RHEMA From Heaven

WIN THE BATTLE IN YOUR MIND

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”

Your mind is one of the fierce battle grounds that will and shall ever exist. No other battle ground in this life can be compared with the mind. Nonetheless, the fight in the mind is not a carnal or physical one. It is not a battle or fight with guns, grenades, war planes or nuclear weapons but with the devil himself. It is a battle with demonic ideas, suggestions, imaginations, philosophies, teachings, etc. and the traditions of men.

Every born again Christian is automatically engaged in this battle. No matter your age, colour or status the moment you get born again, the devil starts this fight with you.

Until you master your mind with the word you will not be successful in this battle. The devil will attack you with every wrong thing he once influenced you to do when you were not saved. These are the “high things” that will try to exalt themselves against the knowledge of God that you are now trying to subscribe to or live by.

In fact, he will lure you with that. Don’t be shocked when the devil brings pictures (flash back) of your past life to entice you- that is imaginations. Don’t be shocked when he tells you serving God is difficult- that will be an idea. Don’t be shocked when he attacks you with old wrong relationships and friendships- that will be suggestions.

Remember that he will use wrong suggestions, wrong ideas and fear to attack you. This has always been his weapon. He (the devil) will go as far as manipulating people around you to influence you negatively. He will attack everything good around you just to make your mind weak.

If there is any grounds the devil wants to weaken in your life, it is your mind. You see, no one gives up in life without doing that in the mind. Before you walk out of church physically you have done that in your mind. Before you go back to some old wrong lifestyle you have done that in your mind.

From the pastor to the church member, everyone is fighting something of the devil in the mind. As I am typing this RHEMA, I am also fighting something in the mind. Sometimes whiles preaching, I assume the status of a “dual” personality because I am fighting and still preaching at the same time. But I never give up. Still fighting on till all the foes are vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.

Like the old hymn: “Stand up for Jesus Ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, It must not, it must not suffer loss”. Today, as you read this RHEMA, I know you are also a partner in a battle. But with God, you are already an overcomer, so win.

Don’t throw in the towel yet. Hold on. Fight on. Move on. No retreat, no surrender. Glorious days ahead. For we are not of them that draw back to destruction.

Read: 2Corinthians 10:4-5

DON’T BE A FORGETFUL HEARER

James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed“.

A forgetful hearer hears and suddenly forgets. Forgetful hearers develop a casual approach to the word of God. In fact, no amount of instruction or truth conveyed to such people bring any change to them.

People who don’t take God’s word serious soon become forgetful hearers. On the contrary, constant meditation on the word of God will rescue you from the bondage of forgetfulness.

Life is full of examinations, tests and opportunities. A day will come where you will be required to apply the word of faith you once heard. Such situations calls for promptings in your spirit and remembrance of God’s specific word on the subject you are faced with.

You must not forget the word of God at your disposal because it is “life for those that find it” (Proverbs 4:22). You see, having results in the Christian life is not just about hearing the word. It goes beyond reading your Bible or hearing a sermon. Until you work at the word you receive, results will never come. What you do with the word will determine whether you will make it or not. You will only deceive yourself when you hear the word and do nothing with it. James 1:22 says “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves“.

Any change you want to see is in doing the word. Go beyond listening. Start doing what the word of God says. That’s when you can be assured of God’s best for your life.

Read: Psalm 119:105

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY

Proverbs 6:2 “That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge”

Your success in life to a great extent depends on your confession. The words you consistently and constantly release creates a world for you. Hence you can’t keep saying the wrong things and have the best in life. Since what you say is what you will ultimately get.

Jesus said, “you shall have what you say“. See Mark 11:23 “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith“.

The second important truth revealed in the Bible about words is that, they determine whether you will be condemned or justified. See Matthew 12:37 “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned”. In other words, the words you release out of your mouth can bring you “freedom” or hold you “captive”. Meaning, you can bless or curse yourself.

Many people carelessly use wrong words and claim they are joking. But the truth is “words” are too serious and powerful to be toyed with. You don’t joke with things that have serious repercussions, do you? Do you pull a trigger of a gun filled with bullets and claim you are joking?

The power of the words therefore calls for great wisdom when talking. In fact, as a Christian you must be very much disciplined in the use of words. Don’t just say things. Always go with the rule of “mean what you say”, “say what you mean” and “say the truth”.

