RHEMA From Heaven

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

It is one thing to receive help or to be blessed by God or someone and also another to remember that which was done for you after some days, weeks, months or even years.
“Remembrance” or recalling the benefits you have received from God and the input of some key people that has made you a success today must not be taken for granted.

You see, not forgetting how and who God used to make you relevant is a righteous thing. The Bible describes people who don’t forget as righteous. Hebrews 6:10 says “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister”.
You see, when it comes to “not forgetting” the awesome things people do, God even subscribes to this. God does not forget what people do for him and towards his work. How much more us.

Today, many people grow up to forget. They forget people who cared for them, and loved them. Some too forget the people God used to bring them to himself to be saved. As if not enough, we have people who forget people who raised them up in the Lord and put them in the ministry. On and on goes the list.

You see, no matter your status or achievement in life, you must never forget God. Never forget the people God used to help you when it mattered most.

Who have you forgotten? Who have you failed to acknowledge?
Have you been appreciative enough to God for his goodness. Do you remember this goodness always?
Have you forgotten about the people God used to make you what you are today?

Don’t sin by being “forgetful”.
Forever remain grateful to God and the people he used to make you a blessing in the world today.

Read: Psalm 103:2 “Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits”

Study: Deuteronomy 8:12-17

Relationships are important. But the ones that last a life time are priceless. You see, keeping the people that God most of the times brings your way demands dedication. This dedication is not just to the person, but some “major principles” or keys on which relationship thrives.

Thus, the success of any relationship whether in the family, the Church, the work place or any human institution is dependent on how we apply the following keys.

The first key we will consider is Love. For any relationship to last a life time, it must be built on love.
When love is in operation, you will always put the interest of others before yours. This selfless virtue makes any form of relationship with people last into the future. Other qualities of love can be found in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.

The second key is Respect. Respect makes you appreciate and take into account the views of others. Respect therefore prevents you from dishonoring or treating people anyhow.

The third is Trust. You see, relationships will only profit you to the fullest when the element of trust is established. Trust here means making yourself dependable in every situation to the very best of your ability.

Relationships are priceless, and will finally reward when these keys are engaged.

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:10 “For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth for he hath not another to help him up”

Study: Proverbs 18:24

Faith is very important to every child of God. For instance, it is through faith that we are saved. It is also by the power of faith that we can obtain victories in this world. Nonetheless, there are “enemies of faith” you must deal with for your faith to prevail.

The number one enemy of faith is worry or anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, or nervousness. It also means “to be troubled with cares”

Whenever anxiety is at work, it robs you of your joy and faith in God. Anxiety makes you behave as though God is not able. People who are anxious always steps out of faith because they can’t wait for the manifestation of what God has promised. That’s why the Bible says “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God” ( Philippians 4:6)

Another enemy of faith is the “Flesh”. Walking in the flesh is always at war with your faith walk. Your flesh demands that all you do must make sense or be sensual, but faith demands that your actions must be born out from spirit. So by faith you believe and do things that your flesh wouldn’t. For instance your flesh will say, “seeing is believing”, but this is not so when it comes to walking in faith. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”. Faith looks up to God, faith looks at the word. Faith never see to believe, but rather believes and brings things into manifestation.

Overcome the flesh by acting out what you believe even in the face of daring situations.

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight”

Study: Mathew 6:27-30