Glorifying God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, March 31
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Glorifying God

Psalms 50:23 NKJV "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

To glorify is to honour and to praise. There are different ways to glorify God: with our substance, with our lifestyles, with our bodies, by doing His will, that is, obeying Him, and by praising Him; giving thanks to Him. Every time we praise and thank God He is glorified.

We must live a lifestyle of praising God. In Heaven, God is glorified all the time. Revelation 4:8-11 says they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” Hallelujah!

You cannot glorify God enough and remain down for too long. No. If you keep honouring and praising Him, He will surely lift you up and bless you. I Peter 5:6 says that if we humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt us in due time. How do we humble ourselves? By glorifying Him, that is, by praising and honouring God! When we glorify Him, we are elevating Him higher than ourselves and our circumstances, and He in turn lifts us up to greater heights and delivers us from all unpleasant situations. As Paul and Silas praised Him, the prison where they were held was destroyed. You are coming out in Jesus name!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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There Is A Reason

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 30
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

There Is A Reason

I Timothy 1:16 NKJV "However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life."

Have you ever thought about the fact that there could be a reason for which you were saved? Maybe you didn't know; but without a doubt, there's a special reason why God saved you. God specifically chose you for salvation; He sent that brother or sister to you that day, He made you attend that meeting where you heard the message and got saved, because He has a special assignment for you.

Just being saved is not enough. There are lots of idle believers in the kingdom. These brethren are born again but are not fulfilling the purposes for which they were saved. God is pleased to have personal relationships with each one of us, but more than that, He greatly desires to use us in different ways.

You've got to discover the reason why you were saved. Galatians 1:15-16 says, "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles..." Paul was saved that he might preach among the Gentiles! Why were you saved? Maybe it's a book you're supposed to write; maybe it's songs you're meant to sing; it could be caring for orphans and the elderly, or starting a school to raise godly children. No two people and situations are exactly the same; God wants to use you to do something unique where you are, in your country and in the world. There is a reason, discover it.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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How To Change A Country

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 29
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

How To Change A Country

II Chronicles 7:14 NKJV "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

In the beginning, the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep, until the Spirit of God began hovering over the face of the waters. Then God went to work, and changed the earth, creating new things; and by the time He was done, He saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Hallelujah!

What brings darkness and unpleasantness to a land? The answer is simple: sin. Whether we choose to acknowledge the truth or not, whenever a people begin to disregard God and to disobey Him, it doesn't matter if they have the best technocrats, the greatest geniuses, etc, sooner or later, chaos would set in because except the Lord builds a nation, the efforts of the people are in vain! When things have been going wrong for a while, it is wisdom to seek to understand the real cause(s).

Lamentations 3:38-41 says, "Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed? Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven." Lamentations 3:31-33 also says, "For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." True change can never come by man's efforts alone; only God can bring true change to a nation. Christians must humble themselves, individually and collectively, turn from their wicked ways, begin to do the word with sincerity, and seek God's divine intervention; then true and amazing change will occur. God will begin to intervene in the affairs of our country in Jesus name.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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A Choice To Rejoice Or Mourn

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, March 28
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

A Choice To Rejoice Or Mourn

Proverbs 29:2 NKJV "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan."

In the past, Nigerians were deprived of their rights to elect leaders of their choice due to rigging and imposition of candidates by the ruling political class. The so-called godfathers personally appointed whomsoever they willed; our votes never counted. But thank God that our votes now count. Power has shifted over the years from the so-called powerful men to the people; today, we are empowered to determine who we want to lead us. It is a very big deal and we are grateful to God for what He has done.

As we go out today to exercise our franchise, we must understand that as we cast our ballots we are choosing to either rejoice or mourn; to be happy or to weep. "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan." Many of the contestants are well known, they have been in power before, we have lived together with them, we have seen their actions in the past and heard their words: we can tell whether they are wicked or not. People whose words and actions resulted in the death and suffering of fellow men are wicked and should never be allowed to rule! Pharaoh was wicked and the Israelites groaned; if we vote in wicked men, we will surely groan!