Your words can bring you up or send you down. Don’t just talk.

Read: Proverbs 6:2

LOVE AS BRETHREN

Luke 6:32 “For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those who love them. “

1 Peter 3:8 says “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.

1 Peter 3:9 continues the love discourse by saying “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing“. When you walk in love you don’t render evil for evil, or insult with insult.

Love makes you a well of blessing to others. 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 must never give up in walking in love.

One deception that can get you frustrated is that everyone will reciprocate the love you exhibit or “walk in” towards them. Well, that should have been the case but not everyone has also matured in the things of God to give back love. This is why you must not base your motivation in walking in love on the “reciprocal effect”- I walk in love towards you, and you do the same to me.

You just have to move on with your love life no matter what happens. 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 does not 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: Luke 6:32

THE NEW LAW

Romans 13:8 “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law”

The new life brings us to a new covenant or a new law. Born again believers are no longer under the old law, which is the Law of Moses. In fact, we are under a new and a better law that fulfills the old law (Hebrews 8:6). The Bible calls it the law of love or the royal law.

James in his epistle wrote concerning this law that “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.” (James 2:8)

It is important to note that those under the New Testament do have a law. But it is the law of love. We are under a law that is superior to the first. The Bible described the old law as a shadow of good things to come. Hebrews 10:1 says “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” Thus by the coming of this new law, which is the law of love and essentially the nature of God, things are perfected.

As noted in Hebrews 10:1, we are no longer in the “shadow” era. We have entered into the season or era of realities. The love dispensation is a glorious era. An era where love should dominate our way of doing things.

Just as any law calls for obedience, the law of love is no different. You must subscribe to the tenets of the law of love as a Christian to please the Lord. Not walking in love is a sin. That is breaking the law.

With this new law,it means that Christians ought to live and manifest God’s love nature anywhere and everywhere. We are new creatures, with a new commandment that is love. That is why the Bible describes our habitation as a place of peace. No one hurts or destroys another in our “city”. See: Isaiah 65:25 “…They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord”

Read: Romans 13:8

THE LOVE OF GOD

1John 4:9 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten son into the world that we might live through Him.”

God’s love is such an awesome thing that man cannot fully grasp. Many people have not come to the place to perceive and appreciate God’s love because they think of it in human terms. But you see, God’s love far outweighs any love you can see or experience from anyone.

The love of God is something that the carnal mind can’t figure out. It only takes the spirit to grasp God’s love. It is only by our recreated human spirit that we can know this love that surpasses knowledge.

The Bible in Ephesians 3:18 reveals that God’s love is high, long, wide and deep. The love of God can reach everyone irrespective of their state and status, and it has actually been so. The moment you grasp the truth about God’s love you will flow in love in your fellowship with him.

Instead of thinking that God is mad at you, think on and of his love. Many people because of not knowing the love of God walk in life discouraged and depressed. Always remember that while you were yet a sinner God loved you (Romans 5:8). God’s love towards us does not fall short because He is love. 1 John 3:1 says “see what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.“

God’s love does not condemn us in any way. His love only brings the best in us.

Walk in life and with the knowledge that God loves you. He is your comforter and ever present help.

Read: 1John 4:9

LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE

1 John 3:14

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death”

Love must be your walk and talk as a Christian. It is one thing that shows you have received the life of God. The epistle of Apostle John says “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren”. No one sincerely born again will walk in envy, bitterness, jealousy and hatred.

As Christians we have a mandate to love our fellow brothers and sisters. You must deal with all persons especially those who are of the household of faith from the bowels of love and compassion. Love in the family of the born again folks is essential and it can’t be compromised in any way.

Hebrews 13:1 says “Let brotherly love continue“. Meaning you must let nothing break the love circuit. Love must continue. No matter what happens love must continue. As a believer love must flow from you to others. You must never on any occasion deal or treat people without love. You must deliberately walk in love every now and then.

You see, irrespective of the challenges that you will face with the brethren, you still need and must walk in love. The way of love is the way of God. He that loves is of God.Hear the Spirit from Apostle John in 1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God”.

