Monday 31 March 2014

TIME TO HAVE YOUR OWN SHARE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 31
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

TIME TO HAVE YOUR OWN SHARE

Ecclesiastes 5:9 NKJV "Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field."

A recent report by Oxfam International states that almost half of the world's wealth is owned by just one percent of the population. It also states that, "The wealth of the one percent richest people in the world amounts to 65 times the total wealth of the bottom half of the world’s population. In other words, the bottom half of the world’s population owns the same as the richest 85 people in the world."

I don't know about you, but I'm worried that just 85 people have wealth equal to what 3.5 billion people own. More worrisome is the fact that one percent of the richest people in the world are 65 times richer than 3.5 billion people combined! I'm not against them, instead I'm saying that you can, and should enjoy same privileges because it's your God given right!

If the Bible says that the profit of the land is for all, then it's for all, including me! And you too! It's time to have your own share! Enough of begging and borrowing; enough of never having enough; the time has come for you to be liberated from debt and from forced labour, that is, work that you don't enjoy doing. So shall it be, according to my word, in the name of Jesus!

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Sunday 30 March 2014

BEWARE OF CANCEROUS MESSAGES

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 30
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

BEWARE OF CANCEROUS MESSAGES

II Timothy 2:16-18 NKJV "But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some."

What you hear determines your spiritual condition. Maybe I should have said, whatever you hear and accept as truth, will affect you either positively or negatively; your faith will grow or be overthrown as a result of what you hear and store in your heart. Therefore, who and what you listen to matters; the church you attend also matters!

Apostle Paul said that false teachings spread like cancer! And as you may know, cancer is a serious disease caused by abnormal cells, it's very expensive to treat and it often kills. That's the spiritual health condition of people who are affected by wrong teachings, they are in dire and urgent need of deliverance!

Mind what you receive into your spirit! Guard your heart with all diligence! Don't keep listening to wrong teachings, whether from a pulpit or not, no matter how fantastic it sounds or is delivered. Your faith is so precious; protect it!

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Saturday 29 March 2014

THIS IS YOUR TIME

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, March 29
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

THIS IS YOUR TIME

Ruth 3:1 NLT "One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for."

A man's time is whenever he has been remembered by God. A man's time is when God is set to favour and bless him. When it is your time, God arises on your behalf, and nothing will hinder whatever He has decided to do for you. When it is your time, resources and conditions are arranged to assist you. Hallelujah!

When it was Ruth's time to get married, Naomi became restless. When it is your time, men and materials are commanded by God to respond positively to your needs; doors begin to open up effortlessly, your prayers are answered, men give way for you, and you are brought to the limelight!

I'm talking to some specific people right now: this is your time! It doesn't matter what has happened before now; it doesn't matter if you had been rejected hitherto; things may not have been working as desired; I prophesy that your story is now beginning to change! Those who rejected you will now begin to look for you, and will not rest until they find you! In the name of Jesus!

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Friday 28 March 2014

BEYOND THE EXPERIENCES

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, March 28
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

BEYOND THE EXPERIENCES

I Corinthians 10:1, 3, 5 NKJV "Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies  were scattered in the wilderness."

Note that they all had the same experiences: but they were not at all saved by those experiences. They saw great signs and wonders, they heard God speak, they saw clouds, they saw angels and a lot more; they even ate the food of angels, yet many of them died in the wilderness despite having those great and awesome experiences.
Experiences don't save. It's what happens to you as a result of your experiences that matter. The ultimate goal of any minister should not be to get his hearers to have a sweet experience as a result of their songs or messages, the ultimate goal is for something lasting to happen within them as they listen to you.

Don't base your faith on mere experiences; it's sinking sand! The truth is that experiences are temporal, and subject to change. Christianity is not all about having good experiences, there are times when you will be tried and tested with unpleasant experiences. Let your faith be in God and in His word; permit the word to transform you; trust God that no matter what He is always with you and that all things are working together for your good!

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Thursday 27 March 2014

GODS IN HUMAN BODIES

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, March 27
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

GODS IN HUMAN BODY

Psalms 82:6 NLT "I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High."

