RHEMA From Heaven

Ephesians 5:18-19 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; *Speaking to yourselves* in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”

Experiencing the power of God or living a spirit filled life is connected to the words you release or speak to yourself. In talking about being filled with the Spirit, the Bible makes us understand that, we can also do so by “speaking”.

The Bibles says speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Thus, to live a spirit filled life you must speak in psalms, and spiritual songs to yourself and also to one another.

Speaking the wrong things or voicing out words that is not in line with God’s word for your life can “make void” the spiritual atmosphere around you and also quench the move of the Spirit in your life.

That is why you must not talk yourself down irrespective of what you see, or what happens around you. You must come to the place where you give no room for “wrong words to proceed out of your mouth”.

No matter what happens sing and make melody in your heart to God, tell yourself it is well, tell yourself you God is in charge, and above all tell yourself everything is working together for your good.

Remember, your fellowship with the spirit and the atmosphere you operate from depends on the words you speak, and especially what you speak to yourself.

Read: Psalm 43:5 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God”

Study: Job 22:26-29

There are many things God can and has done for us as believers, but the ability to stay humble isn’t one of them. It’s your responsibility as an individual to make yourself humble and to also keep yourself as such.

Our greatest example on humility is Jesus, our chief shepherd. He had every right to be equal with God, act as God and to boast in that, but chose to make himself of no reputation in order to get us saved through his death. See Philippians 2:5-8.

Therefore humility is the ability to exercise power with high discretion. Having authority over someone but choosing not to Lord it over them is humility.

You see, humility is not a spiritual gift, neither is it one of the fruits of the spirit. Therefore you can be “highly spiritual” yet be very proud and arrogant.

Humility is a choice and God won’t make this choice for you. You have the freewill to decide to be either humble or rebel against God.

Nonetheless, you must understand that both comes with their perks and pitfalls. 
Keeping yourself humble is a choice that makes you a candidate to obtain Grace. The Bible tells us that God gives more grace to the humble. 
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, *but giveth grace unto the humble*” (James 4:6)
Hence, the more humble you are, the more easily you obtain Grace before God.

Learn to stay humble.
You will be blessed greatly by it.

Read: Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Study: Philippians 2:5-11.

Dealing with men is very different than with God. Men are limited to the what their five senses can receive. Hence it’s easy to deceive men especially when it comes to work. But the case is different when it comes to God. He sees as far as what is in the heart to reward you.
Thus, whatever you do physically without the backings of your heart does not attract God’s attention.

That’s why the Bible says “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men”
(Colossians 3:23)

This is God’s standard when it comes to work. Whether working for God or man. Thus eye service is not something any believer must go with. Although we have a generation of ‘actors’ where it’s difficult to detect the true intentions of people you must stand out when God calls you to work for him or any man.

Your service to God and man must be borne from and backed by your heart. Your actions must not be contradicted by what’s in your heart.

You see, with God it’s either you are serving or performing. But take note that God rewards service not performance.

Don’t be a man pleaser.
Serve with all your heart.

Read: Colossians 3:17
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him”.

Study: Ephesians 6:5-6

Temptations are bound to happen to every believer. These temptations are worked out and backed by the devil with the sole purpose of derailing you from your belief and cause you to loose confidence in your walk with God. Nonetheless, God expects of you to be ready against temptation and not be taken unawares by it.

Apostle Paul in teaching this great lesson said,
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:12,13).

To be on your guard against temptation, you must not presume you are beyond temptation because of your spiritual height or “level” in the faith. As a matter of fact, the devil’s main targets are those who ‘presume’ they are standing and they stay off guard.

The watch word for every believer is to take heed. In other words, be careful. Be careful of who you associate with, be careful of what really interests you and the things you desire for.

You see, the devil will not tempt you with things that are unfamiliar with you. On the contrary, your biggest temptations would come from the things that are common to you. Things you are familiar with, your familiar places and your familiar desires.

But in all these, always know that God is faithful. He will not stand by and watch you go through any temptation stronger than you. Therefore, any temptation that comes to you, know that you have what it takes to overcome it.

Be an overcomer over temptations.

Read: Hebrews 4:15
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin”

Study: Matthew 4:1-11

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations”
(James 1:2)

It is important to know that you are bound to face trials and challenges as a believer. Nonetheless, all these trials can be a stepping stone to elevate you into greatness if you can learn to trust God.

You must understand that whatever happens in your life, whether good or bad can only be for your advantage as a Christian.
In the book of Romans 8:28 apostle Paul said, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.
You see, as long you are child of God, all things shall work together for your good. No matter how difficult or challenging a situation may be, God will work things out for your good.

You see, whatever was meant to bring you destruction and disgrace would work together for your good, if you can trust God in your moments of difficulty.

Always look out for what God can do in your trials and challenges.
This is why you must “Count it all joy” when difficulties show up, because God will work for your good.

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”

Study: Genesis 50:17-21

No great thing simply appears from the sky. Similarly, greatness and success wouldn’t fall like ripe mangoes if you don’t work at it. You must not assume things will work by themselves if you haven’t put in place the necessary structure for it to work.

To assume means to work without actual facts. It’s just like leaving things to chance or happenstance.

Living or walking in life with assumptions is a dangerous thing. It keeps you from doing what is necessary and demanded of you.

