In the Gospel of John, when Jesus Christ had the Last Supper with His disciples and His hour for crucifixion was at hand, He gave the disciples something that you can call a valedictory speech. In John 14:15–18 and verse 26, He said:
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.
The Holy Spirit is a promise of God for His children.
He is the third Person of the Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is God’s active presence.
The Holy Spirit is not a thing or a force. He is a Person, and He is not inferior to God or Jesus Christ. He is fully divine.
He is the Counsellor (Parakletos – Greek) — the One called alongside to help, translated as Advocate, Helper, Comforter, or Counsellor.
He is a Teacher — Hebrews 12:12 — and brings to our remembrance the words of Jesus.
He is a gift from God — Acts 2:38 — and also a giver. He gives abilities, wisdom, and strength to build our Christian faith.
He is the River of Living Water — John 7:39.
He is the Power — Acts 1:8.
He lives in your body — 1 Corinthians 6:19.
He is a Builder — Jude 1:20.
He is given to those who ask — Luke 11:13.
He can sanctify — Romans 15:16.
The Holy Spirit transforms. He produces positive moral traits in a Christian’s life — Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:9.
As I said earlier, the Holy Spirit is a Person, and therefore He can speak. He has a voice. In Acts 8:29:
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
This also means it is possible for Him to be ignored. Ephesians 4:30 says:
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
This means, do not cause sorrow or distress to Him.
Because He is a Person, He also has a will, and that means He can be disobeyed. He also has feelings, so He can be hurt.
He will not force Himself on you. He will come if you invite Him into your life.
HOLY SPIRIT AND SPEAKING IN TONGUES
In Acts 1:8, when Jesus’ directive was given:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And when the fullness of time came, the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1–4 says:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
So, we can say speaking in tongues is one of the evidences of being filled with the Holy Spirit. There are other evidences that must be seen in your life.
There are many tongues. Apostle Paul explained this clearly to us in 1 Corinthians 13:1:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Be not deceived; there are diverse tongues on earth. Not every tongue you hear is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. By their fruits you shall know them.
The Holy Spirit gives you the language to help you in your prayer life. When you pray in the Spirit, you speak to God — 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4.
However, if your mission is to give understanding to men, you will need the gift of interpretation of tongues as well.
The Holy Spirit is a great help when you do not know what to do or how to go about things. He is the Spirit of God and knows what is in the heart of the Father for you at every point in time.
So, beloved, avail yourself of this vast help available to you.
THE BLOOD OF JESUS
Blood is an important fluid that runs through the heart, arteries, and veins of both humans and animals. Its purpose is to carry oxygen and nutrients to the cells, take away waste products, and help fight sickness. It is universally agreed that blood is very important to the body. Indeed, it is the lifeline of the body.
In Genesis 9:4, God told Noah after the flood:
But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Blood, not only of man but even of animals, is sacred in the sight of God. He emphasized this further in Leviticus 7:20–27.
So, if the blood of animals is so sacred, how much more the blood of His only begotten Son that was shed for the remission of our sins on the cross at Calvary?
When blood is shed, it pollutes the land. Numbers 35:33 says:
So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
Do you understand the wisdom behind God’s directive that the blood of animals be used to atone for sins in the Old Testament?
However, the blood of bulls and goats, or other animals, could not provide complete cleansing. These sacrifices had to be offered regularly because they did not have the power to provide total and eternal cleansing. Hebrews 9 and 10 explain this extensively.
The blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross at Calvary has eternal spiritual power to provide forgiveness, redemption, and protection for humanity once and for all.
What, then, is the purpose?
1. Ultimate and permanent sacrifice that cleanses from wrongdoing and removes the guilt of sin – Hebrews 9:22.
2. Ultimate payment to free humanity from the bondage of sin and death.
3. Protection and shielding from danger and harm.
4. The New Covenant is based on His blood. The blood of Jesus shed on the cross did away with the old covenant that required continuous sacrifices of animals. The blood of animals was not sufficient to completely deal with the sins of the people except on a temporary basis.
5. It forgives.
6. It gives life – John 6:53.
7. It draws you near to God.
8. It gives you peace – Colossians 1:20.
9. It sanctifies – Hebrews 13:12.
10. It makes you complete for every good work– Hebrews 13:20–21.
11. We overcome by His blood – Revelation 12:11.
How Do You Use the Blood of Jesus?
* Pleading the blood: Through prayer, asking God to cover you by the blood from spiritual or physical harm.
* Declaring aloud what the Bible says the blood of Jesus has accomplished for you.
* Asking for forgiveness by the blood, relying on it to wash away your guilt and cleanse your conscience.
* For spiritual warfare: Invoking the power in the blood through prayer to overcome every attack of darkness.
* Through the Holy Communion.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Also called the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Communion is more than a Christian rite, as some believe it to be. It is one of the potent powers available to Christians, but it is not fully utilized. Most times, it is conducted as a mere powerless ritual.
Let’s start from the beginning.
The Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples happened when the Israelites commemorated their deliverance from Egypt. In Exodus 12, God initiated the Passover and commanded that it be observed yearly.
So, it is no coincidence that Jesus Christ, in the Last Supper, did all that He did. His blood replaced the blood of the lamb or goat commanded by God to be killed for the Passover.
Jesus’ earthly ministry spanned three and a half years, and all through this time, and even beyond, the Israelites had been observing the Passover. But this time, something shifted.
John 13:1 says:
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
This was going to be His last Passover, and He knew that He was going to be offered as our Passover, the Passover – 1 Corinthians 5:7.
In Matthew’s synoptic account, we are told in Matthew 26:26–28:
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luke explained further in chapter 22:19–22 that it should be done in remembrance of Him (Mark 14:22–25).
The Holy Communion is the Blood of the New Covenant. We dealt with covenants earlier in this blog.
Holy Communion is an exchange – the blood of Jesus that you drink comes into your life and replaces your own blood, and He took the body of sin and iniquity upon Himself. It is this exchange that gave way for His crucifixion upon the cross.
As Christ, the sinless One, He could not be sacrificed as a sinner. The exchange had to take place for that to happen. By His blood, we now have redemption from sin, while He paid the ultimate price – death on the cross – 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.
So, when Jesus said, It is finished, while He hung on that cross, it means that everything that pertains to the body and blood of sin that He exchanged inside the upper room during the Passover had been fully paid for, and as such, you do not have any reason to suffer again – John 19:30.
Is there any situation you are facing right now that seems to be defying the finished work of Christ?
Then remember the body and blood that were broken and shed for you, and remind that situation that the price has been paid in full.
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 says:
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
The devil was defeated over 2,000 years ago, but he will always want to deceive you into believing that he is still in control. You have to take authority in the blood of Jesus Christ, the blood of the New Covenant.
This is a promise of forgiveness and a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Through this New Covenant in His blood, you have a direct relationship personally with God without needing an earthly mediator system.
Child of God, when you are being tossed to and fro and it seems all your efforts are not yielding, remember that there had been an exchange on the Cross, and do what you have been commanded in 1 Corinthians 11:26.
We have heard of diverse miracles that happened on account of this. Your Father is still in the business of doing miracles.
It is well.
In Genesis 9:4, God told Noah after the flood:
But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Blood, not only of man but even of animals, is sacred in the sight of God. He emphasized this further in Leviticus 7:20–27.
So, if the blood of animals is so sacred, how much more the blood of His only begotten Son that was shed for the remission of our sins on the cross at Calvary?
When blood is shed, it pollutes the land. Numbers 35:33 says:
So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
Do you understand the wisdom behind God’s directive that the blood of animals be used to atone for sins in the Old Testament?
However, the blood of bulls and goats, or other animals, could not provide complete cleansing. These sacrifices had to be offered regularly because they did not have the power to provide total and eternal cleansing. Hebrews 9 and 10 explain this extensively.
The blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross at Calvary has eternal spiritual power to provide forgiveness, redemption, and protection for humanity once and for all.
What, then, is the purpose?
1. Ultimate and permanent sacrifice that cleanses from wrongdoing and removes the guilt of sin – Hebrews 9:22.
2. Ultimate payment to free humanity from the bondage of sin and death.
3. Protection and shielding from danger and harm.
4. The New Covenant is based on His blood. The blood of Jesus shed on the cross did away with the old covenant that required continuous sacrifices of animals. The blood of animals was not sufficient to completely deal with the sins of the people except on a temporary basis.
