The Word of God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, January 31
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Word of God

Revelation 19:13 NKJV "He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God."

When we talk about the Word of God, we think about the Bible and the sermons we hear and read. But the Word of God is first a Person! The Word of God is actually one of the names of Jesus. That's why the Word of God is all about Him!

John 1:1-3 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made."

Start relating with the Word as a Person. In other words, see Jesus every time you read the word, hear the word or profess the word. Don't treat the word as common; it is life! It is powerful! It is glorious! And it is life changing! Honour the word, celebrate it, appreciate it, fellowship with it! I love what David said, "My heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure." Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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God Is A Rewarder

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, January 30
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

God Is A Rewarder

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV "But without faith it  is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

I get asked some really difficult questions especially after I share the devotionals; people often want to know why there's a difference between what the Word says and their experiences. For instance, after I shared on Having Plenty yesterday, a dear brother asked, "What about someone like me? I've given so much, Tithe from September 1993, seeds, firstfruit, giving my car for His work, prayed, fasted for days, (3days dry three times) etc, and yet am struggling, what's the issue there? I even share the word daily... sometimes I feel maybe, there is a sin I've committed that God does not want to forgive me or so... Am so discouraged with issues, am just putting up appearance."

I'm sure that so many feel the same way and are asking similar questions. Is the word true? Is God serious about fulfilling His promises? Is there a guarantee that if we do what the word says it would work for us? How long do we have to wait for the fulfillment of His promises to us?

Well, don't be discouraged! God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him! Delays are not denials! Weeping may endure for a night, but joy will surely come in the morning! God doesn't lie, if He said it, then it will come to pass! He makes all things beautiful in His time! Look at Abraham, he held on to the promise for about twenty five years, refusing to stagger at the promise in unbelief, refusing to be discouraged, but giving glory to God; against hope he believed in hope! Hebrews 10:35-36 says, "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise." He who promised is faithful!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Having Plenty

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, January 29
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Having Plenty

Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV "Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine."

Do you want to have plenty? Give to God deliberately. You can't keep giving excuses of not having enough, or not earning enough; why don't you try God? Or don't you really believe that He is as powerful as He says He is?

See, some of us have secured our futures! We have given God even our last kobo! We didn't care about how or where the next meals would come from, we put our resources into the work of God to honour Him and to bless lives, and we still do! You can't keep honouring Him without actions! Lip service can only take you so far; sign that cheque, make that withdrawal, package something really befitting for the King of kings and Lord of lords and drop it at the altar! This is not the year to give God change as you have been doing, stop it at once!

Giving is the appropriate response to the blessing. When you receive a blessing, give. We learn that from Abraham: "Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was  the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.' And Abraham gave him a tithe of all." Don't be cajoled to give; don't wait to hear a message on giving before you are stirred up to give; honour God by giving to Him, so shall you be filled with plenty! Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Far From Oppression

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, January 28
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Far From Oppression

Acts 25:2-4 NKJV "Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem— while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly."

Paul was oblivious of the evil plots of the high priest and elders of the Jews, but God kept him! Job 5:12 says that God frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans. Hallelujah!

When the king of Syria was making war against Israel; when he planned any move, Elisha would know by revelation, and reveal it the king of Israel; thereby thwarting the plans of the Syrians. The Bible says that the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by that; and said to his men, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” But one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” Hahaha

Isaiah 54:14-15 says, "In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake." That's God's promise to you and your family. Say Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Willingness To Obey God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, January 27
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Willingness To Obey God

I Samuel 15:9 NKJV "But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that  was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed."

The operative word, for me, in the verse above is "unwilling". When you are unwilling to do a thing, you are not ready, not eager, and not prepared to do it. It's different from being unable to do something; being unable has to do with ability, but being unwilling is an attitude, it has to do with your mind, your will. Saul and the people could do what God asked them to do, but they chose not to obey God. How did God react? He said to Samuel, “I GREATLY REGRET that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.”

Why didn't Saul do exactly what he was asked to do? Because he wanted to be popular with the people! He said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I FEARED THE PEOPLE AND OBEYED THEIR VOICE." The question is who are you going to choose to obey? Your friends, your flesh, your boss, or your partner? Saul couldn't be excused because he was king, and he had both power and authority over the people.

