RHEMA From Heaven

3 John 1:11 (AMP)“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all].”

One major thing that characterises life is the art of copying or imitation. Every one of us, in one way or another, will imitate or copy someone or something in life. This calls for careful scrutiny and discernment because not everything you encounter is worth copying.

Life will expose you to different people, practices, attitudes, and standards. Some of the things you encounter will be good, while others will be out of place and contrary to God’s Word. It is your responsibility to discern and determine which examples are worth following and which ones you must avoid. You must be intentional about copying the best virtues and practices that align with godliness and excellence in life.

You see, as a Christian, you have a duty to imitate that which is good. Irrespective of what people may say, you must stand your ground and be willing to learn from people who demonstrate godly character, integrity, excellence, and virtue. Never allow pride or an inflated sense of self importance to deprive you of the opportunity to learn from others. Sometimes, the very thing you need to improve your life is demonstrated in someone else’s conduct, discipline, or approach to life. Be humble enough to recognise it and learn.

However, you must understand that copying what is good does not mean following everything you see. You must use God’s Word as your guide and the voice of the Holy Spirit to discern what to imitate and what to reject. Never succumb to the negative influences and exposures you encounter in life. What you copy must not lead you into mediocrity or compromise your faith. Rather, it should sharpen your character, strengthen your godliness, and position you to fulfil your purpose.

This applies to every area of your life. Whether in your career, marriage, family, ministry, or personal development, be willing to learn and adopt the highest godly standards. Do not settle for practices that merely suit your comfort but take you nowhere. If you see excellence, discipline, wisdom, or a virtue worth learning, do not allow pride to stop you from embracing it. Be willing to improve, unlearn wrong practices, and start afresh where necessary.

Remember, Jesus called His disciples to follow His example, and He taught them to continue His work. Paul also said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” This shows that godly imitation is a powerful part of our growth. We must be willing to learn from those who are following Christ, while ensuring that Christ remains our ultimate standard.

Thus, do not copy just anything; copy what builds your character, advances your purpose, and strengthens your walk with God.

Read: 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me a discerning heart to recognise what is good and the humility to learn from godly examples. Deliver me from pride and every attitude that prevents me from growing. Help me to reject ungodly influences and embrace the virtues, standards, and practices that align with Your Word in Jesus’ name. Amen

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.”

Your expectations in life and the challenges you are faced with have the tendency to make you anxious. Sometimes, things do not go as planned, answers seem delayed, and situations appear uncertain. However, God’s Word gives us a clear instruction: Do not be anxious!

Anxiety reveals a state of unrest or disturbance in your heart, and it can be reflected in your actions and inactions. It can affect your decisions, weaken your confidence, and make you lose sight of God’s promises. Although you may not see your life going in the direction you sometimes expect, remember that God is still in control. That is why He says, “Be anxious for nothing.”

You see, you may not have the answers to some of the questions you are asking or the issues you are dealing with, but God does. You may not know how things will work out, but you can trust the One who knows the end from the beginning. That is why the Bible instructs us to make our specific requests known to God through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Rather than allowing worry to overwhelm you, take your concerns to God in prayer and trust Him with the outcome.

Don’t grow cold or become discouraged simply because things did not go the way you planned. Do not allow delayed expectations or present challenges to weaken your faith. God is at work in your life, even when you cannot see how everything is coming together. He is the Master Planner, and He knows how to bring His purposes to pass.

Remember, you may not have control over every situation, but you can always take every situation to God in prayer. Be anxious for nothing!

Read: Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me not to be anxious about anything. Help me to trust You even when things do not go as I expect. Teach me to bring every concern before You in prayer and thanksgiving. Amen.

Luke 12:15 “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

The excessive desire for material possessions has caused many to become covetous and greedy. In their pursuit of wealth and possessions, they no longer consider what is right or wrong. They do not mind cheating, exploiting, or taking advantage of others just to get what they want. This is the danger of covetousness: it can make you compromise your values and use dishonest means to acquire what you desire.