5. It forgives.
6. It gives life – John 6:53.
7. It draws you near to God.
8. It gives you peace – Colossians 1:20.
9. It sanctifies – Hebrews 13:12.
10. It makes you complete for every good work– Hebrews 13:20–21.
11. We overcome by His blood – Revelation 12:11.
How Do You Use the Blood of Jesus?
* Pleading the blood: Through prayer, asking God to cover you by the blood from spiritual or physical harm.
* Declaring aloud what the Bible says the blood of Jesus has accomplished for you.
* Asking for forgiveness by the blood, relying on it to wash away your guilt and cleanse your conscience.
* For spiritual warfare: Invoking the power in the blood through prayer to overcome every attack of darkness.
* Through the Holy Communion.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Also called the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Communion is more than a Christian rite, as some believe it to be. It is one of the potent powers available to Christians, but it is not fully utilized. Most times, it is conducted as a mere powerless ritual.
Let’s start from the beginning.
The Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples happened when the Israelites commemorated their deliverance from Egypt. In Exodus 12, God initiated the Passover and commanded that it be observed yearly.
So, it is no coincidence that Jesus Christ, in the Last Supper, did all that He did. His blood replaced the blood of the lamb or goat commanded by God to be killed for the Passover.
Jesus’ earthly ministry spanned three and a half years, and all through this time, and even beyond, the Israelites had been observing the Passover. But this time, something shifted.
John 13:1 says:
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
This was going to be His last Passover, and He knew that He was going to be offered as our Passover, the Passover – 1 Corinthians 5:7.
In Matthew’s synoptic account, we are told in Matthew 26:26–28:
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luke explained further in chapter 22:19–22 that it should be done in remembrance of Him (Mark 14:22–25).
The Holy Communion is the Blood of the New Covenant. We dealt with covenants earlier in this blog.
Holy Communion is an exchange – the blood of Jesus that you drink comes into your life and replaces your own blood, and He took the body of sin and iniquity upon Himself. It is this exchange that gave way for His crucifixion upon the cross.
As Christ, the sinless One, He could not be sacrificed as a sinner. The exchange had to take place for that to happen. By His blood, we now have redemption from sin, while He paid the ultimate price – death on the cross – 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.
So, when Jesus said, It is finished, while He hung on that cross, it means that everything that pertains to the body and blood of sin that He exchanged inside the upper room during the Passover had been fully paid for, and as such, you do not have any reason to suffer again – John 19:30.
Is there any situation you are facing right now that seems to be defying the finished work of Christ?
Then remember the body and blood that were broken and shed for you, and remind that situation that the price has been paid in full.
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 says:
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
The devil was defeated over 2,000 years ago, but he will always want to deceive you into believing that he is still in control. You have to take authority in the blood of Jesus Christ, the blood of the New Covenant.
This is a promise of forgiveness and a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Through this New Covenant in His blood, you have a direct relationship personally with God without needing an earthly mediator system.
Child of God, when you are being tossed to and fro and it seems all your efforts are not yielding, remember that there had been an exchange on the Cross, and do what you have been commanded in 1 Corinthians 11:26.
We have heard of diverse miracles that happened on account of this. Your Father is still in the business of doing miracles.
It is well.
THE WORD OF GOD
Psalm 138:2 says:
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
In the last write-up, we looked extensively at God’s names, which are great resources for our excelling. Now we are being told that He has magnified His Word above His name. This is awesome! Indeed, our Father is a loving God, and He will not withhold anything from us that will be beneficial to our success and greatness.
The Word of God can be viewed in three parts:
1. Logos – The Written Word
Logos is the written Word. It is the total, objective, and unchanging written Word of God. It represents the entire body of Scripture and reveals the overarching plan and mind of God. It is the unchanging foundation, truth, and standard of God’s Word made available to mankind.
The Bible contains the words inspired by God and written by many different authors over a long period of time.
God Almighty has revealed Himself through the Scriptures. His Word can be compared to a manufacturer’s manual for a machine, an official guide provided for a product that explains how to set it up, operate it, and care for it safely. It includes specifications, troubleshooting steps, and safety warnings.
This is exactly what the Word of God in the Bible does for mankind, whom He created. In essence, whatever you encounter as a child of God should be measured against the Manufacturer’s Manual. This means that if the situation you are facing is not in line with the Creator’s manual, you have the means to correct it by searching the manual and applying the necessary instructions given by the Manufacturer, God Himself.
2. Rhema – The Personal Word
Rhema is a specific word or phrase quickened to a person by the Holy Spirit. It occurs most times when God takes a general Logos passage and makes it deeply personal, relevant, and active for a person’s immediate situation and need.
You will observe that Rhema often rides on the back of Logos. In other words, it is the written Word already within you that the Holy Spirit quickens to life when it is needed.
This shows that you must continually fill your life with the Word of God.
Joshua 1:8 says:
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
As you meditate on the Word of God and fill your life with it, it is the Word already within you that is quickened when you need a personal word from God.
Many times it seems as though the Word is not working because we wait until we face a challenge before carrying our Bibles and searching for a verse. God is merciful, but He delights in your having a vibrant relationship with His Word because it is through that relationship that He makes His will known to you.
3. The Living Word
The Bible says in John 1:1–3, 14:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth.”
Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God, the divine expression and the active, life-giving Truth. He is the image of the invisible God. He is the Father’s ultimate message to humanity. He is willing and ready to pour Himself into you if you are willing to embrace Him.
The Word of God:
* Is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword.
* Judges the thoughts and intents of the human heart.
* Is the nourishment needed for spiritual growth.
* Is a compendium of resources available to every child of God.
* Gives illumination and direction (Psalm 119:11, 105).
* Sustains life (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4).
* Is pure and undiluted (Psalm 12:6–7; Psalm 119:140).
* Heals and delivers (Psalm 107:20).
* Endures forever (Psalm 119:160; Isaiah 40:8).
* Never fails (Isaiah 55:10–11).
I can go on and on, but all the promises in God’s Word will not work for you if you do not have faith in God and in His Word. They are indeed exceedingly precious promises, but they will remain only promises unless you exercise your faith.
Hebrews 11:6 says:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
The centurion in Matthew 8:5–12 demonstrated this wonderfully.
The fact that you sleep and wake in church, or that you place an open Bible under your pillow before going to sleep, amounts to nothing if the Word within you is not mixed with faith.
The Word of God is your daily bread, and it is meant for you, dear child of God.
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
In the last write-up, we looked extensively at God’s names, which are great resources for our excelling. Now we are being told that He has magnified His Word above His name. This is awesome! Indeed, our Father is a loving God, and He will not withhold anything from us that will be beneficial to our success and greatness.
The Word of God can be viewed in three parts:
1. Logos – The Written Word
Logos is the written Word. It is the total, objective, and unchanging written Word of God. It represents the entire body of Scripture and reveals the overarching plan and mind of God. It is the unchanging foundation, truth, and standard of God’s Word made available to mankind.
The Bible contains the words inspired by God and written by many different authors over a long period of time.
God Almighty has revealed Himself through the Scriptures. His Word can be compared to a manufacturer’s manual for a machine, an official guide provided for a product that explains how to set it up, operate it, and care for it safely. It includes specifications, troubleshooting steps, and safety warnings.
This is exactly what the Word of God in the Bible does for mankind, whom He created. In essence, whatever you encounter as a child of God should be measured against the Manufacturer’s Manual. This means that if the situation you are facing is not in line with the Creator’s manual, you have the means to correct it by searching the manual and applying the necessary instructions given by the Manufacturer, God Himself.
2. Rhema – The Personal Word
Rhema is a specific word or phrase quickened to a person by the Holy Spirit. It occurs most times when God takes a general Logos passage and makes it deeply personal, relevant, and active for a person’s immediate situation and need.
You will observe that Rhema often rides on the back of Logos. In other words, it is the written Word already within you that the Holy Spirit quickens to life when it is needed.
This shows that you must continually fill your life with the Word of God.
Joshua 1:8 says:
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
As you meditate on the Word of God and fill your life with it, it is the Word already within you that is quickened when you need a personal word from God.
Many times it seems as though the Word is not working because we wait until we face a challenge before carrying our Bibles and searching for a verse. God is merciful, but He delights in your having a vibrant relationship with His Word because it is through that relationship that He makes His will known to you.
3. The Living Word
The Bible says in John 1:1–3, 14:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth.”
Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God, the divine expression and the active, life-giving Truth. He is the image of the invisible God. He is the Father’s ultimate message to humanity. He is willing and ready to pour Himself into you if you are willing to embrace Him.
The Word of God:
* Is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword.
* Judges the thoughts and intents of the human heart.
