Prophetic Declarations for the Month of December 2015

Prophetic Declarations for the Month of December 2015

I shall not faint in the day of adversity; everyday, my strength is growing more and more by the power of the Holy Spirit, and I am enjoying all the benefits of being in fellowship with other brethren in Christ.

Every promise of God concerning me, my health, my job and business, my family and my ministry shall come to pass in the name of Jesus. The eyes of my understanding are opened to see them and as I believe God for them, nothing will hinder them from manifesting, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

In the name of Jesus, I shall finish my race with joy. No turning back, no looking back; Gods grace is sufficient for me.

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I am divinely enabled to do all that God wants me to do. I can do all that the word of God says I can do.

My life is filled with heavenly light; I will never live in the dark. From this moment, every form of darkness is banished from my life in the name of Jesus.

Jesus became poor so that through His poverty I might be rich. Therefore in the name of Jesus I am becoming rich and growing wealthier every day. There is peace and prosperity in my house.

Jesus was mocked for my sake therefore I shall never be mocked. Today, I receive my liberty from every embarrassing situation of life in the name of Jesus. Amen.

I was raised up and I am seated together with Christ in the heavenly places far above principalities and powers. I receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation and I am becoming more aware of who I am and my authority in Christ.

I am a child of the covenant keeping God. And based on Gods new covenant with us, my peace, success and salvation are guaranteed in Jesus name. Amen.

From today, I delight myself in the Lord and I am receiving the desires of my heart.

I am more valuable to God than anything else in the world; I am the child of the Most High God.

I am a kingdom builder, and like Jesus I am going about doing good because the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit.

From today I am living a blameless life; I wrong no one and cheat no one. I am a man or woman of integrity and everything I do brings glory to God.

In me is the ability to be fruitful and to multiply. Everything I do from today is fruitful, multiplying and bringing forth abundantly. Whatsoever I do prospers; no death, no stagnation in my life in the name of Jesus.

The grace of God is sufficient for me, and His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His grace is sufficient for the assignment He has given to me, and as I wait upon the Lord my strength is renewed day by day.

I am ruling over every oppressor in my life in the name of Jesus. Amen.

I received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God and daily I am becoming aware of all the things that have been freely given unto me. From today I am walking into every door that God has already opened unto me.

My steps are directed by the Lord, I am always at the right place at the right time.

I am not a victim of the wicked; I am delivered from all wickedness.

The wisdom of God is at work in me. I am getting wiser, doing the things God wants me to do, I am doing the things that are pleasing unto God; and as I do them, nothing shall hinder my blessings.

I am a victor and not a victim, and I am functioning with my God given authority.

God is loading me with benefits everyday and I am grateful. Morning by morning new mercies I see. My family and I are beneficiaries of the grace and mercies of God.

My mouth brings me blessings and not curses, and as I declare the right words my destiny shall be beautiful and blessed. My mouth will never put me in trouble in Jesus name.

I am helped by prophecy. As I hear the word of God, my life is being built up and I succeed in all I do.

I was born to do the will of God therefore I do the will of God every day just as Jesus did. I shall fulfill Gods purposes for my life in Jesus name. Amen.

I am not a forgetful hearer. I am giving earnest heed to the word of God and it is producing results in my life. I shall never drift away in Jesus name.

Its never late for me to have the best; it is never over, great things shall happen to me even now, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

I am putting on the whole armour of God and I am standing against every wile of the devil. The word of God dwells richly in me and as I speak it I am victorious in life.

My character is becoming better as I yield myself to the discipline of the Holy Spirit.

Today I pray for everyone who is not born again and for Christians living in sin. We claim their souls for God and snatch them from the kingdom of darkness in the name of Jesus. I prophesy that their souls become good soil for the gospel and I decree that the veils of the devil be destroyed and that the light of the gospel shall shine on their hearts. Amen.

I am crossing over in grand style. My mind is alert and ready to receive every word that God has prepared for me today. The devil will not succeed in stealing my word, and I am mixing every word that I hear with faith in my heart, in Jesus name. Amen.

Special Prophetic Declarations For 2016

Special Prophetic Declarations For 2016

In 2016, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. In 2016, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of the year. Throughout 2016, I shall be like the field that the Lord has blessed. The lines shall fall unto me in pleasant places; I am like a tree by the river, bringing forth fruit in due season and whatever I do shall prosper. Promotion is mine in 2016; success is mine; joy is mine; fulfilment is mine, long life is mine, in the name of Jesus! No begging in 2016! No borrowing in 2016! No embarrassments and insults in 2016!

In 2016, God is granting the desires of my heart. My God-given dreams and visions shall come to pass in due time, nothing shall hinder them, in the name of Jesus. In 2016, I live a life well pleasing unto God. In 2016, I shall enjoy good health. Whoever gathers against me and my family in 2016 shall scatter and fall! I enjoy divine protection throughout 2016 in Jesus name. No weapon fashioned against me shall prosper!

I decree and declare that my going out and my coming in shall be blessed. I decree peace at my working place; I decree prosperity at my working place; I decree favour at my working place, in the name of Jesus! My business grows exceedingly in 2016; when others shall say that there is a casting down, I decree that there shall be a lifting up! Abraham's blessings are mine! There shall be no loss, in the name of Jesus! My eyes are anointed to see excellent things; my mind is anointed to think excellent thoughts; I function with a spirit of excellence from the beginning of the year until the end of the year. Everyone who sees me shall call me blessed! Men will only celebrate with me in the name of Jesus!

In 2016, God's grace is sufficient for me. I will succeed where others fail. In 2016, I shall abound unto every good work: abundance is mine! In 2016, it shall be well with my family, my state and my nation. Neither I nor my family, members and friends shall be victims of any evils in the land in the name of Jesus! I am free of every unnecessary weight in the name of Jesus. I am not a victim of evil relationships in the name of Jesus. In 2016, all my steps shall be ordered by the Lord and my speech shall be ordered by the Lord.

In the name of Jesus! Amen!

God Has A Word For You

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 31 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

God Has A Word For You

"Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’" Amos 7:15 NKJV

The year ends today, you made it, congratulations! To God be the glory. He kept us from the beginning of the year until now. People died, but we're still alive; He blessed us, provided for us, protected us, He increased us and favoured us. He deserves our praises and thanksgiving.