Proverbs 3:7 says, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil." God sent Isaiah to say to the Israelites, "If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”. There's nothing God has asked us to do that we cannot do. I John 5:3 says that His commandments are not burdensome. If you are willing, you will.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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You Will Laugh!

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, January 26
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

You Will Laugh!

Job 8:21 NKJV "He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing."

Remember The Rich Also Cry? It was a telenovela that was aired in the 90's here in Nigeria, though originally produced in 1979. The point I'm trying to make is that both the rich and the poor have problems! Just that the kind of problems might be different. We all have needs; there are issues that make us worried; there are challenges that money cannot solve, and they rob us of our joy and happiness. But God is a Restorer! Hallelujah!

Imagine being married and unable to give birth to children for over forty years! That's a very long time. Sarah must have soaked her pillow with tears countless times. Her maid, Hagar, even made matters worse by despising her, after she had Ishmael. But thank God! He visited Sarah, and she had her own child! And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.” Hallelujah!

I prophesy to you in the name of Jesus, that you will laugh! I heard about people who have lost their jobs as a result of the current economic situation; you will laugh again! Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! Those who sow in tears will reap with joy! He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing! Cheer up, God is already at work!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Fitting Words

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, January 25
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Fitting Words

I Kings 12:13, 16 NKJV "Then the king answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: “What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!” So Israel departed to their tents."

Israel was divided into two just because a young and stupid king answered a question foolishly. He had three whole days to think carefully about the only one question asked him, and to consider all the options; not many of us are given that privilege, we are often told to respond almost immediately, at work and elsewhere; nowhere were we told that he even consulted God; Rehoboam threw away that golden opportunity to secure the throne, he rejected good counsel and suffered the consequences, both him and his generations.

How many wonderful relationships have been destroyed by words. In a swift moment of anger and sadness we said words that pierced through to the innermost sections of the other person's heart and left indelible scars, words though once said, but with eternal life-changing implications.

Proverbs 15:1 says that "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Trust me, it is not beneficial for you to stir up anger in the hearts of so many people against you. Sometimes you just have to listen and say what people expect you to say! How you say whatever you say matters too! Be quick to apologize. Say you are sorry when necessary! There are people who never think that they are wrong or at fault at anytime; that's pride; those two words, I'm sorry, can change your entire life! Ephesians 5:4 warns us against foolish talking and coarse jesting, "which are not fitting". Be wise, don't work against yourself with your own mouth!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Loving People Who Have Hurt You

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, January 24
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Loving People Who Have Hurt You

II Samuel 4:9-10 NKJV "But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from all adversity, when someone told me, saying, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ thinking to have brought good news, I arrested him and had him executed in Ziklag—the one who thought I would give him a reward for his news."

You know what Saul did to David, today, we would say that Saul made David pass through hell. You also know what Joseph's brothers did to him; they sold him as a slave, again, making him pass through hell, serving as a slave in a foreign land, yet these men bore no grudges.

Here's what Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

It's certainly not easy is we are living by the flesh; the flesh wants to pay back, but we mustn't; we must manifest the fruit of the Spirit, the first being love. I Corinthians 13:5-6 says that love does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. You see, love will not seek to avenge itself, love doesn't even get provoked by the painful acts of others! Love doesn't wish that bad things happen to people and instead of rejoicing when it bad things have happened to those who hurt us, love is never happy about it.

You have the nature of God in you; you can love like Him!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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IT HAS TO BE ABOUT JESUS

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, January 23
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

IT HAS TO BE ABOUT JESUS

Matthew 16:24 NKJV "Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

We are so self-conscious today; and it's worrisome considering the fact that it was prophesied that men would be lovers of themselves in the last days. We talk so much about loving "ourselves" more than we emphasize the need to love others.

To follow Jesus, He demands that we deny ourselves. In other words, you cannot put yourself and your needs before His! That's what it means to follow, right? To be behind. He not only asks us to deny ourselves, He also asks us to carry our crosses. The Christian life is a call to make sacrifices. It's not all fun as some of us have been made to believe, it will be inconveniencing and challenging.

It's not all about Jesus meeting your needs and Him making your life beautiful; it's also about you meeting His needs at any cost and championing His causes here on earth. But there's a reward! Jesus endured the cross and the humiliation because He knew the joy that was set before Him; if we put Him first He will put us first; and really, His yoke is easy and His burden is light, His commandments too are not grievous.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Sharpening The Edge

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, January 22
Chinaemerem Joshua

Sharpening The Edge

Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV "If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success."