* Is the nourishment needed for spiritual growth.
* Is a compendium of resources available to every child of God.
* Gives illumination and direction (Psalm 119:11, 105).
* Sustains life (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4).
* Is pure and undiluted (Psalm 12:6–7; Psalm 119:140).
* Heals and delivers (Psalm 107:20).
* Endures forever (Psalm 119:160; Isaiah 40:8).
* Never fails (Isaiah 55:10–11).
I can go on and on, but all the promises in God’s Word will not work for you if you do not have faith in God and in His Word. They are indeed exceedingly precious promises, but they will remain only promises unless you exercise your faith.
Hebrews 11:6 says:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
The centurion in Matthew 8:5–12 demonstrated this wonderfully.
The fact that you sleep and wake in church, or that you place an open Bible under your pillow before going to sleep, amounts to nothing if the Word within you is not mixed with faith.
The Word of God is your daily bread, and it is meant for you, dear child of God.
THE NAMES OF THE LORD
The Bible says in Proverbs 18:10:
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
What is a name, and why is the LORD’s name a strong tower?
A person’s name is a unique word or set of words used to identify an individual.
A name is an identity.
A name signifies the very essence, character, reputation, and authority of a person.
A name is what defines a person.
A name is very significant and highly intentional.
A name is more than just words; it shapes who you are. The name you are given influences who you become.
There is power in names.
In the Bible, names held great significance beyond merely identifying a person. It was believed that to know someone’s name was to know that person’s character and nature.
It is very important that parents are aware of this truth. When you name your child, you are, in a sense, defining what that child will become.
A name is like a box or a container. Whatever you pour into it takes the shape of that container. Therefore, it is expected that a person will manifest the meaning of the name given to him or her.
Some parents give names to their children based on the circumstances surrounding their birth or what is prevalent in the family. You cannot name a child Sorrow and expect that child to bring you anything other than sorrow. It is a matter of what you have sown. As you continually call that name, its manifestations will follow.
Where I come from, we often give names based on the family we belong to. For example, if you come from a royal family, the word “Ade” (meaning crown) is usually part of your name. This signifies that you come from a royal lineage.
A name determines how far you can go, and I dare say that your name can also constrain you.
We have several examples in the Bible where God changed a person’s name because that name had become a limitation to how far they could go.
For example, God changed Abram, meaning Exalted Father, to Abraham, meaning Father of a Multitude. God changed his name when establishing His covenant with him, designating him as the father of many nations. What is the point of being an exalted father if your generation ends with you? What is the point if there is no succession?
We also see God changing Jacob’s name to Israel. Jacob means supplanter or heel-grabber, and throughout his life before meeting the Angel of the LORD, his behaviour reflected that name. The name also carries the idea of one who replaces, trips up, or outwits another person.
However, for God’s purpose to be fulfilled and for His covenant with His friend Abraham to come to pass, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, meaning one who prevails with God.
So, when you study the names of God, they give you an understanding of His character. This builds your confidence in Him. In every situation, there is an aspect of God’s nature that you can rely upon, and through faith in His name, you will be victorious.
Our God is:
1. El Shaddai – The LORD God Almighty.
2. El Elyon – The Most High God.
3. Adonai – LORD, Master.
4. Yahweh – The LORD Jehovah.
5. Jehovah Nissi – The LORD My Banner.
6. Jehovah Raah – The LORD My Shepherd.
7. Jehovah Rapha – The LORD Who Heals.
8. Jehovah Shammah – The LORD Is There.
9. Jehovah Tsidkenu– The LORD Our Righteousness.
10. Jehovah Mekoddishkem– The LORD Who Sanctifies You.
11. El Olam – The Everlasting God.
12. Elohim – God, the Creator.
13. Qanna – The Jealous God.
14. Jehovah Jireh – The LORD Who Provides.
15. Jehovah Shalom – The LORD Our Peace.
16. Jehovah Sabaoth – The LORD of Hosts.
Knowledge of these names, and the character and reputation they reveal about God, will give you boldness to trust in Him and rely on Him.
God’s name is excellent (Psalm 8:1).
His name endures forever (Psalm 72:17). Since the days of Seth in Genesis 4:26 until now, men have been calling upon His name, and they have never been disappointed. And I know of a surety that if Jesus tarries, generations yet unborn will still be calling upon that same name.
Congratulations, my beloved. You have unrestricted access to the names of the Most High God. Run into His name, for it is still a strong tower.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
What is a name, and why is the LORD’s name a strong tower?
A person’s name is a unique word or set of words used to identify an individual.
A name is an identity.
A name signifies the very essence, character, reputation, and authority of a person.
A name is what defines a person.
A name is very significant and highly intentional.
A name is more than just words; it shapes who you are. The name you are given influences who you become.
There is power in names.
In the Bible, names held great significance beyond merely identifying a person. It was believed that to know someone’s name was to know that person’s character and nature.
It is very important that parents are aware of this truth. When you name your child, you are, in a sense, defining what that child will become.
A name is like a box or a container. Whatever you pour into it takes the shape of that container. Therefore, it is expected that a person will manifest the meaning of the name given to him or her.
Some parents give names to their children based on the circumstances surrounding their birth or what is prevalent in the family. You cannot name a child Sorrow and expect that child to bring you anything other than sorrow. It is a matter of what you have sown. As you continually call that name, its manifestations will follow.
Where I come from, we often give names based on the family we belong to. For example, if you come from a royal family, the word “Ade” (meaning crown) is usually part of your name. This signifies that you come from a royal lineage.
A name determines how far you can go, and I dare say that your name can also constrain you.
We have several examples in the Bible where God changed a person’s name because that name had become a limitation to how far they could go.
For example, God changed Abram, meaning Exalted Father, to Abraham, meaning Father of a Multitude. God changed his name when establishing His covenant with him, designating him as the father of many nations. What is the point of being an exalted father if your generation ends with you? What is the point if there is no succession?
We also see God changing Jacob’s name to Israel. Jacob means supplanter or heel-grabber, and throughout his life before meeting the Angel of the LORD, his behaviour reflected that name. The name also carries the idea of one who replaces, trips up, or outwits another person.
However, for God’s purpose to be fulfilled and for His covenant with His friend Abraham to come to pass, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, meaning one who prevails with God.
So, when you study the names of God, they give you an understanding of His character. This builds your confidence in Him. In every situation, there is an aspect of God’s nature that you can rely upon, and through faith in His name, you will be victorious.
Our God is:
1. El Shaddai – The LORD God Almighty.
2. El Elyon – The Most High God.
3. Adonai – LORD, Master.
4. Yahweh – The LORD Jehovah.
5. Jehovah Nissi – The LORD My Banner.
6. Jehovah Raah – The LORD My Shepherd.
7. Jehovah Rapha – The LORD Who Heals.
8. Jehovah Shammah – The LORD Is There.
9. Jehovah Tsidkenu– The LORD Our Righteousness.
10. Jehovah Mekoddishkem– The LORD Who Sanctifies You.
11. El Olam – The Everlasting God.
12. Elohim – God, the Creator.
13. Qanna – The Jealous God.
14. Jehovah Jireh – The LORD Who Provides.
15. Jehovah Shalom – The LORD Our Peace.
16. Jehovah Sabaoth – The LORD of Hosts.
Knowledge of these names, and the character and reputation they reveal about God, will give you boldness to trust in Him and rely on Him.
God’s name is excellent (Psalm 8:1).
His name endures forever (Psalm 72:17). Since the days of Seth in Genesis 4:26 until now, men have been calling upon His name, and they have never been disappointed. And I know of a surety that if Jesus tarries, generations yet unborn will still be calling upon that same name.
Congratulations, my beloved. You have unrestricted access to the names of the Most High God. Run into His name, for it is still a strong tower.
ANOINTING
To anoint means to pour or rub oil or another substance on a person or object. Anointing is the ceremonial act of pouring, smearing, or rubbing oil upon a person or object to designate them as set apart or chosen for a purpose.
Now, when this has to do with God through the Holy Spirit, such a person or object is designated as holy or set apart for a divine purpose.
Anointing by the Holy Spirit is empowerment for a purpose.
In God’s dealings with the Israelites, we see people anointed to be kings, rulers, prophets, and priests. We also see objects anointed and declared holy. It served as an outward symbol that God had chosen and equipped them for the role He wanted them to fulfill.
In the New Testament, we also see people, especially the sick, being anointed with oil.
Anointing with oil or any other substance is not peculiar to Christianity. In fact, many other religions and cultures anoint their officials with oil when installing them into office. Some even anoint guests as a mark of hospitality and a token of honor.