For instance, that you were born into a Christian family doesn’t mean you are automatically saved, or that you have a rich parents doesn’t assure you of a rich future for yourself. That you are in school doesn’t necessarily mean you would be a literate.
You must put in effort to arrive at where you want to see yourself. You can’t wish your way to the top.

The truth is you only get what you work for. Apostle Paul in teaching the people of Galatia puts it this way,
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
That means that you can only reap what you sow. Whatever you didn’t work for, wouldn’t yield for you.

You see, assumptions makes you lazy, unproductive, and finally a non achiever.
Don’t leave things to chance. Don’t live in a “world of assumptions”. Work at what you want to see and have in life.

Read: Proverbs 3:7 “Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!” (MSG).

Study: Galatians 6:7

One way you can make it in life is by imitating the heroes of faith that has gone ahead of you.
By imitation, you follow in their example or learn of them how they did exploits in their walk here on earth.

You see, sometimes the best way of making it is by imitation. You must be humble to copy or follow the noble examples of people that has gone ahead of you. Paul in teaching the Corinthian Church said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 ).

You must not read the word of God and still miss it. The Bible says that “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

You must know that, the Christian is not left without an example. The bible has examples of people who demonstrated faith against every odd situation, it has examples of people who lived holy or consecrated lives in the mist of corruption, it has examples of people who lived in absolute patience to God and on and on goes the list.

Your duty is to search the word and see where you are lagging behind and learn from the principles of a gone hero.

For instance, you can follow the faith, patience and obedience of Abraham. He obeyed and followed the word of the Lord, when God asked him to leave his father’s house, country and kindred. (Hebrews 11:8)
Again, he demonstrated faith in the word of the Lord and finally had a child at the age of 100. Not only that, he was patient to have his miracle after more than twenty years of the promise. Let the exploits of such faith filled men be a source of inspiration to you in your walk with God.

Read: Hebrews 6:12 “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises”.

Study: Hebrews 11:6-25

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him; a proud look, a lying tongue… -(Proverbs 6:16,17). God wants believers to strictly adhere to speaking the truth at all times. This is because lying or telling lies is not part of our nature in the new life.

To lie means to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive. You see, all lies are geared towards deception.

The Bible clearly says in John 8:44 that, the origin of lies is from the devil or Satan. Therefore, anytime you speak a lie, you portray the nature of Satan.
See what Jesus told the people of his time: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it”. (John 8:44)

You must not make a practice of lying as a Christian. Your “yes” should be “yes” and your “no” should be “no”, nothing more, nothing less.

You must know that apart from lying being a sin, it has serious consequences that destroys good relationships. Lies when discovered, which will definitely happen, brings divisions and mistrust.

Also remember that, anything you get or achieve by employing lies will at the end of the day crash down.
Stand against telling lies and you will surely succeed.

Read : Ephesians 4:25 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another”.

Study: Acts 5:1-10

Many people are not exactly what they say or claim they are. They keep changing their behavior or convictions every now and then. In fact, it is very difficult to know the “real life” of those who pretend.
Jesus called such folks wolves in Sheep clothing.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

To pretend means to behave so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not. In other words, pretenders are “actors”. Not only that, at the centre of pretence is deception.

You must know that, people who pretend are dangerous and deceptive. They give a false impression of everything. For instance some pretend to love and to show care, only to get what they really want from you.
That’s why the Bible says, “don’t just pretend to love…”(Romans 12:9).

You see, whiles you must be on the watch against those who pretend around you, you must also be careful not to be pretend yourself. Are you claiming to be something that you are not ? Are you making someone to believe a lie? In fact, are you fake or genuine about all that you say or do?

You see, pretense is a sin. It’s a form of deception and a lie. The Bible says “lying lips are abomination to the Lord”… (Proverbs 12:22)

Don’t pretend to be a good Christian whiles you are not, or to be spiritual whiles you are very carnal. Don’t give a false impression of your gentleness but inwardly, you are like a tiger waiting to be unleashed.

Let people know and see who you truly are, so that you can get the right kind of people to help you build a solid life.

Pretense is a sin, avoid it.

Read: 2 Timothy 3:13 “But evil people who pretend to be what they are not will become worse than ever, as they fool others and are fooled themselves”.

Study: 2 Samuel 13:1-28

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10)

There are several weapons that the devil uses against believers in order to derail them from their God ordained path. One of such weapons is accusation.

To accuse means to charge with a fault or offense.
Accusers, or those who accuse you only seeks to disqualify and misrepresent you before others. In fact, they find faults about you and never provide a solution.

One truth you must know is that, the devil is the chief accuser of believers. However he works through people, especially those who yield themselves to jealousy and envy.

The devil has used the tool of accusations to destroy many people and several ministries that could have blessed the world.

The unfortunate thing is that, those who accuse you are themselves not perfect either.
In John 8, we see how Jesus dispels the accusations laid against the adulterous woman by using the conscience of her accusers.

Use your “silence”, “unquestionable integrity”, and “obedience to God’s word” to bring to nothing the accusations from those who accuse.
Remember that, it worked for Jesus, Daniel, and it will work for you as well..

Read: Matthew 27:12 “And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing”.

Study: Daniel 6:12-24