RHEMA From Heaven

What you watch will finally determine what you will do. When you watch the “word” or keep looking at the “word” by hearing and meditating on it you will respond accordingly. Also, when you watch circumstances, it will inform you and drag you along.

Many people have been held by circumstances. They live their lives acting and responding to things that they could one way or the other avoid. If you want to make it in life, you must determine what you will give attention to.  Not everything needs your attention. You don’t have to respond to everything.

You must be guided by God’s word and the Holy Spirit to know what to do in every circumstance that may come your way. Some people only use the circumstances they encounter to make decisions in life. But when you live like that, you will miss it.

The Bible talks about Isaac who during famine was still instructed by the Lord to work out the ground and sow. (Genesis 26:1-12). Instead of watching the circumstance that the land was barren or there was no rain, God instructed him to watch and do his word by sowing in that same land.

You may not have power over every circumstance, but you have the power to decide what to do in every circumstance by the help of the word and the Spirit. Always watch the word and act on it. 

Read: Ecclesiastes 11:4 “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap”.

Prayer: Father, I declare that my focus will be on you alone. Never again will situations and circumstance shift or take my attention. In Jesus name, Amen!

Reciprocity involves making mutually beneficial exchanges with other people. In other words, you respond to a gesture or action that has benefited you by making a corresponding one. 

Life sometimes moves in turns. It gives everyone different opportunities. At one point it will put you in a privileged position and at another point, it will put you in a position to be blessed by those in the privileged position. Whichever side of life you appear on, God wants you to do good. Nonetheless, it is required of those to whom an act of kindness or goodness is shown to do better.

Never forget to do good in return for the good others have done for and to you. Doing good in return is one way to express your gratitude not only that it shows that you are thoughtful.

The good you have and must do to others who might have been a great blessing to your life may not necessarily be financial. It may be an act of good conduct and honour towards them. It also involves not doing things that will bring them any form of disadvantage.

You see, you must always have it at heart to relate well to the people that God has used and is still using to bless your life. People who have done you good must not be rewarded by evil from your hands. It would be wise to do nothing at all than to pay them back with evil.

It is not love to be wicked towards people who have once sacrificed their comfort for your achievements in life. Whatever the occasion may be, “render good” for the good you have once enjoyed.

It is strange that we have people who are wicked towards their parents. They now fight and pray against their parents who once helped them, fed them, schooled them, and trained them. Others also fight and malign pastors that God used to get them saved. 

Be guided by God’s word and do good to all men especially those who are of the household of faith and the ones that God used and is still using to bless you. 

Read: Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith”.

Prayer: Father, I declare that I will do good and not evil in return for every good done to me, in Jesus mighty name. Amen!

Our walk with God is a walk of faith. It is through faith that we can relate with God and also subdue or overcome the powers of darkness. That’s why Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; if any man draws back my soul shall have no pleasure in him”. 

Knowing how to get faith then makes you indomitable in life. Romans 10:17 teaches that faith comes from the word of God. So, God’s word is faith’s food or the source of faith. Thus, the more of the word of God you have in your heart determines the faith you can have or carry. Meaning that your faith level is always determined by the word of God you know.

The truth that faith emanates from the word of God makes the word an important factor in life. When you lack the word, you will invariably lack faith. Since it is by faith that you dominate or reign in life, your lack of the word and faith will make you a victim. 1 John 5:4 says “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”

Therefore, instead of opening your ears to myths, fables, unedifying words and messages, turn to God’s word. Don’t give your ears to words that will sow fear and doubt into your heart. In fact, it doesn’t matter who is saying what or teaching what, when what you are hearing is not going to build your faith in the Lord, it is better you don’t hear it at all.

Remember, the just shall live by faith and you need faith to prevail.

Read: Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him”.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your word. As I hear and meditate on your word my faith grows from strength to strength, in Jesus name. Amen!

Counsel is described as instruction, guidance, and enlightenment. No one can attain significant success without counsel. The Bible says, “in the multitude of counselors there is safety or victory”. See Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors, they are established”. When you have many godly counsellors, it brings safety and not confusion as some people think.