When you think of God, what goes through your mind? An invisible being, who's everywhere, all knowing, all powerful and wise? Those thoughts are true. What makes God who He is, are His life, His nature, His abilities, His thoughts and His love.

Man, you and I, was created, not just to look like God, we were created like God! You will be blind to this truth as long as you see only the dust (the body of man). God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us." Genesis 1:26. When God created Adam, He breathed into Him His life and His nature! That life could not die, that life could not be sick, that life was creative and innovative, and that life was powerful! 

But sin corrupted the life that God gave to man. However, when a man is in Christ, he is a new creation! Meaning that he ceases to be a "normal" human being; he was born again by the very word of God that is God! Therefore we are gods by virtue of our new birth. If you have received the Holy Spirit, understand that you were turned into another man. Walk therefore in dominion and authority; tread upon scorpions and serpents, and over every power of the enemy! Be a solution to the problems in your world, be a creator and an invenyor, be an extension of God's grace and love!

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Wednesday 26 March 2014

THE UNIVERSITY OF LIFE : WISDOM 101

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, March 26
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

THE UNIVERSITY OF LIFE: WISDOM 101

It's called life; yes, and we are meant to live! Jesus came, not to take us out of the world but to enable us live a wonderful life here, first, until we can no longer be here. We are citizens of heaven; not of the world; but living here in the world now!

We have acquired degrees, we have learnt a lot in schools and in seminars, but what a lot of us haven't done is learn how to succeed at living here in the world. So we keep making mistakes, we keep making losses, we keep getting hurt, we don't respond appropriately to the challenges that confront us, we don't know how to make use of the wonderful heavenly graces that were freely given to us by God!

What we need is the wisdom of God! Don't you understand? The world in which we live was founded by wisdom (Proverbs 3:19)! Therefore you cannot truly succeed without it! If you ever needed a manual for life, it's wisdom! Proverbs 3:13, 16-17 NLT says, "Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying." Wow!

A day without wisdom is a dark day! But I thank God! For in Christ lies all the treasures of wisdom! What you need is not less of Christ, but more and more of Him! He is Wisdom! When He spoke they marvelled, saying, “What wisdom is this?" When you truly discover Jesus in you, you quit looking for secrets to prosper, succeed and to be happy, because He's all you need! Hallelujah!

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Tuesday 25 March 2014

TIME TO REPENT

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, March 25
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

TIME TO REPENT

Joel 2:12-13 NLT "That is why the lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish."

You're a child of God, but you know that you've compromised and are living in sin, it's time to repent. You who was once so passionate about the things of God, have been pressured by your peers and your environment to do wrong, you're now lukewarm and very cold, my dear friend, it's time to repent!

God is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love; unwilling to judge or punish you! But that's only if you turn back to Him in repentance and accept His offer of mercy and grace. If you refuse, then it would be your own fault.

He says, "Turn to me now, while there is time!" Brothers and sisters, dear friends, now is the time to repent, not after you've married or have become old! Turn now while there is time! Tomorrow might be too late! Would you rather have to deal with the consequences of your actions? Receive forgiveness today and be made free of the consequences of your past actions. Repent now, while there is time. Now is the time to repent!

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Monday 24 March 2014

EXCELLING IN GIVING

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 24
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

EXCELLING IN GIVING

2 Corinthians 8:7 NLT "Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us —I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving."

Excellence in every area of life is the will of God for everyone of us. As it is said, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well." In anything God has given us the grace to do, within and without the church, we are to strive to excel in it.

But not many have the desire to excel in giving. You have quite a lot of people eager to excel in preaching, prayer, praise and maybe fasting, but not so many people have a desire to always give more and more. God desires that we excel in giving as well.

Giving is a proof of love. Truth is, the more we love, the greater our desire to give unto the Lord. And that's why God loves cheerful givers! Because they are madly in love with Him! Don't be one of those who complains and grumbles whenever there's an opportunity to give; remember the words of Jesus; it is more blessed to give than to receive.

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Sunday 23 March 2014

THE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 23
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

THE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE

Ezra 3:12 NKJV "But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy."

In the Scripture above, we see two different reactions: the older ones who saw the first temple wept when the foundation was laid because they knew that it was nothing compared to the first one: see Haggai 2:3. The younger ones however, who didn't know how glorious the first temple was, rejoiced.