Wisdom brings success. In other words, failure and struggling are results of lack of wisdom. When wisdom is at work, there should be success. Wisdom is indeed the principal thing, therefore get wisdom.

Wisdom is using a sharp axe to fell a tree. Every profession, task and assignment has their axes; the necessary tools, effective ways of getting things done. Having an axe is great, but it has to be sharpened continually for maximum impact, efficiency and effectiveness. To sharpen your axe refers to updating your skills, doing things with the latest and best tools, keeping up with new trends, improving continuously, evolving continually and being up-to-date. Be flexible; your approach might have to change from time to time.

You will hardly make progress and succeed if you insist on doing things things the way "it has always been done". There are people like that, you know; they are too slow to embrace change and wonder why they remain small, below average, are unable to compete and work harder than anyone else. Are you a student, worker or business owner? Always sharpen the edge of your axes.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Achieving Spiritual Excellence

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, January 21
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Achieving Spiritual Excellence

Colossians 1:10 NKJV "That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

When we were in school, our parents would always tell us to remember the family from where we came while away from home. They were telling us to behave well, to protect the family name, to honour them in their absence and to be good ambassadors of our families. That's what it means to walk worthy of the Lord. It's like asking us to be true sons and daughters of our Father in heaven.

In this year of achievement, we must aim for spiritual excellence as we seek to achieve other things. In fact, spiritual excellence must be top priority as every other thing depends on it. Colossians 1:10 says to fully please the Lord, to be fruitful in every good work and to increase in the knowledge of God. Let's work towards achieving these things.

Every decision, action, word and thought should be to please the Lord. Whether you're getting married, acquiring a new property, doing business transactions, etc, let it be to please the Lord. Be fruitful in every good work. Do good. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says God is able to make all grace abound toward us so that we may have abundance for every good work. As God blesses you, a portion should be used to do good. And increase in the knowledge of God. Nobody knows everything about God, some just have more knowledge about Him than others. So fellowship with Him more, pray more, study the word more. Paul prayed, That I may know Him! So shall it be for us, in Jesus name.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Meditating For Success

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, January 20
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Meditating For Success

I Timothy 4:15 NKJV "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all."

When you give yourself to something, you spend all your time and energy doing or feeling it. For instance, a man giving himself to his job or business; a woman giving herself entirely to her family; and a student giving himself or herself to their studies. Paul said to give ourselves entirely! to the word!

One reason it doesn't work for a lot of us is that we haven't given ourselves entirely to it. Meditation is powerful and capable of producing tremendous results, but we haven't taken meditating on the word seriously. We do it for only a few minutes, in the morning or at night, just to have a feeling of "godliness"; or we just read devotionals like this since we're too busy to do proper bible studies, and we're done. We just read, we rarely meditate.

Joshua 1:8 says, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." It didn't specify any time of the day or night for meditation; it says day and night! So you're at work and your spirit is meditating on the word; you're on the field and you're feasting on the word; eating and digesting the word! You want to make undeniable progress this year? Make meditation on the right things a priority.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Blessings On Your Head

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, January 19
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Blessings On Your Head

Proverbs 10:6 NKJV "Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked."

Did you read that? If you're born again, the Scripture says that blessings are on your head! In other words, if you're not already rich, you are a potential rich man or woman, because according to Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it." Listen, irrespective of what's going on in the world, now or at any other time, you are destined to succeed and prosper!

Genesis 24:1 says, "Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things." Abraham was blessed in ALL things! Here's how his chief servant described his blessings: "The Lord  has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys." Wow! David too was blessed. 1 Chronicles 29:28 "So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place." Awesome!

Have you seen someone carry load on his or her head? Blessings are on your head! Put me in desert and I will prosper! Drop me on an island, I will prosper! Take me to where things are so bad, the blessing will still produce wealth for me! In famine, Isaac went forward, and grew great, until he became very great! Hallelujah! Whatsoever you do should prosper because you are blessed! You ought to be strong and honoured wherever you are! It's a truth; believe it; confess it; agree with the word; you are blessed!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Miracles In The Wilderness

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, January 18
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Miracles In The Wilderness

Mark 8:4 NKJV "Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?"

