KEY SCRIPTURE: Col 3:16 KJV “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

It is the perfect will of God that every child of God is richly filled with the word of God. The word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path Ps 119:105. The word keeps the darkness away helping us to make our way through life. The Bible calls Satan the God of this world. In light of this, the devil has influenced the systems of this world. People go into politics, and because of evil voodoo power, they have to secure their positions by also getting these voodoo powers. The rule of the god of this world has permeated every aspect of our world. The only means to live above it is to guard your path according to the word of God.

The advice of scripture is to let the word of Christ feel you richly. Please note cramming the scriptures into your heart is not the main idea. It is all about knowing the word and being submitted and ready to believe what you have read or learned. THE SCRIPTURE YOU KNOW IS THE ONE YOU BELIEVED. Study, meditate, and listen to inspired messages, yet the scripture that fills you is the one you have believed. That is the scripture you would be ready to apply when Satan comes knocking on your door. The scripture said submit to God resist the devil, and he will flee

from you. James 4:7. It is the word in your heart that you have submitted to that the devil will flee when you apply.

During the Second World War, American soldiers visited a location that received some pounding of bombs from the German army. Everyone had vacated the area, yet they found a building with one room that was closed. They forced it open, only to find an old woman sleeping heartily. They woke her up and asked, madam are you not aware of the bombs that rocked this place, and you are fast asleep as if nothing is happening? She answered them, Why should I be awake when He who watches over me is awake? She in effect quoted, Psalms 121:3 KJV, “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.” This woman was richly filled with this very verse and so could not be moved. Get some scriptures and hang your life on them, and nothing would move or overcome you

CONFESSION

I fill my heart with the word. As much as study the word in a broad sense, I keep what I study firmly in my heart, ready to apply it, in times of need.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 119:130 KJV “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalms 119:11 KJV “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matt 11:12 KJV “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

As we enter a new month and even as we welcome the new year, there would be lots of us praying or calling on the new month or the new year to bring along with it, good tidings and all kinds of good wishes. It is very good to wish for great and good things, yet wishing is always not enough. We must move from wishing to possessing those blessings. Our key scripture stated that, since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of God has suffered violence. The word suffer is an old English word meaning ‘allow’. It should read, the kingdom of heaven has allowed violence, and violent men, take it by force.

How do they take it by violence? This is how believing and hoping comes into the issues of discussion. When we wish and pray that the new month brings blessings, this is hope. Hope is always an expectation or anticipation. Hope sees the issue in the future and so that thing may never be realised. What we need to do is that after wishing for a better month, or new year, we must reach out with our faith and take a hold of what we anticipate to have in the future. To believe is to take a hold of the thing in your heart. The principle of this life is sowing and reaping. When you believe, you have a thing, you actually possess that thing, like it has been planted in the heart. To wish for it means you only expect it, yet, you have not possessed it, and so it has not been planted in the heart. You cannot be certain about what you are wishing for, but you can be sure of having what you have believed for.

The scriptures said in Proverbs 4:23, that the issues of life proceed from the heart. Whatever you have believed has been planted in your heart, and so would surely come forth in due time. Please do not only wish for great tidings, you must also believe that you have them. After believing you can also take some practical actions to make it a reality. The following verse explains how these things function. Mark 4:26,28 KJV And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

Do possess your expectation and make them a reality for you.

CONFESSION

Thank God for the new month and the coming new year, I do not only wish for new blessed things, but I possess then through my faith in you. As I take a hold of them, they manifest in my life and experience in Jesus’ name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Prov 4:23 KJV” Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Heb 11:1 KJV” Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

KEY SCRIPTURE; Mat 4:4 KJV” But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

When Satan attempted to tempt the Lord to turn stones to bread, the Lord answered him, by saying man should not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. All physical things, that men do rely or use came from the word of God. He said all things were made by the word, and without it nothing was made John 1:3. This makes the word superior to every physical thing that we may depend on. We complicate matters for ourselves when we neglect the word to do our own thing. What Satan was asking the Lord to do was to act against the word and turn stones into bread, in order to satisfy His hunger.

To live by the word is to always seek what God’s word says about anything before, embarking on it. John 1:4,5 reveal that there is life in the word and this life is the light of men. The light is the master of darkness, or all satanic works. Any moment you keep faith with God’s word, there is a release of the life in the word to make you overcome any opposition, that may come from the evil one. You also save yourself from error.

1 Timothy 4:8 says, ‘For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” The Holy Spirit inspired the following words that, bodily exercise profits little. The are some brethren who give every attention to training and building their physical bodies, yet have no time to read, study or meditate on the word. Such people are sadly defeated by the schemes and strategies of the enemy because they no not how to overcome him. The verse said godliness, which is living the way of God. This involves living by the word and other acts of faith. The Lord says, it has profit now as well as in the life to come. Remember, life is spiritual, this means, there are supernatural personalities that influence our natural dealings. Failure to place God’s word first, makes you extremely vulnerable to any negative force that may seek to harm you. God’s word is the highest principle in the universe, every power is subjected to it. Living by the word, places you above any contrary power that may seek to affect you negatively.