I fear that that's what's happening in our time! The younger believers are excited about what they are seeing now, they love the new kinds of songs, they enjoy the worship and the dancing, they enjoy the motivational messages and seminars; but they know little or nothing about the glory and the power of God that was manifested in and through the church! Once, the world feared the church, but now, the world conveniently jokes about the church!

I talked about remodelling the Early Church in our day, but the Lord said, “Didn't I say that the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former?" Yes He did in Haggai 2:9! That gives me hope! It makes me excited! In these last days, the Church of Jesus Christ, you and I, will again be exalted and glorified with a greater glory, as prophesied in Isaiah 2:2, and we will do exploits in the name of Jesus! Oh, I can't wait! Hallelujah!

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Saturday 22 March 2014

PRAISING GOD DESPITE YOUR CHALLENGES

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, March 22
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

PRAISING GOD DESPITE YOUR CHALLENGES

Romans 5:3-5 MSG "We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"

There's nothing more important than having an understanding of whatever is happening to you at a particular time. Good things and unpleasant things have their purposes, but if we don't have the right understanding, we won't have the right attitudes at such times.

Paul said they continued to praise God even when they were in trouble because they knew that trouble produces character and patience, which in turn brings the blessings.

You might be in tough times right now; in pain; your heart may be full of unanswered questions, struggling to believe; you may not even understand what's going on or how you will come out of it; but I encourage you today to keep on praising the Lord! One thing is sure: that all things are working together for your good!

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Friday 21 March 2014

SAYING THE RIGHT WORDS

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, March 21
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

SAYING THE RIGHT WORDS

Job 19:1-2 NKJV "Then Job answered and said: “How long will you torment my soul, And break me in pieces with words?"

A lot of problems in the world were caused by words: someone said something that he wasn't meant to say, another person heard it, and then there was war, fighting, malice, deception, sickness and even deaths. Brothers and sisters, what we say with our mouths is powerful enough to either heal or hurt.

Now, if it is possible for our words to have effects on the lives of other people, then it is possible for our words to affect our own lives. Consider the words you have been speaking about yourself, your future and your condition in the past few years; aren't they coming to pass? Maybe you didn't notice because you took your words for granted and spoke carelessly.

Start saying the right words. Don't let your feelings determine what you say except if they are great words. Say what God has already said about you! Feed your mind with the Scriptures so that your mouth will speak from the abundance of a blessed heart. Speak words of faith, healing, compassion and wisdom; speak words of hope and consolation; speak words of power, healing and salvation.

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Thursday 20 March 2014

THE LIFE OF GOD IN US

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, March 20
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

THE LIFE OF GOD IN US

1 John 5:11-12 NLT "And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life."

There are different types of life, too numerous to talk about; these respective lives enables the beings to live wherever they are - on earth, in water, on other planets, etc.

The problem with every earthly life is that they are subdued and corrupted because of sin; every life, including the normal human life is useless, futile, subject to death and decay. That's why all of creation is in bondage, awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19-21). That was why we needed a new kind of life! Jesus came that we might have life, an abundant life, an overflowing life, an overcoming life; a triumphant life; a glorious life! Hallelujah!

If you are born again, I congratulate you! In you is the very nature and life of God! The life of God in you makes you an overcomer, not subject to Satan, sin and sickness! The life of God in you is a powerful life! Brothers and sisters, refuse to be victims henceforth, take advantage of the life in you!

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Wednesday 19 March 2014

WATER BAPTISM

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, March 19
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

WATER BAPTISM

Colossians 2:12 NCV "When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him through your faith in God’s power that was shown when he raised Christ from the dead."

Every one who has been genuinely saved should be baptized in water, and it is very important that it is done. For a long time the church has taught that it is merely an outward show of salvation, but it is a lot more than that! A miracle of transformation occurs every time a man is baptized! Hallelujah! Romans 6:3-4 says we became part of Christ when we were baptized. 1 Peter 3:21 NLT says "And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

The Early Church had a better understanding of water baptism. They baptized a man in water immediately he believed. The Great Commission is incomplete without water baptism. We see in the Book of Acts, people being baptized as soon as they as believed. The Ethopian Eunuch didn't have to be saved for long to know the importance of being baptized; Acts 8:36 says, "While they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The officer said, “Look, here is water. What is stopping me from being baptized?”