Proverbs 28:15 says, "Like a roaring lion and a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people." Proverbs 28:28 says, "When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase." And Job 34:30 says, "That the hypocrite should not reign, lest the people be ensnared." The wicked will not lead us ever again in Jesus name! Hypocrites will never occupy positions of authority in Jesus name! Today, the will of God shall be done on earth as it is in heaven! So shall it be, in Jesus name!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Kind Of Leaders We Need

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, March 27
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Kind Of Leaders We Need

Deuteronomy 17:16-17 NKJV "But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself."

I understand that there's a difference between Christian leadership and let's say secular leadership. Nigeria is not a Christian country; there are quite a lot of Muslims and traditional worshippers here, there are also atheists in Nigeria. Even though I would be very pleased if we could always have Christian leaders, I understand that it can't always be the case. So my expectations of leadership of the State are a bit different from those of the Church.

A large number of Nigerian leaders have been very greedy. Nigeria has been led by thieves. If only one past military head of state stole billions of Dollars that are still being recovered today, just imagine what they have all stolen combined! They've built universities, hotels, mansions and estates with monies they looted. We certainly can't continue to accept and tolerate such kinds of leaders.

We need leaders who are contented with what they have! Contesting elections today is a do or die affair because it's not really about service; it's actually about money to be made, power and promoting specific devilish interests! What a shame. We need leaders with integrity! We don't need leaders who tell us what we want to hear, but don't intend to do what they've promised. We need leaders who truly understand the problems and already have the solutions! We need leaders who are compassionate, leaders who are truly concerned about the welfare of the people they lead, leaders who listen and leaders who have the fear of God in them.

It's about 24 hours to the elections here in Nigeria: I encourage you to ask God to lead you on who to vote. Remember: there's a way that seems right to a man but the end is destruction. We will not use our votes to destroy our country in Jesus name. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Leadership And Direction

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, March 26
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Leadership And Direction

Numbers 14:4 NKJV "So they said to one another, 'Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.'"

Leadership determines the direction that we go as a people. Whether we are going to go upward and forward as a people, or backward, will be determined by the kind of leadership we have. That's what leadership is really about: leading us to somewhere! It is therefore very important for leaders to have a clear vision of where they want to take the people that they are leading to.

In the case of the Israelites, they wanted to go backward! God had delivered them from Egypt, and was leading them to the Promised Land, but the journey wasn't as pleasant as they had expected, and it seemed longer than they had thought it would be. They became dissatisfied with the current leadership that God had given them and wanted to choose one that would lead them back to Egypt. We will never go backward in Jesus name!

Proverbs 29:18 says that where there is no vision, the people perish. What we need are visionary leaders at all levels of government in our country. We also need men who understand God's purpose for us as a people, and will accept divine guidance on how to get there. My prayer is that we will not misuse this opportunity that we have to choose the right leaders for our country and our respective states. The plans of the enemy and the wicked ones will never succeed in Jesus name! May God give us leaders after His heart, Godfearing leaders that will be focused and determined to do only what is right and pleasing in His sight. Amen.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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God's Chosen Leaders

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, March 25
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

God's Chosen Leaders

Isaiah 44:28 NKJV "Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he shall perform all My pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, 'You shall be built,' and to the temple, 'Your foundation shall be laid.'”

Democracy is "a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives." It's "a form of government in which people choose leaders by voting." Democracy is "government of the people, by the people, for the people." Being a government of the people, it's easy to think that God is excluded from the process: not at all, for it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Through us, God's chosen leaders will emerge, that's why we, Christians especially, must participate actively in the process.

Leaders chosen by God are shepherds. And you know, shepherds feed, lead and protect the sheep. God's chosen leaders are also committed to doing His will. If we want the will of God to be done in our country, states and local governments, we must pray for the right leadership. And it is God's chosen leaders that will build the nation. Our prosperity and progress as a people depends on having the right leadership at all levels.

