YOU WILL BE RESTORED

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, August 31
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Psalms 14:7 NLT "Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel? When the Lord restores his people Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice."

YOU WILL BE RESTORED

To restore is to bring back, to re-establish, re-install, re-impose, re-instate, replace; to return someone or something to a previous condition, position or place; to repair; fix, mend. In other words, a recovery. Hallelujah!

Restoration is one of the ministries of Christ. 1 John 3:8 says that Jesus came to destroy the works of Satan. Some translations used the word "undo"; Jesus came for the undoing of the works of Satan; He corrects the errors in our lives, He replaces what we lost, He re-installs us in places of authority, He returns those who are lost, He mends broken hearts, relationships, homes and businesses, He renews worn out and tired parts, and He replaces dead things with brand new ones! Hallelujah!

The Psalmist said, "When the Lord restores his Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice." It's time for you to shout for joy! Today, you will rejoice, in the name of Jesus! Your mourning is hereby terminated! I decree double for all your troubles! Today, I anoint you with the oil of gladness! Double honour is yours, in the name of Jesus! I declare too a recovery of lost and wasted time, in the name of Jesus!

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YOU WILL BE WELL PAID

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, August 30
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Matthew 20:8 MSG “When the day’s work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, ‘Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.’"

YOU WILL BE WELL PAID

Both those who work and those who don't know the importance of a salary or wage; the unemployed know when the employed are paid and they hope for a share of that money; and even when the money isn't sufficient the employed are happy to be compensated for their work done, and sometimes the stress of getting their jobs done. The transaction alerts workers get at the end of the month delights quite a number of them.

Well, there's no better employer than Jesus! And no one pays better than Him. I said to myself some years ago, "It is good to work for others, better to work for yourself and best to work for God." Hallelujah! It's a great thing to work for the Lord. No one who serves Him with a perfect heart, faithfully and patiently, ever regrets working for Him. He pays both now and in the life to come!

1 Corinthians 15:58 says "So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted." The Message Version of it says, "My dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort."

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YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, August 29
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

1 Peter 2:6 ERV "The Scriptures say, “Look, I have chosen a cornerstone of great value, and I put that stone in Zion. Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.”

YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED

People come to Jesus for different reasons; a healing, a job, marriage, visa, a miracle, peace of mind, joy, improved standard of living, deliverance, direction, promotion, children, contracts, etc. It's okay, He's the answer to every human need, and He desires to help us. Hallelujah!

God is good to everyone who puts His trust in Him. While Jesus was here on earth, He turned water to wine, healed the sick, raised the dead, opened blind eyes, cleansed lepers, made the lame to walk, He delivered people from years of bondage, gave people brand new lives, brand new beginnings, forgave sinners, He delivered men from guilty consciences and He liberated men and women from poor self esteems!

Why did you come to Jesus, and what are you believing Him for today? The Holy Spirit wants you to know that you will not be disappointed. It may seem like it will never happen, it may seem to be too late, it may seem lost and hopeless, but you will not be disappointed! Today's word is for you, believe it, confess it, prophesy! Cheer up, laugh and be happy. .. you will not be disappointed! Jesus never fails.

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DIVINE EXCHANGES

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, August 28
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Isaiah 43:4 GW "Since you are precious to me, you are honored and I love you. I will exchange others for you. Nations will be the price I pay for your life."

DIVINE EXCHANGES

The verse above is mind blowing! God is saying that He will exchange lives for ours, and even nations if He has to! In other words, instead of you to die, someone else will die; instead of you to be attacked, someone else will be attacked; instead of your children to be harmed, children of others will be harmed; and instead of you to be fired, someone else will be fired! Wow! Hallelujah!

Proverbs 11:8 says, "A righteous person is rescued from trouble, and a wicked person takes his place." And Proverbs 21:18 says "Wicked people become a ransom for righteous people, and treacherous people will take the place of decent people."

You shall not die! No weapon formed against you shall prosper! You shall not be hit by the arrows of the wicked! There shall be no loss! A thousand man fall by your side, but no evil shall affect you! You will succeed where others have failed! You will prosper where others have lost out! No evil pronouncements aimed at you shall come to pass! Favour is yours! Even when you show up late, you will still be preferred! Your competitors shall surrender to you! In the name of Jesus!