One incontestable truth about life is that everyone needs counsel to make it. You need counsel to marry, you need counsel for ministry, you need counsel in your career and education, you need counsel to handle your finances, etc. In fact, plans and purposes are brought into fulfilment through counsel. Counsel gives you the platform to excel without many difficulties. It puts you on the right path and helps you to avoid multiple mistakes.

Nonetheless, counsel just like any precious mineral counsel must be sought. It won’t walk to your house and look for you. You must humbly and zealously seek it.  Not only does it take great discipline and humility to seek counsel, but it also takes wisdom to receive counsel.  Proverbs 1:5 says, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”.

Wisdom will teach you how to receive counsel. There are many people who follow their own “feelings” and never subscribe to any counsel. They follow what they feel good about till they are left in a bad situation without remedy or even if there is room for remedy, it comes at the expense of many damages. This tells that rejecting a “godly” or a “wise” counsel is nothing but a mere display of folly.

Sometimes you must ask questions to receive a counsel or even interact with people who are endowed with the wisdom of God to receive counsel. Proverbs 20:5 says “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out”

Don’t despise counsel and don’t hesitate to seek counsel.

Read: Proverbs 1:1-5 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that I will never come to the place where I will feel I have no need of counsel. I pray for the grace to seek godly counsel on every decision I will take in this life. In Jesus name, Amen!

The way and manner you answer and respond to people can generate peace or strife.  It is therefore important to respond to issues in a way that will bring the best outcome. Proverbs 15:1 says “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” The NIV renders it like this, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”. 

Meaning that giving the right answer or the right response to issues in life is about being factual. The way you convey your thought is also key.

For instance, when it comes to talking, The Bible says“a soft, gentle and kind answer stops or turns away wrath”. Wisdom from God’s word teaches that there is no need to answer people harshly or in an abusive way just because they spoke to you in the same manner. Your response is the game changer. Your response can quench or spark up a “fire”.  

Thus, being mindful about how you respond to people and issues makes you an agent of peace or otherwise. Answering people back or responding to people in the spirit of anger will not promote peace. It will rather bring contention and quarrels. Many people have lost great fathers, mentors, prospective wives and husbands, great business partners because of loose talk.Be wise and talk well. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”. 

The truth is that there is no wisdom in being harsh in responding to people. You can still make your point in the spirit of humility, in respect and in love. That is the hallmark of the Christian.

Read: Proverbs 15:1-2 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness”.

Prayer: Father, I pray that I will not respond unintelligently to situations but rather respond to things by the guiding of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen!

No one can have a meaningful walk with the Lord without obedience. Obedience is what makes you submit to the Lord’s biddings. As Christians, we have a duty not only to obey but to obey promptly. 

When it comes to obedience, your response must not delay. It must be on time. Your walk with the Lord requires that you obey every instruction you receive from him in a swift manner. You must know that to respond to the Lord’s instructions and guidance at a later date when you can do it in the “now” is nothing but disobedience. 

You see, delayed obedience is disobedience. Divine timing may render your late response irrelevant. Anytime you put to the future what God expects of you today is an act of disobedience.

You can’t say you want to obey God in your own time and convenience for things to go well with your life. There are many people who have backlogs when it comes to obeying God. They have things that God has instructed them to do that are still hanging. The truth is that God won’t wait anyway. He will leave you or allow you to learn the hard way.

In obeying the Lord, know that God will sometimes instruct you through His word, or by the Holy Spirit or through your pastor. Whichever way you are instructed; you must not slack in obeying the word that has come to you. God’s instructions towards us are not burdensome (Mathew 11:28-30). Yield your heart and delight in obeying the Lord.

Delays in obeying the Lord can cost you dearly. For instance, if the Lord instructed you through His word or through your pastor to live in a certain way or get something done last year and you have still not done anything about that, you don’t need anyone to tell you that you are moving towards having a difficult life in the future.

Prompt or timely obedience will save you and help you greatly. 

Read: Psalm 119:60 “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments”.