I don't intend to preach to you today, just to announce to you that God has a word of prophecy for you today for the new year. I Thessalonians 5:20 says, "Do not despise prophecies." So don't. Be in church tonight and receive God's word for the new year.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Time To Repent

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 30 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Time To Repent

"And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts." Revelation 9:21 NKJV

Two men heard a preacher preach the gospel, one was convicted and repented of his sins, the other felt he didn't need Jesus, he stood up and left, on his way home he was hit by a vehicle and died on the spot. Oh Lord! A final opportunity was given to him to repent, but he didn't.

This is for you who isn't born again; it's also for you Christian who's still living in sin; when are you going to stop? You've heard several messages on salvation and the need for repentance from the beginning of the year until now, what have you done with them? Are you going to enter into the new year like this?

Hebrew 3:15 & 15 says, "Exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 'Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'" God is not willing that you should perish; please do not harden your heart; why perish when you can live? Sin only destroys, for the wages of sin is death. God wants to give you His life right now: Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38); believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37); confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord of your life, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 9:10). Congratulations! You are saved! Please send me a message.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Developing Great Character

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 29 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Developing Great Character

"But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel." Philippians 2:22 NKJV

Character, more than anything else will take you far in life. There are people who have risen high in life who crashed because they lacked good character. Talent and skills can only take you so far, character will establish you, open doors for you and keep you in the presence of greatness.

Bad character stinks! I have seen people get jobs and lose them because of bad character. You see, character is who you really are. Others can have their perceptions of who you are, but God looks at your character; your heart! Time for a character check: what's your character like? Until God makes you a man of great character, He can't do so much with you!

God desires to make us people of great character. And that's what the process is really about; the development of character. Romans 5:3-4 says, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." May God make us people of great character in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Holding The Sword Of The Spirit

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 28 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Holding The Sword Of The Spirit

"They all hold swords, being expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh because of fear in the night." Song of Solomon 3:8 NKJV

Ephesians 6:11-13 says, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

And one of the armour we're told to take is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

You're not an expert in war until you hold your sword and know how to use it. And you know, when you go to war as an inexperienced and naive soldier, the chances of you returning alive are slim. No wonder a lot of Christians are perishing; for lack of knowledge; they are soldiers without their swords. Brothers and sisters, get to know the word of God, and be a consistent confessor of it. Speak it in the morning, afternoon and night; let the word of Christ dwell richly in you!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

My Top 10 Most Inspirational Young People Of 2015

My Top 10 Most Inspirational Young People Of 2015

I know a few influential, rich, successful, powerful and important people who inspire me to dream big and to strive to attain greater heights, but nothing inspires me more than young persons who are hardworking and succeeding at what they do. There are many young persons in the world doing well, but some of these ones here are well known to me. I've observed some of them for years and they have consistently lived up to expectations. May you be inspired to dream, to work harder, to succeed and to be an inspiration to others around you.

Vera Akporeha
Creative Director, Vera Nora Couture
In her twenties, Vera is a multiple award winning fashion designer. Vera literally transformed her mother's sewing business into a multimillion Naira fashion company. She has offices in Warri and Port Harcourt Nigeria.

Nonye Ibeh
MD/CEO, Weaves & Clippers
Nonye has a passion for business. She started selling in junior secondary school, anything she could sell. Today, Nonye has several successful businesses.

Tolulope Thomas aka Tee Thom
Tee Thom is an inspiring young lady. In her early twenties, Tee Thom is a hardworking lady into events planning. Her works which she has done in several parts of the country speak for her.

Comrade Igwe Samuel Obinna
Comrade Igwe is a political activist. During the 2015 elections, Comrade Igwe earned my respect by advocating for change in Abia State. He is fearless and sincere. Till today, Comrade Igwe continues to advocate for good governance, equity and justice.

Akanbi Rachael
MD, Rolad Events Management
Based in Lagos, Rachael has trained several people in the use of Ankara and created jobs for many. Kudos!

Ijeoma Okeagu
MD, White Rabbit Favours
Ijeoma specialises in putting smiles on the faces of people through deliveries. Through radio, talks and other mediums, Ijeoma continues to bless lives. She's author of Everyone Needs To Dream. Her national Share A Smile Campaign this year was amazing.

Enobong Uche Abakasanga
Enobong Uche Abakasanga is using social media positively to inspire, guide and uplift thousands of people. Her post titled "Be patient with yourself" on the 5th of October this year blessed me tremendously.

Dr. Bukola Williams
Medical Doctor and Pastor, The Change Embassy Ministry Int'l, Abuja. Dr. Bukola Williams is a man with a divine mission and a message for the End-time Church. Hear ye him!

Linda Ikeji
Blogger. Who would have thought that a single lady in her thirties could buy a house worth over N600m in Banana Island? That's exactly what Blogger, Linda Ikeji achieved this year! And now everyone wants to be a blogger! What inspired me most was her message to young ladies. Like her or not, Linda Ikeji inspires me.

Iriogbe Idahota (Ota)
If you have just one person who believes in you, it's enough to be grateful for. Ota was there in the beginning when I started Spirit & Life Devotional. She supported me with her words of encouragement. And she has supported the printing of the hard copies with her N1,000 and N2,000 monthly. It's not much; I know she wishes to do more; but her financial support has been more than enough motivation for me to keep printing and dustributing free of charge hard copies of Spirit & Life devotional.

©Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim
December 27, 2015

Visit my blog for more ...
www.chinaemeremjoshuaibezim.blogspot.com

The End Is Always Better

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 27 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The End Is Always Better

"The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." Ecclesiastes 7:8 NKJV

Remember when Jesus was invited for a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and they ran out of wine, and His mother asked Him to do something about it? Jesus turned water to wine, and when the master of the feast tasted the water that was made wine, he called the bridegroom, and said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

Here's the point: the good wine was kept until the end! Jesus did the miracle at the end! There was no need for a miracle until the end!

Don't tell me that it is too late for you to have the best! Don't tell me that the year has ended and that nothing extraordinary can happen again! Don't tell me that it is all over! We serve a God who does great, pleasant and beautiful things even at the end of the year! I prophesy to you in the name of Jesus, you will taste the best things even before the end of the year! The end of this year shall be better than the beginning of the year, in the name of Jesus! Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Remembering His Words

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 26 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Remembering His Words

"And they remembered His words." Luke 24:8 NKJV

Is it not interesting that the very people who were always with Jesus, with whom He even spoke with just a few days before He was crucified, forgot His words? How could they have forgotten those very important words of the Master? Or were they overcome by the pain of losing Him?

But aren't we all guilty of the same thing? I remember those days in Sunday School, students being unable to recite memory verses shortly after they are taught. That's why it's good to write. And thank God that we have the written word of God with us, so that we can always go back to it and read what it says.