God said to Cyrus, "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron." God said, "I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city and let My exiles go free, not for price nor reward, says the Lord of hosts." May this elections result in the emergence of God's chosen leaders for us in Jesus name! Leaders who have the interest of the people at heart; leaders only interested in service; selfless leaders; transformational leadership; nation builders; in the name of Jesus!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Choosing Our Leaders

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, March 24
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Choosing Our Leaders

I Samuel 8:18 NKJV "And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.”

A lot of people don't seem to understand that there's such a thing as a "national destiny"; we are aware that we have personal destinies, but we don't seem to understand that there are also collective destinies. And whether we like it or not, our individual destinies are tied to that of our nation. That's why the scripture says, "pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee." And you must also understand that the leadership of a nation determines if we will fulfil our destiny as a people. It's a big mistake for anyone to think that whoever is in power doesn't concern him; it does! It affects your entire life, it affects the church and everything else.

Choosing our leaders at any level is serious business! And we must take it seriously, especially as people who pray. It doesn't matter how we decide to choose our leaders, God has the power to influence whatever process it is, and install His choice. Daniel 4:17 says, "This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men."

There was a vacant office in the Early Church that needed to be occupied after the death of Judas; and they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen and they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. That's exactly what we've got to do in the next few days, until the elections are over. To pray to God who knows the hearts of all to show us His choice of all those that have been put forward. If we don't pray now, and make a mistake, like Samuel warned the Israelites, God will not hear us in that day when we cry out because of bad leadership. May God's chosen leaders emerge in Jesus name.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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From Being The Rejected One To Being The Celebrated One

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 23
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

From Being The Rejected One To Being The Celebrated One

Psalms 118:22-23, "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."

Joseph was rejected by his brothers, and sold into slavery because of his dreams of greatness; they said, "We will see what will become of his dreams." But many years later, Joseph became the Prime Minister in Egypt and they all bowed before him!

Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, but he was the son of a harlot, because of which his step brothers drove him out, saying, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.” But the Scripture says that "it came to pass after a time that the people of Ammon made war against Israel. And so it was, when the people of Ammon made war against Israel, that the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. Then they said to Jephthah, 'Come and be our commander, that we may fight against the people of Ammon.'” Wow!

I don't know who has rejected you in the past; maybe you were fired by your employer, maybe your applications were rejected, or your ideas; maybe your siblings rejected you, or even your husband or wife for whatever reason; if you have suffered rejection in the past, I announce to you today, that God is making you a celebrity! God is making you a celebrity in your family, in your community, in your country, and internationally! Those who said you had nothing to offer, and called you names, will come and queue up to seek your assistance! They will see you shine like a star! They will see you in high places, with VIPs! It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes! Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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God Is Wiser

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 22
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

God Is Wiser

Proverbs 1:30-31 NKJV "They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies."

If there's anything I've learned it's that it is in our own interest to do what God says to do and not to do whatever He says not to do: in short, it's to take the word of God seriously.

When God says, "Look, and you will live", if you look you will live, and if you choose not to look, you will surely die. When God says " Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation, if you watch and pray you will not fall into temptation, but if you don't watch and pray, you will surely fall into temptation! If He says, "Give and it will be given unto you", if you give it will be given unto you, and if you don't, it will not be given unto you in full measures. It's the same for every word He has spoken.

Every single word that God speaks is to be taken seriously. It's only the devil that will tell you that it won't happen as God has said it would, just as he deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; you know the rest of the story and the consequences of their actions. If there's anything I want to say today, it's that God is wiser than us. He's an authority on whatever He talks about; the Scripture says that He cannot lie! Has He said a thing and shall it not come to pass? Receive His counsel for life and living; receive His word for success and prosperity; receive His wisdom for healing and eternal life: incline your ears to His sayings, don't despise His counsel; they are life to those who find them and the genuine source of happiness. Do His word and it shall be well with you.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Peace Within

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, March 21
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Peace Within

Philippians 4:7 NKJV "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

God said to David, "Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days." You see, there are two types of peace; peace without, and peace within. Solomon was promised peace all around him. But we are promised a different kind of peace: Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Meaning that, the peace we have isn't determined by whatever happens around us; even if there's trouble and chaos we can still be at peace. Hallelujah!