CONFESSION

God’s word is the highest law in this universe. I am totally given to the word. I meditate on it day and night. My way is constantly prosperous and victorious. I live above every evil influence because of the word that rules me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jos 1:8 KJV “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.”

1Ti 4:15 KJV” Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Gen 39:12 KJV” And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.”

We take a look at another character in the bible who also made his light shine so much that, God was glorified and many were blessed as a result of him. Joseph a beloved son of Jacob, grew up among his brothers but made sure he always told the truth and did that which was right. Gen 37:2. His brothers sold him into slavery yet He kept living an upright life. Gen 39:3 KJV” And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” God does not endorse the actions of evildoers. For God to be with him, meant he consistently pursued righteousness.

His master Potiphar put Him in charge of his whole house. Potiphar’s wife saw how favoured Joseph was, and began to lust after him. She kept making advances on him, yet he refused. Remember to shine means exhibiting the fruits of righteousness.  Listen to Joseph’s response to her amorous requests. Gen 39:9 KJV “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Dear child of God, do not yield to fornication, for it is a sin against your very body, and will deem every light you have, so much that demons or devils, will easily flock your body and life.

Joseph ran away from her, yet she took hold of his cloths and used that as an evident to accuse Him, of seeking to sexually molest her. Joseph kept his uprightness even in the prison, and so God finally elevated him from, slavery , imprisonment to be become the next in command to king Pharoah. Dear child of God, you are the light of the world. Continue to be light and not darkness. Do not hide to do evil. Like Joseph maintain your brightness wherever you are. Remember what Jesus said light are not hidden under a bushel, but are placed on the top, so it can keep blighting the path of others. To be on top is to be significant in life. As light you are significant, so remain significant by shinning.

CONFESSION

I am the light of the world and would keep shinning no matter where and how things turn out. I am continually keeping faith with God to keep shinning. So long as I keep shinning, I remain on top, that is become very significant in this world.

FURTHER STUDIES

Eph 5:11 KJV” And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

Phi 2:15 KJV” That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Dan 2:47 KJV” The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.”.

We would consider how Daniel the exiled Jewish young man and his friends kept the light of God high up when the king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which he claimed he had forgotten it, yet wanted the interpretation. We can find this story from Daniel 2:1-48.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon called all the wise men, magicians of his kingdom, and told them he had a dream, but had forgotten the dream, and so these wise men should tell him the dream and give him the interpretation of it. He told them that if they were to get him  the answers  he will reward them, with so much benefits,  but if they are not able to find the answers, then they would all be killed. This condition is like most events or challenges in life. It offers problems, without solution, but demanding answers, which if you are not able to answer, it may cause your death.

The wise men in our story said the King’s demands was too much, and that no one could answer such a puzzle. The king quickly asked that every wise man in his kingdom be picked and slaughtered. Daniel and his young friends, who were being prepared to be among the fraternity of the wise men were also added to the wisemen to be killed. This is a condition that normally prevails in our day-to-day live encounters.

Daniel did not accept the King’s decision for them to be killed. He believed in his God who is able to do all things. In every life difficulty, the Christian’s stand is,  my God can do all things. He asked for audience with the king and pleaded for some time to seek the face of his God. Nothing is too big for our God to answer. Seek His face for a way out. Daniel was granted that wish. Never be afraid to say your God is able to make a way out, He would honour His name.

Daniel and his friends sought the face of the Lord who gave them the answer. Many Christians would have found solutions to the myriads of challenges that humans are faced with. Daniel was led to the king and then revealed the dream and its interpretation. The following was the result of Daniel’s exploits. Dan 2:47 KJV “The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.” King Nebuchadnezzar did not know about the God of Daniel, yet because of this event he got to know him, and gave Him the glory. Daniel was also made a very great man in the kingdom of Babylon.

Our world is bedeviled with all kinds of problems, with some being life-threatening. God says call upon Him concerning these things, He would answer and show you great and mighty things that you have no idea about. Jeremiah 33:3.

CONFESSION

Thank you, heavenly Father, for making me light to the world. I put my trust in you, as I seek your guidance to find out solutions as well as taking steps that will reveal your power and glory to my world. Thank you, Lord, for all your goodness.

FURTHER STUDIES

Phil 2:15 KJV “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

1Pet 2:9 KJV But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matt:16 KJV” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

The Lord said we are the light of the world and so we must shine so much that, men will see it and give glory to God our father.  Shinning means bearing the fruits of righteousness. It is all about demonstrating the word in our lives. Our Lord Jesus led a kind of life, that the bible said His fame went abroad seeing the manifestation of the glory of God.  Great exploits are always demonstrated through faith in the word of God.