So, what makes the Holy Spirit’s anointing, God’s anointing, different from all others?
You see, simply pouring anointing oil, even if it is pure olive oil, is not the Holy Spirit’s anointing. When God anoints, His power and authority accompany the person or object being anointed. The oil that is poured is only an outward symbol; the real substance is the power behind it. With God, it is the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
The purpose of God’s anointing is to enable an individual to fulfill a specific spiritual task, ministry, or calling. When God anoints, it is like immersion, a total submerging of a person. When you are anointed by the Holy Spirit, you become a completely different person, not in outward appearance, but in your ability to perform the assignment for which you have been anointed.
By now, it should be clear that when God anoints you, it is always for a purpose. God’s anointing is an extraordinary ability given to enable you to do what you ordinarily would not be able to do.
In 1 Samuel chapter 10, God instructed Samuel to anoint Saul as the first king over Israel. Samuel listed many things that would happen to Saul as soon as he left his presence. Verse 9 says:
“And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.”
God gave him another heart. Your physical appearance may remain the same, but something happens to your heart, and that change becomes evident to everyone around you.
What you could not do before in relation to your assignment, the Holy Spirit now empowers you to do. You begin to see possibilities where you once saw only limitations and doubts. Because you now see possibilities, doors that had previously been closed begin to open. Places where you were once denied entrance now receive you because of what you carry.
Verse 11 says:
“And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
There is another dimension of God’s anointing that I want us to consider. God does not anoint only when oil is poured upon someone. Some people were anointed from the womb.
God told Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5:
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
In Judges 13, we see that Samson was set apart from the womb. His parents were given specific instructions regarding what they were to do and what they were to avoid because of God’s purpose for his life.
Let us also consider our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Before Jesus was born, there were many prophecies concerning His birth and His assignment (Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). The assignments Jesus came to fulfill were clearly stated long before His birth, and He fulfilled every one of them. Therefore, God’s anointing is not necessarily tied to the physical act of pouring oil.
Today, we have seen many people upon whom oil has been poured, yet nothing reflects the power of God. Therefore, the focus should not be on having oil poured upon you but on having God’s Spirit and power released upon you for your divine assignment. However, the responsibility is upon you to seek God’s face concerning the process through which that assignment will be accomplished.
Do not assume that because God used a particular method before, He will do it the same way again. He parted both the Red Sea and the River Jordan, yet He did so in two different ways.
What can hinder God’s anointing from fulfilling its purpose?
Sin.
Galatians 5:19–21 says:
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest…”
The passage lists adultery, fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, envy, drunkenness, and many other works of the flesh, concluding that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
In addition to sin, disobedience, pride, fear (2 Timothy 1:7), and a lack of love can hinder the effectiveness of God’s anointing.
God is love. Everything He does is rooted in love. If you are anointed for an assignment but fail to allow God’s love to be revealed through that assignment, you expose yourself to His discipline.
Being anointed does not make you a special person or place you above others. What you have received is a gift, and you must always give glory to the Giver.
Some people believe that because of the anointing they have become equal with God. This is very dangerous, for God will not share His glory with anyone. Ask Nebuchadnezzar, Herod, and others who dared to exalt themselves.
Now, when this has to do with God through the Holy Spirit, such a person or object is designated as holy or set apart for a divine purpose.
Anointing by the Holy Spirit is empowerment for a purpose.
In God’s dealings with the Israelites, we see people anointed to be kings, rulers, prophets, and priests. We also see objects anointed and declared holy. It served as an outward symbol that God had chosen and equipped them for the role He wanted them to fulfill.
In the New Testament, we also see people, especially the sick, being anointed with oil.
Anointing with oil or any other substance is not peculiar to Christianity. In fact, many other religions and cultures anoint their officials with oil when installing them into office. Some even anoint guests as a mark of hospitality and a token of honor.
So, what makes the Holy Spirit’s anointing, God’s anointing, different from all others?
You see, simply pouring anointing oil, even if it is pure olive oil, is not the Holy Spirit’s anointing. When God anoints, His power and authority accompany the person or object being anointed. The oil that is poured is only an outward symbol; the real substance is the power behind it. With God, it is the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
The purpose of God’s anointing is to enable an individual to fulfill a specific spiritual task, ministry, or calling. When God anoints, it is like immersion, a total submerging of a person. When you are anointed by the Holy Spirit, you become a completely different person, not in outward appearance, but in your ability to perform the assignment for which you have been anointed.
By now, it should be clear that when God anoints you, it is always for a purpose. God’s anointing is an extraordinary ability given to enable you to do what you ordinarily would not be able to do.
In 1 Samuel chapter 10, God instructed Samuel to anoint Saul as the first king over Israel. Samuel listed many things that would happen to Saul as soon as he left his presence. Verse 9 says:
“And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.”
God gave him another heart. Your physical appearance may remain the same, but something happens to your heart, and that change becomes evident to everyone around you.
What you could not do before in relation to your assignment, the Holy Spirit now empowers you to do. You begin to see possibilities where you once saw only limitations and doubts. Because you now see possibilities, doors that had previously been closed begin to open. Places where you were once denied entrance now receive you because of what you carry.
Verse 11 says:
“And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
There is another dimension of God’s anointing that I want us to consider. God does not anoint only when oil is poured upon someone. Some people were anointed from the womb.
God told Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5:
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
In Judges 13, we see that Samson was set apart from the womb. His parents were given specific instructions regarding what they were to do and what they were to avoid because of God’s purpose for his life.
Let us also consider our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Before Jesus was born, there were many prophecies concerning His birth and His assignment (Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). The assignments Jesus came to fulfill were clearly stated long before His birth, and He fulfilled every one of them. Therefore, God’s anointing is not necessarily tied to the physical act of pouring oil.
Today, we have seen many people upon whom oil has been poured, yet nothing reflects the power of God. Therefore, the focus should not be on having oil poured upon you but on having God’s Spirit and power released upon you for your divine assignment. However, the responsibility is upon you to seek God’s face concerning the process through which that assignment will be accomplished.
Do not assume that because God used a particular method before, He will do it the same way again. He parted both the Red Sea and the River Jordan, yet He did so in two different ways.
What can hinder God’s anointing from fulfilling its purpose?
Sin.
Galatians 5:19–21 says:
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest…”
The passage lists adultery, fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, envy, drunkenness, and many other works of the flesh, concluding that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
In addition to sin, disobedience, pride, fear (2 Timothy 1:7), and a lack of love can hinder the effectiveness of God’s anointing.
God is love. Everything He does is rooted in love. If you are anointed for an assignment but fail to allow God’s love to be revealed through that assignment, you expose yourself to His discipline.
Being anointed does not make you a special person or place you above others. What you have received is a gift, and you must always give glory to the Giver.
Some people believe that because of the anointing they have become equal with God. This is very dangerous, for God will not share His glory with anyone. Ask Nebuchadnezzar, Herod, and others who dared to exalt themselves.
WISDOM
We have been looking at the resources available to us as children of God, and it is important for us to know that our heavenly Father wants us to enjoy all He has provided for our growth and sustainability in this world. He desires not only for you to be a prayerful Christian but also for you to be the head wherever He has placed you, according to 2 Peter 1:3. Therefore, avail yourself of all He has graciously provided for your profiting.
Today, let us look at Wisdom.
According to the dictionary, wisdom is the ability to make sound judgments and decisions by applying accumulated knowledge, insight, and experience. It further states that wisdom goes beyond merely having facts; it is the practical skill of understanding what is true, good, or right, and using that understanding to navigate complex situations and act accordingly.
This is a very good explanation of what wisdom is, and I love the fact that it bases its premise on an important point, the ability to make sound judgments and decisions. But how do you measure this ability? You cannot do this if you do not have all the facts at your disposal. And what exactly is sound judgment?
As it is often said, “One man’s meat is another man’s poison.” The Bible clearly says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25). So how do you determine what is truly right?
Many have been destroyed by the decisions they made based on what they believed to be the right information. Many have had their lives cut short because they believed they were following people who claimed to know the right path to follow. Many have found themselves in irreversible situations simply because they followed a path they believed to be right.
But our Father is so mindful of us that He has put in place the resources we need to operate in wisdom.
My beloved, there is worldly wisdom, and there is godly wisdom.
The word translated as wisdom in the Bible goes beyond having knowledge or intelligence. It refers to a deep understanding and the practical skill of living in a way that honors God.
Hebrew – Chokmah: carries the idea of moral skill in living, insight, and practical expertise.