Hebrews 2:1 says, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." The New King James Version says, "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." You see, when we forget His words there's a more important risk; the risk of us drifting away. We will not drift away in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Born To Do The Will Of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 25 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Born To Do The Will Of God

"Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come — in the volume of the book it is written of Me — to do Your will, O God.’" Hebrews 10:7 NKJV

Merry Christmas!

Today we celebrate the first coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Hallelujah! It's certainly one to celebrate because of what His coming accomplished for us; He reconciled us back to us, delivered us from the devil, gave us eternal life, gave us hope and set us on high with Him in the heavens, far above all principalities and powers! Glory to God!

Jesus is coming again! Yes He is, and we are earnestly looking forward to the day of His return. He is coming to take us home! Oh! I can't wait! He went to prepare a place for you and I! He that will come, will come and will not tarry. Amen.

But when He came the first time, He said that He came to do the will of God. That's my focus today. You see, just like Jesus, God has a purpose for your life. There's no man, woman or child without a purpose: we've got to find it, and make fulfilling it our sole priority. And that's what true success is about; doing the will of God for our lives. We may succeed at other things but if we don't succeed in this, we would have failed at the end of our time here. We will not fail in Jesus name.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Inspired By Prophecy

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 24 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Inspired By Prophecy

"So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them." Ezra 5:2 NKJV

The Bible says that the prophet Haggai and Zechariah, prophesied to the Jews in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them.

In other words, it was the prophecy of the prophets that inspired the men to build; without prophecy they may not have risen up to build. That's how important and powerful prophecy is; yet a lot of people don't seem to understand how it affects their lives and even destinies.

You've got to endeavour, as much as you can, to always be where you can receive a word from God. You see, the prophecy doesn't have to be about you, in other words, your name doesn't have to be called before the prophecy is beneficial to you; God's word will always produce results under any circumstances when believed and acted upon. And that's why it's important for you to always use these devotionals; they will always inspire you both to do and to accomplish great things for God and yourself. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Your Mouth And Your Destiny

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Your Mouth And Your Destiny

"And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God." Revelation 14:5 NKJV

Apostle James said something very important in James 3:2; he said, "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body."

You can immediately see from the above how important it is to be mindful of the things we say with our mouths, and how our words are affecting our destinies. It is safe to say that a man's mouth will send him to either heaven or hell. Revelations 14:5 says that people were deemed to be faultless because there was no deceit found in their mouths!

A man's words are a reflection of his true spiritual condition. Nothing reveals who a man really is like his words. There are people who have been discovered after acting nicely in public when the words they spoke in secret were exposed. Jesus said that, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." (Matthew 12:35). How does he bring forth the good or evil things? Through his mouth; for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Praise The Lord

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Praise The Lord

"O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth." Isaiah 25:1 NKJV

We sang a song back then, "Praise the Lord, my spirit, soul and body (4 times), shout hallelujah!"

God is so good! Every day He loads us with benefits and He blesses us. Morning by morning, new mercies we see. It's by His mercy and grace that we are still alive! There are so many things that God does for us that we are unaware of. He protects our loved ones; He provides for us; He cares for us; He heals us; promotes us; elevates us; and He is with us always!

God has done too much for us since the beginning of the year. Some of us got promotions, got married or engaged, started new businesses, had children, acquired new property, moved to new locations, traveled out of the country; God made it possible for us to pay all our bills; He delivered us from shame.

What shall I render? 
What shall I render?
What shall I render to You, O Lord?
Only to praise Your name,
And shout hallelujah,
What shall I render to You, O Lord?

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

All Authority

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 21 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

All Authority

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'" Matthew 28:18 NKJV

The other day, there was a picture of the governor of Lagos State, Nigeria, arresting a driver of a commercial bus for a traffic offence. That could happen because the governor is authorized by the constitution and the law to do that, even though he's not a trained law enforcement agent. He can exercise that authority within Lagos State, and after his tenure in office he ceases to have such authority over other citizens. He is empowered by the office he occupies.

The above should help you understand the authority that Jesus has. The Bible says that God has highly exalted Jesus to seat at His right hand, and given Him a name that is above every other name! You see, there are several authorities, but they are all subject to Christ! In heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth, every one bows to Him! Hallelujah!

Now, the Bible says that we, I mean the Church, are seated together with Him in heavenly places far above principalities and powers! In other words, we can function with His authority, being an extension of Him here on earth! Do you understand that? No, you're not a victim; you've never been! Use that authority; resist the devil wherever you see him; undo his deeds; bring relief to people around you; take charge!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Caring For The Man Of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Caring For The Man Of God

"So he said, 'What then is to be done for her?' And Gehazi answered, 'Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old.'” II Kings 4:14 NKJV

According to the Bible, there was a notable woman in Shunem who cared for Elisha the man of God; she started by making him food whenever he visited Shunem, then one day she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.”

Now, there's no way you would do something like that to a man and not provoke him to do something. One day, Elisha called her and asked, "What can I do for you?” She didn't even say her problem. Gehazi answered, “Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old.” Elisha called her back and prophesied, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” She conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her. Hallelujah!

Be wise! Recognize the gift that God has given to you. Don't do it just because you want something in return, do it because you appreciate the grace of God upon him. God will bless you as you do.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Deliverance From The Wicked

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 19 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Deliverance From The Wicked

"So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them." Judges 6:3 NKJV

The Bible says that the Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel, camping in the land and destroying crops. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. And they stayed until the land was stripped bare. So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites.

Isn't that wickedness? But the devil is wicked - he comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. And there are wicked people too, at work, school, and in other places; these people just want to ruin you. But they will not succeed in Jesus name.

When the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help, He delivered them. Your deliverance from every oppressor has come in the name of Jesus. Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

The Steps Of The Godly

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 18 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Steps Of The Godly

"I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time." Ecclesiastes 9:11 NLT

I don't think that the current vice president of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, ever thought that he would one day be the number two man in the country. Neither did the former president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. There were men who wanted those positions desperately, but as God would have it, it was these men who were chosen.

It happens all the time; people try so hard, yes, they do get some reward for their efforts, but the guy who gets the best seems to be someone who came from nowhere as they say. Chance, Solomon said, is a major decider of success.