How can we shine in a world that has become so secular? The Lord taught in John 15;1-15 that, if we are to bear much fruit, then we must abide in Him. Abiding in Him involves how deep our fellowship with the Holy Spirit is.  The Holy Spirit is the glory of God according to Rom 6:4.He is also the exceeding great and resurrection power at work in us who believe according to Eph 1:19, 20.

We are called to shine   in every aspect of our lives. We are to shine in our moral life social life, business life, marital and every area of our relationship with men.

The Lord said He does nothing without receiving instructions from the Holy Spirit. What you need to do is to Learn to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. The next act is to learn to wait for the instruction of the Holy Spirit. The Lord said in Matt 7:7, that ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Humanity is faced with many difficult problems that have no human solutions. I believe if we would learn to ask, seek, and knock before the Holy Spirit, in prayers, we would find answers to these needs. Wherever you find yourself you can make up your mind to shine. Understand that as a child of God, you have a better advantage over the man who is not saved.

PRAYER

Lord, grant me the heart to be diligent in all I do, trusting and following the counsel of the Spirit. Help me to learn to wait on the Holy Spirit for direction as well as being disciplined to wait on Him for ultimate answers to difficult issues. May the guidance of the Spirit bring that needed help to my world in Jesus’ name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Dan 2:16-19 KJV” Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Rom 4:17 KJV “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”

God calls those things which be not as though they were. When the Lord was invited to go heal Lazarus, He wanted for a few those, and then asked His disciples to go and raise him up from sleep. His disciples remarked, Lord if he is sleeping, he would surely wake up. He then answered them, he is dead, but it was good that he was not there, so they would believe. The Lord spoke like God His father, who calls those things which be not as though they were. He was dead, yet He said He is asleep. The Lord made the same statement about Jarius daughter, who had died. Mark 5:39 KJV” And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. “

The Lord spoke out what he wanted, and not according to the pending situation. He called those things which be not as though they were. Well, He got what He wanted or said. This is the language of faith. Faith, according to Hebrews 11:1 is the assurance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. The Lord called what He hoped to get as though He already had it. This is what Joel 3:10 says.” Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” All these are done on the grounds that would honour our faith stands.

Bishop David Oyedepo shared a story he experienced. He had to pay his working staff on a particular day, but there was no money. He called his cashier and told him to pay the staff by 2pm the next day. He has taught his cashier, never to say there is no money, whenever such instructions were given. The cashier just kept mute waiting for the hour to come. An hour or two before that pay time, a gentleman, from another state came with a cheque that was just about the amount to pay the whole staff. This was calling forth, what was not there as though it was. The Lord Jesus would want every child of God to speak that way. Speak health when sickness seem to attack your body. Call forth strength, when weakness seem to overwhelm you. This is God’s way of speaking, and He would honour your words.

CONFESSION

Faith language is living in the answer, it is calling what you hope to see as already with you. I hope to have strength over my weak body, I say I am strong, Although I may be lacking financially, I declare I am very rich. God honours my faith with answers.

THOUGHT: A STRONG FAITH COUPLED WITH, THE RIGHT CORRESPONDING EORDS WOULD ALWAYS BRING THE RESULTS

FURTHER STUDIES

Heb 11:13 KJV “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

Heb 11:19 KJV” Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

KEY SCRIPTURE;1Th 5:18 KJV” In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

The life of the Christian should never be dry and living in a long period of depression. There is too much for us to be thankful about. The scriptures are full of exceeding great and precious promises that we have to acquaint ourselves with, so by them, we would have a lot to be thankful about. A thankful heart cannot be depressed.

The thankful Christian walks in an abundance of miracles.

What do we thank God about?

Thank God for being your shepherd and so you have everything you need.

Thank God for sending angels to help, protect and supply you with all you need. Heb 1:14

Thank God for in Christ all His promises are yes, and that whatever He has promised is already so in Christ Jesus.2 Corinth 1:20.

Thank God that He is your helper and your keeper who never, slumbers or sleeps, for He is the shield on your right hand that would not allow the sun to smite you by day that is no evil that prevails in the day would attack and overpower you, and would not allow the moon, to smite you, by night, that is no evil traveling by night would attack you. Ps 121:1-6

Thank God for blessing you with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ, including peace of mind, good health to your body, spiritual understanding and many other blessings. Eph 1:3.

Thank the Lord for air we breath freely, for the sun that supplies energy to us all and for the beautiful flowers, vegetation, and the sea. Thank God for such a beautiful world we have.

Thank God for all the wonderful and lovely friends we have around. Thank Him even for those who dislike you, for they help you learn, longsuffering and patience.