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CREATED FOR GLORY, NOT SHAME

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, August 27
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Romans 2:24 KJV "For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written."

CREATED FOR GLORY, NOT SHAME

I saw the above verse many years ago, and it has been my desire that men will not blaspheme and insult God because of me. Isaiah 43:7 says that we were created for the glory of God. Our lives should glorify Him, not otherwise. I'd rather die than give men reason to dishonour my God! I'm not claiming to be perfect, but my desire is to please God and not to be a stumbling block for the salvation of others.

Let's examine ourselves today. By the way you are living, are men glorifying God or insulting Him and the church? Will men, your neighbours, friends and colleagues agree to come to church and give their lives to Christ because of the way you live and the words that proceed from your mouth? If your answer is no, then you must repent and change.

We are open letters known and read by all. There's no news worse than that of a Christian reported for wrongdoing. Oh! May I never be the one to give the world another reason to say rubbish about the Church of Jesus Christ! May my life and my ministry only glorify He Whom I love with all my heart! Amen.

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THAT OTHERS MAY BE SAVED

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, August 26
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

1 Corinthians 4:11 ERV "Even now we still don’t have enough to eat or drink, and we don’t have enough clothes. We often get beatings. We have no homes."

THAT OTHERS MAY BE SAVED

I felt like crying as I read the above verse. A full grown man, who was well educated and influential, was beaten several times, stoned, imprisoned, out in the cold countless times, hungry, so that the people of his generation could be saved! We rarely see or hear about such men today. It's certainly not what we want to pass through for any reason.

Can I talk to you about Christianity? It's not all about wearing nice suits and looking good, it's not all about sitting in the comfort of your house claiming the promises of God for you and your children, neither is it all about bearing titles and acquiring degrees! It's about paying the price for many more to be saved!

Some of my fondest memories are of times when we went on "missionary journeys" in school to rural areas. Sometimes there was no accommodation, we would put up places; be beaten by rain, planks and mats were our beds; we woke up very early, walked long distances, so we could preach to people far away from where we were.

It's all about our love for souls. You were saved to save others. You were ministered to so you would minister to others. If Jesus left heaven and suffered so much that we might be saved, we should willingly do same for others. How many of us will say like Paul, "All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death." Philippians 3:10

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SEEKING THE FACE OF GOD

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, August 25
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Joshua 9:14 ERV "The men of Israel wanted to know if these men were telling the truth. So they tasted the bread—but they did not ask the Lord what they should do."

SEEKING THE FACE OF GOD

To seek the face of God simply means to pray to Him, to consult Him, to seek His will, His plans and His intentions. Psalms 27:8 KJV says "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." NLT says "My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

God wants us to seek His face instead of trusting in our own wisdom. You know, we like to think that we are smart. And then we make terrible mistakes, and look for whom to blame. The Israelites were deceived by tasting the bread; just as a lot of people have been deceived by samples, facts, characters and appearances shown to us.

Develop a habit of seeking the Lord. I read of a man who never made investment decisions until he had heard from God, and he said he never lost at any time. He would lock himself in a room meditate on the word and pray until He heard from God what he should do. God is our Father and He wants to help us. His desire is to deliver us from deception and to help us make the right decisions thus receiving only what's best for us.

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THEY SHALL FALL FOR YOUR SAKE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, August 24
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Matthew 26:3-4 ERV "Then the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders had a meeting at the palace where the high priest lived. The high priest’s name was Caiaphas. In the meeting they tried to find a way to arrest and kill Jesus without anyone knowing what they were doing. They planned to arrest Jesus and kill him."

THEY SHALL FALL FOR YOUR SAKE

Are you aware that people are having meetings for your sake? They are meeting to discuss your future; what they will do to you, how they will frustrate you; keep you in one spot; and probably deal with you. While you're living your life, they are taking decisions about you, your job, your business, your family and your dreams. It's you I'm talking to today.

Isaiah 54:15 says "Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake." Hallelujah! I don't care who they are; according to the Scriptures, they shall fall and fail woefully in the name of Jesus!

Today the Lord shall fight for you. Psalms 2:1-2, 4-5 says "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure." So shall it be! Give God praise!