You must decide not to allow anything or anyone rob you of your peace. One thing that steals are peace is worry, and then fear! And both are a result of ignorance. Why? Because if you really know the God you call Father, nothing at all will shake you. That's why Psalms 125:1 says that those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever!

Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." The economy may be bad; your child may be sick; your marriage may be in crisis; your boss is threatening you... relax! Let not your heart be troubled! With prayer and supplication make your requests known to Papa God... He will fix it! Praise the Lord!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Surest Way Up

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, March 20
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Surest Way Up

Deuteronomy 28:1 NKJV “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth."

We all want to succeed, rise to the top and do well. We attend seminars, buy CDs of inspirational and successful men, we read books and get more education in order to prosper, get promoted and excel. Doing those things are good, but "this is what the LORD, your protector, says, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you how to succeed, who leads you in the way you should go.'" (Isaiah 48:17)

God can give you everything that you want; God can make you whatever you dream to be; God has the ability to take you from where you are right now to any height you want to attain in life. In fact, God is the One you really need, every other thing isn't that important: Psalms 75:6-7 says, "For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another."

2 Chronicles 26:5 reveals to us that as long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him prosper. That's all the man needed to do in order to prosper! Looks like the shortest route to success and prosperity to me! Brothers and sisters, let's not get carried away, confused and distracted by the ways of the world; if we can follow God wholeheartedly and do His word diligently He will take us to unimaginable heights than we could ever dream of. You will succeed and prosper in Jesus name.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Seeing God

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, March 19
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Seeing God

Matthew 5:8 NKJV "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Seeing God and being with Him after all has been said and done here on earth is really all that matters. Even now, intimacy with God is essential for every believer. Jesus said that it is only the pure in heart that will see God, and the author of Hebrews reiterated it in chapter 12:14, "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord."

It's important to note that our hearts were purified when we got born again. Acts 15:9 says that our hearts were purified by faith. In the Old Testament, the blood of animals were used to clean the people, even though it didn't suffice; Hebrews 9:14 says, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hallelujah! The problem is that we defile ourselves again and again with sin.

That's why James said, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Paul said, "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." These we must do! We do not have the power to cleanse ourselves, but we can choose to say no to sin. And if we sin, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Stop Despising The Word

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, March 18
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Stop Despising The Word

Proverbs 13:13 NKJV "He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded."

He who despises the word will be destroyed. That's enough reason not to despise it. In Hosea 4:6 God said, "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." God said He was going to treat them exactly how they treated His word!

What's your attitude to the word of God? God said, “But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." While having discussions with people, and I make reference to the Scriptures, I've met those who say things like, "Keep the Bible aside!" Keep the Bible aside? And they are supposed to be Christians! It never ceases to amaze me!

As a student, I had a "Ghana-must-go" bag (a travelling bag) of messages (CDs, tapes and videos), I had many books too, I even decided to start a book club: till today, part of whatever I earn is used to buy knowledge! And I don't just listen to the word, I honour it! Whatever God says is final, whether it is illogical or seemingly stupid, my business is to do the word and to be guided by it. "He who fears the commandment will be rewarded." When the word of God is first in your life certain things come to you without having to pray for them. So stop despising the word, knowingly and unknowingly with your attitudes.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Getting Whatever You Want

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, March 17
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Getting Whatever You Want

Ezra 7:6 NKJV "This Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was  a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him."

The Bible says that the king granted Ezra all his request: that's amazing! It happened again and again to children of God in the Bible; Exodus 12:36 says, "And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians." Wow!

Listen to me, it's very possible to have everything you need from anyone at all - your bosses, your lecturers, your parents, from the government, etc. You know why? Because God is in complete and absolute control! Proverbs 21:1 says that the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, and like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Hallelujah! And it doesn't matter whether they like you or not; it also has absolutely nothing to do with your looks! Proverbs 16:7 says, "When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

I pray for you today in the name of Jesus, that God will give you favour wherever you go. I pray for you, that doors will open for you whenever you approach them. I pray for you, that from today, no one will turn you down, instead, men will on their own invent ways to help you. Return to those people who said no to you before; go back to those places where your requests were denied previously; God has gone ahead of you this time; it shall be done!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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The Power of Believing

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 16
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

The Power of Believing

Mark 9:23 NKJV "Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.'”