Greek – Sophia: encompasses intelligence, profound insight, and the practical application of knowledge.
Know that it is possible for you to have knowledge yet lack the practical application of that knowledge.
Let us look into the Scriptures to gain an understanding of godly wisdom and the wisdom of this world.
Wisdom is described as the principal thing, meaning it is essential for daily living and survival.
Wisdom builds. It builds lives, homes, and nations (Proverbs 9:1; Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 24:3). The opposite of wisdom is folly or foolishness, and you know that folly destroys.
Wisdom gives life. It makes a man’s face shine. It gives you confidence (Ecclesiastes 7:12; Ecclesiastes 8:1).
The wisdom of this world cannot stand before God. It is nothing but foolishness to Him (1 Corinthians 1:19–24; 1 Corinthians 3:19).
The wisdom of God enables righteous judgment.
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom and exercises sound judgment (Psalm 37:30).
The wisdom of God is mysterious. You have to ask Him for it (James 1:5). It is a Spirit, and God will give it to you if you desire it. However, every gift of God is given for a purpose, to establish His counsel on earth as it is in heaven.
If you remain faithful to Him, He will willingly give you wisdom because His desire is for you to prosper in every area of your life. Consider the example of King Solomon.
Now, how do you differentiate between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of this world?
James 3:17–18 gives us the characteristics of godly wisdom:
1. It is pure.
2. It is peaceable.
3. It is gentle.
4. It is easy to be entreated, willing to listen and open to earnest appeal.
5. It is full of mercy and good fruits.
6. It is without partiality.
7. It is without hypocrisy.
This is clearly different from worldly wisdom, which is practical, human-centered knowledge and street smarts derived from secular experience. It prioritizes self-interest, material success, and social status.
My brethren, Proverbs 4:7 says:
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
Be blessed.
GRACE
As we said in the last article, the word translated as grace, charis in Greek, is also translated as favor. Grace is defined as unmerited divine assistance given by God. It is free and undeserved. You do not, and cannot, work for grace. It is the unearned and unmerited love of God. It is often given to people who do not deserve it. The grace of God provides forgiveness, salvation, and the spiritual power that transforms lives.
The Hebrew word translated as grace is khen, and it often refers to finding acceptance or goodwill, particularly when God shows kindness to imperfect people.
Is grace different from favor? Definitely.
1. Grace is unmerited forgiveness and divine power working within and for you. Favor, on the other hand, is preferential treatment and external blessings working around you, such as open doors, promotions, and people going out of their way to support you.
2. Grace is the power to be and do what you cannot do on your own. Favor is the access and opportunity you receive while doing it.
3. Grace is freely given kindness and divine empowerment. Favor is special approval, preference, or acceptance.
4. Grace provides the inner strength, patience, and wisdom needed to handle life or a specific calling. Favor changes the atmosphere surrounding you.
5. Grace gives you strength. Favor opens doors and places you in positions of influence and prosperity.
6. Favor puts you in a place of authority. Grace equips you to maintain it.
7. Grace is free; favor is often conditional.
In Genesis chapter 6, the whole earth was filled with wickedness. Every thought and imagination of the people was evil. It became so bad that God regretted making man in His image and likeness. He decided to destroy everyone and everything He had created. Yet the Bible says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” If we consider God’s verdict concerning the whole earth, we may wonder what Noah did to find grace. I do not know what God saw in Noah, but He decided to bestow His grace upon him.
Grace is like an ornament or precious jewelry. Grace looks good on you.
Grace is a Spirit that God pours upon a man. In Zechariah 12:10, the Bible says:
“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced…”
Grace was also upon Jesus as a child (Luke 2:40). He was full of grace (John 1:14).
Grace is always for a purpose.
1. There is saving grace.
This grace is made available to all men. It is the grace that draws you to God. No one merited or worked for this grace. We were all meant to pay the price for our sins. The Bible says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”But God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, gave us grace to approach Him (Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 2:8). Saving grace is a gift from God meant strictly for salvation.
2. There is grace for your growth and spiritual development.
This is the grace given for your building up and growth as a child of God. Acts 20:32 says:
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
God has made available everything you need to grow into the fullness, stature, and measure of Christ.
3. There is grace for work or divine assignment.
The Bible says in Isaiah 11:1–4:
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse…”
This passage describes the grace and anointing that rested upon Jesus Christ, enabling Him to fulfill His divine assignment. Jesus fulfilled His mission on earth because of the grace that rested upon Him.
In 2 Corinthians 6:1, we are instructed not to receive the grace of God in vain. This means you can neglect God’s grace to the point where it becomes unprofitable in your life. It does not mean God’s grace has failed; rather, you have failed to respond appropriately to it.
The grace of God can also be frustrated (Galatians 2:21). If you believe you have to work to earn God’s grace, then you are frustrating His grace. It is not by works. There is nothing you can do through human effort to earn God’s grace.
To frustrate means to disappoint, defeat, or hinder the accomplishment of something. In this context, it means preventing what God desires to accomplish in your life through grace because of your own efforts, pride, or unbelief.
The Bible also warns that you can fail of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:14–15). As long as you believe it is by works, you are bound to fail because grace can only be received by faith.
The throne of God is described as the throne of grace. There is an abundance of grace there. At that throne, there is always help. Hebrews 4:16 says we should come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The LORD gives grace to the lowly (Proverbs 3:34).
We believe through grace.
We are justified by grace (Romans 3:24).
The LORD gives grace and glory (Psalm 84:11). He is also gracious and full of compassion (Psalm 103:8).
Enjoy His grace, child of the Most High.
The Hebrew word translated as grace is khen, and it often refers to finding acceptance or goodwill, particularly when God shows kindness to imperfect people.
Is grace different from favor? Definitely.
1. Grace is unmerited forgiveness and divine power working within and for you. Favor, on the other hand, is preferential treatment and external blessings working around you, such as open doors, promotions, and people going out of their way to support you.
2. Grace is the power to be and do what you cannot do on your own. Favor is the access and opportunity you receive while doing it.
3. Grace is freely given kindness and divine empowerment. Favor is special approval, preference, or acceptance.
4. Grace provides the inner strength, patience, and wisdom needed to handle life or a specific calling. Favor changes the atmosphere surrounding you.
5. Grace gives you strength. Favor opens doors and places you in positions of influence and prosperity.
6. Favor puts you in a place of authority. Grace equips you to maintain it.
7. Grace is free; favor is often conditional.
In Genesis chapter 6, the whole earth was filled with wickedness. Every thought and imagination of the people was evil. It became so bad that God regretted making man in His image and likeness. He decided to destroy everyone and everything He had created. Yet the Bible says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” If we consider God’s verdict concerning the whole earth, we may wonder what Noah did to find grace. I do not know what God saw in Noah, but He decided to bestow His grace upon him.
Grace is like an ornament or precious jewelry. Grace looks good on you.
Grace is a Spirit that God pours upon a man. In Zechariah 12:10, the Bible says:
“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced…”
Grace was also upon Jesus as a child (Luke 2:40). He was full of grace (John 1:14).
Grace is always for a purpose.
1. There is saving grace.
This grace is made available to all men. It is the grace that draws you to God. No one merited or worked for this grace. We were all meant to pay the price for our sins. The Bible says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”But God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, gave us grace to approach Him (Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 2:8). Saving grace is a gift from God meant strictly for salvation.
2. There is grace for your growth and spiritual development.
This is the grace given for your building up and growth as a child of God. Acts 20:32 says:
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
God has made available everything you need to grow into the fullness, stature, and measure of Christ.
3. There is grace for work or divine assignment.
The Bible says in Isaiah 11:1–4:
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse…”
This passage describes the grace and anointing that rested upon Jesus Christ, enabling Him to fulfill His divine assignment. Jesus fulfilled His mission on earth because of the grace that rested upon Him.
In 2 Corinthians 6:1, we are instructed not to receive the grace of God in vain. This means you can neglect God’s grace to the point where it becomes unprofitable in your life. It does not mean God’s grace has failed; rather, you have failed to respond appropriately to it.
The grace of God can also be frustrated (Galatians 2:21). If you believe you have to work to earn God’s grace, then you are frustrating His grace. It is not by works. There is nothing you can do through human effort to earn God’s grace.
To frustrate means to disappoint, defeat, or hinder the accomplishment of something. In this context, it means preventing what God desires to accomplish in your life through grace because of your own efforts, pride, or unbelief.
The Bible also warns that you can fail of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:14–15). As long as you believe it is by works, you are bound to fail because grace can only be received by faith.