If you haven't been properly baptized in water (by immersion) since you believed, I advise that you get baptized immediately. I could tell the moment I was baptized that something awesome had happened in me! I knew I stepped out of that river a changed man! Glory to God!

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Tuesday 18 March 2014

RECEIVING THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, March 18
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

RECEIVING THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

I Kings 9:1-2 NKJV "And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished building the house of the Lord  and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he wanted to do, that the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon."

In the Scripture above, we see that Solomon did all that he desired to do. And it was after he had done all his desires that God appeared to him.

We all have desires: imagine for a moment, you having all that you desire in life, being able to do whatever you want, going to everywhere you desire to go. But sadly, the reality is that the grave is full of unaccomplished desires and goals.

I don't know what your desires are, but I assure you that you can receive them all! Yeah! Here's how: Psalms 37:4 NKJV says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." I love the New Century Version of it, "Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want." It's that easy!

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Monday 17 March 2014

WORKING IN THE DAY

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 17
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

WORKING IN THE DAY

John 9:4 NKJV "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."

First, you've got to realize that you were sent to earth for a divine assignment. While it is good to do things you are passionate about, you've got to be certain that it is what you were born to do.

After discovering your divine purpose, the next thing to know is the time of its fulfilment. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV says that "To everything there  is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." Every vision is for an appointed time! It's so important that you wait for your time, wait for your moment! Purpose fulfilled at the right time is bound to succeed.

Your time is your day; you've got to make the most of every opportunity! Don't procrastinate; when the time comes for you to run, run and do not walk! In just about 3 years Jesus did things that the world will never stop talking about! A time will come when you won't be able to do whatever you ought to do as you would; that time would be your night, a time to rest, a time to handover, a time to pass the baton to someone else, a time to die and prepare to give account to the One Who sent you here.

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Sunday 16 March 2014

TURNING YOUR PAIN INTO GAIN

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 16
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

TURNING YOUR PAIN INTO GAIN

I Samuel 1:10 NKJV "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish."

Thank God for those who made fun of you and made you cry! Thank God for all of them who hated you and made you pass through hell! Thank God for all the bad and unpleasant things that were done to you and said about you! Thank God for those tough times! Let me tell you, they thought that they were frustrating you, they thought they were driving you crazy, you thought you were being pushed to the wall, but they were actually pushing you to your breakthroughs!

Hannah had no children, because of which Peninnah always mocked her and provoked her, year by year. Hannah would weep and be so sad that and she wouldn't eat. Until a day came when she couldn't take it anymore. Then she cried out unto the Lord, and made a vow unto Him. And the children came! Hallelujah!

You can turn your pain to gain through prayer! Maybe you are in pain right now; business hasn't been good, no husband, no children, no promotion, no money, maybe you're sick or suffering from a humiliating disease: whatever it is, don't grumble, don't curse, cry out to God in prayer! You have cried enough. I decree, your days of sorrow are over in the name of Jesus!

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Saturday 15 March 2014

GOD CAN DO IT

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, March 15
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

GOD CAN DO IT

Amos 9:6 GW "The one who builds stairs up to heaven and sets their foundation on the earth, the one who calls for the water in the sea and pours it over the face of the earth— His name is the Lord."

Look at that, the Scripture says that God builds stairs that reach the heavens! Brothers and sisters, how high do you want to rise in life, God can take you there! How massive is the area you seek to cover? God can assist you in accomplishing it! No one has legs long enough, that stretches from the heavens to the earth, but God sits in heaven, and the earth is His footstool! He is the only long leg that you ever need! Hallelujah!

God calls for the waters in the sea and they obey Him! They respond as soon as they hear His voice! What is it that you seek? The word of God can get it to you! Maybe it's too far away beyond your reach, I assure you that God can deliver it to your doorstep! He who calls forth the waters can call forth your lost child back home, He can call for your lost files, and He can call forth that money that is being delayed.

The Lord is His name; He is Who you really need. You don't need a godfather when God is your Father! He can do all things.