Love forgives, bears all things, does not keep a record of wrong. Love is patient and love does not delight in evil. Love demands that you stand with a brother or a sister in times of challenges. Never let go of people because they missed it or did not live up to standard. That is not love. Help people to make it. Don’t be a critique or an accuser. Use the spirit of love to deal with everyone that God will bring your way.

Going forward, let love lead.

Read: 1 John 3:14

SACRIFICE FOR THE THINGS OF GOD

Matthew 16:24

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me”.

Following God and working for the Lord demands a great sacrifice. You can’t follow the Lord effectively without sacrifice. In fact the call to be a Christian is a call to sacrifice.

Sacrifice means to give up something valued for the sake of other considerations. When you sacrifice, you sometimes abandon something, surrender your will, forgo your comfort, renounce or forfeit a privilege and the like.

Today, most Christians don’t see the need to sacrifice in their walk with the Lord. They only remain on one side of the lane where comfort and convenience is the order of the day. But that is not all about being a Christian. In fact, being with the Lord and being kingdom minded calls for a great sacrifice.

Anytime I share on sacrifice I consider first and foremost the example of Jesus. He is and was God, but left all the glory He had and took upon himself the nature of man just to have us saved. Not only that, He gave up his life in a gruesome and shameful way. This is nothing but sacrifice.

Another example to give on sacrifice was how missionaries sacrificed their comfort, risked their lives to travel around the world to spread the good news. What a price they paid! Till to today we have great ministries like the Presbyterian churches, Methodist churches, Anglican churches, Baptist churches, etc., that have been on the forefront the spreading of the good news dating back into the 17th and 18th centuries in Africa and some parts of the world.

Beloved, come to the chambers of “sacrifice”. Be ready to sacrifice something for the course of God. Christianity is not only about comfort and convenience. It is heeding to the master’s call without restraint and going all out to serve his purpose. That is why Christianity is not about “me, myself and I”. We are not called for selfishness and self-interest. These are enemies to sacrifice.

You can sacrifice irrespective of your situation, you don’t have an excuse. Think about God who gave his only son he could have kept for himself. This is what sacrifice means. It is giving out what will cost you; time, money, energy, comfort, wisdom, life, in fact, everything.

Sacrifice now. Tomorrow might be too late.

Read: Matthew 16:24-28

MONEY MATTERS: GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN

1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain“.

Apostle Paul in his days admonished his son Timothy to stay away from all those who held self-gain in high esteem at the expense of godliness (1 Timothy 6:5).

Inasmuch as there is nothing wrong with having money or being wealthy, putting a premium over it against godliness will be injurious to your faith. In other words, if you make riches and wealth get you into ungodliness then all is not well.

It is an undeniable fact in this day and age that many people in the pursuit of financial prosperity have thrown away every virtue that God’s word prescribes. This is nothing more than going into extremities with the “want of money”. Indeed laying aside godly values and virtues in the pursuit of “cash” is not profitable.

1 Timothy 6:10 says “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”. You see many people have erred from the faith because they placed a lot of premium on self-gratification or material things. Unnecessary pursuit of material gain at the expense of your Christian values will get you into becoming worldly.

You don’t have to prioritize your personal gains at the expense of godliness. The bible in Matthew 6:33 says that “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.

Don’t succumb to evil schemes and methods of making money knowing that God does not approve of such. You see, the problem is not about the prosperity or the “cash” you want to get. The matter the Lord wants you to consider is the method or the approach you are using or want to use to get it.

Your love for money will wane your faith, make you unrighteous and make the love you have for God wax cold. Think about this and make the decision to embrace godliness and never sacrifice your Christian values because of money, cash or material gains.

Read: 1 Timothy 6:5-11

LET GOD ORDER YOUR STEPS

Psalm 37:23 says “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : and he delighteth in his way”

One of the wonderful things a Christian can have is divine direction. It is simply God talking to you and instructing you to do something, or to take a certain course in life.

When God orders your steps, He leads you beside still waters. Any time God orders your steps you become the RIGHT MAN, at the RIGHT PLACE, with the RIGHT PEOPLE and at the RIGHT TIME.

You see, God wants you to follow his leadings in all that you do and not your feelings or carnal cravings.

Remember that, your life will be rocked with unending difficulties when you refuse to go with God when He orders your steps. What has God told you to do that you are still not obeying? Do something about it today, because it can cost you.

Read: Romans 8:14