The throne of God is described as the throne of grace. There is an abundance of grace there. At that throne, there is always help. Hebrews 4:16 says we should come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The LORD gives grace to the lowly (Proverbs 3:34).
We believe through grace.
We are justified by grace (Romans 3:24).
The LORD gives grace and glory (Psalm 84:11). He is also gracious and full of compassion (Psalm 103:8).
Enjoy His grace, child of the Most High.
THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY
Apostle Paul in his writing to the Philippines In chapter four encouraged them to stand firm in the Lord, He begged two of the disciples to be of the same mind, requested help for the women who are labouring with him and their fellow laborers, advice’s them to rejoice always, to live a moderate life, to trust completely in God and so many other advice, and then in verse 19 he said “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
From this passage we can understand that believers needs are supplied according to God’s riches in glory. So what are these riches of glory. It is the endless spiritual provisions that is available to believers in Christ. These provisions that cannot be exhausted is displayed in diverse attributes. It is important for us to understand not just the attributes but how they work. They are diverse and we will try to look at them from now on. Please note that it is not only the ones that will be discussed in this write up that are all that is available. So due to God’s Infinite, inexhaustible power, there are diverse riches of His glory. In fact the fact that God is the I AM THAT I AM – whatsoever you want Him to be to you, He will manifest in your life.
This day let’s start with His Favor. According to the dictionary favor is a kind or helpful deed. An instant of voluntary assistance, a help, aid to treat with care. In the bible the Greek word translated as grace is often also translated as favor – Charis. Favor is kindness or goodwill depending on the context at which it is used. It denotes unearned spontaneous love and generosity. It is not earned or worked for.
Favor is supposed to be the birthright of a child of God. In the book of Esther chapter 2:15-17 “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti”.
Esther obtained favor. This did not come by asking or trying to please anyone. It is completely divinely bestowed on her. Yes you can ask for favor from man or you can outsource favor from other powers, but know that something will be expected in return and you cannot determine what you have to pay back with. However when God favors you it becomes another thing entirely. Everyone that sees Esther favor her. Only the blind can’t favor her because they cannot see her. What sort of anointing is that, everyone will just go over and above themselves to do things for you. Have you ever been among a group of people and somebody will just singled you out to help you without asking.
The bible says in Luke 2: 52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”. Have you ever wondered about the gifts brought to Jesus at His birth. Is Mary the only virgin in Jerusalem. The bible says in Luke 1:; 30- 31 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS”
Psalms 5: 12 says ” For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield”.
If I understand right, your standing with God will determine if He will be favorable to you or not. Ref, Psalms 106 verse 4.
In Proverbs 3: 3- 4, we see the introduction of another prerequisite for God’s favor – mercy and truth. Are you showing mercy on to other people. How are you using your power, your office etc. Is it to pull others down. In Proverbs 8, wisdom and understanding is talking and by verse 35 “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD”.
Beloved, take quality time to study the book of Proverbs, there are many life lessons and wisdom in it. As we all should know by now that a child of God that Is devoid of knowledge of the word of God is a defeated christian – 2Timothy 2: 15.
Proverbs 11: 27 says “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him,” Diligence means to perform with industrious concentration, hard work and focus. (Prov. 12: 2, Prov. 13 15).
We need also consider that there is time for everything. (Ecc 3: 1). You cannot be careless at anytime as a child Of God. Every minute counts, what do you do with your life. Yes the set time for your favor is now, but are you prepare. If there is a set time to favor Zion and Zion is not where he or she is supposed to be then you cannot blame anyone for not being favored. It is your right as a child of God to enjoy favor all through your life.
In Isaiah 26: 10 the bible says “Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD”
A wicked – one who is morally wrong, corrupt or deliberately harmful to others, a person that commits evil consciously and willingly. God cannot extend His favor to such.
When God favors you, men will also favor you, structures and systems will also favor you
If you are disobedience to God’s directive, if you will not lay it in your heart to give Him glory, instead of His favor you will attract His curse.
A word of caution, you cannot afford to hate or envy a man who God has decided to favor, you will be digging your own grave – ask
Haman , – Numbers 23: 8. When God favors a man, everything will conform to him, so instead of hatting the man why not direct your energy to seeking God’s favor for yourself. A man of favor has doors opening on to him of their own accord. He does not struggle, all his effort is directed to pleasing God and being obedient to Him. It does not matter the harsh economy or inflation, he shall continue to flourish like the palm tree planted by the river side. Isaac sowed in famine – when there was extreme shortage of food which we know is mostly caused by shortage of rainfall or severe weather yet he reaped a 100 fold return on investment. Have you not wondered to what happened to other farmers in the land. Did rain fell on his own parcel of land alone. Isaac was obedient to God’s command not to run to Egypt because of famine. Indeed the word of God in 2 Kings 3:17 “For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts”. will forever be true for the one who enjoys God favor. Where you are now is it God that told you to go there. There will always be resources if He asked you to go there. No matter the situations He will always come through for you. If He can instruct a bird to take food to Prophet Elijah twice daily, then He has got you covered my friend.
SHALOM
From this passage we can understand that believers needs are supplied according to God’s riches in glory. So what are these riches of glory. It is the endless spiritual provisions that is available to believers in Christ. These provisions that cannot be exhausted is displayed in diverse attributes. It is important for us to understand not just the attributes but how they work. They are diverse and we will try to look at them from now on. Please note that it is not only the ones that will be discussed in this write up that are all that is available. So due to God’s Infinite, inexhaustible power, there are diverse riches of His glory. In fact the fact that God is the I AM THAT I AM – whatsoever you want Him to be to you, He will manifest in your life.
This day let’s start with His Favor. According to the dictionary favor is a kind or helpful deed. An instant of voluntary assistance, a help, aid to treat with care. In the bible the Greek word translated as grace is often also translated as favor – Charis. Favor is kindness or goodwill depending on the context at which it is used. It denotes unearned spontaneous love and generosity. It is not earned or worked for.
Favor is supposed to be the birthright of a child of God. In the book of Esther chapter 2:15-17 “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti”.
Esther obtained favor. This did not come by asking or trying to please anyone. It is completely divinely bestowed on her. Yes you can ask for favor from man or you can outsource favor from other powers, but know that something will be expected in return and you cannot determine what you have to pay back with. However when God favors you it becomes another thing entirely. Everyone that sees Esther favor her. Only the blind can’t favor her because they cannot see her. What sort of anointing is that, everyone will just go over and above themselves to do things for you. Have you ever been among a group of people and somebody will just singled you out to help you without asking.
The bible says in Luke 2: 52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”. Have you ever wondered about the gifts brought to Jesus at His birth. Is Mary the only virgin in Jerusalem. The bible says in Luke 1:; 30- 31 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS”
Psalms 5: 12 says ” For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield”.
If I understand right, your standing with God will determine if He will be favorable to you or not. Ref, Psalms 106 verse 4.
In Proverbs 3: 3- 4, we see the introduction of another prerequisite for God’s favor – mercy and truth. Are you showing mercy on to other people. How are you using your power, your office etc. Is it to pull others down. In Proverbs 8, wisdom and understanding is talking and by verse 35 “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD”.
Beloved, take quality time to study the book of Proverbs, there are many life lessons and wisdom in it. As we all should know by now that a child of God that Is devoid of knowledge of the word of God is a defeated christian – 2Timothy 2: 15.
Proverbs 11: 27 says “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him,” Diligence means to perform with industrious concentration, hard work and focus. (Prov. 12: 2, Prov. 13 15).
We need also consider that there is time for everything. (Ecc 3: 1). You cannot be careless at anytime as a child Of God. Every minute counts, what do you do with your life. Yes the set time for your favor is now, but are you prepare. If there is a set time to favor Zion and Zion is not where he or she is supposed to be then you cannot blame anyone for not being favored. It is your right as a child of God to enjoy favor all through your life.
In Isaiah 26: 10 the bible says “Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD”
A wicked – one who is morally wrong, corrupt or deliberately harmful to others, a person that commits evil consciously and willingly. God cannot extend His favor to such.
When God favors you, men will also favor you, structures and systems will also favor you
If you are disobedience to God’s directive, if you will not lay it in your heart to give Him glory, instead of His favor you will attract His curse.