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Friday 14 March 2014

LOVE DOES NO HARM

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, March 14
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

LOVE DOES NO HARM

Romans 13:10 NKJV "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

Jesus often taught about love in relation to other people; for instance, love your neighbour as yourself. In my opinion, love is doing something that's in the best interest of another person.

It becomes easy to harm others when we are more in love with ourselves (self), than with other people. Lying, cheating, backbiting, gossip, malice, fighting, and many other negative things happen because we do not have sufficient love for fellow men.

In these last days, as the Scripture says, men shall be lovers of themselves. And that's why the violence and terrorism is not about to end: as the world gradually comes to an end, we would continue to hear news about man's inhumanity to fellow men. But you and I must be different. We must manifest the love of God to whoever we come across, harming no one in anyway (neither by our words and actions).

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Thursday 13 March 2014

A LOYAL HEART

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, March 13
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

A LOYAL HEART

I Chronicles 29:19 NKJV "And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these  things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.”

I think that what is lacking in the lives of a lot of us is a loyal heart. Though we go to church, read our Bibles, pray, read and listen to several messages, yet we live and do as we please. We are simply not loyal to God and to His word.

As with many other things in life, serving the Lord is a choice. No one was forced to believe; if any one was forced to become a Christian, that person certainly needs a genuine encounter with God. If we willingly call Him Lord, why then aren't we loyal and submissive to Him?

We must stop living as though God isn't watching us. We can't continue to deceive ourselves! If we say that we have believed, then let us live as believers, in strict obedience to the words of our Master. God knows His own - those who are loyal to Him, and He will reward them accordingly. Proverbs 28:20 says that a faithful man will abound with blessings. Amen!

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Wednesday 12 March 2014

FAITH FOR MIRACLES

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, March 12
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

FAITH FOR MIRACLES

Matthew 8:8 NLT "But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed."

Just imagine that Jesus was here physically today, He would be receiving several invitations by the rich and powerful, governments and even institutions, to visit and address them. For instance, Zacchaeus was so excited to have Jesus in his house. But in Matthew 8, we read of the Roman Centurion asking Jesus not to bother coming to his house! All he needed was a word from God!

That's remarkable! He said to Jesus, "Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed." There were people Jesus healed by simply touching them, others got healed by touching Him, and there were yet others who got healed by the words of Jesus. You can receive whatever you want from God, wherever you are, and whenever, if you believe!

Miracles and healings are not accidents, they are often a product of faith. As Paul preached in Lystra, a paralyzed man was listening to him, and when Paul realized that the man had faith to be healed, he shouted, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And immediately, the man leaped and walked! Hallelujah! (Acts 14:8-10). That was a man who had never walked! Yes, you can have yours now! For with God, nothing shall be impossible!

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Tuesday 11 March 2014

TROUBLE RESOLUTION SPECIALIST

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, March 11
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

TROUBLE RESOLUTION SPECIALIST

Nahum 1:7 NLT "The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him."

Trouble means difficulty or problems, and there are divers kinds. Difficulties in sleeping, passing an exam, making a payment, having children, getting something, problems at work, at home, in your neighbourhood, health troubles, financial troubles, and so on. Your struggles and challenges, they are all troubles. Troubles may or may not be caused by you.

There are some who have learned to live with their troubles, they have accepted those unpleasant conditions as a part of their lives. I have good news for you! Our God is a Trouble Resolution Specialist! Hallelujah! When your life is full of troubles, He can resolve them all! Yeah!

Psalms 120:1 says, "I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer." Psalms 142:2 says, "I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles." Psalms 34:6 says, "In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles." Psalms 34:17 says, "The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles." Oh, glory to God!

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Monday 10 March 2014

BEING OF THE SAME MIND

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 10
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

BEING OF THE SAME MIND

Philippians 4:2 NKJV "I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord."

I wonder what those two women argued and quarrelled about; their quarrel must have been so great that it was mentioned in the Bible.

God wants every one of us to be of the same mind. We've grown so far apart from each other that it now seems so impossible for us to be in agreement with each other. The devil is a loser! The gates of hell will never prevail against the church of Jesus Christ!

Holiness is not the only criterion for heaven, we are to follow peace with all men! (Hebrews 12:14). Think: who out there are you not at peace with? Maybe it's even with someone within, someone very close to you: It's time for peace.