A man took his son to Jesus for deliverance; the boy had been tormented and oppressed by demons since childhood: that's to let you know how terribly wicked Satan is. You mustn't give him any opportunity in your life else he would bring untold sorrow and destruction. Well, when the man was with Jesus, he said to Him, "If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus immediately let him know that if he had faith, nothing would be impossible.

What is faith? Simply defined, faith is believing. That's really what it is: to believe that God can do what you want Him to do; faith is believing that God will do whatever He has said He will do; faith is believing that your prayers will be answered; faith is believing that those words you declared will come to pass! Faith is believing, even when it seems impossible and unlikely, humanly speaking, for those things to come to pass, because you realize that with God, nothing is impossible! Hallelujah!

Can you believe today? Do you know that you can have that job you've always wanted? Yes, it is possible! You can get married this year! You can have a baby! You can get the capital you need for your business! You can get promoted too! God can do all these and more for you, your family and friends if you believe! That's the power of faith! If you believe, you will surely see the glory of God! God is searching the whole earth, seeking to show Himself strong on behalf of those who trust in Him! I know without a doubt that you are a candidate for a miracle! I join my faith with yours today; so shall it be, in Jesus name. Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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No More Disasters

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 15
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

No More Disasters

Zephaniah 3:14-15 NKJV "Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall see disaster no more."

Glory to God! The Bible says that there shall be no more disasters! That's a divine assurance for you and your family today; that's good news! Nahum 1:9 says affliction will not rise up a second time. When God delivered the Israelites from the land of Egypt, Moses said to the people, “The Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever." I declare in the name of Jesus, you shall see disasters no more!

Zephaniah said, "The Lord has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy." Jesus came and took away our judgments. Isaiah 53:5 says He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed! Jesus also defeated Satan! He said we should be of good cheer because He has overcome them! Isaiah 59:19 says, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." Hallelujah!

The King of Israel, the Lord, is in our midst! Therefore we will sing, and shout, we will be glad and rejoice with all our hearts! Praise the Lord!!!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Deliverance From Every Pit

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, March 14
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Deliverance From Every Pit

Luke 14:5 NKJV "Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?”

Jesus healed a man with dropsy on a Sabbath day. Dropsy is an old term for the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess water. Now, Jesus compared that man to someone or something that fell into a pit. And you know what a pit is: a hole in the ground. So a man in a pit didn't just fall on the ground, he's actually beneath the ground.

Pits are sometimes traps, and could be used to keep a man in captivity. When a man is in a pit, he's helpless. When Joseph's brothers conspired to kill him, they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” They desired to kill his dreams by casting him in a pit! Even though they didn't kill him, he was cast into the pit, and while they Joseph was helpless.

When you are in a pit people pity you. But you are to be envied and not pitied! Today, you are being delivered, in Jesus name! A man in a pit cannot fulfil his purpose, a man in a pit cannot achieve his dreams. But everyone whose desire it is for your dreams to die, they are being disappointed in Jesus name! Jesus took the man with dropsy and healed him, and let him go. Today, Jesus sets you free of every sickness, Jesus sets you free from every bondage, Jesus sets you free from every limitation, in Jesus name! You will fulfil your purpose! Your dreams will come to pass! And you will rise higher and higher, in the name of Jesus!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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God, The Secret Of Achievers

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, March 13
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

God, The Secret Of Achievers

Psalms 18:29 NKJV "For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall."

Some people are trying hard to succeed, but without God, no wonder success is very difficult for them to achieve or their success has been limited. I have heard quite a number of successful people attribute their success to God because they know that by themselves they would not have achieved that much. Paul said he could do all things, not through his intelligence, or connections, or skills, but through Christ which strengthened him. Hallelujah!