A word of caution, you cannot afford to hate or envy a man who God has decided to favor, you will be digging your own grave – ask
Haman , – Numbers 23: 8. When God favors a man, everything will conform to him, so instead of hatting the man why not direct your energy to seeking God’s favor for yourself. A man of favor has doors opening on to him of their own accord. He does not struggle, all his effort is directed to pleasing God and being obedient to Him. It does not matter the harsh economy or inflation, he shall continue to flourish like the palm tree planted by the river side. Isaac sowed in famine – when there was extreme shortage of food which we know is mostly caused by shortage of rainfall or severe weather yet he reaped a 100 fold return on investment. Have you not wondered to what happened to other farmers in the land. Did rain fell on his own parcel of land alone. Isaac was obedient to God’s command not to run to Egypt because of famine. Indeed the word of God in 2 Kings 3:17 “For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts”. will forever be true for the one who enjoys God favor. Where you are now is it God that told you to go there. There will always be resources if He asked you to go there. No matter the situations He will always come through for you. If He can instruct a bird to take food to Prophet Elijah twice daily, then He has got you covered my friend.
SHALOM
WORDS
As children of God and people created in His image and likeness, we ought to take heed to the words that proceed out of our mouths. The God who created you in His image and likeness does not speak without His words coming to pass.
In Genesis 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”* As soon as He spoke, light was instantly created.
It is important for you to know that your words create. When you pronounce something, whether negative or positive, there is a power that automatically sees to it that your words receive the force to accomplish what they have spoken.
The Bible says in Proverbs 13:3,
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Also, Proverbs 21:23 says,
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
You must be careful what you say because you are creating.
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 12:34,
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
Correct your nature because your nature determines what is in your heart, and it is out of the abundance of your heart that your mouth speaks.
You cannot have good in your heart and continually create evil. Your heart cannot be filled with faith while your mouth speaks negativity.
Check your heart. What are you harbouring in your heart?
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. Do not permit it. Do not give room for it. Fight it with every power and resource available to you.
Many people have used their mouths to destroy all their prayers. You may have prayed for hours, and after all that, one careless response to a simple question is enough to destroy hours of prayer.
We can determine what is in your heart simply by listening to you.
James 3:2-13 says,
“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
Your words are a reflection of your growth.
If indeed you are studying the Bible and attending a Bible-believing church, yet your mouth is full of negativity, then you are not growing.
It is not God’s desire that you should suffer or live at a disadvantage as His child. So why are things not working for you? Why do you always expect the worst to happen?
When you have released negative words and power has gone forth to accomplish them, you then claim you “saw it coming.” Afterwards, you begin to blame the devil, witches, and wizards.
Whenever a negative word or pronouncement is made, it is your responsibility to reject it immediately and replace it with God’s Word. You cannot allow negative words to settle over your life.
There is always a connection between your heart and your mouth.
What is in your heart?
Is your heart filled with fear, doubt, and negativity? If so, that is what will manifest in your life. Then you deceive yourself by saying, “My heart cannot deceive me. I just know that is what will happen.”
No. You gave power to the words that proceeded out of your mouth.
The Bible talks about the mouths of the wicked, the fool, and the righteous. Which category do you belong to?
1) The Mouth of the Wicked
The Bible says in Psalm 10:7,
“His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.”
If you delight in cursing, do not tell me you are just joking or that it does not matter.
Everything matters.
Examine your life.
Every time you release negative words, you have yielded your tongue for the devil to use. Since there is power of life and death in the tongue, what you pronounce can come to pass.
Many people have been labelled as possessing strange powers simply because whatever they speak comes to pass, when in reality they have no extraordinary power backing them apart from the spiritual law governing words.
2) The Mouth of a Fool
A fool is one who is devoid of understanding and uses his mouth carelessly.
Psalm 32:9 says,
“Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.”
A fool, one who lacks understanding, is compared to a mule.
What a shame.
Do you find it difficult to control your tongue?
Must you always speak negativity?
Do you boast and claim, “I just speak my mind”?
Is it the mind of Christ or the mind of Satan?
If speaking your mind destroys others, what have you gained?
What do you hope to achieve when your mouth is filled with hurtful words?
Proverbs 18:7-8 says,
“A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
Think.
Is that what you want to be known for, a fool who simply opens his mouth and speaks without considering the effects and consequences of his words?
3) The Mouth of the Righteous
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom (Psalm 37:30; Psalm 49:3).
He is always watchful and conscious of what proceeds out of his mouth (Psalm 141:3-4).
Proverbs 4:23-24 says,
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.”
One translation says to set a sentry, a security guard, at the gates of your heart, that is, your senses which feed your heart, so as to prevent unwanted thoughts from entering and causing your mouth to speak death.
Whatever enters your heart is eventually what will come out of your mouth.
Allow garbage in, and you will speak garbage.
There are no two ways about it.
Friend, fill your heart with God’s Word, and what will come out of you will be life and not death.
Are you a wise man?
The evidence is that you will preserve knowledge (Proverbs 10:11-14).
Wisdom is the hallmark of the righteous.
Do you possess wisdom?
Can people identify you as a wise person by listening to your words?
For your survival and advancement, it is important that you deal with negativity because you will soon discover that only negative things continue happening in and around your life.
Take a notebook and a pen.
Every time you say something negative, write it down.
Do this for one week and observe your life and your surroundings.
You will begin to see the picture your words are painting coming to life.
Then spend another week deliberately refusing to speak negative words.
Afterwards, compare the two weeks.
It is like constructing a ten-storey building, only to bring in a bulldozer at the final stage and pull the entire building down.
Words such as:
“I can’t.”
“It is not possible.”
“Nobody has ever done it in my family.”
“It will fail.”
“It cannot be done.”
“It will not stand.”
“It will be destroyed.”
Or thoughts such as:
“The weather will not be good.”
“What if an accident happens?”
“What if there is a mechanical fault?”
“What if we do not make it?”
“Nobody can do it.”
Be careful, my brethren.
There is nothing impossible to him that believes.
Stay focused.
You will eat the fruit of your words.
In Genesis 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”* As soon as He spoke, light was instantly created.
It is important for you to know that your words create. When you pronounce something, whether negative or positive, there is a power that automatically sees to it that your words receive the force to accomplish what they have spoken.
The Bible says in Proverbs 13:3,
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Also, Proverbs 21:23 says,
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
You must be careful what you say because you are creating.
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 12:34,
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
Correct your nature because your nature determines what is in your heart, and it is out of the abundance of your heart that your mouth speaks.
You cannot have good in your heart and continually create evil. Your heart cannot be filled with faith while your mouth speaks negativity.
Check your heart. What are you harbouring in your heart?
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. Do not permit it. Do not give room for it. Fight it with every power and resource available to you.
Many people have used their mouths to destroy all their prayers. You may have prayed for hours, and after all that, one careless response to a simple question is enough to destroy hours of prayer.
We can determine what is in your heart simply by listening to you.
James 3:2-13 says,
“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
Your words are a reflection of your growth.
If indeed you are studying the Bible and attending a Bible-believing church, yet your mouth is full of negativity, then you are not growing.
It is not God’s desire that you should suffer or live at a disadvantage as His child. So why are things not working for you? Why do you always expect the worst to happen?
When you have released negative words and power has gone forth to accomplish them, you then claim you “saw it coming.” Afterwards, you begin to blame the devil, witches, and wizards.
Whenever a negative word or pronouncement is made, it is your responsibility to reject it immediately and replace it with God’s Word. You cannot allow negative words to settle over your life.
There is always a connection between your heart and your mouth.
What is in your heart?
Is your heart filled with fear, doubt, and negativity? If so, that is what will manifest in your life. Then you deceive yourself by saying, “My heart cannot deceive me. I just know that is what will happen.”
No. You gave power to the words that proceeded out of your mouth.
The Bible talks about the mouths of the wicked, the fool, and the righteous. Which category do you belong to?
1) The Mouth of the Wicked
The Bible says in Psalm 10:7,
“His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.”
If you delight in cursing, do not tell me you are just joking or that it does not matter.
Everything matters.
Examine your life.
Every time you release negative words, you have yielded your tongue for the devil to use. Since there is power of life and death in the tongue, what you pronounce can come to pass.
Many people have been labelled as possessing strange powers simply because whatever they speak comes to pass, when in reality they have no extraordinary power backing them apart from the spiritual law governing words.
2) The Mouth of a Fool
A fool is one who is devoid of understanding and uses his mouth carelessly.
Psalm 32:9 says,
“Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.”
A fool, one who lacks understanding, is compared to a mule.
What a shame.
Do you find it difficult to control your tongue?
Must you always speak negativity?
Do you boast and claim, “I just speak my mind”?
Is it the mind of Christ or the mind of Satan?
If speaking your mind destroys others, what have you gained?
What do you hope to achieve when your mouth is filled with hurtful words?