Prayer: Father, I pray that I will never slack when it comes to obeying you. I speak into my life that I will always be quick and fast to obey any instruction that comes from the lord. in Jesus name, Amen!

Prayer is key in our walk with God. As a matter of fact, prayer changes things. It can change the man or woman that prays and can also change situations. Notwithstanding the power that accompanies prayer, when you just pray without faith it will be void of power. Praying without believing that your prayer will be answered or receive heavenly attention will bring little or no results. 

You must understand that it is one thing to pray and another thing to also believe in your prayers or have faith when you pray. Often people master the former to the neglect of the latter. They pray, but that is how far they go.

As a Christian, you don’t just have to pray. When you pray believe in your prayers. Believe that God has heard you and has answered you, that is how you can get results. Hear what Jesus said on this subject in Mark 11:24 “Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” Hear it again, the word says “WHEN YOU PRAY, BELIEVE “

You don’t have to pray and still live in a wonderland. No! That’s not faith. Some people after praying will say, “well I have prayed so let’s see what God will do”. Well, that is still not faith. That is hope. Hope just expects a positive outcome in the future. On the other hand, faith says it is done and moves on to give glory to God.

When it comes to prayer the Bible never said pray and hope. It says when you pray, believe that it is done. People who wait to see before they believe will wait forever. After prayer, change your countenance. Thank God that it is a done deal.

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”

Read: Mark 11:24 “Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them”.

Prayer: Father, I pray that any doubt surrounding my life during prayer is dealt with by the power of the Holy Spirit. I declare that I believe in the principles of prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen!

The will of God is God’s ultimate desire and wish. It is what God expects and wants done. So as a Christian your greatest call and duty is to do God’s will. This is what pleases him. 

As a Christian, your blessing and success is connected to doing the will of God. For instance, it is God’s will for us to be thankful in everything or to be grateful (1 Thessalonians 5:18). You must know that thanksgiving is one thing God expects from us as believers. When Jesus healed the ten lepers at the gate of Samaria, He asked of the nine that never returned to give thanks. “So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner” (Luke 17:17-18).

Another will of God that the bible teaches is the sanctification of the believer. It is God’s will that we as believers live a sanctified life and avoid the perverse and immoral standards of this world. (1Thessalonians 4:3). God expects us to conform to His word by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to him. Ephesians 5:3 says “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people” 

Beloved, God wants you to do his will. Make the will of God your reason for living. In Romans 12:2, the bible says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”. 

The truth is that God’s will is not burdensome, it is not difficult to pursue the Lord’s will. You just have to yield to the Lord and not to allow the flesh to dominate you.

It is in doing God’s will that you will see his wondrous works. Nonetheless, when you do your “own thing” your life will end in suffering and you may even backslide from the salvation you have.

Read: Luke 12:47-48 “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more”.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the grace to constantly do your will, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Many people in the quest to hold on to their tradition and customs have ignored God’s word. They treat God’s word with contempt when the word stands against their earthly custom. 

You see, the tradition of men and God’s word don’t go in the same direction. God’s word comes from Him alone and the tradition of men comes from men. There is no meeting point between God’s word and the traditions the world subscribes to. 

It is carnal thinking that will make you think that the traditions of men are better than God’s word. You must know that there is no man-made rule, practice, convention, norm, way of doing something or beliefs that can make our world better than God’s word.

The Jews in the days of old were caught up in the same trap. They gave more importance to their tradition than to God’s word. This made them throw away the virtues and instructions of God’s word. Today, our generation is no different. We have become a bunch of Christians that follow the directions and traditions of men without considering the word of God. Remember that it is the word which is the truth that can save you, deliver you, free you and bless you. 

Never follow men’s wisdom or the traditions people have carved for themselves contrary to the word of God. If there is anything to adhere to, it should be the word and nothing more.

Read: Mark 7:6-8 “He answered and said unto them, well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do”.

Prayer: Father, I pray that your word will always have the final say in my life. I pray and come against any tradition of men that wants to derail me from the paths of God in Jesus name, Amen!