Being at the right place at the right time. You'll agree with me that it's not always within your control to be at the right place at the right time; that's why we must rely on God. Psalm 37:23 says that "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." And that's my prayer everyday; I don't believe in struggling, my trust is always in God to make things happen for me. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Knocking On Open Doors

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 17 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Knocking On Open Doors

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." I Corinthians 2:12 NKJV

I normally call my younger brother few meters to the house to open the gate; but I had left my phones in the house on that fateful day. So when I got to the gate, I horned but there was no response; I got down from the car, knocked, no response; I yelled his name, still no response; I got a small stone and knocked harder, still no response. I was getting frustrated, I pushed the gate and lo and behold it was open! It had been open all along! My brother left the gate open when he realized that I had left my phones at home.

Here's the question that came to mind immediately after that experience: how many believers are knocking on open doors every minute of the day?

There are things that have already been given unto us! We didn't have to do anything to earn them, they were given to us free of charge, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! I've not prayed for healing in over ten years! Why? Because I saw in the Scriptures that by His stripes I was healed! If I am already healed then I never need to ask Him for healing again! Hallelujah! You are healed, in Jesus name! Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Ruling Over Your Oppressors

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Ruling Over Your Oppressors

"Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the Lord; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors." Isaiah 14:2 NKJV

God said that the Israelites would take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors. That's talking about a reversal of roles.

Do you know that God can make you greater than your boss? Are you aware that God can make you many times bigger than your current employer or those you supply or patronize now, in a few years from now? My dear, it's very possible! And you won't be the first person; I've seen it happen again and again. People who served others in order to learn a trade or a skill have gone on to be bigger than their masters. Jesus is the only Master that we can't be greater than!

God said we would rule over our oppressors. Is anyone oppressing you right now? That's not what God promised: He said that we would rule over our oppressors! So shall it be in Jesus name! From today, I decree a turnaround in that situation, in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

His Grace Is Sufficient

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

His Grace Is Sufficient

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

People have defined grace to mean several things; and yes, grace actually has several meanings: but here we are looking at grace as the strength and power of Christ.

If you are engaged in any activity; physical or spiritual, there's a tendency for you to get tired. It's not always easy to keep going on and on; that's why some people fall sick. I've been writing devotionals for years now, and people wonder how I've been able to continue, every day; I tell them that it's by the grace of God. When God gives you an assignment, He also gives the grace for it. That's why it's not good to just copy what you see people do, find out what God wants you to do because that's what He will give grace for.

Isaiah 49:30-31 says that "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Glory to God!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Bringing Forth Abundantly

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 14 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Bringing Forth Abundantly

"And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.” Genesis 9:7 NKJV

Everyone of us has in us what it takes to be fruitful and to multiply. If God asked us to be fruitful and to multiply; if He expects us to be fruitful and to multiply, then it means that when He made us, He put in us the ability to do so.

Especially when we are born again! And I'm not talking about just giving birth to children. It's part of it though; everything you are involved in ought to be fruitful and to multiply! You've got to have that mindset in you. If you have a shop for instance, you should be thinking fruitfulness and multiplication! Nothing about you should be stagnant or dead at all; you are to bring forth abundantly!

The Bible says that you are like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf does not wither; and whatever you do shall prosper! I am not the one saying it; God said AS FOR YOU, yes you; be fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it. Hallelujah! So shall it be, in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Blameless

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 13 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Blameless

"Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one." II Corinthians 7:2 NKJV

I wonder how many of us can honestly say like Apostle Paul that we have not wronged anyone. Someone just said, "But nobody is perfect." I agree; but Paul was also imperfect! Yet he put it in writing, for every generation to see that he neither wronged nor cheated anyone!

Being Christians we've got to live by higher standards. Years ago, I was told about a pastor who was given money to purchase furniture for an office; it was a contract actually; and that pastor never bought the furniture! The man who told me the story, and I have heard a few other people say so too, said that it's better to do business with nonbelievers. That's too bad!

How then do we ask those same people to open their hearts to us? How then will they believe this gospel that we preach? Brothers and sisters; let's do our best to live blameless lives. In all that we say and do, let God be glorified.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

What Are You Doing For God?

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 12 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

What Are You Doing For God?

"Then Solomon determined to build a temple for the name of the Lord, and a royal house for himself." II Chronicles 2:1 NKJV

Solomon put God first: he determined to build a temple for God. How often do you take such decisions to do something for the Lord? When you think of the things that you need, do you also think of meeting the needs of the kingdom? You ought to. I'm not really talking about buying things for the church; it's good to do those things, but we should also remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-40:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 'Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’"

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

You Are More Valuable

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 11 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

You Are More Valuable

"And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea." Mark 5:13 NKJV

A man with an unclean spirit, who dwelt among the tombs, met Jesus: the demons in the man begged Jesus earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. There was a large herd of swine feeding there so all the demons begged Him that He would send them to the swine. Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits, about two thousand of them, went out and entered the swine; and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned.

Do you realize what happened? For the sake of one man, Jesus let two thousand swine of economic value perish in the sea; for the sake of one man Jesus let someone's profitable business suffer loss! That tells me that we are more valuable to God than anything else in the world! Hallelujah.

Being a child of God is a great privilege. There's nothing like having a God to Whom we matter most. Isaiah 43:3-4 says, "For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life." Wow! Glory to God!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Receiving The Desires Of Your Heart

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Receiving The Desires Of Your Heart

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4 NKJV

To delight in doing something is to get a lot of pleasure or enjoyment from it. So when the Psalmist spoke about delighting yourself in the Lord, he was talking about your love for God and your passion for the things of God.

How much do you love the Lord? How passionate are you about being in His presence? How excited are you about opportunities to work for Him? Do you spend time doing the things that please Him? Or are you always doing those things that grieve Him?

When a father is happy, he is motivated to give even without you having to ask him for anything. God is a like that too. You won't need to pray and fast much if you dedicate yourself to doing the things that excite Him. Yes, God has emotions too! Delight yourself in Him and He won't hesitate to give you the desires of your heart. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

A Covenant Keeping God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

A Covenant Keeping God

"And God said: 'This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations." Genesis 9:12 NKJV

It's interesting that thousands of years since God spoke to Noah about not destroying the earth with water ever again, we still see the sign of the covenant, that is, the rainbow in the sky. It's noteworthy especially in a world like ours where we seldomly honour agreements with each other.

When God makes a covenant with a man, it doesn't expire when the man dies; if it's a covenant meant to last for all generations, you can be very sure that it will last for all generations. Psalms 105:8-10 says, "He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant." Hallelujah!