God is the secret of all achievers! How else could one man run against a troop? It could only have been by God! David said, "It is God who arms me with strength. He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip. For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. You have also given me the necks of my enemies, so that I destroyed those who hated me."

Success and promotion doesn't come by knowing the who's who, for vain is the help of man! There are many powerful and wealthy men who are not helping their own blood relatives! Neither does it come by being hardworking alone; Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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What Have You Done?

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, March 12
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

What Have You Done?

Obadiah 1:15 NKJV “For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head."

Obadiah says, "as you have done, it shall be done to you." That's a bit frightening! Especially if you've not been doing good. After Cain killed his brother, Abel, God appeared to him and asked, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground." That's the question we are being asked today, and one for you to ask yourself, "What have I done?"

Jeremiah 51:56 says that the Lord is the God of recompense, He will surely repay. Another version says He's a God of retribution. In other words, He makes sure that whatever we do, whether good or bad, is also done to us. That's what Ephesians 6:8 says, "knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he  is a slave or free." It doesn't matter who you are, what you do to others will surely be done to you, sometimes in greater measures.

What have you done to your employees? What have you done to your subordinates? What have you done to your employer? What have you done to your parents? What have you done to your wife and children? What have you done to those you borrowed money from? What have you done to your customers? What have you done to those ladies who gave you their hearts? What have you done? What are you doing? And what are you going to do going forward? Maybe you want to repent of your past deeds; God is merciful and gracious; if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us of every unrighteousness.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Maintaining Good Works

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, March 11
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Maintaining Good Works

Titus 3:8 NKJV "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men."

We are saved by faith alone, but after we have been saved, God expects us to do good works. The works we do, are proof of the genuineness of our salvation; because after we believe, we take on the nature of God, and it's the nature of God to do good. Doing good is just being like God.

Acts 10:38 says that Jesus went about doing good. You see, that's the purpose of the blessings that we have received from God; to do good to everyone we come across, especially to those who need it. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

You don't have to be rich to do good; you may not be rich financially, but you are certainly rich in many other ways; you've got gifts - there are people who use what they've got to raise funds for the less privileged: you don't have to wait till you can do so much, if you don't do the little that you are capable of doing now, you are not likely going to do much, when you have a lot. God is glorified when we do good. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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A Stronghold In The Day Of Trouble

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, March 10
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

A Stronghold In The Day Of Trouble

Nahum 1:7 NKJV "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him."

Have you noticed that trouble, or challenges, if you like, seems to never end? It's like there's always going to be an issue, at home, at work, in school, in your children's school, and even in church. You solve one, and you are happy, and then there's another, and another; challenges, manifesting in different forms! Job 14:1 says, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble." The ERV says, “We are all human beings. Our life is short and full of trouble."

So we cannot escape challenges! There's no need praying, "Lord, please don't let me encounter any challenges this month"; maybe you can pray for lesser challenges: the point is that even though challenges seem inevitable, as children of God, we don't have to be worried. We can still be at peace at all times, even in the middle of very serious crisis, because we have a Father who specializes in delivering people out of troubles. Hallelujah!

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling." God says, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Maybe some people have threatened to take your life, or your job; even if the whole country is " boiling", relax! Just send an SOS to GOD using J-E-S-U-S and He will deliver you! Yes, He will!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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He Stands With Us

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 9
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

He Stands With Us

II Timothy 4:17 NKJV "But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion."

Paul began by saying that at his first defense no one stood with him, but all forsook him. Just like people, they are often nowhere to be found when you really need them; they are all around you in good times, giving you the impression that you have a support group, but when the time comes for them to be of help, only a few will come to your aid. Someone said, "Human love is fickle, don't trust it, it is a dry stick don't lean on it." May God give us genuine friends in Jesus name.

But God is always there for us! Many times we are not conscious of His presence, especially when all is well with us, but we clearly see Him at work in our lives when we are physically weak and incapable of helping ourselves. God is always with us, infusing inner strength into us, giving us the will to go on and keeping us safe from every form of danger. When others walk away, God stands with us! That's why we too can say, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Hallelujah!