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THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF OUR ACTIONS

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, August 23
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Romans 5:19 ERV "One man disobeyed God and many became sinners. But in the same way, one man obeyed God and many will be made right."

THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF OUR ACTIONS

Adam and Eve may not have sinned if they knew what the effects of their sin would be. Because of what they did, all men became sinners and have suffered thereby. Thank God that Jesus came and made a way for us. Hallelujah!

Do you know that the things you are doing today have far reaching effects and consequences? Are you aware that your generations unborn could be affected by what you are doing today - good or bad? Yeah. After Solomon backslid, and God was going to tear the kingdom apart, He said He would delay action because of his father David. And why were the Amalekites wiped out? Because of what their fathers did.

For one thing that he did, God said to Moses, "Tell Phinehas that I am making a peace agreement with him. This is the agreement: He and all of his family who live after him will always be priests, because he had strong feelings for his God. And he did what was needed to make the Israelites pure.” Be the Phinehas that will receive eternal blessings for your generations. There's something that you can do for God today that will delight Him. Do it.

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HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND PROSPEROUS

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, August 22
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Psalms 1:1-3 ERV "Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream — a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful."

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND PROSPEROUS

I do not hide the fact that I want to be rich: I'm not talking about being rich in faith now, I mean financially rich. And without apology! Why? Because, first, it is the will of God for me, and second, because there's so much to accomplish for God with money! I also need to be a blessing to the needy, as much as I can. Show me a man who doesn't need money and I will immediately show you a man without a great dream. Except if his dream is to pray all his life. Which is good. I will support him.

But I'm not going to be rich by the ways of the world; cheating, stealing, begging, crime, gambling, excessive charges, etc; I'm going to be rich by God's ways! My salvation is more important to me than being wealthy. I don't want whatever I can't receive from God and by grace.

The blessing of God makes rich and Psalm 1:1-3 reveals how we can receive the blessing. Meditate on those words again and again and commit yourself to do what it says consistently. The latter part says everything you do will be successful. Other versions say you will prosper in everything! EVERYTHING! Hallelujah!

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GO SLOW

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, August 21
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

James 1:19 CEB "Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry."

GO SLOW

We tend to get angry quickly these days, and we express anger anywhere and anytime; in the bank, traffic, restaurants, registration centres, market, and at home too, a place where we ought to rest and be refreshed. Many times because we want things done faster; we want to get to certain places faster, we want to end meetings earlier, we want faster service; we are generally in a hurry, delays get us frustrated and worked up.

Why do we really get angry? Because things are not being done as planned or expected. Think about it: that's why bosses are angry with subordinates; that's why customers are angry with their service providers; that's why parents are angry with their children; that's why spouses are angry with each other; and so on. We get angry because our expectations are not being met. We expect better services and better treatment - from the government, employers, family, friends, neighbours, spouses, etc.

I think it will help to understand that things will not always work out as planned; that people have their own wills; that not everyone is okay; that people and systems are imperfect; and that certain things are just beyond control. That's not to excuse inefficiencies and incompetence, but to help you control your emotions. Especially when anger will not solve the problem! Why cry over spilt milk? Sometimes there's really no need for anger: he almost hit your car but didn't, so just drive on! Do you understand? Reserve your energy for more productive purposes, overlook some things, go slow.

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Special Invitation

First Anniversary
First Conference
Ministers of Life Conference
September 21, 2014
5:00PM

School Hall, Etim Ekong Nyong Memorial Model School, Plot 59C, Abong Asang, Etta Agbor, Calabar. 

You're invited! 

LIVING BY DIVINE GUIDANCE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, August 20
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Acts 16:6-8 ERV "Paul and those with him went through the areas of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit did not allow them to tell the Good News in the province of Asia. When they reached the border of Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go there. So they passed by Mysia and went to the city of Troas."

LIVING BY DIVINE GUIDANCE

Paul was called to preach the gospel; he even had a vision of Jesus calling him to the ministry. The same Paul said, "Woe to me if I preach not the gospel." And you know, he was always ready to preach even when his life was threatened. Yet, he did not preach in certain places at a time because the Holy Spirit asked him not to.