Are you aware that the covenants God made with Abraham, David and all the Israelites are nothing compared with the one He made with us in Christ? Hebrews 8:6 says that Christ is a Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Wow! This new covenant guarantees our forgiveness, deliverance, peace, success, and salvation! Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Understanding Positional Authority

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Understanding Positional Authority

"And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6 NKJV

Here's how God's Word translation says it: "God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him." So you see, we have a position. And with positions come authority. Higher positions come with higher authority. You've got to understand this because it is very important. Understanding your position and the authority you have will make you a victor and not a victim. The Bible says that we share the same position with Christ, in other words, we have the same authority that He has!

Look at Paul's prayer for the Ephesians: "I pray that the glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Christ better. Then you will have deeper insight... You will also know the unlimited greatness of his power as it works with might and strength for us, the believers. He worked with that same power in Christ when he brought him back to life and gave him the highest position in heaven. He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and all other names that can be named, not only in this present world but also in the world to come. God has put everything under the control of Christ. He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the church." Ephesians 1:20-22

Hallelujah! We are far above principalities and powers by virtue of the position we occupy in Christ!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Stronger Than Failure

Stronger Than Failure

"Failure is the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, and may be viewed as the opposite of success."

I have not succeeded as much as I desire, but I have experienced failures quite a number of times to be able to talk about it.

I did not graduate with my colleagues from the university, I was not considered good enough for employment by two organizations, I closed my salon business after about a month, my bus had a fatal accident and was robbed overnight, twice at work people were brought to take over my position, I've been told that I'm not good enough, I've suspended fellowship twice or thrice, I've lost a huge sum of money, I've had to sell my personal car, I've had to borrow, I've written books that didn't sell, even my relationships have failed! I've failed God too.

I am obviously not where I want to be, but I am surely not where I was before! Every time I failed; yes I failed, but failure did not defeat me! I failed but I did not stay down; I failed but I did not even discuss my failures; I failed but not for once did I see myself as a failure! I retreated, reassessed, reanalyzed, restrategized, and I relaunched!

I am still here! I'm still serving God! I'm still writing and publishing books! I'm still working! I'm still on my seat! I'm still in ministry! I'm still doing business! I'm not indebted! I'm still moving! I'm still rising! I'm not afraid of failure! I AM STRONGER THAN FAILURE!

Be encouraged... You are stronger than failure!

©Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim
Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56
December 7, 2015

You Will Not Be Mocked

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 7 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

You Will Not Be Mocked

"Lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him." Luke 14:29 NKJV

You know, there are people who specialize in mocking others when something bad happens to them or when things are not going on well with them. The Bible says that Hagar despised Sarah her madam when she had a child and Sarah was barren; people mocked Job when he lost all he had; and Peninnah and her children mocked Hannah because she had no children.

Are you aware that Jesus was mocked? Yes, He was. After He was arrested, the soldiers and the Pharisees mocked Him. After they had beaten Him, they called together the whole garrison; clothed Him with purple; twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him mockingly.

Jesus was mocked so you should never be mocked for the rest of your life! I speak to your life and your situation today, in the name of Jesus; God is setting you free from that situation that has always made people mock you! You will never be embarrassed again; you will finish whatever you start; and you will excel in all that you do, in Jesus name! Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Peace And Prosperity

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 6 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Peace And Prosperity

"May there be peace inside your walls and prosperity in your palaces.” Psalms 122:7 GW

I don't know of anyone who doesn't want to prosper especially in today's world. It actually seems to be what everyone is talking about these days. "Who no like better thing?" as we say in Nigeria.

The good news is that God wants us to prosper too! And not only that He wants to prosper us. The truth is that He has already done something concerning our prosperity: Jesus became poor so that we through His poverty might be rich! That's why He asked us to preach the gospel to the poor, so that they might become rich! Hallelujah!

The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and it comes without sorrow. God blesses, not just with prosperity, He blesses with peace also. You know, people say that the rich do not sleep because of the abundance of their possessions. Not when it was God who made you rich! Look at Job, even Satan testified that God made a hedge around Job and all that he had! I pray for you today in the name of Jesus: May there be peace and prosperity in your house. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

A Life Filled With Light

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 5 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

A Life Filled With Light

"Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark.'"John 8:12 GW

The Bible says that the earth was a very dark place in the beginning until God said, "Let there be light." When there was light, other things followed. Light had to come first before God began to recreate the then world that was without form.

Jesus is the light of the world. Hallelujah! There are so many people in the world in darkness. Matthew 4:15-16 talks about people which sat in darkness. Darkness symbolizes everything that is not good: sicknesses, diseases, poverty, confusion, worry, sadness, etc. If these people would come to Jesus, He would change their lives forever!

Are you genuinely saved? You should never be in the darkness; not even for a second! The word of God is the light; you must make using it a habit. It's a light that no form of darkness can withstand. John 1 says that the light shines in darkness and the darkness cannot comprehend it! Glory to God! Today, every form of darkness is banished from your life, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Yes, You Can!

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 4 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Yes, You Can!

"As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day." Joshua 15:63 NKJV

Here's the instruction that God gave to the children of Israel: "When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; you shall dispossess the  inhabitants  of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess." (Numbers 33:50-53)

Now, if God asked them to drive out all the inhabitants of the land, it meant that they could drive them all out; it meant that with God working for them, they could drive them all out; God's word always comes with the ability to do whatever it says! But the Bible says that the Israelites could not drive out the Jebusites! Why? No, it's not that they could not; they did not try enough! Maybe they relied on their own strength; for by strength shall no man prevail.

Brothers and sisters, you can do whatever God's word says that you can do! It doesn't matter how difficult it seems; it doesn't matter how high that mountain is; it doesn't matter how many they are; neither does it matter how strong and tough they might be: you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

None of These Things

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 3 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

None Of These Things

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24 NKJV

It was Paul that made the statement. The Holy Spirit Himself testified in every city Paul went through, saying that chains and tribulations awaited him. Agabus, a prophet, even took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and prophesied that the Jews would bind Paul, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. Everyone pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem, but Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Not even the probability of death could make Paul change his mind! But common rain makes some of us to change our minds! We will never inconvenience ourselves for the kingdom! We have ready excuses why we didn't do what we were supposed to do for God.

How many of us would still be Christians if we were seriously persecuted? But Paul said that none of those things moved him. I'm talking about making a decision to follow the Lord and not turn back; I'm talking about taking a stand; I'm talking about persevering even in the face of extreme difficulties and pressures to quit. God's grace is sufficient for you.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

The Promise Is To You

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 2 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Promise Is To You

"For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39 NKJV

God is not man that He should lie, or the son of man that He should repent. You know, we are told in Ecclesiastes 5:2 not be rash with our mouths, and not to let our hearts utter anything hastily before God. If God so counsels us, He is equally not expected to do so.

