriptures are not saying you should fold your hands. Many Christians believe that all they need is prayer and that their expectations will simply drop into their laps. That is not correct. Prayer is very important, but diligence is also required. Put in your best effort, but trust that God alone can bring it to pass. Man will always fail you, but that does not make you a failure.
Now is the time to wait on God and receive direction for the year ahead. Is there something you have been doing wrongly while expecting a different result? That will not happen. Purpose to do things God’s way in the new year. Present your plans before your Maker, who knows the right paths that lead to success. Stay before God to receive your next assignment and the pattern for its fulfillment. God is not wicked; He does not delight in your failure. He desires that you bear fruit, for in doing so His name is glorified (John 15:8).
Do you need to upgrade yourself or learn a new skill? Do you need to change your associations? (Proverbs 13:20). Do you need to work on your mindset? Is there another route you must take to achieve your goals? God can reveal all these to you if you seek Him.
Is the goal you have set too big? Consider breaking it into smaller, achievable parts. Sometimes goals are delayed, remember that delay is not necessarily denial. Seek His face.
To those who have succeeded, congratulations. Rejoice, be thankful, and celebrate. However, there are still more giants to conquer. In Revelation chapter 4, after Jesus gave John the messages to the seven churches in chapter 3, which could be described as success, John was called to “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this” (Revelation 4:1). There is always more. So do not settle, do not rest, keep moving, and success will continue to be yours.
Dearly beloved, be sober and be vigilant. There will be a great increase in confusion across the world. The wisdom of the wise will fail. Many things that once worked will no longer work. A season of darkness and chaos, like that described in Genesis 1:2, will manifest in many sectors.
What is the survival strategy?
* Only those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits (Daniel 11:32).
* Pray more.
* Study the Word of God more, for in it you will find direction.
* Obey God’s Word absolutely, even when the instructions contradict what you know or what used to work for you. Obey it.
* Speak the Word in season and out of season (Genesis 1:3).
* Avoid unholy gatherings and associations with ungodly people (Psalm 1; Isaiah 8:12–15).
* Not everyone in church or Christian gatherings has the mind of Christ, so be sober and vigilant (Philippians 4:7).
* Draw closer and closer to God. We are entering times when news and information will shake many people (1 Samuel 3:11; Jeremiah 19:3), with unexplainable events that defy logic, science, and human wisdom.
* The kingdom of darkness will change its methods to deceive and subtly overpower many. Be very vigilant.
* You have been warned.
Have a happy, blessed, and prosperous New Year.
Now that we have only a few days remaining in this year, we must make maximum use of them.
It is important that we first take stock of the year that is coming to an end. I believe that this time last year, we all had expectations concerning 2025. Some of us listened to our pastors’ declarations for the year and were very hopeful. There is therefore a need to look back from January until now. Have we achieved our goals or not? This is not a time for condemnation or self-castigation, but a time for reflection. Take time out to review the goals you were able to achieve. How did you achieve them? What are the things you need to let go of, and what should you invest in for the achievement of your goals?
You need to understand that no matter what you may have done or failed to do, victory is of God. You are not the only one with goals. Some people have even better goals and greater resources, yet they did not succeed. So give quality praise to God, who has given you victory, for it is not of him that wills nor of him that runs, but of God who shows mercy (Romans 9:16).
Now look at the goals you were unable to achieve. Why do you think you fell short in those areas? Did you put in the necessary effort and strength required? Was the goal too big for your current capacity, or were external inputs unavailable? Did you, perhaps, rely too much on yourself or on human help? The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5; see also Jeremiah 17:5 and Romans 8:8).
These scriptures are not saying you should fold your hands. Many Christians believe that all they need is prayer and that their expectations will simply drop into their laps. That is not correct. Prayer is very important, but diligence is also required. Put in your best effort, but trust that God alone can bring it to pass. Man will always fail you, but that does not make you a failure.
Now is the time to wait on God and receive direction for the year ahead. Is there something you have been doing wrongly while expecting a different result? That will not happen. Purpose to do things God’s way in the new year. Present your plans before your Maker, who knows the right paths that lead to success. Stay before God to receive your next assignment and the pattern for its fulfillment. God is not wicked; He does not delight in your failure. He desires that you bear fruit, for in doing so His name is glorified (John 15:8).
Do you need to upgrade yourself or learn a new skill? Do you need to change your associations? (Proverbs 13:20). Do you need to work on your mindset? Is there another route you must take to achieve your goals? God can reveal all these to you if you seek Him.
Is the goal you have set too big? Consider breaking it into smaller, achievable parts. Sometimes goals are delayed, remember that delay is not necessarily denial. Seek His face.
To those who have succeeded, congratulations. Rejoice, be thankful, and celebrate. However, there are still more giants to conquer. In Revelation chapter 4, after Jesus gave John the messages to the seven churches in chapter 3, which could be described as success, John was called to “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this” (Revelation 4:1). There is always more. So do not settle, do not rest, keep moving, and success will continue to be yours.
Dearly beloved, be sober and be vigilant. There will be a great increase in confusion across the world. The wisdom of the wise will fail. Many things that once worked will no longer work. A season of darkness and chaos, like that described in Genesis 1:2, will manifest in many sectors.
What is the survival strategy?
* Only those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits (Daniel 11:32).
* Pray more.
* Study the Word of God more, for in it you will find direction.
* Obey God’s Word absolutely, even when the instructions contradict what you know or what used to work for you. Obey it.
* Speak the Word in season and out of season (Genesis 1:3).
* Avoid unholy gatherings and associations with ungodly people (Psalm 1; Isaiah 8:12–15).
