Luke 8:22-25 “Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him”.
It makes a whole difference when you rely on God’s word. Anytime you rely on God’s word you see what God wants you to see.
In our opening text, we see Jesus, telling his disciples to the sail to the other side. But in the course of their journey they were confronted with a storm. When Jesus was called to save the situation, he asked them “where is your faith”
You see, Jesus wanted them to rely on the word he spoke concerning their going to the other side. All he wanted them to do was to strictly rely on the word he spoke. To Jesus, the storm, the waves and the challenges on the way were defeatable and not to be looked at.
This is to teach us that, in relying on the word of God, it doesn’t matter what is going on around you. You must refuse to be agitated rather stay your life on God’s word. Take the word of God and anchor your life on it and not on human philosophies and ideas. One song writer said, ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word”.
Rely on God’s word! Rely on the word that says He is a provider, rely on God’s word that says He is a healer. Rely in God’s word that says He is a protector, rely on God’s word which says He is a deliverer. Whatever your situation rely on the word. Stand with what the word says.
Read: Joshua 1:8-9 “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. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”.
Prayer: O Lord, I declare that my total reliance or dependence is on you. May nothing cause me to shift this reliance I have in you. Amen!
Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Thanksgiving or giving thanks must be a conscious activity. Not only that, it must be relevant or have basis. As Christians. We have so many things for which we must be thankful.
We must be thankful for the salvation we have in Christ. We must be thankful for the grace and gifts that has bestowed on us, we must be thankful that we have been made partakers of the divine nature, we must be thankful for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must be thankful for God’s protection that is every now and then assured for us, we must be very thankful for the people God has given to us as shepherds and we must thankful for the opportunity and privilege to even work for the Lord.
You see, when it comes to the thanking God or being thankful the list will be an endless one. The psalmist once said “Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” … (Psalm 40:5).
Beloved, what God has done for you can’t be numbered that’s why you must not let the present challenges make you get into the state of ungratefulness. Most people easily get caught up in this trap. They easily forget every good done to them and for them when they encounter a simple challenge or trouble. But stay above this sin of ungratefulness. In any case, God didn’t bring the troubles you have on you. He is the HELPER to get you through it. Rather than becoming ungrateful, give him thanks in all things.
Read: “1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.
Prayer: Father, thank you for planting in me the spirit of gratitude to be thankful unto you in all the changing scenes of life. Amen!
Matthew 17:20 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you”.
There are two ways by which you can live your life. One is on the basis of faith and the other is on the basis of unbelief. Whichever approach you take it will give you a certain outcome in life.
From our opening scripture, the scripture reveals that people who live in faith are able to deal with challenges. Not only that, everything is possible with them and for them. But when you live from fear, doubt and unbelief you will limit yourself as God can’t do much for you.
Matthew 17:20 says if “you have faith”, meaning that the faith needed for the game to change emanate from you. You are responsible for the happenings around “you”. This is the truth most people don’t want to accept. They want to throw their responsibilities on pastors, preachers, etc. well, there is a place where pastors and preachers comes in to help. But that notwithstanding, you must also build your own faith to deal with the challenges of life.
Hebrews 10:38 says “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him”.
You see, instead of celebrating doubt and the defeats that comes from unbelief, feed yourself with the word of faith. Meditate on the word, confess it, act it, it may be a gradual process but it will still change the game. Remember when faith is engaged, God’s grace, mercy and hand will prevail.
Read: Psalm 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him”.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the privilege to be your child. I pray that you will expel every form of fear, doubt and unbelief in my life. Father, cause me to walk with you on a higher level of faith, hope and trust in you. Amen!
Job 29:2-6 “Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; when his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; when I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil”.
From the above scripture it is been revealed to us that Job did not just wake up one early morning and became great. He had to stick to the revelations and the insights that God gave him. You see, your important and significance in this life is dependent on how well and efficient you can run with the revelations that God gives you from his word. When you decide to walk in the truths revealed to you by God, you don’t only enjoy a smooth life, you also become a celebrity with God Himself as your biggest fun. Do you desire to be great? Do you desire to be known globally for the good works you are doing? Do you want to be a celebrity? The answer is just simple, follow the revelations from the truth of God’s word.
You know, divine protection is one thing that you will always enjoy when you walk with God in the light of His word. Just like the song writer John H. Sammis wrote in one his songs: “when we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory he shares on our way! While we do his good will, he abides with me still, and with all who will trust and obey.Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”. To enjoy the best of God’s protection you need to fully subscribe to the ways of God. You see, Job enjoy twenty-four-hour divine surveillance and protection because he plied on the paths of God’s word.