So I ask: Isn't there a commandment to preach the gospel everywhere? Doesn't God love the whole world? Didn't Jesus die for everyone? Didn't He say we are to witness unto the uttermost parts of the earth? Isn't it the work of the Holy Spirit to lead all men to repentance? The answers are the same: yes. Yet, the Holy Spirit asked Paul not to preach in certain places at that time!

Learn from it and be wise. Lots of believers are doing things that God hasn't led them to do and they are wondering why they are not being blessed for what they are doing or have done. How can you be blessed when you're not living by the guidance of the Lord! Just because you have money and strength doesn't give you the "right" to do whatever you like; you must let God lead you always. You're not wiser than God, you can never be more zealous than Him and you can't love more than Him! This is a word of wisdom for someone.

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YOUR NAME IS IN THE BOOK OF LIFE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, August 19
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Philippians 4:3 ERV "For this I make a special request to my friend who has served with me so faithfully: Help these women. They worked hard with me in telling people the Good News, together with Clement and others who worked with me. Their names are written in the book of life."

YOUR NAME IS IN THE BOOK OF LIFE

I love to keep records. Not records of wrongs! I used to many years ago, until the Holy Spirit changed me. The Bible says that love keeps no record of wrongs! Well, I have books and diaries for different purposes; some are just there, unused, until I figure out what to do with them. Guess what; I was glad to know that God too loves to keep records! It made me feel like Him.

But there's a very important book in heaven. It's the most important book, if you ask me; it's the book of life. Woe unto the man whose name is not in the Book of Life! Revelation 20:12 says "And I saw those who had died, great and small, standing before the throne. Some books were opened. And another book was opened—the book of life. The people were judged by what they had done, which is written in the books." Revelation 21:27 says "Nothing unclean will ever enter the city. No one who does shameful things or tells lies will ever enter the city. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter the city."

If you are born again, your name is in the book of life. Hallelujah! But you must be careful to ensure that your name remains in the book of life. Jesus let us know that names can be removed from the book of life. He said, "Everyone who wins the victory will be dressed in white clothes like them. I will not remove their names from the book of life. I will say that they belong to me before my Father and before his angels." Revelations 3:5. Our names will not be removed from it in Jesus name! Amen.

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YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO LOVE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, August 18
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

1 Thessalonians 4:9 AMP "But concerning brotherly love [for all other Christians], you have no need to have anyone write you, for you yourselves have been [personally] taught by God to love one another."

YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO LOVE

A Christian should have no problem loving other people. If we say that we have the nature of God in us, what we are saying in essence is that we are like God. And God is love.

The Apostle talked about brotherly love, love for fellow Christians. This love is more than attending other people's churches or organizing joint Christian programmes with other believers. Brotherly love has to do with how we live with, and treat each other within and outside the church.

James 2:9 says "But if you are treating one person as more important than another, you are sinning." James 4:11 says "Brothers and sisters, don’t say anything against each other." Hebrews 13:3 says "Don’t forget those who are in prison. Remember them as though you were in prison with them. And don’t forget those who are suffering. Remember them as though you were suffering with them." Romans 12:13 says "Share with God’s people who need help. Look for people who need help and welcome them into your homes." And Romans 12:10 says "Love each other in a way that makes you feel close like brothers and sisters. And give each other more honor than you give yourself."

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YOU ARE ONE WITH GOD

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, August 17
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

John 14:20 ERV "On that day you will know that I am in the Father. You will know that you are in me and I am in you."

YOU ARE ONE WITH GOD

When Jesus was on earth, He said, “The Father and I are one" and the Israelites took up stones to kill Him. To them, He spoke blasphemy. A lot of you reading this haven't realized that we too are one with God! He is in us and we are in Him! 1 John 4:13, 15 says "We know that we live in God and God lives in us. We know this because he gave us his Spirit. Anyone who says, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God,” is a person who lives in God, and God lives in that person."

The implication of this should be seen in our words and our works, that is, what we say and what we do. Jesus said "Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The things I have told you don’t come from me. The Father lives in me, and he is doing his own work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or believe because of the miracles I have done." John 14:10-11

Who's responsible for your words and your actions? Where do you get your inspirations from? Until we begin to walk in this revelation we will never be able to do the works of Christ and the words we say will be ordinary words. I want to be able to talk like Jesus! He said, “I assure you that the Son can do nothing alone. He does only what he sees his Father doing. The Son does the same things that the Father does." John 5:19. Wow!