For people who live by sight, a wilderness is the least likely place for extraordinary things to occur. A wilderness is a barren land, a wasteland, a deserted area; it's certainly not a place that inspires hope.

But in the Bible, many amazing miracles were done in the wilderness! God is as powerful in the wilderness as He is in other places; in fact, it's in the wilderness that He does the most amazing miracles and displays His mighty power. Where men fail, God shines! Where men see nothing good, God is glorified! Where men have given up, God is highly exalted!

Where you are is not the problem: maybe you have just been posted to a dry place and you're wondering how you will make it there, cheer up, God still does miracles in the wilderness! Have faith in God, He will cause you to prosper in that very place. See what God can do: Psalms 107:35-38 says, "He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into watersprings. There He makes the hungry dwell, that they may establish a city for a dwelling place, and sow fields and plant vineyards, that they may yield a fruitful harvest. He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly; and He does not let their cattle decrease." Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Unmovable And Unshakable

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, January 17
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Unmovable And Unshakable

Psalms 125:1 NKJV "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever."

This verse got me up; meditating on it excites my spirit! Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever! Hallelujah!

Prices of crude oil are crashing, diseases here and there, terrorist attacks, austerity measures, predictions of doom and dwindling fortunes, forecasts of mass retrenchment, earthquakes, and so on and so forth; but those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be moved but abides forever!

It doesn't matter what's going on around me, in my home, in my office, in my state and in my country; it doesn't matter who is in power, it doesn't matter what pronouncements are made; it doesn't matter how many people gang up against me, neither does it matter what Satan throws at me; I cannot be moved! There may be sickness in my family, my job may be taken, my bank account may be empty, I may be involved in an accident, and everyone may turn their backs on me; but you know what brother, nothing can knock me down, keep me down or kick me out; I shall still be standing! And rising!! And soaring higher and higher!!! Because I am like Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but abides forever! I am unmovable and unshakable!!!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Achieving The Unthinkable

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, January 16
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Achieving The Unthinkable

2 Samuel 5:6-7 ERV "The king and his men went to fight against the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. The Jebusites said to David, “You cannot come into our city. Even our blind and crippled people can stop you.” (They said this because they thought that David would not be able to enter into their city. But David did take the fort of Zion. This fort became the City of David.)

This is not about what you think, but what others think about you. Many times we let ourselves be weighed down by the opinions of other people about us, we believe their lies about our abilities, we let them bind us with their thoughts. Refuse to believe lies! It doesn't matter who said it, whether the person is big or small, let God be true and all men liars!

Your response matters a lot. Let me tell you, you will be told many times, even by those in your inner circle, that you can't, even your mind will sometimes try to deceive you; but remember the words of Paul the apostle, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me! Hallelujah!

Live every second of your life being fully conscious of Who lives within you! Your strength may be weak, but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength! The Jebusites thought that David would not be able to enter their city but he did! In this year, you will enter unthinkable places! This year, you will do the unthinkable! This year, you will possess unthinkable things! This year, you will go to places where no one ever thought you will go! Your voice too will be heard in high places! In the name of Jesus!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Move On

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, January 15
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

MOVE ON

Deuteronomy 1:6 NKJV “The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain."

It was God Who led the Israelites to Horeb; it was to be a temporal settlement but they soon became used to living there. God had to speak to them again, instructing them to move on.

Don't make a temporal abode a permanent one! Don't become so used to things you are meant to only enjoy for just a while. It might be good, but God has prepared something a lot better for you.

Find out the things that you need to stop doing; don't be carried away by the good things where you are and miss the greater blessings of your next level. I see God opening new doors for you; I see God making ways for you; don't be afraid to make a move as God leads you.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Have A Big Dream

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, January 14
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Have A Big Dream

Genesis 37:10 NKJV "So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”

You can tell the size of your dream by the force of opposition against it. Let me explain: if a man says he wants to have the biggest and best school in a particular place, what do you think would happen? Immediately, there are likely going to be people who will become envious and threatened by his dream, and they would do everything possible to stop him from achieving it. If on the other hand, he's plan is for something small, no one would consider him a threat.

When you set out to do something really great, don't expect everyone to be excited about it. But that shouldn't stop you from dreaming; dream another dream! Let me tell you; dream and keep dreaming until your dreams come to pass! For three years a man kept calling to know the current price of a particular thing he wanted to invest in; for three years he kept on dreaming until he was able to afford it. Today, he's very successful!