Proverbs 18:7-8 says,
“A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
Think.
Is that what you want to be known for, a fool who simply opens his mouth and speaks without considering the effects and consequences of his words?
3) The Mouth of the Righteous
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom (Psalm 37:30; Psalm 49:3).
He is always watchful and conscious of what proceeds out of his mouth (Psalm 141:3-4).
Proverbs 4:23-24 says,
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.”
One translation says to set a sentry, a security guard, at the gates of your heart, that is, your senses which feed your heart, so as to prevent unwanted thoughts from entering and causing your mouth to speak death.
Whatever enters your heart is eventually what will come out of your mouth.
Allow garbage in, and you will speak garbage.
There are no two ways about it.
Friend, fill your heart with God’s Word, and what will come out of you will be life and not death.
Are you a wise man?
The evidence is that you will preserve knowledge (Proverbs 10:11-14).
Wisdom is the hallmark of the righteous.
Do you possess wisdom?
Can people identify you as a wise person by listening to your words?
For your survival and advancement, it is important that you deal with negativity because you will soon discover that only negative things continue happening in and around your life.
Take a notebook and a pen.
Every time you say something negative, write it down.
Do this for one week and observe your life and your surroundings.
You will begin to see the picture your words are painting coming to life.
Then spend another week deliberately refusing to speak negative words.
Afterwards, compare the two weeks.
It is like constructing a ten-storey building, only to bring in a bulldozer at the final stage and pull the entire building down.
Words such as:
“I can’t.”
“It is not possible.”
“Nobody has ever done it in my family.”
“It will fail.”
“It cannot be done.”
“It will not stand.”
“It will be destroyed.”
Or thoughts such as:
“The weather will not be good.”
“What if an accident happens?”
“What if there is a mechanical fault?”
“What if we do not make it?”
“Nobody can do it.”
Be careful, my brethren.
There is nothing impossible to him that believes.
Stay focused.
You will eat the fruit of your words.
GOD”S OUTLOOK IN TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS
A trial is an occasion on which a person or thing is tested to find out how well they perform or how suitable they are.
Temptation, on the other hand, is the act of provoking someone to do wrong, especially by promising a reward as an enticement. It means to attract, allure, or beguile.
Biblically, trials are allowed by God, and they are described as tools for spiritual growth. They are designed to refine your character, build endurance, and prove whether your faith in God is genuine or merely based on what God can do for you or what you can obtain from Him.
You will agree with me that nobody wants to be loved merely because of what people can get from them.
Always remember that the end result of trials is to bring out the best in you. Sometimes, trials are referred to as the refining fire. They are designed to remove impurities from your life so that you become a vessel of honour.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 says:
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
Trials also build character. They teach perseverance, which in turn leads to spiritual growth.
Romans 5:3-5 says:
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
God corrects a child whom He loves, and He does so in a loving way.
Most times, trials are situations beyond your control that test your trust in God. A good example can be found in Job 1:6-12. In spite of all the trials and challenges he faced, Job did not curse God as Satan expected. The end result was Job’s grand restoration (Job 42:12-17).
Trials are not meant for your destruction, nor do they mean that God hates you.
Consider Joseph. The end result of Joseph’s trials led to the preservation of an entire people and the fulfilment of the promise God had given to His friend Abraham.
For every trial, God always provides a way out.
God knows your capacity; therefore, you will not be tried beyond your ability.
Trials are like examinations in school. After a term, semester, or session of learning, you are required to sit for an examination. Is it because the lecturers or teachers hate you? Of course not. You are tested to determine whether you have assimilated what you have been taught so that you can move on to a higher level.
That is exactly what trials are meant to accomplish.
The word trial is also used for products and procedures. Even drugs undergo trials to determine their effectiveness and safety before they are approved for use. Likewise, medical procedures are subjected to trials before being adopted widely.
Temptation, on the other hand, is an enticement to sin or do evil, either through external pressures or internal desires.
God does not entice anyone to sin.
Sometimes, the words trial and temptation are used interchangeably, but you need to understand that whenever sin is involved or the result is sin, God has no part in it.
As explained earlier, temptation is the provocation to do evil. You may be enticed, and there may even appear to be a reward attached to it. However, the devil, who is the author of such temptations, has nothing good to offer.
He is a liar and will eventually leave you to face the consequences of your actions.
The Bible says that he comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. There is absolutely nothing good that comes from following his path.
We have a saying in my place that literally means, “The devil will give you a chicken and collect a human being in return.”
Sit down and think.
That desire to destroy another person, what will you truly gain from it?
Will another person’s failure make you succeed?
Will it bring more money into your life?
What do you gain by hating another human being?
Why do you delight in causing others to suffer?
Then, when the consequences of your actions begin to manifest, you turn around and say that God is tempting you.
God has nothing to do with it.
The Bible says in James 1:13-15:
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Beloved, learn to distinguish between God’s refining process and the enemy’s enticement to sin.
Trials are intended to strengthen you, mature you, and draw you closer to God.
Temptations are designed to separate you from God, lead you into sin, and ultimately bring destruction.
When you find yourself in a trial, hold on to God because He is working something good in you.
When you face temptation, flee from it and run to God for strength, because there is nothing good at the end of sin.
May the Lord grant us understanding and the grace to stand firm in every trial while overcoming every temptation that comes our way.
SHALOM.
Temptation, on the other hand, is the act of provoking someone to do wrong, especially by promising a reward as an enticement. It means to attract, allure, or beguile.
Biblically, trials are allowed by God, and they are described as tools for spiritual growth. They are designed to refine your character, build endurance, and prove whether your faith in God is genuine or merely based on what God can do for you or what you can obtain from Him.
You will agree with me that nobody wants to be loved merely because of what people can get from them.
Always remember that the end result of trials is to bring out the best in you. Sometimes, trials are referred to as the refining fire. They are designed to remove impurities from your life so that you become a vessel of honour.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 says:
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
Trials also build character. They teach perseverance, which in turn leads to spiritual growth.
Romans 5:3-5 says:
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
God corrects a child whom He loves, and He does so in a loving way.
Most times, trials are situations beyond your control that test your trust in God. A good example can be found in Job 1:6-12. In spite of all the trials and challenges he faced, Job did not curse God as Satan expected. The end result was Job’s grand restoration (Job 42:12-17).
Trials are not meant for your destruction, nor do they mean that God hates you.
Consider Joseph. The end result of Joseph’s trials led to the preservation of an entire people and the fulfilment of the promise God had given to His friend Abraham.
For every trial, God always provides a way out.
God knows your capacity; therefore, you will not be tried beyond your ability.
Trials are like examinations in school. After a term, semester, or session of learning, you are required to sit for an examination. Is it because the lecturers or teachers hate you? Of course not. You are tested to determine whether you have assimilated what you have been taught so that you can move on to a higher level.
That is exactly what trials are meant to accomplish.
The word trial is also used for products and procedures. Even drugs undergo trials to determine their effectiveness and safety before they are approved for use. Likewise, medical procedures are subjected to trials before being adopted widely.
Temptation, on the other hand, is an enticement to sin or do evil, either through external pressures or internal desires.
God does not entice anyone to sin.
Sometimes, the words trial and temptation are used interchangeably, but you need to understand that whenever sin is involved or the result is sin, God has no part in it.
As explained earlier, temptation is the provocation to do evil. You may be enticed, and there may even appear to be a reward attached to it. However, the devil, who is the author of such temptations, has nothing good to offer.
He is a liar and will eventually leave you to face the consequences of your actions.
The Bible says that he comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. There is absolutely nothing good that comes from following his path.
We have a saying in my place that literally means, “The devil will give you a chicken and collect a human being in return.”
Sit down and think.
That desire to destroy another person, what will you truly gain from it?
Will another person’s failure make you succeed?
Will it bring more money into your life?
What do you gain by hating another human being?
Why do you delight in causing others to suffer?
Then, when the consequences of your actions begin to manifest, you turn around and say that God is tempting you.
God has nothing to do with it.
The Bible says in James 1:13-15:
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Beloved, learn to distinguish between God’s refining process and the enemy’s enticement to sin.
Trials are intended to strengthen you, mature you, and draw you closer to God.
Temptations are designed to separate you from God, lead you into sin, and ultimately bring destruction.
When you find yourself in a trial, hold on to God because He is working something good in you.
When you face temptation, flee from it and run to God for strength, because there is nothing good at the end of sin.
May the Lord grant us understanding and the grace to stand firm in every trial while overcoming every temptation that comes our way.
SHALOM.