RHEMA From Heaven

Opportunity is an occasion or situation that makes it possible to do something that you want to do or have to do. One great blessing in life is opportunity. Everyone at one point or the other will have their share of it. Nonetheless, opportunities by themselves mean nothing until one takes advantage of them. 

The bible teaches that we must make the most or take advantage of every opportunity. In other words, one must not allow any opportunity to slide without using it. 

You see, inasmuch as we go about life’s endeavours all the time or on routine basis. Opportunities offer us the best moments to give our best shot at things which bring great results or outcomes. As Christians, God gives us this open door called “opportunities” for our benefit.

Most people have failed to make use of opportunities because they took it lightly or never valued it. Remember that sometimes our lives are defined by opportunities seized or missed. Thus, your achievement, significance, and success in life is dependent on the God-given opportunities that you capitalized on.

What opportunities do you have today? Does your age give you an opportunity? Do the people around you serve as an opportunity? Do you have the opportunity to learn, get born again, serve the Lord, pray and fast, relate well with some people, or work on yourself to harness your strengths and put away some undesirable lifestyle? 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity you have today. It is your golden moment. Do your best! Never let it go away. Some missed opportunities never come again. Be wise!

Read: Revelation 3:8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close”

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the wisdom to value and to use every opportunity you bring my way. Amen.

Being busy, worried and anxious can make you lose sight of the most important things that demands your attention at certain crucial moments of your life. It is therefore necessary for you to keep assessing the things you have been doing every now and then to ascertain whether that is the most important thing at that particular moment of your life.

You see, you have to come to the point where you can distinguish between routine activities that are less significant contributing to your success and one-off activity that can significantly affect your destiny. Mixing or putting every activity into the same level of importance will never make you succeed since you will lose sight of the most pressing and significant ones.

When Jesus visited the family of Mary and Martha, the principle of prioritizing things in life was revealed. Though Martha was concerned about preparing a good meal for Jesus as courtesy demands, Jesus never applauded her decision. To Him (Jesus), Martha has misplaced priority by given heed to an unimportant agenda. Jesus placed premium on the attention that Mary gave in listening to him than doing any other thing.

To Jesus, his presence, and the word he was teaching must be put first aside everything. You see, know what is important and urgent, know what is routine but can wait, know the value and impact that every activity you engage in can have on your destiny, and you will press the “right keys” for your success in life.

Read: 1 Chronicles 12:32 “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment”

Prayer: Lord, I pray for grace and wisdom to hold in high esteem the word.

Grace is the undeserved favour that God bestows on man. It also refers to the kindness of God that we receive.
Grace has more to do with what God does for us, and it is sometimes irrespective of who we are, what we do, and the situation or circumstance we find ourselves. When it comes to grace, “God freely extends himself to people to bless them” one author said.

As a Christian it is important to know you have grace or have received grace. To be alive and still move on in life, despite your short comings in your walk with God is nothing but grace at work. This is not to say that, we are using grace as a licence to sin or to live carelessly but the word says “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more”.

You see, if not for the grace of God, no one would be saved. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8 that “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”. So the fact that you are a believer shows you have received grace. John 1:16 says “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”

This is to tell you that, God has without any shadow of doubt made a provision for everyone in this world to be saved and become the person he wants them to be. Not knowing this grace is available and not capitalizing on it to one’s advantage is the reason many people are still unsaved or living unfilled lives.

Paul the Apostle of many achievements attributed his greatness and notability to the grace that was at work in him. To him, the grace bestowed on him made him work par excellence. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Never for one moment think you don’t have grace. It is rather available and in measures that you have not and can not exhaust,since Christ Jesus has not returned to rapture his own. Make use of God’s grace.

You can also increase or grow in the grace of God. The word of God, is full of “grace”. As you read it daily and practice it, you are conditioning yourself to operate in higher realms of grace.

Read: Acts 20:32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified”

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for making grace grace available for me on every side of life.