The promises of God in Christ Jesus are yes and amen! Read your Bible: it says that heaven and earth will pass away, but not one of His words will fail! Not one of His promises will fail! It may take a while; there are actually no delays with God, because He does things at the right times; but every word He has spoken will surely come to pass if we believe them.

And most interestingly, the Bible says, that the promise is for everyone! It's for you irrespective of your colour, your educational background, your occupation, or your gender. The promise is for your children too. Meaning that if you are living in health, your children should also live in health! The promise is for everyone, anywhere, everywhere! Hallelujah! Receive it now, in the name of Jesus!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Brothers - Born For Adversity

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Brothers - Born For Adversity

"Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan." Genesis 14:14 NKJV

God made the church a family. You see, we may be anything else in Christ, but more importantly you and I are brothers. You may not have biological brothers, or maybe they are not playing any vital roles in your life; the good news is that everyone in Christ is your brother; we are all connected by the blood of Jesus!

A brother is said to be someone you can depend on, and who you will do anything for. Brotherhood is more than just having the same surname or having the same blood running through your veins; no, it is a bond between people; it's a commitment. You will have a better understanding of brotherhood when you study about David and Jonathan: their commitment to one another continued to the next generation even after the death of Jonathan.

Proverbs 24:10 says that "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." But no one has to fail because Proverbs 17:17 says that a brother is born for adversity. No wonder the Bible says that two are better than one. I encourage you today to be an active member of church, and a unit or department in your church. By so doing, you will be able to enjoy all the benefits of brotherhood.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Remember The Day

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 30 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Remember The Day

"You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life." Deuteronomy 16:3 NKJV

Some of us were poor and hopeless; some of us were going to die; some of us were childless for a while; some were jobless and others were without admissions: and all that changed on a certain day. You got a contract on a certain day that changed your life for ever; you got your healing one day; you got your baby; your job; your admission on that blessed and fateful day, and since that day things have never remained the same.

But we often forget that day and live as though we do not remember what God did for us; therefore, we do not give God the praises due to His name. Psalm 103:2 says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."

A lot of us are guilty of forgetting His benefits. We should remember, rejoice and make pleasing sacrifices on days like the day we were born again! God told the Israelites to remember the day in which they came out of the land of Egypt all the days of their lives. There should be specific days in our lives, maybe one big day, when we remember all that He has done for us, and just say, "Thank You Lord for everything You have done."

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Life Is More Than Food And Clothing (2)

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 29 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Life Is More Than Food And Clothing (2)

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25 NKJV

Yesterday we learnt that the word of God is more important than food and clothing. We must spend more of our time acquiring the word of God than anything else. Pay any price to get the word. The word of God is life!

Is there something else more important than food and clothing? Yes, purpose. Remember when Jesus was ministering to the Samaritan woman by the well, He was hungry, and the disciples returned with the food that they had gotten for Him to eat. But Jesus had lost His appetite! They urged Him to eat, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” And while they wondered what He meant, He said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."

Yes, fulfilling God's purpose for your life is very important. Stop chasing things that will not last; go after things of eternal significance. God will not judge you by how much food and clothes you ate and wore in your lifetime; success is also not measured by how much clothes you have; no, success and relevance in the sight of God is judged by how well you are fulfilling the assignment given to you by God. So discover your purpose and make it your topmost priority.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Life Is More Than Food And Clothing (1)

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 28 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Life Is More Than Food And Clothing (1)

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25 NKJV

A lot of us have a shallow understanding of what life is about; no wonder we live and die without making meaningful accomplishments. When you have a proper understanding of what life really is about, your words, thoughts, and especially your actions are more purposeful and meaningful.

So what could be more important than food and clothing, two of the basic necessities of life? We find one in Job 23:12. Job said, "I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." The word of God, brothers and sisters, is more important than food and clothing.

When Jesus visited Martha in her house, Martha was being a good hostess, probably trying to please the Lord; but her sister Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet, listening attentively to His word. The Bible says that Martha was distracted with much serving. Martha complained that Mary wasn't assisting, she said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Mary esteemed the word above food, and Jesus commended her for that.

My prayer is that the word of God will become the most important thing in life to you; when you have the word, you can have everything else.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

The Unchanging Nature of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 27 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Unchanging Nature Of God

“For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob." Malachi 3:6 NKJV

Saying that God doesn't change doesn't mean that He does not change His mind, His intentions and His plans; He does some times, that He doesn't change is talking about the unchangeability of His nature and His ways. For instance, God is love: He has always been love and will always be love; the time will never come when He stops being loving.

And because He doesn't change we have not been destroyed. You know, man changes; we are hardly faithful, we do not keep our words, we continue to do things that displease God, things that are capable of destroying us; but God in His mercies, continues to preserve us. Psalm 103:10 says that "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities."

Lamentations 3:21-23 says, "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." The Easy To Read Version says, "But then I think about this, and I have hope: We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. Every morning He shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal!" Hallelujah! I don't know about you, but I'm so grateful that He never changes!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Called To Be Fishers Of Men

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 26 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Called To Be Fishers Of Men

"Then He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" Matthew 4:19 NKJV

You'll agree with me that Jesus could have made them anything else; but of everything that He could have made them, He chose to make them fishers of men. That tells us what He's most interested in.

If it's the same Jesus Christ that called us, then it's most likely that He also called us with the intention of making us fishers of men. The questions then are: Are we fulfilling our callings? How many of our activities are done with the aim of winning souls into the kingdom of God?

Brothers and sisters, we must begin to measure success by the number of men we are bringing into the kingdom; we must begin to determine the significance and relevance of our actions and activities by how they are contributing to the salvation of souls. There is joy in heaven when a sinner repents! You and I must become addicted soul winners. Remember, he that wins souls is wise.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Prayer Answering God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Prayer Answering God

"And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, 'Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!'” II Chronicles 14:11 NKJV

There are so many prayers in the Bible, and God heard them and granted their petitions. Jabez prayed, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” The Bible says that God granted him what he requested. Without much ado! That, and many others are enough proof that God answers prayers.

Standing before the tomb of Lazarus who had been dead for four days, Jesus simply said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now that's called confidence.