* Not everyone in church or Christian gatherings has the mind of Christ, so be sober and vigilant (Philippians 4:7).
* Draw closer and closer to God. We are entering times when news and information will shake many people (1 Samuel 3:11; Jeremiah 19:3), with unexplainable events that defy logic, science, and human wisdom.
* The kingdom of darkness will change its methods to deceive and subtly overpower many. Be very vigilant.
* You have been warned.
Have a happy, blessed, and prosperous New Year.
FOR UNTO US
The book of Isaiah, chapter 9 verse 6, contains the prophecy about the birth and assignment of Jesus Christ. Luke chapter 4 further outlines how He was to carry out His God-assigned duties. Jesus was sent specifically for us, and through this assignment we were reconciled back to God by Him paying the full debt for our sins.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to come, the only Son of God, and suffer all that He did? To me, it is like God saying, “Only the best is good enough. I love you too much to give you something that is merely good or even better.” I hope you realize that there were others He could have sent, innumerable angels with outstanding strength and beauty. There are the twenty-four elders and other heavenly beings, yet He sent His best. This reflects the depth of His love and the seriousness of the assignment. God was certain that His only Son would fulfill the assignment exactly as He intended, and indeed, He did.
All that Jesus suffered, the path He walked, and the depth of His commitment to the assignment prove this. He was sent, therefore anointed and empowered to:
1. Preach the gospel, which He did fully, even unto death.
2. Heal the brokenhearted, imagine the number of people healed and restored.
3. Bring deliverance, countless lives were delivered.
4. Recover sight for the blind.
5. Set at liberty those who are bruised.
6. Preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
All these Jesus did, and is still doing, first through His disciples and apostles, and now through every one of His beloved children.
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus, we must also remember why He came and what our own responsibilities are. It is not just a season to eat, drink, give, and receive gifts. We must understand our part in the assignment. I want you to know today that it is a privilege to be called and entrusted with an assignment.
Have you ever considered the number of people in the world? As of 2025, it is estimated that there are about 8.2 billion people globally, and out of that number, He chose you, to deliver that message, to show love to that person, to bless that family, to give a job to that individual, to sponsor that project, to support that ministry, and to finance that mission. Even if we limit this to Christians, though we know God can use anyone and anything (even stones, animals, wind, and nature), the estimated Christian population is about 2.2 to 2.4 billion as of 2025. So you see, it is indeed a rare privilege. What is rare is valuable.
I also want you to know that if you refuse or choose not to do it the way He desires, there is always someone or something else He can use. We have heard of angels being sent to people. Do not esteem yourself too highly. It is mercy that you have received to be chosen. There are others who may seem more qualified, yet were not sent. Know this assuredly: if you do not do it, someone else will, because the King’s assignment requires haste.
There is no half-obedience or partial obedience; in God’s record, that is disobedience. The Bible tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. There is no amount of offerings or good works that can compensate for disobedience or partial obedience. This cost Saul his throne, almost cost Jonah his life, and cost the young prophet his life in 1 Kings chapter 13.
You are not doing God a favor; rather, you have received favor from Him because He has specially chosen you. You are special, you are not common, my beloved. He knows you are capable, and He has invested so much in you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to come, the only Son of God, and suffer all that He did? To me, it is like God saying, “Only the best is good enough. I love you too much to give you something that is merely good or even better.” I hope you realize that there were others He could have sent, innumerable angels with outstanding strength and beauty. There are the twenty-four elders and other heavenly beings, yet He sent His best. This reflects the depth of His love and the seriousness of the assignment. God was certain that His only Son would fulfill the assignment exactly as He intended, and indeed, He did.
All that Jesus suffered, the path He walked, and the depth of His commitment to the assignment prove this. He was sent, therefore anointed and empowered to:
1. Preach the gospel, which He did fully, even unto death.
2. Heal the brokenhearted, imagine the number of people healed and restored.
3. Bring deliverance, countless lives were delivered.
4. Recover sight for the blind.
5. Set at liberty those who are bruised.
6. Preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
All these Jesus did, and is still doing, first through His disciples and apostles, and now through every one of His beloved children.
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus, we must also remember why He came and what our own responsibilities are. It is not just a season to eat, drink, give, and receive gifts. We must understand our part in the assignment. I want you to know today that it is a privilege to be called and entrusted with an assignment.
Have you ever considered the number of people in the world? As of 2025, it is estimated that there are about 8.2 billion people globally, and out of that number, He chose you, to deliver that message, to show love to that person, to bless that family, to give a job to that individual, to sponsor that project, to support that ministry, and to finance that mission. Even if we limit this to Christians, though we know God can use anyone and anything (even stones, animals, wind, and nature), the estimated Christian population is about 2.2 to 2.4 billion as of 2025. So you see, it is indeed a rare privilege. What is rare is valuable.
I also want you to know that if you refuse or choose not to do it the way He desires, there is always someone or something else He can use. We have heard of angels being sent to people. Do not esteem yourself too highly. It is mercy that you have received to be chosen. There are others who may seem more qualified, yet were not sent. Know this assuredly: if you do not do it, someone else will, because the King’s assignment requires haste.
There is no half-obedience or partial obedience; in God’s record, that is disobedience. The Bible tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. There is no amount of offerings or good works that can compensate for disobedience or partial obedience. This cost Saul his throne, almost cost Jonah his life, and cost the young prophet his life in 1 Kings chapter 13.
You are not doing God a favor; rather, you have received favor from Him because He has specially chosen you. You are special, you are not common, my beloved. He knows you are capable, and He has invested so much in you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.