When you call upon Him He will answer you; when you have to speak, He will give you the right words to say; when you have to walk, He will order your steps; and when you have to make decisions, you will not be confused, you will always hear His voice behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it!" He assured us, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Be Happy And Enjoy Yourself

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 8
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Be Happy And Enjoy Yourself

Ecclesiastes 3:12 ERV "I learned that the best thing for people to do is to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live."

To be happy, and to enjoy oneself seems like a carnal thing to do; but it's not. Ecclesiastes 3:13 says that "God wants everyone to eat, drink, and enjoy their work. These are gifts from God."

Holiness and happiness, and joy, go together! When Nehemiah and Ezra taught the people the word of God, they wept and were sad; but they said to them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep. Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Yes, the joy of the Lord is our strength!

Psalms 16:11 says, "You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever." Hallelujah! Brothers and sisters, decide today to be happy and to enjoy yourself irrespective of the situation of things around you; when the load seems heavy and your heart is overwhelmed, just get into His presence and be refreshed! Oh, I love the Lord! He has made me glad! 1 Timothy 6:17 says God richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment! Glory to God!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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He Does Great Things

Spirit & Life Devotional
Saturday, March 7
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

He Does Great Things

Job 5:9-11 NKJV "Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. He gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields. He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety."

I was in Lagos, Nigeria in the middle of 2011 and decided to visit Household of God Church pastored by Rev. Chris Okotie. I used to watch Chris Okotie on LTV or NTA while growing up; more than anything else, I enjoyed the songs he sang. On this particular day, as Rev. Chris Okotie got to his pulpit, he sang a song that will always be one of my favourites:

Bless the Lord, Oh my soul
And all that is within me
Bless His holy name

He has done great things
He has done great things
He has done great things
Bless His holy name.

Hallelujah! God has done great things! Job said God does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number! I feel like telling someone that you ain't seen nothing yet! Yes, I know that God has been good to you, I know that God has blessed you with a few things, but brother, what God is about to do for you is very great! The scripture says He does them without number! You've been believing for just one thing, but you will not be able to count the blessings of God by the end of this year! No more will you be called small, because God is lifting you up! From today, you are becoming a reference point in your society!

Psalms 126:3 says, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad." From today, no more sorrow, but continual gladness, in Jesus name!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Delivering Yourself

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, March 6
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Delivering Yourself

Proverbs 6:5 NKJV "Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the  hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler."

We've all made mistakes, and will most likely make more, even though we don't have to if we allow ourselves and our actions to be guided by the word of God, which is called a lamp. But when we do make mistakes, we don't have to be consumed by them. There are things we can do to save ourselves, quickly! before things get worse.

The wise king said to his son, "My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: go and humble yourself; plead with your friend. Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids."

The first thing to do is to realize that you have erred. Some people, for reasons known to them, find it difficult to admit that they have erred, so they continue in their errors. That's pride. The first thing to do is to humble yourself. Then apologize if you need to. Our actions may have hurt people we care for, it may have also affected our colleagues and employers; it may have also affected our churches; whatever, just say you are sorry.

When President Bill Clinton was to be impeached for his adulterous affair with Monica Lewinsky, he saved himself by apologizing: he said, "It is important to me that everybody who has been hurt know that the sorrow I feel is genuine: first and most important, my family; also my friends, my staff, my Cabinet, Monica Lewinsky and her family, and the American people. I have asked all for their forgiveness." Bill Clinton was forgiven by his countrymen and his speech is recorded as one of the greatest.

Do what you have to do, and do it fast! Delaying to act could be more devastating that the mistake itself. May God continue to deliver us in Jesus name.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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He Knows Your Needs

Spirit & Life Devotional
Thursday, March 5
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

He Knows Your Needs

Mark 8:1-2 NKJV "In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat."

Notice that the multitude didn't complain that there were hungry, neither did they ask for food to eat; but Jesus knew they had had nothing to eat, had compassion on them, and miraculously provided food for them to eat. Hallelujah!