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YOU ARE PROTECTED

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, August 16
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Psalms 91:11 ERV "He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go."

YOU ARE PROTECTED

A Christian, at any level, can actually do without security operatives. As I took a walk at night yesterday, I went to get something from a shop nearby, I was conscious of the presence of angels and I meditated on the story about Elisha and his servant.

The king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a large army to Dothan, to capture Elisha the man of God from his house. They arrived at night and surrounded the city. In the morning, Elisha's servant woke up and was scared when he saw them. He ran into the house to tell Elisha, and Elisha laughed out loud! Hahaha! Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, I ask you, open my servant’s eyes so that he can see.” The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and the servant saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire. They were all around Elisha. Hallelujah!

It's okay to employ private guards if you can afford them, but your trust should be in God alone; Psalms 127:1 says "If it is not the Lord who watches over the city, the guards are wasting their time." You are not only protected from physical attackers, you are also protected from spiritual attackers; from diseases and all other forms of attack! It doesn't matter how close they are to where you are, neither does it matter if others around you are being hit; the word of God says that even though you see it with your eyes, it will never come near you! Glory to God!

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YOU CAN NOT BE STOPPED

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, August 15
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Acts 5:38-39 ERV "And so now I tell you, stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If their plan is something they thought up, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You might even be fighting against God himself!”

YOU CAN NOT BE STOPPED

Can I tell you something? When you are in the will of God, you are unstoppable! Hallelujah! Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 "I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church." If you are a member of the church then you are unstoppable!

When men try to stop you, they do not realize that they are trying to stop God, for God is with you, leading and ordering your steps. Romans 8:31 says "So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us." God is with you!

According to John 7:30, when they tried to arrest Jesus they couldn't because at that time His time had not yet come. Hear the word of the Lord, all those trying to stop you will never succeed! It doesn't matter what they are attempting to stop you from doing, getting or achieving; right now, they are rendered completely powerless, in the name of Jesus! And if you are experiencing any form of limitation, I declare you set free, now, in the name of Jesus! Amen.

Have a blessed day.

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YOU HAVE POWER

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, August 14
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Luke 10:19 KJV "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

YOU HAVE POWER

Christianity without power is Christianity built on a weak foundation. Paul said to the Corinthians, "My teaching and my speaking were not with wise words that persuade people. But the proof of my teaching was the power that the Spirit gives. I did this so that your faith would be in God’s power, not in human wisdom." 1 Corinthians 2:4-5.

Never be satisfied with a powerless Christianity! God never intended for His Church to minister without His power. It is His power that produces the kind of results that glorify His name.

I'm not talking about belonging to a church with a "powerful man of God"; I'm talking about you and I manifesting the power of God! Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” Acts 1:8. Oh! I'm dreaming of the day when we will take the power of God to the streets as Jesus did! A day when we won't wait for the sick to come to us and call on us, but when on every street signs and wonders will be done as in the days of old! That's my dream! Hallelujah!

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YOU HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, August 13
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

1 John 5:4 KJV "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

YOU HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD

You must realize that the world hates you! A lot of us don't understand this. That's why we are confused when things aren't working as planned; we don't understand what's going on: it hasn't dawned on us that there's a war going on between us and the world all the time!

Jesus said, “If the world hates you, remember that they hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as it loves its own people. But I have chosen you to be different from those in the world. So you don’t belong to the world, and that is why the world hates you." John 15:18-19.

But it's nothing to be worried about because we have overcome the world! Let me tell you something: you are not going to overcome the world, it has already happened! The day you gave your life to Christ was the day you overcame the world! 1 John 5:5 says "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" Hallelujah! God is not asking us to overcome the world, He overcame the world and called us to live in victory! Jesus said, “In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” Don't approach situations as a victim; deal with them as an overcomer! Hallelujah!

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Birthday Pictures and Appreciation

Mary's Birthday Appreciation

“I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your unwavering faith in me, love you forever. Your support means a lot to me”

"Someday I will give back what you have given me. Thank You."

Long life and prosperity!

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, August 12
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Jeremiah 29:11 NET "For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope."