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Sunday 9 March 2014

LAUGH AT YOUR ENEMIES

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 9
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

LAUGH AT YOUR ENEMIES

1 Samuel 2:1 CEVDCUS06 "Hannah prayed: You make me strong and happy, Lord. You rescued me. Now I can be glad and laugh at my enemies."

You know your enemies, or haters as they are called these days. It's possible that you might not know them, because some of them pretend to like you, but they are actually backstabbing folks who dislike you. These people have made themselves your opposition and they are hostile to you for no just cause.

Maybe it hasn't dawned on you, the world is full of wicked people. Apostle Paul said, "Pray that we may be kept safe from worthless and evil people. After all, not everyone has faith." 2 Thessalonians 3:2. Now, I'm not asking you to go after them or to hate them back, no: your battle is the Lord's. There's a better way to deal with them; laugh at them!

God laughs at His enemies. Psalm 2:1-2, 4 NIV says, "Why do the nations conspire  and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them."

God will prepare a table for you in the presence of your enemies, He will be too good to you! He will strengthen and deliver you, He will make you great and prosperous, He will help you, and then you shall have the last laugh in the name of Jesus! Amen.

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Saturday 8 March 2014

THE GENERATION OF THE UPRIGHT

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, March 8
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

THE GENERATION OF THE UPRIGHT

I Chronicles 8:40 NKJV "The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor—archers. They had many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty in all. These were all sons of Benjamin."

In the papers was a page of appreciation by a notable Nigerian thanking people for attending her daughter’s wedding. The page was full of names of equally notable and wealthy people, the 'who is who' in the country as they say.

Believers were once content with being small, we cared less about being great, wealthy, influential and mighty on earth, all we wanted was to live, die, and wait for Jesus to return to take us home. But God desires us to be a lot more than that! There's a blessing for the righteous, I don't know about you, but I want to enjoy all of God's blessings!

Psalms 112:1-3 NKJV says, "Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord , Who  delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will  be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever." Amen!

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Friday 7 March 2014

WAIT A LITTLE LONGER

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, March 7
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

WAIT A LITTLE LONGER

Luke 13:6-9 NKJV "He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”

There's something in your life that isn't doing well, and you're tired, you're done, you're ready to quit. Maybe it's a business you started couple of years ago, maybe it's a childless marriage, maybe it's school which fees you've been unable to pay, a ministry that's not growing as you desire, or something else.

I come to you with a word from God today, Wait a little longer!

It's darkest just before dawn! So even if it seems like it is getting worse, hold on! God is with you; it will end in praise! Dig around your tree, fertilize it, re-strategize, receive fresh instructions and ideas from the Lord, do things a little differently, keep praying, keep keeping on, it will be well in Jesus name.

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Thursday 6 March 2014

DON'T GO BACK

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, March 6
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

DON'T GO BACK

Song of Solomon 5:3 NKJV "I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; How can I defile them?"

Lot and his family were asked not to look back, his wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt. Some of us don't only look back at the things we did before we were saved, sadly, we go back to them. We put on again the robe of sin and the flesh that we put off, we defile our feet that were washed with the precious blood of the Lamb.

To go back to those things is like returning to our vomit. II Peter 2:20, 22 NKJV says, "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

Ephesians 5:8 NKJV says, "For you were once darkness, but now you  are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light."

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Wednesday 5 March 2014

INSIGNIFICANT, YET CHOSEN TO RULE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, March 5
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

INSIGNIFICANT, YET CHOSEN TO RULE

Micah 5:2 CEB "As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces, one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you. His origin is from remote times, from ancient days."

God doesn't choose, select, appoint or recommend based on the votes of men: as a matter of fact, God doesn't require the approval or opinion or recommendations of any one in order to do anything. He is God, and He does whatever pleases Him. Hallelujah!

Here's what I'm trying to tell you; your dad may have neglected and disowned you, your teachers may have called you stupid and written you off, your boss may have called you useless, you may be the laughingstock of your community, and your peers may be looking down on you; all that are irrelevant if God has decided that it is your set time for favour!