When you pray, it's not a time to begin to wonder if God will hear, is listening, or has heard; realize that God loves it when we pray because He is glorified every time that we receive answers to our prayers. 1 John 5:14-15 says, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Lovers of Money

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Lovers Of Money

"Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him." Mark 14:10-11 NKJV

Someone who loves money can do anything, or, nearly anything for money. A person who loves money will sacrifice even the best relationships just to have money; he doesn't mind doing what even his conscience is against as long as he lays hold of money! No wonder the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil.

One of the features of the last days is the love of money, according to 2 Timothy 3:1-2. No wonder there's so much evil in the world today; people are even leaving the Way, that is the faith, just because of money! Listen to songs these days, it's all about money; listen to interviews, still all about money; on social media, the same thing, people even displaying their money and wealth. Even some of our pastors are guilty!

Jesus said, “You cannot serve two masters at the same time. You will hate one master and love the other. Or you will be loyal to one and not care about the other. You cannot serve God and Money at the same time.” The Pharisees heard Jesus say those words and they criticized Him because they all loved money. Money isn't bad; having lots of it isn't bad either, and God can bless you with lots of money; but He doesn't want us loving it.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Loving Your Neighbour As Yourself

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 23 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Loving Your Neighbour As Yourself

"Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul." I Samuel 20:17 NKJV

We're told in 2 Timothy 3 that one of the things we'll see in the last days is a situation where men are lovers of their own selves. In other words, men will think about only themselves and care less about what happens to others; men will be concerned about their own happiness and wouldn't mind hurting others just to please themselves; people would see others in pain and in need and do nothing to assist them!

In Mark 12:33, we learn that to love God with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more important than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Wow! That's something for you and I to seriously consider.

What does it mean to love others as yourself? You know, they say that what's good for the goose is also good for the gander. If it's good for you then it's also good for others; if you will make it happen for yourself, for your spouse and for your children, you should be willing to do same for others; if you can't use it, neither should anyone else! As you would that men do unto you, do unto them likewise!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

It Is For Your Own Good

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 22 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

It Is For Your Own Good

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 NKJV

Imagine this: You apply for a job, passed the test, but for some reasons you weren't given the job. To God be the glory, not long after you get a job in the same industry. Then about five years later, that company that didn't take you becomes incapable of meeting its obligations to its customers; is acquired and many of its staff laid off. You may have been disappointed back then, but now you realize that it was for your own good that you didn't get that job!

Are you aware that there are people who are multimillionaires today because they once lost their jobs? I read about a woman, Debbie Davis, in the Daily Mail, who became a millionaire six years after she lost her job with a printing factory. She began selling cosmetics, and by 31, she had earned £1.4million. The company gave Debbie a Mercedes, her partner who joined her was given a BMW, and the pair were sent on a holiday abroad.

It might seem as a huge loss right now;  but we know, that all things work together for good to those who love God! If you love God, then you have no reason to be worried. God knows the end even before the beginning, and even when we do not understand what is going on, we can trust Him to do what's good for us. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Give Me Success This Day

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 21 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Give Me Success This Day

"Then he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham." Genesis 24:12 NKJV

God wants us to succeed in all we do. Amen! He succeeded; Jesus succeeded; people before us succeeded; we too will succeed, in Jesus name.

Abraham's chief of staff was sent on an assignment to get a wife for Isaac; the man didn't rely on his wisdom, experience and expertise in getting the job done; instead, he prayed to the Lord, asking for success. Success, brothers and sisters, is guaranteed when we rely on God for success. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." And Psalm 37:5 says, "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

You too can ask God for success today. You need to succeed on your job, in business, ministry, marriage, in school, and in everything else that you do. God is glorified when we succeed. Failure is not your portion in Jesus name! Whatever you do, even if it was failing before now, it begins to succeed, in Jesus name! Amen! Make it your prayer every day; "Heavenly Father, please give me success this day."

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Obey God's Instructions

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 20 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Obey God's Instructions

"I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!" Proverbs 5:13 NKJV

The wise man to his son about adultery: "Therefore hear me now, my children, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; lest aliens be filled with your wealth, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner; and you mourn at last, when your flesh and your body are consumed, and say: 'How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised correction! I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! I was on the verge of total ruin, in the midst of the assembly and congregation.'”

When students ignore instructions in an exam, they will surely fail. I'm sure that we understand that; so why do we often ignore God's instructions? The word of God is full of instructions on several subjects, how many of us take them seriously; yet we expect to succeed, and we dare to hold God responsible for our failures. The Bible says that instructions are life!

Job 22:22 says, "Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart." My prayer is that we will not only receive His instructions, but that we will also obey them to the letter. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Use Me

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 19 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Use Me

"So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do You want me to do?' Then the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'” Acts 9:6 NKJV

A man said to me recently, "You are here in the office and cannot always move around, use me to do the things you need to do; send me to places; let me work for you; I am willing to work for you." Wow! It got me thinking: that's a man willing to be used by another man, for a token I believe; how many of us are that willing to be used by God?

God needs workers! A lot of us don't seem to understand that yet, that's why even Christians would rather complain about the number of churches than the number of bars and clubs. God has need of people in several areas of life. God needs people in the government houses, God needs people in the legislative houses, God needs people in the courts, in the hospitals, banks, markets, and everywhere else!

Listen, God is not going to come down again from heaven to get the job done; we, the Church, are the ones to do whatever God needs to do here on earth. We are His hands, His mouth, His legs, His touch here and now. And we've got to surrender ourselves, our talents and skills, our resources and all that we've got to Him, for Him to use them as He wills. "If You can use anything Lord, You can use me!" Use us, Lord; give us willing hearts and minds; in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Loving The Word

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Loving The Word

"Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble." Psalms 119:165 NKJV

The word of God was given to us for our benefit. It is really difficult to understand sometimes, how people are able to live without the word of God. The word of God gives hope, comfort, encouragement, peace, strength, wisdom and confidence. When a man has armed himself with the word he is sufficiently equipped to go through life successfully.

Paul said to the Ephesians, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." Acts 20:32

A lot of people, Christians, are still being coerced to read the Bible. It shouldn't be! It just means that a lot of us don't have an idea of what's available to us! The word of God is life! The word of God is like a compass to guide us through life. The word of God also reveals to us Who God really His; it reveals Jesus and it reveals the Holy Spirit to us. Confusion is nonexistent when you have fed your spirit with the word. With the word of God, in your heart and in your mouth, you will always be a victor! Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Introduction of Prophetic Declarations To Spirit & Life Devotionals

Introduction of Prophetic Declarations To Spirit & Life Devotionals

Hebrews 13:5-6 says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. FOR HE HIMSELF HAS SAID, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” SO WE MAY BOLDLY SAY: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

You see, whenever God speaks we are expected to speak in agreement with Him. When God speaks, they come to pass as we put those same words in our mouths. When God speaks, His words are meant to inspire us to say the right things, and as we do, God is obligated to bring them to pass.