A man’s vision is what drives him in life. It brings to focus what he stands for and aims to achieve through the passage of time. As a matter of fact, your vision will determine the kind of people you attract.

Vision in this context means, plans and dreams of the future.

Anytime you share your vision, you attract helpers to achieve that vision. That is why Bible says …”Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it”. (Habakkuk 2:2)
For your vision to be made a reality, it must be made plain. Write it down, talk about it with others. In so doing you attract others that would run with you in life. They will pave way for you, provide you with all you will need to fulfil the vision.

One reason many people don’t talk about their vision is because of fear. The fear of being attacked spiritually or physically by others as in the case of Joseph. But you see, the truth is that, as long as the vision is from God, no manipulation by man or demons can alter it if you stay true to your vision. Know that God is in charge.

Another reason is, they don’t want to seem foolish or stupid if the vision is not realised. But know this, holding such thought will only build a bridge to failure. Don’t think failure nor talk it. You are of the stock of success and excellence. Be guided by the promise of God’s word that, The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me… (Psalm 138:8)

Keep talking your vision. At the appointed time, it shall speak.

Read: Habakkuk 2:2
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for grace, wisdom and strength to keep talking about my vision till manifesting.

One of the greatest virtues you can express as a believer is joy. However, it matters what is the source of your joy. As a Christian, your joy should be dependent on the goodness of God. Your possessions in life should not determine your joy.

Having Joy, or gladness in the heart is God given. It is a great deception to think of joy or gladness as coming from the material gains or material things you have in life.

Many who have limited the source of their joy to external things don’t truly enjoy the peace and the sound mind that the joy of the Lord brings.

You see, let God be the source of your joy. Remember that, heaven and earth shall pass away, but God will not. What is more fulfilling than”being with God” the one who has no beginning and end.

The Psalmist said, “Be glad in the Lord , and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart” (Psalm 32:11).
Let God excite you, let the things of God excite you.
That’s the way, to keep increasing in this joy beyond materiality.

Don’t join the “company of the unbelieving believers” who only holler and put on a smile in Church or life when they have material wealth. That’s not real joy. In fact, joy is independent of all these “I have this and I have that claims”. Real joy comes from knowing God as your father.

Be joyful in the Lord!

Read: Psalm 35:9 “And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord : it shall rejoice in his salvation”

Prayer: Lord, I pray that after all the material blessings you give may you continue to be the source of my joy.

Serving God is always a blessing. One truth that must dominate your heart constantly is that God is a rewarder. He always remembers to reward those who serve him faithfully.

The Bible says in Hebrews 6:10 that,
“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do”.

God will reward every effort you make at serving him with a blessing.One of such blessings is recorded in Psalm 37:25;
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread”.

You see, when you serve God he makes your protection and provision his business.
Exodus 23:25 also says “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee”. Meaning that, serving God brings you into the arena of “divine health”.

This is why you must choose to serve God.
You must surrender your life to God and his work. This is the hall mark of those who serve God. You can also serve God by working in the church. Let your hands find something to do in God’s house.
Be a teacher, an organizer, an usher, etc. Use all your skills and intellect to the service of God.

Today, in a quest to find wealth and self satisfaction, people don’t find delight in serving God anymore. Everyone is busy with a personal agenda and has forgotten that it is the blessings of God that brings true wealth and peace.

See Proverbs 10:22;
“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it”.
Make serving God your delight from now.

Read: John 12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour“.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for grace and a heart that will be committed to serving you diligently.

Following the Lord must be without any alternative. You must follow God wholeheartedly. That’s the only way the believer can enjoy and be blessed by the Lord.

Peter’s response to Jesus when he was asked by the Lord of his “exit plan” shows an unwavering commitment of the former. See John 6:67-68 “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

Today, the body of Christ is suffering from lack of commitment from its members. We are faced with a situation other authors have titled, “fair weather commitment”.
We have Christians whose commitment is not absolute but dependent on “many things” in the Church apart from Christ. These are believers who are committed to God when all is well.