You see, covetousness goes beyond simply wanting to have more. It is when the desire for material things begins to control your heart, influence your decisions, and determine how you treat others. You become so consumed with accumulating wealth that you begin to depend on your own strength, schemes, and abilities rather than trusting God for His provision. You may even find yourself pursuing things at the expense of your peace, integrity, and relationship with God.

Jesus once cautioned a man and said, “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” This is the truth from the Master’s lips! Your life is not defined by how much you own, the wealth you have accumulated, or the possessions you have acquired. Having more does not necessarily mean living better. Material possessions cannot give you life, guarantee your success, or provide the fulfilment that only God can give.

Before you embark on a wild goose chase after material things, understand that they cannot give you what truly matters in life. Do not allow the pursuit of wealth to become an obsession that makes you lose sight of God and the things that matter most. Work diligently, pursue your goals, and make progress, but never compromise your integrity or put your trust in riches.

Beloved, learn to trust the Lord for all your needs. He is your Shepherd, and you shall not want. He knows what you need and is faithful to provide. You do not have to cheat, manipulate, or take advantage of others to get ahead in life. Trust in His provision, remain faithful in your responsibilities, and be content with what He gives you. Remember His promise that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not allow what you desire to possess to possess your heart. Pursue God above material things, and never let the desire for more take you away from the One who provides.

Read: Psalm 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to guard my heart against covetousness and the excessive desire for material possessions. Teach me to trust You for my needs and to remain content with Your provision

Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Real transformation begins with a willingness to change and it of the heart. It is one thing to hear the truth, receive instructions, and comply with what you are told; it is another thing to experience a genuine change in your thinking, attitude, character, and way of life. These are two different things, and we must understand the difference.

You see, people can help you change, but they cannot make the decision for you. Mentors, teachers, pastors, and other people who offer guidance can teach, correct, encourage, and provide the necessary support. However, the responsibility to embrace change and allow it to take root in your life rests with you. You must personally decide to change and actively participate in the process.

This is why we cannot simply talk people into real transformation. You may explain the truth repeatedly, correct their behaviour, and encourage them to do better, but until they accept the truth and become willing to act on it, genuine transformation may not take place. At best, they may simply comply with instructions to please others or avoid criticism. Compliance is not necessarily transformation. A person can change their outward behaviour without experiencing a change in their heart and mindset.

For genuine transformation to take place, certain things must happen. First, you must accept the truth. You must be willing to acknowledge what is wrong and recognise the areas of your life that need change. Second, you must believe the truth and accept it as the standard by which you should live. Third, you must make the truth part of your daily life by consistently applying it in your decisions, attitudes, relationships, and conduct. As you continue to practise the truth, it begins to shape your thinking and character. This is how transformation takes root.

Beloved, real transformation takes time. Some wrong mindsets and behaviours have been ingrained in people over many years, and they cannot always be addressed through a single conversation or instruction. The mind must be renewed, wrong beliefs must be confronted, and unhealthy patterns must be replaced with the truth of God’s Word. This requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to pay the price of change.

You must also be ready to start afresh. Thus, you do not allow past failures, disappointments, or the embarrassment of having to correct yourself to keep you from making progress. Be willing to unlearn what is wrong, learn what is right, and consistently practise it. Transformation requires commitment. You must not only desire change; you must be ready to do what change demands.

Remember, nobody can renew your mind on your behalf. Others can teach you the Word, guide you, pray for you, and encourage you, but you must personally receive the truth and allow it to shape your life.

Read: James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me a sincere heart that is willing to change. Help me to accept Your truth, believe Your Word, and apply it consistently in my daily life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.”

Pride is a subtle attitude that can be difficult to recognise and address, especially when it is present in your own life. Often, when pride is at work in you, you may consider your attitude normal and believe you are simply expressing your uniqueness or independence. But there is a difference between recognising your worth and allowing self importance to take over your heart. Yes, God has made you special, but your sense of worth must always be guided by the truth of His Word.

You see, pride can make you develop an exaggerated sense of self importance, arrogance, and a haughty attitude that causes you to look down on others. In extreme cases, it can even make a person feel that they have no need for God. This is why you must be careful not to allow pride to grow unnoticed in your life.