The Bible says that the word of God is the spirit of prophecy. From December 2015, prophetic declarations for the month will be included in hard copies of the Spirit & Life Devotionals, and will also be published on our social media platforms. Don't just read them, open your mouth and prophesy! They will all come to pass in Jesus name. Amen.

Prophetic Declaration For Today

I am like a tree by the river bringing forth pleasant fruits; whatever I do, my job, my ministry, my business and the projects I do are prospering. Good success is mine; I do not fail; I am a winner. From today, I declare that there shall be no dryness in my life; I bring forth fruits all year round, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Deliverance From Oppressors

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Deliverance From Oppressors

"And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them." Isaiah 19:20 NKJV

If there's anything God loves to do; if there's anything God does best, it's delivering the oppressed. God said to Moses; “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites."

Maybe you're being oppressed, at work, in school or even at home; don't think that God is unaware of what you're going through; He is, and He is set to deliver you! Hallelujah! Help is coming your way, in the name of Jesus!

And He won't just deliver you: He delivered the Israelites and also took them to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey! That shall be your story, in the name of Jesus! Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Not Time To Die

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, 16 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Not Time To Die

Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” John 19:11 NKJV

Pilate was trying Jesus, and was asking Jesus questions, but Jesus did not answer him. Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus, Who had been quiet immediately answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.”

In Luke 4, we read that the Israelites tried to kill Jesus by throwing Him off a cliff. But Jesus simply walked through the midst of them and went His way! Many times, they tried to kill Him but could not, because His time had not come. In fact, Jesus made it clear that He had the power to lay down His life and to take it up again! No man could kill Him until He decided to die!

They dragged Paul and stoned him until he was assumed to be dead, but the Bible says that he got up and went back into the city! Brothers and sisters, it doesn't matter who doesn't like you; it doesn't matter who wants you out of the way; it doesn't matter the threats against you; and it doesn't matter what they have already done to you, they will never succeed in the name of Jesus! You will live long to declare the goodness of the Lord! Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Total Surrender

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, 15 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Total Surrender

"Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood." Genesis 22:9 NKJV

God asked Abraham to take his son, his only son Isaac, whom he loved, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which He was to show him. The Bible says that Abraham did not hesitate; he rose early in the morning saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and arose and went to the place which God had told him. When they got there, Abraham built an altar, placed the wood in order; bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And he was actually going to kill Isaac, when God spoke to him, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

Brothers and sisters, Abraham was going to offer his only son, gotten in his old age, to God! In the Bible, we read about people who also surrendered their possessions, we read too of the little boy who surrendered his lunch to Jesus.

A popular hymn says, "All to Jesus I surrender; All to Him I freely give." I pray that God will bring us all to that point of total surrender, where we willing give Him everything, including our lives, withholding nothing. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

The Power Of Your Love

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, 14 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Power Of Your Love

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” Psalms 91:14-16 NKJV

I am yet to see something more powerful than love. Love is not only powerful, it is the secret of every great Christian I know. Years ago, in the university, I used to see my senior friend, Gloria, praying behind a building at night, every night. I wanted to be like her, I tried; I too started spending more time with God, but not as long as my friend prayed. So I decided to ask her how she was able to pray for so long. Her response was simple; "Love God". She taught me that if I loved God, I would want to spend time with Him and also to study His word. Awesome!

Loving God is the greatest thing anyone can do with his life, no wonder it's the first and only commandment. And it is also very rewarding! There's a promise of deliverance, promotion, honour, long life, answers to prayers, and divine presence. Psalm 145:20 says that the Lord preserves all who love Him. And Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good to those who love God. Hallelujah!

Jesus said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. You can get all the things you ever wanted just by being in love with God. That's how powerful your love for God is.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Giant Killers

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, 13 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Giant Killers

"These were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants." I Chronicles 20:8 NKJV

The major distinguishing feature of a giant is its size. Words such as huge, massive, enormous, gigantic, great, vast, immense, tremendous, very big, very large, mighty, etc, are used to describe giants. You normally don't overcome giants easily. Their size alone is intimidating; and capable of making you lose confidence in yourself.

When Moses sent spies to check out the Promised Land, ten of them said, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants; and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

You know, there are situations in life that are like giants before us: it could be a health challenge; it could be debt that has accumulated over time; it could be certain individuals like a boss at work or a lecturer in school; and it could be some herculean tasks and projects that have been assigned to you.

Whatever the case, I want you to know that you can be victorious over every giant in your life. An entire army of Israel was afraid of just one giant called Goliath, but not David; David slew the giant and later killed his sons. Have the mentality of a giant killer. All you need is faith in God. God is bigger, stronger, greater and mightier than any giant in life. Victory is sure when we fight our battles in His name.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Astonishing Miracles

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Astonishing Miracles

"For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken." Luke 5:9 NKJV

To be astonished is to be greatly surprised or impressed. It is to be amazed; dazed and dumfounded. To be astonished is to be filled with overpowering wonder.

When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, the Israelites said that it was like a dream! They were filled with laughter, and they sang for joy. Even other nations were astonished; they said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”The children of Israel testified, "Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!" Hallelujah!

Today, I want you to agree with me for astonishing miracles in your life. You know, that's really what God loves to do! He takes delight in doing exceptional things that only Him can do! Peter was done for the day, he wasn't hoping to catch fish again that morning, he had even washed his nets: but from the same water where Peter and his partners fished, now they caught so much that their nets broke and they began to sink! Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56

Pray And Act

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Pray And Act

"Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night." Nehemiah 4:9 NKJV

The Israelites were rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem, and according to the Bible, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored, they became very angry, and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. You know, some people are just as evil as those guys; they want to continue to profit from such disorder.

Now, here's how the Israelites, under the leadership of Nehemiah responded: first, they prayed to God for protection, and second, they set a watch against them day and night.

There's a lot to learn from that: you see, you can't be praying for prosperity, for instance, and not do anything (work, business, investments) that God can use to prosper you; you've got to pray and then take action! If you want a job, pray and then submit your curriculum vitae to the organizations that you wish to work for; if you want to get married, pray guys, and then go out there and search for her; and ladies, when you pray, also try to be in places where men can find you! Check the Scriptures, miracles happened as people took action.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
PIN:568E2E56