There's nothing about you (physically, spiritually, financially, emotionally and otherwise) that God is unaware of. You need to understand that and begin to relate with Him with that understanding. He knows that you need a car, He knows you need a house, He knows you need a job, He knows you need children and He knows you need a husband - He knows all your needs both big and small; and He's already doing something about it! So quit worrying yourself!

Jesus said, "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." He also said, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." And Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Amen!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Fishing In Deep Waters

Spirit & Life Devotional
Wednesday, March 4
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Fishing In Deep Waters

Luke 5:4 NKJV "When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

Jesus asked Simon to launch out into the deep - that got my attention. I need you to understand today that the most precious things are found in the deep. The reason many people are searching and not getting anything meaningful is because they are looking in shallow places! If you want your situation to change significantly, then start fishing in the deep.

Look at Psalms 107:23-24. It says, "Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep." His wonders where? In the deep!

Look again at Psalms 135:6; "Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places." Where does He do them? In all deep places!

Deuteronomy 33:13 ISV says, "About Joseph he said: "May the blessing of the LORD be on his land: dew from the choicest of the heavens, and from the depths beneath." Aha! The best things come from above and from the deep!

You've got to move from the shallow places where you are right now if you want to achieve great success. People are comfortable in shallow places because there are little or no risks there; but you must be courageous! Embark on that journey, launch out into the deep, you will not drown, go deeper and deeper! I like what Psalms 95:4 says, "In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also." Meaning that God knows where your breakthroughs are, and He can lead you safely there. Today, ask God to guide you to all the deep places where you should be.

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Beauty For Ashes

Spirit & Life Devotional
Tuesday, March 3
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Beauty For Ashes

Ezekiel 16:9-13 NKJV “Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry  of fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty."

God was reminding the Israelites of how they were before He changed them using the analogy of a new born baby. He said that when they were born, no eye pitied them, instead they were thrown out. He passed by and saw them struggling, and He said to them, ‘Live!’ He made them thrive like a plant in the field; they grew, matured, and became very beautiful. That's what God does; according to Isaiah 61:3, He gives beauty for ashes. Hallelujah!

God said to David, “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth."

You reading this devotional today, maybe there's been nothing beautiful about your life up till now; your story is about to change! God is giving you beauty for ashes, taking you from where you are right now to greatness! Hear me, where you are right now is not you final destination; God is lifting you up and making you someone to be reckoned with, in the name of Jesus!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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We Have An Advocate

Spirit & Life Devotional
Monday, March 2
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

We Have An Advocate

Hebrews 9:24 NKJV "For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."

Christ is in the presence of God for us! Hallelujah! I hope you understand what that means. You know, back in the Old Testament, whenever God wanted to punish the Israelites, Moses would stand in the presence of God on their behalf, interceding for them, and giving God reasons why He should not get rid of them. Moses was being their advocate.

An advocate is "a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. An advocate of peace is "a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor; a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law." That's what the Bible says Jesus is! John wrote, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." I like how God's Word Translation says it, "My dear children, I'm writing this to you so that you will not sin. Yet, if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ, who has God's full approval. He speaks on our behalf when we come into the presence of the Father." Wow!

You see, we didn't employ Jesus to be our Advocate, God Himself did! So God listens to all Jesus says on our behalf because Jesus has His full approval! And there couldn't have been a better Advocate for us: Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Glory to God!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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Ever God's Choice

Spirit & Life Devotional
Sunday, March 1
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Ever God's Choice

Isaiah 14:1 NKJV "For the Lord  will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob."

God said to David concerning Solomon, "I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you."

You know, sometimes, as a result of our sins, we feel that God is so angry with us that He never wants to have anything to do with us ever again; no dear, God is not like your ex! Maybe you've sinned again and again, you might even be haunted by the very terrible things you did many years ago, even after you have confessed your sins and asked for forgiveness: I need you to understand today, that God doesn't even remember that you ever did those things, and that He will never use them against you!

Hear God, “For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” Says the Lord , your Redeemer. “For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the Lord , who has mercy on you." Hallelujah!

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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