Don't let yourself be limited by inferiority complex; you can be greater than the one who's currently the greatest; you can be bigger than the one who's the biggest at the moment! With God, all things are possible! Work, pray, believe, persist, learn, maintain the right attitude and endure the tough and rough times. Dreams still come to pass: dare to dream... BIG!!!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Power From On High

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, January 13
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Power From On High

Matthew 9:8 NKJV "Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men."

The secret of Jesus' success was the power of God. Jesus did not have to advertise; He did not have to make announcements on television, radio or the social media (of course there were none then); He did not have to even rent halls and pay for spaces to use for His programs; in fact He did not seem to organize any special events in order to pull crowds; all He did was manifest His glory!

No wonder He said to the apostles, "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Jesus knew that if they would achieve similar success they would equally need the power from on high. How many degrees they had; how many connections they had; how much money they had; how well they could speak and interact were not factors; what mattered most was having the power from on high!

What I like most about Matthew 9:8 is that it says God gave such power to men! In other words, you and I can have that power from on high! It's not power from the government or power from demons or power from witch doctors; power from on high! You don't have to be a pastor to need the power; we all need it to effectively witness Jesus and represent Him here on earth. You want to achieve more than you ever have? Be filled with the Spirit!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Don't Lose Your Flavour

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, January 12
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Don't Lose Your Flavour

Matthew 5:13 NKJV “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men."

Everyone of us was created for influence; no wonder the Bible says that we are known and read by all men. You're not a nobody, rather you are somebody whose life is meant to improve the lives of people all around you.

But if you lose your flavour you become worthless! In other words, never lose your ability to be a positive influence in the lives of people around you. God has blessed you with a strong voice, don't misuse it; God has blessed you with an admirable personality, use it well to the glory of God.

You are the salt of the earth. Begin where you are, today, to fulfill your true purpose in life. Make people better than they are; change your community; visit that primary school in your neighborhood and ask how you can be of help; evangelize, lead men to Christ. Never be unconcerned about things going on around you: it is your responsibility, my responsibility, our responsibility, as children of the Most High God.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Take New Territories

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, January 11
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Take New Territories

Joshua 17:14-15 NKJV "Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given us only one lot and one share to inherit, since we are  a great people, inasmuch as the Lord has blessed us until now?” So Joshua answered them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.”

This is the year of achievements! Hallelujah! God's grace to make uncommon accomplishments is available for you and I and we must take full advantage of it.

The children of Joseph were great, strong and blessed; and they were given just a lot; it was insufficient and they wanted more. They obviously expected Joshua to apportion more lots to them, probably to take from another tribe and give to them; but Joshua told them that if they wanted more they should go up to the forest, clear it, and get more! That's what some of you need to do instead of complaining.

Maybe you are not getting enough from your job, stop complaining, get up and take new territories because you are great and blessed! We like to say that "life" gave us this and that, if you are dissatisfied then get up, go up and take new lands! You don't have to settle for less than you need when God has made grace available for you to get as much as you want. Stop complaining and waiting for some mysterious opportunity, be proactive; the place may be looking like a forest right now, but with some effort it can become a very beautiful land. Take new territories!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Filling The Earth

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, January 10
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Filling The Earth

Genesis 9:1 NKJV "So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth."

God's plans and purposes are rarely restricted to specific geographical locations; the entire world is usually His focus. Jesus sent the disciples into all the world; He said they would be His witnesses in Judea, Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. There may be small beginnings but the plan is usually for it to be extended to the entire world.

You've got to learn to think globally. God says be fruitful and multiply, and to fill the earth; in other words, don't be limited to just where you are now; you are meant to grow and keep growing until you are influencing people and touching lives all over the world! Sounds ambitious, but it's achievable because you are blessed!

Refuse to be a local champion, be a global champion! If you are into production, plan to produce for the whole world; if you have skills, be so good that people from all over the world would require your services; always think of how whatever you do can fill the whole earth. It might be gradual, but you must keep making progress and expanding until you are a force to be reckoned with globally.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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In The Beginning

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, January 9
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

In The Beginning

Genesis 1:1 NKJV "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

The best person to learn from is God. Who else would you rather learn from? There's really nothing new, you know, one way to succeed, quickly, is to know what others did about similar situations and at similar times. In this case, we are learning from God Himself.