Thank Him for the many answered prayers. Thank Him for the many deliverances from all calamities. Thank him for the trials that come our way, that makes us see His faithfulness and the reality of His power. Fill your heart with thanksgiving. In each moment let a word of thanksgiving flow to the Father.

Thanksgiving is an act of expressing God’s faithfulness, He would always come to you with answers that would make you Thank him for it is His will that you always thank Him under all situations.

CONFESSION

I thank you my heavenly father for your abundant goodness unto me. Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for saving my soul and making me a citizen of heaven, thank you for making me a master over devils, and giving me the right to use the name of Jesus on this earth. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

THOUGHT: THANKSGIVING, RELAXES THE NERVES AND ASSURES THE HEART, THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL.

FURTHER STUDIES

Joh 11:41 KJV” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.”

1Co 1:4 KJV” I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Th 5:18 KJV” In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

The Lord tells us that, it is the will of God that in all things we give thanks. One may do this in a superficial or mechanical way, that will not benefit him or her much. Note, true thanksgiving draws us closer to the Lord, making us appreciate Him, loving Him as well as increasing our faith in Him. There is also the superficial thanksgiving, in which one gives thanks all right, because the scripture commanded it, yet it does not have any emotions of attachment and deep appreciation of God’s goodness.

One man in the scriptures who appreciated God’s goodness was King David. When the Ark of God was brought from Abinadab’s House, in Gibeah.2nd Samuel 6:1-21. David according to the bible, he danced with all His might, so much that his clothes nearly went off him. His wife Michal saw it and despised him in her heart. She was not silent about it, yet spoke to him, that he disgraced Himself before the daughters of Israel. David said to her that he was a mere shepherd boy when the Lord chose Him, in place of His father King Saul. He added, I will play and make myself vile before the Lord.2 Sam 6:20.

 What was the secret of David’s deep appreciation of the Lord goodness unto him? David was one who spent a great deal of time meditating about God’s goodness and greatness. Let’s look at a few statements He made about meditation.

Psalms 63:6 KJV “When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.”

Psalms 77:12 KJV” I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.”

Psalms 119:148 KJV” Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.”

All these verses show us that King David spent a great deal of time reflecting over God his nature, attribute and many more. This made him to love the Lord the more, caused him to deeply thank God.

CONFESSION

I will meditate on the goodness of God to me. Indeed, God is good and will forever be gracious of His kindness unto me. In all things and at all times I will thank Him.

THOUGHT: THE MORE YOU KNOW THE LORD, THE MORE YOU WOULD THANK HIM.

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Th 5:18 KJV “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Thanksgiving is an act that liberates man from satanic controlled. The cream of the devil’s onslaught is you make man blame God, or at best to complain. Anyone who finds himself in such a state has freely given himself or herself to the devil. He has tied God’s hands from working in HIS life. The Holy Spirit cautions us to do all things without murmuring and disputing or complaining (Phil 2:14). Rather He tells us to give thanks in all situations. This means whether times are good or bad, we must continually thank the Lord. When the sun shines, we must thank Him, and when the rains fall in torrents, we must still give Him thanks.

Why must we always thank the Lord.

The first response is that He has asked us to give Him thanks under all situations.

Secondly, thanking God even at bad times means that we acknowledge He is in control of all things and His thought concerning us are thoughts of peace and goodwill. Our thanksgiving causes us to take a stand with Him and subsequently partake of that goodwill He has for us. When a man grows bitter and hurting as a result of what happens, he takes a stand with the devil, and so gives expression to those negative utterances from the devil and subsequently an access for him to control that individual’s life. It is always good to give thanks.

Apostle Paul by the agency of the Holy Spirit instructs us in times of anxiety never to allow that negative condition to take us, but with prayer, supplication and thanksgiving WE should make our request unto the Lord, and the peace of God which passes understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Thanksgiving is always a d3vlaration of our faith in God and our faith in such times brings a turnaround.  In Acts 16:25,-31, when Paul and Silas were arrested and locked up in a dungeon in the prison at Macedonia. Instead of lamenting over their plight, they praised the Lord and thanked Him. The result was an absolute turnaround of their situation. The was an earthquake, and the stocks and chains were brokered. In acts 5:41 apostles Peter and John rejoiced for the opportunity to suffer for the master. They thanked the Lord.

CONFESSION

Thank you heavenly father, for your love and power. Nothing takes you by surprise, I thank you in all things. I am forever seated with you in heavenly places, far above all Principalities and power or name, and so, no matter what happens, I am still higher than them all. Nothing depresses me, for I have overcome all of them.

THOUGHT: THANKSGIVING TIES THE HANDS OF SATAN

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 50:14 KJV “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Psalms 26:7 KJV That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.