As a Christian, you must regularly examine your  “pride health.” You can be prayerful, gifted, anointed, knowledgeable, hardworking, and committed to serving in the church, yet still struggle with pride. In fact, pride can grow through your achievements when you begin to think too highly of yourself. Never assume that your spiritual activities or accomplishments automatically make you humble.

You see, one way to deal with pride is to remain teachable. Learn to apologise when you are wrong, accept correction without becoming defensive, and avoid the attitude of  “I DON’T CARE.” Sometimes, for the sake of peace and fellowship, you may need to take the initiative to apologise even when you believe you have done nothing wrong. This does not mean accepting blame dishonestly; it means valuing peace, humility, and reconciliation above the need to prove a point.

Never assume that you are above pride. One of its greatest dangers is that it can produce a self righteous mindset, making you see the faults of others while remaining blind to your own. You may even read this message and immediately think of someone who needs it, without considering whether you also need to make changes.

Beloved, deal with pride before it damages your character and relationships. Keep it in check by walking in love, practising humility, receiving correction, and giving others the respect they deserve. Pride can destroy relationships, hinder growth, and cause you to act contrary to God’s Word.

Choose humility over pride and love for others over self importance. Recognise that everything you have is by God’s grace, and let your life reflect His character. Remember, pride has grave consequences, but humility positions your heart to receive wisdom.

Read: Proverbs 18:12“Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance, But humility comes before honor.”

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, search my heart and reveal every trace of pride within me. Help me to remain humble, teachable, and willing to accept correction. Deliver me from arrogance, self righteousness, and the desire to prove myself right at all times. Teach me to walk in love, pursue peace, and value others. May my life reflect the humility of Christ and bring glory to Your name, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

The strength of a church is reflected in the spiritual lives, character, commitment, and service of its members. What we are individually contributes to what we become collectively. Therefore, how you grow spiritually and live your Christian life is crucial to the strength and impact of the church.

You see, the church is not merely a building or an abstract institution somewhere. The church is the people who have been called by God and brought together in Christ. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the believers individually, as Acts 2:3–4 records. This reminds us that God’s work in the church involves each person, not some selected few.

In 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, Paul describes the church as one body with many members. Thus, every member has a place and a contribution to make. No part is unnecessary, and no member should consider their role insignificant. When you grow in faith, serve faithfully, walk in love, and use your gifts to build others, you contribute to the health and growth of the entire church. Likewise, when members become spiritually passive or neglect their responsibilities, the whole body is affected.

This is why you must take responsibility for your spiritual growth. Be committed to prayer, the study of God’s Word, fellowship, and service. Do not leave the work of the church to pastors and leaders alone. Every believer has a responsibility to contribute to the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:26–27 “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to take responsibility for my spiritual growth and my contribution to Your church. Strengthen me to live faithfully, serve diligently, and use my gifts to build others.

John 4:23–24 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

The church is called to worship God, proclaim His Word, make disciples, and lead people into a genuine relationship with Him. However, there is a danger of allowing entertainment, popular trends, and the desire to attract crowds to overshadow these purposes.

You see, a church service may be lively, exciting, and emotionally engaging without necessarily leading people into a deeper relationship with God. The problem is not the use of music, creativity, or technology, but allowing these things to take precedence over God’s presence and the truth of His Word. The church must never become so focused on pleasing people that it neglects the very purpose for which it exists.

Jesus teaches in John 4:23–24 that the Father seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. True worship is more than singing, dancing, or enjoying a beautiful service. It comes from a heart devoted to God and is grounded in His truth. Our worship must exalt God for who He is, not merely satisfy our emotions or preferences.

In Isaiah 6:1–5 reveals that genuine encounters with God should lead us to humility, repentance, reverence, and transformation. Thus, our worship of God, must not end when the music stops; it must influence our character, decisions, relationships, and daily walk with God.

You see, the church must continually teach God’s Word, strengthen believers in the faith, and build mature disciples of Christ. Creativity and engaging programmes have their place, but they must serve the Gospel rather than replace it.