In the beginning God created: pause. God created in the beginning. In other words, the best time to create is in the beginning, not in the middle or at the end. God created in the beginning. Before God created, there was chaos and darkness, He began to create, and then things changed forever. Hallelujah!

This is the beginning of the year! It's time to create! Do you understand? Now is the time to create! I have learned that things do not just happen, people make them happen. You can't just expect the year to be great and fantastic, you must work with God to create a great year for yourself, to create a fantastic life, to create the beautiful dreams and visions in you. Start now, in the beginning, to create your world!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Step Up Your Prayer Life

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, January 8
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Step Up Your Prayer Life

Hebrews 5:7 NKJV "Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear."

Everybody prays, but we do not all pray the same way; everyone prays but not everyone achieves results through prayer. Now this is not about specifying a particular way to pray, but to learn from people who achieved results through prayer. In this year of achievements how we pray matters.

Notice how Jesus prayed, "with vehement cries and tears", and we are told that He was heard because of His godly fear. Notice again the words used in Romans 8:26 to describe how the Holy Spirit prays; it says that "the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Elijah too was said to have prayed earnestly; as a result it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

We pray for different reasons at different occasions; but a lot of us don't seem to take prayer seriously. If this year is going to be different then we must pray differently. Step up your prayer life! It will be a lot easier for us to accomplish great things if we make prayer a part of our daily lives.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Praying Is Caring

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, January 7
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Praying Is Caring

Philemon 1:4 NKJV "I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers."

In the Scriptures, we are taught to love and care for one another. The Bible says to let brotherly love continue. We've got to see more of that love of the brethren manifested today. The world too must see that we love and care for ourselves, irrespective of our denominations and beliefs. Instead of tearing each other apart, the church must learn to correct in love.

One way to prove that we care is by praying for one another. We must begin to intercede for one another more, whether prayers are requested or not. The word of God says to bear one another's burdens; one sure way to do that is through prayers.

Prayers help and prayers work! The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Your two minutes prayer for a brother or sister can do a lot more than you can imagine. We must be concerned about our brethren, even those we might not know in other parts of the world! We must pray that they stand, that they be healed, that God provides for them and that they be delivered. That's caring; praying is caring!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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HOW TO HAVE A GREAT YEAR

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, January 2
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

HOW TO HAVE A GREAT YEAR

Psalms 127:1-2 NKJV "Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep."

Something happened that reminded me of the verse above. Two children rejected biscuits I offered them when they visited. I immediately figured that their parents had advised them not to accept things from others. But one of them wanted some biscuits. So he tricked the other one to go play outside with him; then he came back, asked for biscuits, finished it, cleaned his mouth and then went out to play. As that happened, I was just laughing within me.

A lot of us are like the parents of those children; we like to think that we have everything under our control, that we are smart, protective, and powerful enough to determine the outcome of events that happen in our lives, in the lives of our family members, in our offices, et cetera; but we are really not in charge: only God is.

Do you really want to have a great year, to accomplish much, and not to experience unnecessary pain and disasters? Then you must commit everything you do this year unto the hands of God. It's okay to counsel your children, to have plans and strategies, to do everything necessary to win, but understand that all of that will be useless without God's help. God cares, and if we trust Him, He would help us have a very happy and successful year.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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NAME YOUR YEAR

2015 NEW YEAR MESSAGE
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

NAME YOUR YEAR

As the year came to an end, I began to enquire from the Lord what 2015 would be. The Lord taught me something from the Book of Genesis:

Genesis 2:19 NKJV "Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name."

God did not name the animals, Adam did. The Holy Spirit taught me that we, being in His image, could give names to the years, months and days like Adam did! Awesome! And the Bible says that whatever Adam called them was their name. In other words, God approved and ratified Adam's declarations.

When a child is born it is named. A New Year has just been born; God says "name it and I will ratify it; whatever you call the year 2015 will be its name!" Hallelujah!

I'm aware that so many things have been said about 2015. My question to you is, what are you saying as a prophet and priest over your family, your school and your business?

I had a dream early morning of the 31st of December based on which 2015 is declared THE YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS!

I pray for you in the name of Jesus, in 2015, you will achieve great things! In 2015, you will achieve beyond your abilities! In 2015, it will not be by might, it will not be by power, it will be by the Spirit of God! Hallelujah!!!