Today, you might be as insignificant as Bethlehem was among others, you might indeed be small with feelings of inferiority; but God has made you a candidate of His goodness! You might not deserve it but God will give it to you! You might not be qualified for it but God will cause it to be yours! When men look down on you, look up to God! He is the Most High and He will lift you higher than you have ever imagined! Hallelujah!

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Tuesday 4 March 2014

YOU'RE STILL GOD'S CHOICE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, March 4
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

YOU ARE STILL GOD'S CHOICE

Isaiah 14:1 KJVA "For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob."

God is unhappy when we sin, no doubt about that; and it is His will that we do not sin. He is holy and righteous and desires that we are always as He is here on earth. Truth be told, at an appointed day, God will judge man for the sins he has committed that were not repented of.

But when a man repents of his sins, God remembers his sins no more! Understand that God is merciful. There are people who have a limited revelation of God; they only know God as a Judge, they are yet to know Him as a Lover! The love of God for man is everlasting: when a man sins, God doesn't ignore him, no, God still reaches out to him with grace and mercy in order that the man might choose to return to Him. Hallelujah!

You're still God's choice! Daily God is reaching out to us all with His mercy, hoping that we will receive it. A yes to God is a yes to recovery of all that was once lost; a decision to change and live solely for God onwards is a decision to be completely restored, refreshed and renewed! Hallelujah!

Hoping that you'll make the right choices today.

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Monday 3 March 2014

IT CAN HAPPEN IN 24 HOURS!

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 3
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

IT CAN HAPPEN IN 24 HOURS!

II Peter 3:8 NKJV "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

God is not a God of hours, minutes and seconds. Even though He created time, He is not in anyway restrained by time. He is in control of time and He determines what happens at any time.

The Bible says that one thousand years is as one day with God. Here's what it means; that God can do in one day what would normally have taken one thousand years to do! Do you understand? I'm trying to tell you that with God, that your ten years plan can be accomplished in a day! That would be a miracle! Yes! He's a God of miracles! Hallelujah!

Only be concerned about being in the will of God and walking with Him. You can get married to the right man next month! Your status can change from employee to employer next week! You can become rich tomorrow! You can get pregnant today! Even if it has never happened before you can be the first person to experience it! So relax! Stop worrying and complaining; stop thinking that it is all over or that it will never happen again. With God, all things are possible!

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Sunday 2 March 2014

DOMINION OVER SIN

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 2
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

DOMINION OVER SIN

Genesis 4:6-7 NLT “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

Something happened when you got born again; you died and resurrected with Christ; you became a new creation; your old nature that was sinful was taken away and the nature of Christ that is holy and righteous was given unto you. Hallelujah!

But that doesn't mean that you will never have sinful desires anymore. The difference between then and now is that then, sin was your master and you were powerless; you couldn't resist sin even if you wanted to; but now, you are a free man! Glory to God! And the Bible says that sin shall not have dominion over you (Romans 6:14). Hallelujah!

Just as God told Cain, sin is eager to regain its control over us but we've got to subdue it and be its master. Romans 6:12 says do not let sin reign in your body; verse 13 says, do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness. In other words, you have the power to say no to sin now; and you must exercise your dominion daily. God's grace is sufficient for you.

Maybe you have already sinned against your will, cheer up; we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus. You can receive forgiveness now: I John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

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Saturday 1 March 2014

NEW KINDS OF MARKETERS

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, March 1
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

NEW KINDS OF MARKETERS

Matthew 4:18-20 MSG "Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed."

There are a lot more marketers today than fishers. As marketers, we persuade prospects to patronise us, we attempt to reactivate dormant relationships and it is our job to get existing customers to do more business with us. How about doing all that for Jesus and for the Kingdom of God?

Peter and some of the disciples were fishermen, and Jesus said He would make them new kinds of fishermen if they followed Him. Today, Jesus seeks to make you a new kind of marketer. He wants to teach you how to get men and women into the Kingdom of God instead of just signing on accounts, selling insurance policies, talking about products and services, and all that.

Peter and John didn't ask questions, they simply dropped their nets and followed Jesus. How about you? Jesus might not be asking you to completely leave whatever you are doing right now, He might only be asking for a few hours of your day. What will your response be? Yes or no?

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