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

My dad is a very good man. Concerned about the rate of unemployment in the country and the uncertainty of getting jobs, he and my late mum established a school, so that we could all have somewhere to work when we graduated. I am very impressed by that, and I'm inspired to do a lot more for my own children. May God bless my dad.

God is more than "a God" to us, He is our Father, and He has plans for everyone of us. And guess what; His plans for us aren't ordinary or average plans, they are great plans! Hallelujah! I love the Contemporary English Version of Jeremiah 29:11. It says, "I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering." Wow!

Who would have thought that David would one day be the greatest king of Israel? But God had a plan for him! You may be poor today, cheer up, God has a plan to prosper you! You may have failed, God has a plan to make you successful! Your results may not be good enough, trust God for His very best! Hallelujah! Job 8:7 says "Your future will be brighter by far than your past." Hallelujah!

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GOD IS WORKING IN YOU

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, August 11
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Philippians 2:13 NLT "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."

GOD IS WORKING IN YOU

A lot of us are not conscious of this truth; the fact that God is constantly at work in us, making us willing and giving us the ability as well to do His will. And because we don't live with this consciousness we sometimes resist His work in us; we think it's our minds telling us to do it, but it's the Holy Spirit.

He does two things: He gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him, and He also restrains us from doing what doesn't please Him. For instance, God said to Abimelech, “Yes, I know that you are innocent and that you did not know what you were doing. I saved you. I did not allow you to sin against me. I was the one who did not allow you to sleep with her." Genesis 20:6.

Hebrews 13:20-21 says, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

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YOU ARE OBEDIENT

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, August 10
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

1 Peter 1:14 KJV "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance"

YOU ARE OBEDIENT

In Bible days, when a person believed the gospel it was said that he or she was obedient to the faith. For instance, Acts 6:7 says, "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." Paul said to the Romans, "For your obedience is come abroad unto all men." Romans 16:19. And Romans 15:18 talks about making the Gentiles obedient.

This obedience is the work of the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel 36:26-27 says "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Hallelujah!

Having obeyed, and being obedient, you've got to stay obedient. That's what Peter was saying; that we shouldn't do those things that we did in ignorance before we believed. There's power in obedience. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 says "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

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Mary's Birthday Invitation

Uptown we will go !!!
A party we will throw!!!
Join me as I celebrate, on my birthday.
Sunday August 10th..
Thanksgiving Service: Methodist Church Nigeria
D-Line Cathedral
Time: 10:00am.
Lunch n games @ Elekahia.
Movies Movies Movies (Half of A Yellow Sun)
Time : 6:30pm
Venue:Silverbird... U are invited

Meet Mary. ..

Likes : Movies, being with friends and family
Dislikes : Eye service, dishonesty
Favourite colour : Blue
Favourite food : Any soup with wheat
Hobbies : Music, reading and travelling
Passion : Helping people
Prayer : To be what God wants me to be

YOU ARE ABLE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, August 9
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 KJV "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament..."

YOU ARE ABLE

God opened my eyes to see the verses above eight years ago; and it is a summary of my life and ministry. We are ABLE MINISTERS! Hallelujah! In other words, we are qualified,  competent, fit, worthy, adequate and sufficient! Not by my power, not by my intelligence, not by my influence, not by my eloquence, not by my natural abilities and not by the qualifications I have; my sufficiency is of God!

1 Corinthians 1:26-28 CEB says, "Look at your situation when you were called, brothers and sisters! By ordinary human standards not many were wise, not many were powerful, not many were from the upper class. But God chose what the world considers foolish to shame the wise. God chose what the world considers weak to shame the strong. And God chose what the world considers low-class and low-life—what is considered to be nothing—to reduce what is considered to be something to nothing."

Paul said, "I give thanks to Him Who has granted me [the needed] strength and made me able [for this], Christ Jesus our Lord..." 1 Timothy 1:12.

Know today that you are able for whatever God has called you to do! Don't think like the ten spies who felt like grasshoppers before the giants, be like Joshua and Caleb who said "we are able because God is with us!" You are an able dad, an able mum, an able student, an able worker! Yes you are!

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PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN HEALING!

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN HEALING!