Happy New Year!!!

CROSSING OVER POWERFULLY

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, December 31
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

CROSSING OVER POWERFULLY

Joshua 5:1 NKJV "So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel."

Tomorrow a new year begins! I'm grateful to God for letting us all get to this time. The news is full of bad news of people who died even in the past seven days; but God was merciful to us. Hallelujah!

For many people, a new year is merely a continuation; for them it's just another day. For some others, nothing spectacular will happen in the new year; but not for you! Glorious things await you in the new year because you expect them and because God is with you.

I prophesy to you in the name of Jesus that you will cross over powerfully into the new year! Some of you will begin to have your testimonies from the very first day of the year! This year may not have been the best of years for you, next year will be better, sweeter and greater in Jesus name!

WHEN PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, December 30
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

WHEN PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED

II Corinthians 12:8 NKJV "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me."

Are there prayers you've prayed that were not answered? I think so. But God is faithful and He answers prayers. Hallelujah!

But notice that Paul prayed about a certain thing three times, and three times he received no answers from God. In fact, Paul didn't just ask, he pleaded with God, yet God ignored his pleas. Now, it's easy to attribute unanswered prayers to doubt, not asking according to the will of God, and even sin, but in this case, it was God choosing not to answer Paul's prayer the way Paul wanted Him to, in order to achieve a greater purpose in Paul's life.

God is our Father and He knows what's best for you and I. If God isn't answering, or hasn't answered your prayers when, and how you expect Him to, don't be angry and sad, instead trust Him to do what's best for you. Keep praising Him.

THE WORD AT WORK IN YOU

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, December 29
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

THE WORD AT WORK IN YOU

I Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."

How you receive the word of God determines it's effectiveness in you. How you receive the word is the difference between how it works in others, for others, and for you. We read in the book of Hebrews that the word did not profit some people because they didn't receive it with faith.

Paul said that the Thessalonians welcomed the word. You know, we receive visitors differently; there are some people whose visit you prepare specially for; you'd go to the market, get something really nice, arrange your house, spray it with some lovely scents, and inform everyone about their coming. Meanwhile, there are some other visitors whose visit do not excite you.

It's not enough to just keep hearing the word, how you receive it matters a lot. I don't want to have anything to do with whatever doesn't work; but thank God that the word is quick and powerful! Hallelujah! My prayer is that from today the word will begin to work effectively both in you and for you as you believe it. Amen.

UNDERSTANDING HIS WILL

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, December 28
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

UNDERSTANDING HIS WILL

Ephesians 5:17 NKJV "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

King Solomon taught us the importance of understanding; he said to get wisdom, and to purchase understanding with all our possessions; to get understanding with all our effort.

There's a difference between knowing the will of God and understanding it. In this case, I'm talking about God's will for your life. For instance, a man may know that God wants him to do a particular thing but he has no understanding of the why, the effect, it's relevance to what God is doing globally, the timing, the how, and so on. Knowledge is really incomplete without understanding. A man can only explain and hold strongly on to what he understands.

As we prepare ourselves for the New Year and seek the will of God for our lives, our families and our nation, let's take time to also seek an understanding of His will. Let's approach the coming year differently; understanding His will.

JESUS DIDN'T COME TO JUDGE THE WORLD

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, December 27
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

JESUS DIDN'T COME TO JUDGE THE WORLD

John 3:17 ERV "God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him."

On my mind are the stories of the woman caught in the act of adultery and the prodigal son. One thing is common in both stories as well as in those of many others in the Bible, the Lord never made mention of their sins, in fact, He didn't scold or rebuke them, or even try to counsel them! How about the Samaritan woman? Despite knowing that she had married seven husbands, the Lord never judged her. I don't know about you but merely meditating on this is changing me.

When we sit down to discuss with our friends, colleagues and brethren, isn't it to discuss the wrongs and sins of others most times? We are always so quick to condemn ourselves and to ostracize fellow human beings for whatever they have done, sometimes even when they are sorry. Jesus didn't do that, He simply asked people to go and sin no more.