According to the accounts in the book of Job, the bible makes it very clear to us that the glory or the light of God was upon Job. In the book of Job 29:7-11, the bible says “When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! he young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me”. Job lived a very glorious life just because he anchored his life to the truths revealed to him by God.
Job was a man with the friendly counsel of God. No matter what people were going through Job always had a comforting word on his tongue for them. Job 29:21-22 says” Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them”. Job was just a global solution to his generation. Can your friends, family or even your boss rely on you for comforting words in times of difficulties and challenges? Your value or importance can only be measured by the way you can be a succor or aid to others. Job had his feet anointed by the lord. This gave him swiftness in all that he did.
Job was known and revered by all persons. The young, old, the high and the low. Job 29:8 “The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up”. One thing that must dawn on every believer is that God puts us at advantageous positions or places of power so that we can also be a blessing to others. Never get into the arena of selfishness when God positions you at your place of prominence. Don’t oppress people with your greatness, be like the man Job who stood in the place of a judge to the less privileged in life and society. MAY THE IMPACT OF YOUR GREATNESS BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD!
Read: Job 29:2-17 “Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil; When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth”.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that my relevance will not be hidden. I declare that I will be noted wherever I get to. I speak that my greatness will be a tool for righteousness in my hand. I declare that I won’t abuse and oppress other with my greatness. In Jesus mighty name. Amen!
Galatians 5:16 “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh”
The Christian walk is a walk in and with the Spirit. This is because it is a walk with the father who is a spirit (John 4:24).
Your life as a Christian must be under a full influence of the Holy Spirit and the word of God. Our new life as Christians has more to do with the Holy Spirit than our human and fleshy nature. That’s why becoming born again puts us in this higher realm of life.
However, many believers have wandered away from this path. Galatians 3:3 says, “Are you so foolish and senseless? Having begun [your new life by faith] with the Spirit, are you now being perfected and reaching spiritual maturity by the flesh [that is, by your own works and efforts to keep the Law]?
You see, some Christians begin the Christian life well but don’t end well. They suffer from the flesh. They try to accomplish by the flesh what they began by the power of the Spirit. The Bible says “by flesh” shall no man prevail. We can’t do much with the flesh and in the flesh. Self-effort has its limitation. This is the more reason why God has blessed us with the precious Holy Spirit.
When you allow the flesh and its passion to rule you, you will soon conform to the world. You will be brought under the influence of worldly appetites and propensities
Thus, for you to journey on in the Lord to the end you need to have constant fellowship with the spirit. You must pray in the spirit often and keep your heart aflame with the love of God. Not only that, as a Christian you must depend on the Spirit’s guidance to make all your choices in life.
Don’t forget that many great destinies have come to a halt, because people depended on their effort instead of the Spirit of God. See what Galatians 6:8 says about this truth: “whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction….”
Continuing in and with the Spirit will keep you on track for the Lord. Arise today: Get back to the word, get back to prayer, get back to yielding to the Spirit which is your sure way to the victorious life…Continue in the Spirit!
Read: Acts 17:28 “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring”
Prayer: Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit. I pray that grace will abound unto me to keep this unique fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Deliver me from anything that will hinder me from submitting the leadings of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you”
Submitting to authority is a divine instruction. God expects every Christian to submit to authority and especially in the Church. Hebrews 13:17 says “Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you”.
When you submit, you subject yourself to a particular process, training, and comply with every given instruction. Thus, when you find yourself in a local church, you don’t run your own show. You don’t do things in the “opposite” to what you are taught.
You comply with every instruction given to enhance your growth in the things of God.
See the instruction to the saints in the Church at Thessalonica on the subject of submission; “Dear brothers, honor the officers of your church who work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because they are straining to help you…” (2Thessalonians 5:12-13). So, submitting to authority in the house of God is not a choice. It is a duty that must be discharge irrespective of what you think.
People who don’t submit to instructions in Church are in total rebellion. Such people make themselves vulnerable to evil schemes of the enemy. Not only that, some favours and divine guidance don’t come to them.
You must make living in submission to God’s authority your mandate in life. Never make your life contradict the teachings you receive from God’s house. In fact, never try to outsmart your pastor or behave like you are “wiser” than the Spirit of God that is leading the Church.
Read: 1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
Prayer: Lord, I pray for a fresh baptism of the spirit of submission upon my life. I pray that my submission to the people you have placed over my life will be from a pure and sincere heart. Amen!
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”
One truth that must settle with every believer is that God is the giver of good and perfect things.
James 1:17 says “Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration”. Another version also puts it this way, “every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.
You can’t have the best things of life without God.
There is not a single good and perfect thing you can receive or get in life without God. For instance, salvation comes from God, healing comes from God, deliverance, prosperity and protection all comes from God.
Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “but thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…”.
Proverbs 10:22 also says, “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it”.
Luke the doctor also moved by the spirit and wrote “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:13).
You see, God is willing and ever ready to load you with good and perfect things. The Bible says “how much more” will your father give.
Instead of chasing after “things” – wealth, riches, honour and status, to make it in life, follow hard after the Lord.
It is in your following hard after the Lord and constantly seeking him that will connect you to all these provisions.
Make a decision to stay connected to the Lord at all times and you will prosper in everything you do.
Read: Psalm 103:5 “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Prayer: Father, I thank you for giving me good things in life. I pray that nothing good in you apportioned for me will ever pass me by. Amen!
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” One truth that must settle with every believer is that God is the giver of good and perfect things. James 1:17 says “Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration”. Another version also puts it this way, “every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.
You can’t have the best things of life without God. There is not a single good and perfect thing you can receive or get in life without God. For instance, salvation comes from God, healing comes from God, deliverance, prosperity and protection all comes from God. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “but thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…”. Proverbs 10:22 also says, “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it”.
Luke the doctor also moved by the spirit and wrote “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:13). You see, God is willing and ever ready to load you with good and perfect things. The Bible says “how much more” will your father give.
Instead of chasing after “things” – wealth, riches, honour and status, to make it in life, follow hard after the Lord. It is in your following hard after the Lord and constantly seeking him that will connect you to all these provisions. Make a decision to stay connected to the Lord at all times and you will prosper in everything you do.
Read: Psalm 103:5 “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Prayer: Father, I thank you for giving me good things in life. I pray that nothing good in you apportioned for me will ever pass me by. Amen!
2 Corinthians 5:18 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation”
Every born-again Christian has a ministry. By ministry, I mean a service you render or give towards promoting the things of God.
Many people have made ministry sound “mysterious”. But this is not the case. Although ministry is and can be supernatural, God does not always use strange encounters to call people to do the work of ministry especially when it comes to the ministry of “soul winning” or reconciliation. You don’t need to see Jesus or an angel before you can do the work of ministry. All you need is the word and the Holy Spirit.
You see, the only encounter that qualifies you for any ministry God has for you is the “encounter with Jesus” as your Lord and personal saviour. That is the starting point. You don’t need angels to tell you anything or “a voice” shouting out your name before you can do ministry.
2 Corinthians 5:18 says “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation”.
You see, the Bible clearly spells out the ministry of the Christian. Your ministry is to win souls for the Lord, your ministry is to bring God’s word of reconciliation to the unsaved.
Do everything possible to fulfil your ministry. You don’t need any title or your pastor’s pulpit before you can win souls.
Start from your home, your school, your workplace, your community and keep going.
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:18 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Prayer: Lord, I bless you for counting me faithful and worthy to be in your vineyard. I pray that I will give careful attention to the ministry you have given to me. Amen!
1 Peter 3:8 “finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous”.
One version of the Bible puts it this way, “finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble”.
The believer is under divine obligation to love. Christians ought to love one another. You must not have a reason for which you can’t walk in love towards a brother or sister. Irrespective of what reason you may say you have, God’s word ought to be obeyed.
In 1 Peter 3:9, the love order from God continues “Not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing”.
You see, one characteristic of someone or people walking in love is that they don’t render evil for evil, or insult with insult. Rather love makes you a well of blessing to others.
Know that love does not react to give evil. Meaning that, when you walk in love towards people, and you are not treated in a good way you never give up operating in the spirit of love.
One deception that can get you frustrated is when you think that everyone must love you or walk in love towards you just as you do. Well, that should have been the case but not everyone has also matured in the things of God. So you must not base your motivation in walking in love on a reciprocal effect. Do your best when it comes to walking in love and expect nothing.
You just have to move in your love life. Never let someone’s reaction inundate your love. No! You see, as a Christian you must always “act” or do things intentionally. You must not react negatively to things in life especially when dealing with other members in the body of Christ. You must constantly live out God’s word.
Lots of Christians have thrown away this awesome virtue of love.
You see, not walking in love affects you negatively. You miss out greatly when you don’t walk in love. Come to the place where you will not render or repay evil with evil.
Today we have people who curse and pray against other brothers and sisters because they think that they are the source of their woes. But thank God that such prayers don’t receive heavens approval.
Jesus said in Luke 6:27-28 that “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”.
You see, you can’t know better than Jesus. If he says love, you better do so.
Read: 1 John 3:14-15 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”
Prayer: Father, I pray that the love of God in my heart will not be expressed in a bias manner. I pray that I will walk in love all the days of my life. Amen!
RHEMA From Heaven 