Beloved, as a church and as individual believers, we must examine what drives our worship. Are we seeking God’s glory or merely an exciting experience? Are our gatherings producing disciples who love God, obey His Word, and live holy lives? Let us not replace worship with entertainment or spiritual transformation with temporary excitement. Let God remain at the centre of our worship, and let everything we do lead people closer to Him.

Read: Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to worship You in spirit and in truth. Purify my heart and remove every distraction that takes my attention away from You. Help our church to honour Your presence, uphold Your Word, and make true disciples of Christ

1 Corinthians 10:12“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Life is a journey. It has a starting point and a destination. This basic truth applies to virtually every area of our lives, whether in education, career, personal development, or our walk with God.

Understanding life this way helps us to remain conscious of where we are going and to take the necessary precautions along the way. This is what our topic, Take Heed, draws our attention to.

You see, sometimes, the progress you have made in your walk with God and your personal development can become a snare when you become overconfident and fail to watch out for potential dangers. The fact that you have come this far does not mean you are immune to failure.

As a Christian, you must remain humble, guard against pride, and depend on God rather than placing your confidence in your own strength. These are essential safeguards against moral and spiritual failure. Never allow your experiences, particularly in the things of God, to make you familiar with sacred things or cause you to become careless in your walk with Him.

Be vigilant and watchful. Do not give yourself over to any behaviour or attitude that could undermine your progress and set you back. Remember, it is not enough to begin well or to have made significant progress; you must also be careful to finish well.

Read: 1 Peter 4:7 “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”

Prayer: Father, help me to remain humble, vigilant, and watchful in my walk with You. Deliver me from pride, overconfidence, and carelessness. Grant me the grace to depend on You daily, guard my heart, and remain steadfast in faith until the end, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”

It is a wise thing to listen to counsel and receive advice. You see, submitting to wise counsel contributes greatly to your growth and success in life. No matter how knowledgeable or experienced you may be, there is always something you can learn from the wisdom and experience of others, and more especially in your walk with God.

You see, wise counsel can help you make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and stay on the right course towards fulfilling your God given purpose. This is why, as a Christian, you must humble yourself to receive instruction and guidance from people who possess godly wisdom and understanding, or teach you the infallible word of God.

Sometimes, a good and godly counsel is not pleasant to hear. It may challenge your decisions, expose your weaknesses, or require you to change your ways. Nevertheless, do not reject good counsel simply because it does not agree with your feelings or preferences. Learn to distinguish between advice that merely pleases you and counsel that genuinely helps you grow.

Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Know that God can use wise and godly people to guide you, correct you, and help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Read: Proverbs 19:20 “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me a humble and teachable heart. Help me to recognise wise counsel, receive correction without pride, and apply godly instruction to my life.

Proverbs 13:20 “Keep company with the wise and you will become wise. If you make friends with stupid people, you will be ruined.”

The people you associate with can influence your values, decisions, character, and ultimately, the direction of your life. Although God expects us to live at peace with everyone, we must be wise and intentional about the company we keep.

As a Christian, you must be particular about your close associations. When you constantly surround yourself with people who do not value God or respect His principles, you risk being influenced to compromise your faith and drift away from His purpose for your life. This is why 2 Corinthians 6:14 warns us against being unequally yoked with unbelievers. Our relationships must never lead us into disobedience to God.

You see, there are people whose influence will strengthen your faith and help you fulfil your God given purpose, while others may hinder your progress and lead you away from God’s will. Just as a lack of vision can cause people to perish, the wrong associations can also undermine a God given vision. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” The right people will challenge you to grow, encourage you to remain faithful, and inspire you to become better.

So, ask yourself: Who are the people you keep around you? What do they value? Do they honour God? Are they committed to living according to His will?

Remember, you have a responsibility to choose your close associations wisely. Seek relationships that encourage you to be godly, prayerful, disciplined, hardworking, and steadfast in your walk with God.

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant me wisdom to choose my associations carefully. Amen