You see, as a Christian, Christ and matters of eternity must be the basis of your commitment.
You can’t be committed to God, and your local Church because of a friend or the crowd in the Church. If Peter’s commitment was motivated by the people following the Lord, their departure would have been his departure.

Nonetheless, although Jesus preached a “hard message” Peter and the other disciples still kept their gaze on the “eternal words” and not on their emotions.
This was the key to their survival and commitment.

When it comes to following God, don’t have an exit plan. Don’t let negative emotions, the challenges of life and friends interfere with your commitment in any way.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for grace to follow you unreservedly.

Wisdom is one of the outstanding things in life. People who are guided by wisdom accomplish great things in life.
The great things Jesus did was attributed to this “wisdom factor”.

Mark 6:2 says “And when the sabbath day was come, he(Jesus) began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Wisdom makes you do mighty things in life.

Wisdom enables you to engage knowledge and information to carry out great things in life. People who are filled with the spirit of wisdom or subscribe to God’s wisdom do awesome things in life.

Wisdom gives you insight into the issues of life, it helps you to make sound judgment and to also receive counsel.
People who live without submitting to the wisdom of God in the word don’t do mighty things.

Most of the problems people have today is not really about money or resources. Their real problem is “lack of wisdom” or “not surrendering to the wisdom of God”.

You see, any time you allow wisdom to function in your life, riches and wealth will automatically fall in place. Proverbs 8:18 says “with wisdom are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity”.

Don’t live your life by trial and error. Pay heed to God’s word and allow the Spirit to guide you. The Spirit will always convey divine truths and wisdom into your heart.

Read: Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the spirit of wisdom into my life.

One hall mark of achievers is that, they start well and finish well.
How you start things to a large extent determines whether you will finish well.
You see, whatever you start, whether career, family, ministry, business, etc., can only see a beautiful ending when the right principles, and systems are set in motion. Thus, a good start, contributes to you finishing well.

The Bible in Philippians 1:6 says “And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue...(AMPC). This shows that God places premium on how things begin. You must start things on a good note. Don’t do things anyhow and claim that you will do it well as you get along. No! That’s a display of ignorance. It’s just like putting up a building on a wrong foundation and saying that you will change things as you get to roof level.

You see, inasmuch as everyone praises people who finish well, this end product is greatly connected to how things begin.

Jesus in Luke 14:28 said “If one of you wanted to build a tower, wouldn’t you first sit down and calculate the cost, to determine whether you have enough money to complete it?” This teaches that, if you want to start things well, you must first count the cost. Consider whether you have the means, or consider what it will take you to start and finish. This elucidate the principle of preparation.

Be conscientious to start things well in life. It always affects the final outcome.

Read: Zechariah 4:9 “The hands of Zerubbabel laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it so that you will know that the LORD of heavenly forces has sent me to you.”

Prayer: Lord, I pray for wisdom to start things well in life.

Sometimes you need to exercise patience to receive from the Lord.
Thus, we cannot associate patience with lack of faith or weakness.

You see, being patient tells that, you truly have faith in the Lord who makes all things beautiful in its time. That’s why folks who exercise patience in the Lord are tolerant and never anxious or troubled in the face of adversities.

The Bible enjoins us not to be lazy but to follow the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them (Hebrews 6:12). Meaning that as a Christian your patience is key to receiving God’s best.

Don’t consider the workings of God in your life as delays. Rather deploy the virtue of patience to hold on for the best.

You see, you can miss God’s best for your life when you are impatient in life. Sometimes, your faith will be tested. But patience is the virtue that can make you pass God’s test. There is nothing wrong when in the exercise of your faith you have to wait for weeks, months or even years. The truth is that you will get God’s best in the end.

God never fails! Be patient. Things shall work for your good.

Read: Hebrews 10:36 “ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

Prayer: Lord, I pray for grace to be patient as you works things for my good.