Yes I know that the Scripture says that people are judged for choosing to stay in darkness. But have we forgotten that the Scripture also says that Satan has blinded their hearts lest the light of the gospel should shine on them? Brothers and sisters, if God has reserved judgment until the end why are we quick to judge others? Who's judging us for our own faults? God so loved the world! Everyone - no matter who they are or what they've done, no matter how messed up they are! God gives everyone the opportunity to start afresh, we have no right to deny people such opportunities. This Christmas, let us truly set men free from guilt and all kinds of condemnation. The devil is a liar!

YOU CAN HAVE EVERYTHING ELSE

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, December 26
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

YOU CAN HAVE EVERYTHING ELSE

Romans 8:32 ERV "He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things."

Jesus is inarguably God's greatest gift to man. He was God's only begotten Son, He was God's beloved Son in Whom God was well-pleased, yet, because God so loved us He sacrificed Jesus for the salvation of man. And that's what Christmas is all about.

Now, if that was all that God did for you and I it would have sufficed. But you see, Jesus is a "package" of blessings! Having Jesus is like having the keys to the vault of a bank; with the keys, you can have access to everything else that you'd ever need in your life!

No wonder Jesus said, "And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you. Then the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it." Wow! Hallelujah!

Today is Boxing Day when people are supposed to open their gifts. It doesn't matter if you received gifts or not, you can receive from God now! Use the name of Jesus to request for whatever you want - there's no limit to what we can ask for! Receive the desires of your heart, in Jesus' name.

CELEBRATION OF A PURPOSE FULFILLED

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2014
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

CELEBRATION OF A PURPOSE FULFILLED

After He was mentioned at the age of twelve, the Bible didn't talk about Jesus until when it was time for Him to begin His ministry. Many people have researched a lot to know about those eighteen years of Jesus' life. Trust me, if it was important God would have revealed it to us. God is purpose-driven. Every time you see Him move or speak, it is for the fulfilment of a purpose. We didn't hear about Jesus until He was thirty, when it was time to fulfil His purpose for coming to the world.

The reason we celebrate Christmas today is not just because Jesus was born, but because He achieved all that He was sent here for. If He had yielded to Satan's temptations, if He listened to Peter, or if in Gethsemane He chose not to die, there wouldn't have been any reason to celebrate today.

We love to celebrate birthdays but how many of us are really fulfilling God's purposes for our lives? Birthdays would be more meaningful if we are celebrating the accomplishment of God's divine purposes for our lives. Birthdays should be special times in our lives for reflection and assessment.

It's not late to discover your purpose and to start fulfilling it. Fulfilling your purpose is what will make you fulfilled in life. Learn from Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR YOU

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, December 24
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR YOU

John 5:6-7 NKJV "When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

The first thing we are told is that Jesus knew that the man had been in that condition for a long time. Understand that there's nothing that you're going through that God is unaware of, He knows your condition and He also knows how you feel.

Then Jesus asked him if he wanted to be well. It's like meeting a sick man in the hospital and asking him if why he's there, especially after you've known his condition. Why did Jesus ask such a question? I think that Jesus asked in order to activate his faith. Sometimes we've got to express our desires for the things we want. You must learn to give voice to your desires; and that's why prayer is vital. God knows exactly what you need but you're required to ask in faith that you may receive.

The man's answer showed how frustrated he was. Many times our human efforts fail us. We try on our own to get things for ourselves, but we don't succeed because of several reasons. Brothers and sisters, it is not by power or might! The race is not to the swift, neither is the battle to the strong. God can give you whatever you need faster than you can get it on your own. Even now, it is not late to receive the desires of your heart. I'm asking God to give Christmas gifts to you this week. So shall it be, in Jesus name.

THE TRUE LIGHT IS SHINING

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, December 23
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

THE TRUE LIGHT IS SHINING

I John 2:8-10 NKJV "Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him."

Generally speaking, the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Hallelujah. But even though the light is shining the Scripture warns that it is possible to still be in darkness. Brothers and sisters, your choice determines your experience.

Love or hate determines where you really are. Thank God for confessions, but note that the Scripture says that a man can be saying that he is in the light while he is actually in darkness. Actions, really do speak louder than words. When actions do not match words what's going on is hypocrisy and self deception.

This season the true light is still shining as brightly as it has always shone! As true children of God, we must put aside grievances, grudges, hate, unforgiveness, envy, malice and anything else in our lives that do not glorify the Lord. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Let us not permit any form of darkness in our lives, let us choose rather to dwell in the true light that is already shining. You will not stumble in Jesus name.