Please, that you have faith isn't enough reason for carelessness and spiritual rascality. And don't even attempt to be a super hero now. Jesus didn't fall for Satan's temptation to jump down from the top of the mountain because "it is written" that God has given His angels charge over us.

Not all have faith and not all faith are great and strong.

We are not to be afraid, but we are to be responsible. And we will continue to pray for the sick. Get yourself educated about the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Those of you who are always in close contact with other people (by using public transportation, public toilets, densely populated places, pools, hospitals, etc) should please be careful.

Proverbs 18:10 GW "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. A righteous person runs to it and is safe."

@pastorchinae
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YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, August 8
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Matthew 5:14 ERV “You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden."

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

John Maxwell said that leadership is influence. Being Christians makes us leaders in the world. But some of us haven't understood that. Jesus called us lights; and as lights we have a duty to show men how to live. Men should observe how different we are from them and be influenced by us. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12. We should be able to say that.

You are a star! Philippians 2:14-15 says "Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world."

Be a positive influence in society, at home and at work. Ephesians 5:8-11 says "In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. This light produces every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. Try to learn what pleases the Lord. Have no part in the things that people in darkness do, which produce nothing good. Instead, tell everyone how wrong those things are." That's our mandate.

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YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, August 7
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

1 Corinthians 6:19 ERV "You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves."

YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

This topic has always been taught in order that we might abstain from sexual sins. Now, that's very very important. We should not commit sexual sins; we ought to fear God living in us.

But God did not put His Spirit in us just to keep us from committing sexual sins; even if it's a challenge for a man, a time should come when it is no longer a problem for him. The Holy Spirit is in us for greater purposes! Romans 8:9 says "But you are not ruled by your sinful selves. You are ruled by the Spirit, if that Spirit of God really lives in you. But whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ."

Romans 8:11 says, "God raised Jesus from death. And if God’s Spirit lives in you, he will also give life to your bodies that die. Yes, God is the one who raised Christ from death, and he will raise you to life through his Spirit living in you." Hallelujah! Being a temple of the Spirit means that God is always with you, that the divine life of God is at work in you 24/7! It means that you are a package of power, that you belong to God and should not be suffer the same fate as "mere men"! Hallelujah!

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YOU ARE HEALED

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, August 6
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Exodus 15:26 ERV "He said to him, “I am the Lord your God. If you listen to me and do what I say is right, and if you obey all my commands and laws, then I will not give you any of the sicknesses that I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord who heals you.”

YOU ARE HEALED

I haven't been sick in twelve years! Now, that's a verifiable testimony! Physically speaking, I may not be one of the wealthiest men on earth, but I am definitely one of the healthiest! You can only imagine how much money I've saved myself, my parents and friends over time. Glory to God! And I'm not afraid of getting sick! I'll never be sick again!

I said that to prove to you that you too can live in health. I know people who are also living in health. Healing is good; but health is the best! You can decide today to enjoy what God has freely given you in Christ! 1 Peter 2:24 says "Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you were healed." If you were healed over 2,000 years ago, then you should stop being excited today about a healing! Do you understand?

Refuse to be sick! Refuse to accommodate Small pox, Ebola, HIV, Cancer, Sars, Malaria and any other disease! Get your Bible, search the Scriptures, lay a firm hold on the promises and fight your fight of faith! I fought my fight for two years: if it takes you ten years, keep believing until your change comes! Hallelujah!

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YOU ARE BLESSED

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, August 5
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Psalms 115:12-15 ERV "The Lord remembers us. He will bless us. The Lord will bless his followers, great and small. May the Lord give more and more to you and to your children. May you receive blessings from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

YOU ARE BLESSED

1 Peter 3:9 says we were chosen to be blessed! The King James Version says we were called to inherit a blessing! I love that. Galatians 3:14 says that because of what Jesus did, Abraham's blessings were given to us! Hallelujah!

The blessing makes rich; the blessing makes successful; the blessing makes productive; the blessing makes fruitful; the blessing preserves; the blessing brings favour; the blessing promotes; the blessing elevates; the blessing empowers; and the blessing increases you more and more!

I'm not asking you to pray to God for a blessing; I'm only informing you of what God has already done! Ephesians 3:6 says "And this is the secret truth: that by hearing the Good News, those who are not Jews will share with the Jews in the blessings God has for his people." Wow! I am blessed! You are blessed! We are blessed! It may not seem so right now, but my life is as the sun that is shining brighter and brighter!

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ALONE WITH THE LORD

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, August 4
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

John 4:7-8 ERV "A Samaritan woman came to the well to get some water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” This happened while his followers were in town buying some food."

ALONE WITH THE LORD

Jesus had scheduled a life transforming encounter with the Samaritan woman unknown to anyone; and for that to have happened He sent His disciples to get food. Had they been there, they would have distracted Jesus from accomplishing His goals and the woman wouldn't have been comfortable talking with Jesus, in company of twelve other men.

When Jacob too had his encounter with God, it happened while he was alone. Genesis 32:24 says, "Jacob was left alone, and a man came and wrestled with him. The man fought with him until the sun came up."

Some of us are yet to have divine encounters, special visitations and life transforming moments because there are several distractions in our lives; we've not disciplined ourselves to spend quality time alone with God. Some of us have not put off our televisions in a long time; some of us always have company; and some of us find it difficult to sit still in one place; our quiet times aren't even quiet anymore! And God has been trying to get our undivided attention all along. Luke 5:16 says Jesus went away to places where He could be alone for prayer. We must learn to be alone with the Lord.

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HELPING THE LORD

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, August 3
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Judges 5:23 ERV “The angel of the Lord said, ‘Curse the city of Meroz. Curse its people! They did not come to help the Lord fight.’ They did not help the Lord against his powerful enemies."

HELPING THE LORD

Some people don't think that we can help God. To help is to offer your services and your resources, thereby making it easier or possible for someone to do something. God is a Spirit and He needs you and I to accomplish His will and purposes here on earth. We are called to partner with God for the reconciliation of men to God, for the furtherance of the gospel and for anything else He desires to do here on earth.

When there was a war, the people of Meroz refused to join the other Israelites. After the war was over, and the battle won, God cursed them.

God is displeased when we don't participate in whatever He is doing on earth, especially when we can. There are people who don't give to the work of God; they have but don't give. People who have and don’t give are obviously not praying too! You have no excuse! From your little or much, you ought to willingly offer your resources and your services to God! Don't wait to be asked, give! 2 Corinthians 9:7 says God loves those who are happy to give.

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YOU WILL UNDERSTAND IT LATER

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, August 2
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

John 13:7 ERV "Jesus answered, “You don’t know what I am doing now. But later you will understand.”

YOU WILL UNDERSTAND IT LATER

The other day I was asked about a Christian who slumped and died leaving behind his wife and two little children, not being sick previously. I couldn't say why. It would have been unfair to give answers I wasn't sure of because I never knew him, I didn't know his heart, I didn't know his beliefs, I didn't know his fights, I didn't know what God told him or tried to tell him, or God's will concerning him. 

In life, even in our walk with God, there are certain things that will happen that we would be unable to immediately understand. Imagine how Joseph felt when he was thrown into a pit by his own brothers; sold into slavery; lied upon; cast into prison; and forgotten by people he helped! Surely, he had no idea of what was going on until he later understood that it was God that sent him ahead of his people to preserve lives!

God is awesome. He will not always give us answers and explanations for His actions or things that happen; but we can always trust Him. He knows the end from the beginning and He has His own plans and desires.

You may not understand certain things that are going on right now; that have happened in the past or that are about to happen; just trust in God and ask Him to do His will. Free yourself of anger, worry and sadness. You will understand it better, by and by.

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A CONTINUATION OF HIS GOODNESS

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, August 1
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Genesis 28:15 ERV “I am with you, and I will protect you everywhere you go. I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised.”

A CONTINUATION OF HIS GOODNESS

What God said to Jacob was one of the greatest assurances ever given to man; that He would not leave Jacob until He, God, had done all that He promised to do! Wow!

That assurance was not for Jacob alone. Speaking to the believers that were in Philippi, Paul said, "I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again." Hallelujah!

Here's what God is saying to us, that as this new month begins, there shall be a continuation of His goodness and His blessings in our lives! Even if you saw nothing last month, relax! God is saying that He is still with you and that everything He has said about you will eventually come to pass! The word of God never returns to Him without results; they always succeed wherever they are sent! Hallelujah!

Happy New Month!

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